Ernsteen Family Foundation
Ernsteen Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. Its 2025 filing reports grants to charitable organizations including nonprofits focused on health, food access, wildlife conservation, education, and religious life.
Ernsteen Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Ernsteen Family Foundation gave $44K across 71 grants in 2025 (avg $618.901), top state Illinois. 3% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $43,942
- -1.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 71
- -6.6% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $619
- +5.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $500
- Total assets
- $102,334
- -43.1% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 3% first-time grantees (2 of 71, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (43% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Ernsteen Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it contributes only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 327 Willow Parkway, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
Phone: (847) 337-8485
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Ernsteen Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Alzheimer's Association ($3K). Together the top 10 received $15K.
Grant Size Distribution
360 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 360 grants of 360 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, Illinois received 43% of grant dollars, followed by New York at 17%, Washington, DC at 7%, New Jersey at 5%, and Massachusetts at 4%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 71 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Ernsteen Family Foundation open to new grantees?
3%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 2 of 71 grantees (3%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $250; repeat grants $630. How we count
Medians: $250 first-time, $500 repeat.
- 94% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+6%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 222% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2018–2025). 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 2018 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $41K (2018) to $45K (2024). In 2025 it made 71 grants totaling $44K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer's Association Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| World Wildlife Fund Washington, DC | Unrestricted | $2,200 |
| Congregation Beth Judea Long Grove, IL | Unrestricted | $1,942 |
| Camp Ramah Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $1,500 |
| Greater Chicago Food Depository Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $1,500 |
| MDS (Myelodysplastic Syndromes Foundation Inc) Yardville, NJ | Unrestricted | $1,250 |
| The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Rye Brook, NY | Unrestricted | $1,250 |
| Planned Parenthood of Illinois Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $1,075 |
| Anti-Defamation League New York, NY | Unrestricted | $1,050 |
| Habitat for Humanity Lake County IL Waukegan, IL | Unrestricted | $1,050 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $102,334 | $47,587 | $48,816 | $43,942 | 71 | $46,268 | $45,287 | $20,811 |
| 2024 | $179,693 | $20,061 | $49,492 | $44,600 | 76 | $46,815 | $17,861 | $21,117 |
| 2023 | $209,124 | $35,598 | $48,148 | $43,800 | 76 | $45,915 | $33,498 | $19,248 |
| 2022 | $221,674 | $12,791 | $49,657 | $41,625 | 68 | $45,640 | $8,791 | $20,739 |
| 2021 | $258,540 | $25,129 | $43,816 | $43,750 | 69 | $43,765 | $25,078 | $24,918 |
| 2020 | $277,227 | $38,353 | $46,397 | $41,350 | 71 | — | $37,019 | $19,551 |
| 2018 | $313,292 | $84,275 | $41,090 | $40,868 | 72 | — | $44,379 | $19,981 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ernsteen Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $21K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its grants include support for organizations working in a range of areas. For example, the World Wildlife Fund describes its mission as conserving nature and reducing threats to the diversity of life on Earth. The Greater Chicago Food Depository says it works to end hunger and regards food as a basic human right. Planned Parenthood of Illinois describes its work as providing and promoting reproductive health care, education, and rights. The Anti-Defamation League says it works to stop antisemitism and other forms of hate and secure fair treatment for all.
Other 2025 grantees include St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which describes its mission as advancing cures and prevention for pediatric catastrophic diseases; Curry College, which emphasizes developing effective communicators and critical thinkers; the American Heart Association, whose mission is longer, healthier lives; and the American Diabetes Association, which works to prevent and cure diabetes and improve the lives of people affected by it.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 71 grants totaling $43,942. Grants ranged from $50 to $2,500, with a median of $500. The largest awards included $2,500 to the Alzheimer’s Association, $2,200 to the World Wildlife Fund, $1,942 to Congregation Beth Judea, and $1,500 each to Camp Ramah and the Greater Chicago Food Depository. The listed grants were designated unrestricted.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Marilyn Ernsteen as president and secretary, and Scott Ernsteen, Gary Ernsteen, and Stephen Ernsteen as directors.
Ernsteen Family Foundation is led by Marilyn Ernsteen, President & Secretary on every filing since 2018; none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Marilyn Ernsteen
President & Secretary
On filings since 2018
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gary Ernsteen
Director
On filings since 2018
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scott Ernsteen
Director
On filings since 2018
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephen Ernsteen
Director
On filings since 2018
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Stephanie Lerner-Ernsteen (2018–2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2018–2025. "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 Ernsteen Family Foundation
How much does Ernsteen Family Foundation give each year?
Ernsteen Family Foundation gave $44K across 71 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $45K across 76 grants.
What is Ernsteen Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Ernsteen Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $500, and its average grant was $619, across 71 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Ernsteen Family Foundation that year got $250 on average.
Where does Ernsteen Family Foundation give grants?
Ernsteen Family Foundation's top state is Illinois, with 43% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New York (17%) and District of Columbia (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (14 grants), Chicago, IL (11 grants), Washington, DC (4 grants) and Skokie, IL (2 grants).
Does Ernsteen Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 99% of Ernsteen Family Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (70 of 71) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Ernsteen Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Ernsteen Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Alzheimer's Association ($2,500), World Wildlife Fund ($2,200) and Congregation Beth Judea ($1,942), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 15% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Ernsteen Family Foundation?
Ernsteen Family Foundation reported $102K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $46K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $21K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Ernsteen Family Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its grants include support for organizations working in a range of areas. For example, the World Wildlife Fund describes its mission as conserving nature and reducing threats to the diversity of life on Earth. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Ernsteen Family Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it contributes only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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 2018–2025.
Does Ernsteen Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, 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
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2018 (received by the IRS December 9, 2019)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 30, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 17, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 13, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 11, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2018–2024
Live grants for the work Ernsteen Family Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Ernsteen Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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