Ernest Wentcher Educational Fund
The Ernest Wentcher Educational Fund is a private independent foundation based in Chicago, Illinois, established in 1997 and designated as a 501(c)(3) organization. The foundation operates as a grantmaking entity focused on educational scholarships and support services for students in the Chicago area and beyond.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$3.2M
+5.2% YoY
Grant Count
108
-8.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$29K
+14.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To provide college scholarships and supporting services to Chicago-area high school seniors based on character, academic merit, and financial need.
The foundation's primary funding focus areas include:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
- Science and STEM Education
Grantmaking
The foundation operates three distinct scholarship programs:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds in Illinois, with particular emphasis on Chicago Public Schools students and Oakton Community College students. Grant activity also extends to California and Ohio.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending June 2024:
- Total Assets: $58.4 million
- Total Revenue: $2.31 million
- Total Expenses: $4.14 million
- Total Liabilities: $3.45 million
- Total Giving: $2.97 million
Grant Activity:
- Typical award range: $380–$536,932
- Average grant amounts vary by program and recipient institution
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Brian Fitzpatrick - President
- Chris Broughton - Executive Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHRIS BROUGHTON | EXECUTIVE DI | — | $200,000 |
| BRIAN FITZPATRICK | PRESIDENT | — | — |
| ROBERT WISE | VICE PRESIDE | — | — |
| SALLY TOMLINSON | BOARD MEMBER | — | — |
| DAN WILLIAMS | TREASURER | — | — |
| ROBERT SLAY | BOARD MEMBER | — | — |
| LUCY TUCK | BOARD MEMBER | — | — |
| LAURA FARR | BOARD MEMBER | — | — |
| RICHARD HELMHOLZ | BOARD MEMBER | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2022, marking significant milestones in its scholarship distribution history. As of 2022, the foundation had awarded scholarships to over 250 returning scholars and over 500 Wentcher Alumni.
Fifteen Oakton Students Awarded Wentcher Foundation ScholarshipsIn 2024, the foundation awarded scholarships to 114 recipients across its three programs, including 99 Chicago Public High School seniors in the Class of 2026, 10 new Oakton Wentcher Scholars, and 5 Oakton Wentcher Transfer Scholars.
Fifteen Oakton Students Awarded Wentcher Foundation ScholarshipsThe foundation's founder, Ernest "Ernie" Wentcher, was a successful businessman who established the foundation in 1997 and awarded the first scholarship in 2001. He passed away in September 2013 at age ninety-nine. The foundation continues to operate in perpetuity based on his vision and generosity.
Fifteen Oakton Students Awarded Wentcher Foundation ScholarshipsSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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