Frankel Julius N Foundation
The Frankel Julius N Foundation is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois. It makes grants to qualified charitable organizations, with its 2024 filing identifying charitable organizations benefiting medical research, underprivileged persons, and cultural appreciation as areas of giving.
Frankel Julius N Foundation at a glance
In short: Frankel Julius N Foundation gave $5.1M across 51 grants in 2025 (avg $99K), mostly in Illinois. 2% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $5,066,054
- +34.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 51
- -7.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $99,334
- +45.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $62,653,794
- -1.9% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 2% first-time grantees (1 of 51, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% 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 Frankel Julius N Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- Review Cycle
- Proposals may be submitted at any time in writing.
- Deadline
- Proposals may be submitted at any time in writing.
- Contact
Application contact: The Frankel Foundation Co Bmo Harr
Mailing address: PO Box 95672, Chicago, IL 60694
Phone: (312) 461-5154
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Frankel Julius N Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Northwestern Memorial Foundation ($1.4M). Together the top 10 received $3.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
253 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 103 grants of 253 (41%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars in 2025 went to recipients in Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 51 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Frankel Julius N Foundation open to new grantees?
2%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 1 of 51 grantees (2%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $30K; repeat grants $101K. How we count
Medians: $30K first-time, $50K repeat.
- 98% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 42% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 99% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $3.3M (2020) to $5.1M (2025). In 2025 it made 51 grants totaling $5.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Northwestern Memorial Foundation Chicago, IL | Program Support | $1,366,054 |
| Lyric Opera of Chicago Chicago, IL | Program Support | $375,000 |
| Childrens Hospital of Chicago Foundation Chicago, IL | Program Support | $275,000 |
| Shirley Ryan Ability Lab Chicago, IL | General Operating Purposes | $250,000 |
| Alzheimer's Association Chicago, IL | Program Support | $200,000 |
| Chicago Symphony Orchestra Chicago, IL | Program Support | $175,000 |
| The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago Chicago, IL | Program Support | $115,000 |
| Lawndale Christian Legal Center Chicago, IL | Program Support | $110,000 |
| WTTW Channel 11 Chicago, IL | Program Support | $100,000 |
| Steppenwolf Theatre Company Chicago, IL | Program Support | $100,000 |
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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 | $62,653,794 | $4,841,848 | $6,074,842 | $5,066,054 | 51 | $5,527,421 | $4,362,577 | $5,585,408 |
| 2024 | $63,867,382 | $3,121,201 | $4,638,779 | $3,755,000 | 55 | $4,168,113 | $2,677,564 | $4,997,330 |
| 2023 | $65,397,226 | $893,394 | $4,743,588 | $3,985,000 | 51 | $4,336,743 | $1,277,365 | $4,204,691 |
| 2022 | $69,278,536 | $4,563,203 | $4,362,517 | $3,580,000 | 48 | $3,943,871 | $4,158,845 | $4,285,038 |
| 2021 | $69,083,629 | $12,210,094 | $4,472,150 | $3,540,000 | 48 | — | $11,807,942 | $4,382,009 |
| 2020 | $61,371,592 | $704,318 | $3,959,585 | $3,305,000 | 47 | — | $1,093,886 | $3,622,742 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Frankel Julius N Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5.6M 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
The foundation’s filing does not state a separate mission. Its stated restrictions describe support for charitable organizations that benefit medical research, underprivileged persons, and cultural appreciation.
Its 2025 grants included support for health and medical organizations, arts and cultural institutions, and social-service organizations. For example, Lyric Opera of Chicago describes its work as providing cultural service to the Chicago region and advancing opera; the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association says its mission is to enrich, inspire, and transform lives through music, community engagement, and education. Lawndale Christian Legal Center describes its vision as supporting youth affected by trauma and the criminal justice system.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 51 grants totaling $5,066,054. Grants ranged from $10,000 to $1,366,054, with a median grant of $50,000. The largest listed awards included $1,366,054 to Northwestern Memorial Foundation for program support, $375,000 to Lyric Opera of Chicago for program support, $275,000 to Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation for program support, and $250,000 to Shirley Ryan Ability Lab for general operating purposes. Other listed recipients included the Alzheimer’s Association ($200,000), Chicago Symphony Orchestra ($175,000), and Lawndale Christian Legal Center ($110,000).
The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. How to apply: It accepts unsolicited requests: qualified charitable organizations may submit written grant proposals to the foundation administrator at any time. Co-trustees review proposals regularly and meet to discuss grant requests at least five times per year. The filing identifies medical research, underprivileged persons, and cultural appreciation as areas for awards.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
BMO Bank N.A. is listed as trustee on the 2025 filing.
Frankel Julius N Foundation's only listed officer is BMO Bank N A, Trustee on every filing since 2024 (compensated).
Officers on the 2025 filing
BMO Bank N A
Trustee
On filings since 2024
$826K (2024) → $923K (2025)
Former officers (1)
- Former: BMO Harris Bank N A (2020–2023) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $923K, to BMO Bank N a (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about Frankel Julius N Foundation
How much does Frankel Julius N Foundation give each year?
Frankel Julius N Foundation gave $5.1M across 51 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $3.8M across 55 grants.
What is Frankel Julius N Foundation's typical grant size?
Frankel Julius N Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $50,000, and its average grant was $99,334, across 51 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Frankel Julius N Foundation that year got $30K on average.
Where does Frankel Julius N Foundation give grants?
Frankel Julius N Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (47 grants).
Does Frankel Julius N Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 2% of Frankel Julius N Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 51) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (50 grants).
Who are Frankel Julius N Foundation's largest grantees?
Frankel Julius N Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Northwestern Memorial Foundation ($1,366,054), Lyric Opera of Chicago ($375,000) and Childrens Hospital of Chicago Foundation ($275,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 40% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Frankel Julius N Foundation?
Frankel Julius N Foundation reported $62.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $5.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $5.6M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Frankel Julius N Foundation fund?
The foundation’s filing does not state a separate mission. Its stated restrictions describe support for charitable organizations that benefit medical research, underprivileged persons, and cultural appreciation. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Frankel Julius N Foundation?
Frankel Julius N Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Frankel Julius N Foundation's EIN?
Frankel Julius N Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-6765844. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Frankel Julius N Foundation 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
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS March 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS January 19, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS December 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS December 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS December 18, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS December 16, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Frankel Julius N Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Frankel Julius N Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/frankel-julius-n-foundation-morg_35ff56b273714ffabb48c0e5d5a2900d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_366765844_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Frankel Julius N Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/frankel-julius-n-foundation-morg_35ff56b273714ffabb48c0e5d5a2900d},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Frankel Julius N Foundation'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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