Ernsteen Family Foundation
Ernsteen Family Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) grantmaking foundation based in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. Established in July 1998, the foundation operates as an independent corporation with a focus on philanthropic giving to various charitable organizations.
Key facts about Ernsteen Family Foundation
- EIN
- 36-4202123
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $44,600
- Grants made (2024)
- 76
- Average grant
- $587
- Median grant
- $475
- New grantees (estimate)
- 8% first-time grantees (6 of 76, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (38% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who Ernsteen Family Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Ernsteen Family Foundation's 76 itemized 2024 grants were Illinois (38%) and New York (22%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (16 grants), Chicago, IL (11 grants), Washington, DC (4 grants) and Arlington, VA (2 grants). 100% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Is Ernsteen Family Foundation open to new grantees?
8%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 6 of 76 grantees (8%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $346; repeat grants $608. How we count
Medians: $250 first-time, $500 repeat.
- 89% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+2%). Method
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2018–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Ernsteen Family Foundation
- How to evaluate Ernsteen Family Foundation as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
- Draft an LOI to Ernsteen Family Foundation with AI
AI grant writing that drafts from your organization’s own materials, in your voice.
- Track this opportunity in a free grant tracker
A free Google Sheets or Excel template for deadlines, award terms, and reports due.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$45K
+1.8% YoY
Grant Count
76
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$586.842
+1.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation makes unrestricted grants to organizations across multiple sectors, with a demonstrated commitment to general charitable purposes. Recent grant activity reflects support for health-related causes (Alzheimer's disease, cancer research, diabetes, heart disease), food security, wildlife conservation, religious organizations, and human services.
Grantmaking
All grants are designated as unrestricted, providing organizations flexibility in how funds are deployed.
Grant Range
$100 to $5,162
Ready to take the next step with Ernsteen Family Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation maintains geographically diversified giving across 24 states plus international recipients. Within Illinois, 38% of grants are concentrated, with particular focus in Chicago (46% of Illinois grants), Skokie (8%), and Riverwoods (7%). The foundation also funds organizations in New York, Georgia, and other states nationally.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 76 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Fiscal Year (2024):
- Total Assets: $179,693
- Total Revenue: $20,061
- Total Expenses: $49,492
- Net Income: Negative $1,229
Revenue Sources (2024):
- Investment income and dividends: $5,697
- Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: $14,364
- Contributions received: $0
Historical Assets:
- 2023: $209,124
- 2024: $179,693
The foundation operates with minimal staff (0 employees) and receives no direct contributions, relying instead on investment returns and asset sales to fund its grantmaking activities.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2018–2024
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
360 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Alzheimer's Association ($2,075), Congregation Beth Judea ($2,000), Wildlife Conservation Society ($2,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION Chicago, IL | UNRESTRICTED | $2,075 |
| CONGREGATION BETH JUDEA Long Grove, IL | UNRESTRICTED | $2,000 |
| WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY Bronx, NY | UNRESTRICTED | $2,000 |
| THE LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY Rye Brook, NY | UNRESTRICTED | $1,850 |
| GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY Chicago, IL | UNRESTRICTED | $1,500 |
| AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION Arlington, VA | UNRESTRICTED | $1,250 |
| MDS (MYELODYSPLASTIC SYNDROMES FOUNDATION INC) Yardville, NJ | UNRESTRICTED | $1,250 |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF ILLINOIS Chicago, IL | UNRESTRICTED | $1,075 |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY LAKE COUNTY IL Waukegan, IL | UNRESTRICTED | $1,050 |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION INC Dallas, TX | UNRESTRICTED | $1,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is governed by four board members serving in volunteer capacities with no reported compensation:
- President/Secretary
- Three Directors
Compensation Overview
No officer or director reported compensation in the available filings.
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marilyn Ernsteen | President/Secretary | 10 | — |
| Scott Ernsteen | Director | 1 | — |
| Gary Ernsteen | Director | 1 | — |
| Stephen Ernsteen | Director | 1 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Ernsteen Family Foundation fund?
The foundation makes unrestricted grants to organizations across multiple sectors, with a demonstrated commitment to general charitable purposes. Recent grant activity reflects support for health-related causes (Alzheimer's disease, cancer research, diabetes, heart disease), food security, wildlife conservation, religious organizations, and human services.
How do I apply for a grant from Ernsteen Family Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 76 grants totaling approximately $44,600–$45,000 in the most recent fiscal year (2024) • Historical total giving across all years: $236,752 across 372 grants • Grant range: $100 to $5,162 • Median grant size: $475–$500 • Typical awards: $50–$2,500 **Grant Type:** All grants are designated as unrestricted, providing organizations flexibility in how funds are deployed. **Recent Grantees (2024):** • Alzheimer's Association ($2,075) • Wildlife Conservation Society ($2,000)
Where does Ernsteen Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation maintains geographically diversified giving across 24 states plus international recipients. Within Illinois, 38% of grants are concentrated, with particular focus in Chicago (46% of Illinois grants), Skokie (8%), and Riverwoods (7%). The foundation also funds organizations in New York, Georgia, and other states nationally.
What size grants does Ernsteen Family Foundation award?
In 2024, Ernsteen Family Foundation awarded 76 grants totaling $45K — an average of about $586.842 per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Ernsteen Family Foundation's EIN?
Ernsteen Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-4202123. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2018–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Ernsteen Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
Assets
$6.0B
Grants
3,976
Total Given
$1.4B
Chubb Charitable Foundation
Philadelphia, PA
Assets
$74.9M
Grants
3,719
Total Given
$6.3M
Ge Aerospace Foundation
Norwalk, CT
Assets
$22.5M
Grants
2,467
Total Given
$15.3M
Arthur J Gallagher Foundation
Rolling Meadows, IL
Assets
—
Grants
2,692
Total Given
$1.6M
The Allstate Foundation
Northbrook, IL
Assets
—
Grants
2,010
Total Given
$38.0M
Elks National Foundation Inc
Chicago, IL
Assets
$885.0M
Grants
1,485
Total Given
$31.9M
Baxter International Foundation
Deerfield, IL
Assets
$67.5M
Grants
1,300
Total Given
$13.7M
John D and Catherine T Macarthur
Chicago, IL
Assets
$9.3B
Grants
1,086
Total Given
$356.1M
Arie and Ida Crown Memorial
Chicago, IL
Assets
—
Grants
897
Total Given
$115.2M
The Pfizer Foundation Inc
New York, NY
Assets
$255.3M
Grants
9,306
Total Given
$23.2M
Jpmorgan Chase Foundation
New York, NY
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
10,334
Total Given
$202.5M
Verizon Foundation
Basking Ridge, NJ
Assets
$23.8M
Grants
5,464
Total Given
$7.0M
More Funders in Illinois
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.