Enchanted Backpack
Enchanted Backpack is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois. It supports schools serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade with school supplies and other educational resources, and it provides in-kind goods to organizations serving people in need.
Enchanted Backpack at a glance
In short: Enchanted Backpack gave $1.1M across 157 grants in 2024 (avg $7K), mostly in Illinois. 37% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,051,426
- -28.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 157
- -25.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $6,697
- -2.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $4,995
- Total assets
- $4,654,987
- +245.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 37% first-time grantees (58 of 155, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (78% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Enchanted Backpack
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
Enchanted Backpack accepts unsolicited requests. Schools may apply if they serve any variation of pre-K through eighth grade and at least 50% of students are eligible for the Free/Reduced Lunch Program. The filing also describes eligibility for schools or organizations focused on serving children in those grades in the Chicagoland area, including an equivalent “in need” federal or state program; priority is given to schools. School requests are reviewed on a rolling basis and awards depend on time, availability and need. Applicants are asked to complete the application form and email it; the filing says to contact the foundation office for application requirements.
- Review Cycle
- No submission deadlines.
- Deadline
- No submission deadlines.
- Contact
Application contact: Jacob Mayer
Mailing address: 155 N Wacker Drive Suite 1680, Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (312) 477-7603
Website: https://enchantedbackpack.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Enchanted Backpack funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Help Agency of the Forest Inc Sozo Kids ($41K). Together the top 10 received $199K.
Grant Size Distribution
1,035 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,030 grants of 1,035 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The website describes the school program as serving qualifying schools, with eligibility criteria specifying Chicagoland in the filing. In 2024, 78% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois, 11% to Florida, 7% to Indiana, and 1% each to the District of Columbia and Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 157 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Enchanted Backpack open to new grantees?
37%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 58 of 155 grantees (37%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $8K; repeat grants $6K. How we count
Medians: $8K first-time, $4K repeat.
- 47% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−8%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $947K (2020) to $1.5M (2023). In 2024 it made 157 grants totaling $1.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Help Agency of the Forest Inc Sozo Kids Silver Springs, FL | In-Kind Donation of Clothing and Home Goods | $41,221 |
| Wings Palatine, IL | In-Kind Donation of Clothing and Home Goods | $25,496 |
| Fill a Heart 4 Kids Lake Forest, IL | In-Kind Donation of Clothing and Home Goods | $23,687 |
| College of Lake County Grayslake, IL | In-Kind Donation of Clothing and Home Goods | $19,610 |
| Chicago Hope Academy Chicago, IL | In-Kind Donation of Clothing and Home Goods | $19,525 |
| Scott Middle School Hammond, IN | Adopt a School Program Grant Recipient | $17,774 |
| Saint Sabina Catholic Church Chicago, IL | In-Kind Donation of Clothing and Home Goods | $14,381 |
| The Endeleo Institute Inc Chicago, IL | In-Kind Donation of Clothing and Home Goods | $13,142 |
| American Red Cross Washington, DC | In-Kind Donation of Clothing and Home Goods | $12,353 |
| YMCA of Tampa Tampa, FL | In-Kind Donation of Clothing and Home Goods | $12,269 |
Ready to take the next step with Enchanted Backpack?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $4,654,987 | $5,580,977 | $2,308,892 | $1,051,426 | 157 | $5,068,615 | $6,762 |
| 2023 | $1,346,080 | $2,198,008 | $2,758,638 | $1,459,389 | 212 | $2,494,715 | — |
| 2022 | $1,887,416 | $2,785,211 | $2,329,823 | $1,267,164 | 209 | $2,157,103 | — |
| 2021 | $1,470,311 | $2,118,336 | $1,995,594 | $1,141,041 | 241 | $1,824,366 | — |
| 2020 | $1,325,313 | $1,755,759 | $1,728,378 | $947,237 | 216 | — | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Enchanted Backpack states that it aims to make a difference in the lives of children and teachers. Its programs provide school supplies, books, clothing and other items, as well as support for school projects such as playgrounds, reading centers and technology upgrades. It also donates clothing, outerwear, shoes, bedding and home goods to tax-exempt organizations supporting people in need.
The funder’s 2024 recipients included organizations with varied missions. Fill a Heart 4 Kids says it serves local homeless, at-risk and foster children with food, necessities, educational support and life-skills opportunities. Chicago Hope Academy describes itself as a college- and life-preparatory high school. The EndeLEO Institute says it works to improve health, education and economic outcomes in Washington Heights and surrounding communities. Altus Academy describes its work as providing a college-preparatory education to students in grades one through eight.
Grantmaking
In 2024, Enchanted Backpack reported 157 grants totaling $1,051,426. Grant amounts ranged from $153 to $41,221, with a median of $4,995. Many of the largest listed awards were for in-kind clothing and home goods; a listed award to Scott Middle School supported its Adopt-A-School Program.
Notable 2024 recipients included Help Agency of the Forest Inc. Sozo Kids ($41,221), Wings in Palatine, Illinois ($25,496), Fill a Heart 4 Kids ($23,687), College of Lake County ($19,610), Chicago Hope Academy ($19,525), Scott Middle School in Hammond, Indiana ($17,774), and the EndeLEO Institute ($13,142). These amounts are grants given by Enchanted Backpack.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Carol L. Bernick as president and director; Elizabeth Bernick Huber as vice-president and director; Craig Bernick, Daniel Huber and Lindsey Bernick as directors; Patrick Moore as treasurer and director; and Barbara Bernick as secretary and director.
Enchanted Backpack is led by Carol L. Bernick, President & Director since 2021 (on filings since 2020); none of the 7 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Carol L. Bernick
President & Director
President → President & Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Barbara Bernick
Secretary & Director
Secretary → Secretary & Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Craig Bernick
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Huber
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Bernick Huber
Vice President & Director
Vice President → Vice President & Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lindsey Bernick
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patrick Moore
Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Andrew C. Langert (2020–2022) — Treasurer & Director · Filing note: Thru 33022
- Former: Hillary Fash (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Martha Whealy (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Thomas W. Eberhardt (2020) — Treasurer to
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Enchanted Backpack
How much does Enchanted Backpack give each year?
Enchanted Backpack gave $1.1M across 157 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.5M across 212 grants.
What is Enchanted Backpack's typical grant size?
Enchanted Backpack's median grant in 2024 was $4,995, and its average grant was $6,697, across 157 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Enchanted Backpack that year got $8K on average.
Where does Enchanted Backpack give grants?
Enchanted Backpack gives mostly in Illinois: 78% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Florida (11%) and Indiana (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (71 grants), Hammond, IN (4 grants), Oak Park, IL (4 grants) and Blue Island, IL (3 grants).
Does Enchanted Backpack give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 157 grants with a stated purpose on Enchanted Backpack's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "In-Kind Donation of Clothing and Home Goods" (81 grants), "Donation of School Supplies & Other Educational Items" (62 grants) and "Pay It Forward Program Grant Recipient" (11 grants).
Who are Enchanted Backpack's largest grantees?
Enchanted Backpack's largest 2024 grantees include Help Agency of the Forest Inc Sozo Kids ($41,221), Wings ($25,496) and Fill a Heart 4 Kids ($23,687), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 9% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Enchanted Backpack?
Enchanted Backpack reported $4.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $5.6M.
What does Enchanted Backpack fund?
Enchanted Backpack states that it aims to make a difference in the lives of children and teachers. Its programs provide school supplies, books, clothing and other items, as well as support for school projects such as playgrounds, reading centers and technology upgrades. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Enchanted Backpack?
Enchanted Backpack accepts unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Enchanted Backpack's EIN?
Enchanted Backpack's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-4035984. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Enchanted Backpack accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Enchanted Backpack funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/enchanted-backpack-morg_d501344c64364f82a93409e3f8b71839
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_814035984_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Enchanted Backpack funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/enchanted-backpack-morg_d501344c64364f82a93409e3f8b71839},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Enchanted Backpack's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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