George M Pullman Educational Foundation
The George M. Pullman Educational Foundation is a private operating foundation based in Chicago, Illinois, dedicated to advancing access to higher education for Cook County students. Established in 2017, the organization provides merit-based and need-based scholarships along with comprehensive support services to help outstanding high school graduates pursue bachelor's degrees.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$34.7M
+3.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$684K
-1.1% YoY
Grant Count
95
-5.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$7K
+4.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation supports the dreams and aspirations of outstanding graduating high school seniors through merit-based and need-based scholarships and continuing educational support as they pursue their bachelor's degree at colleges and universities of their choice.
The Foundation's approach emphasizes a distinctive model pairing significant financial aid with high-touch wraparound services designed to ensure students graduate on time with minimal debt. These services include:
- Renewable scholarships of up to $40,000 over four years (up to $10,000 annually)
- Individual monthly check-ins with scholars
- Seminars on topics identified by students
- Career guidance and mentorship
- Robust alumni network support
- On-demand mental health services
- Annual symposium
Grantmaking
Ready to take the next step with George M Pullman Educational Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation focuses on Cook County, Illinois, providing scholarships to high school graduates from the region who attend colleges and universities across the country.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $33.4 million
- Total Revenue: $2.36 million
- Total Expenses: $1.91 million
- Number of Employees: 3
Historical Asset Growth:
- Assets grew from $25.4 million in 2010 to $31 million in 2022, reaching $33.4 million by 2024
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $34,670,648 | $33,390,919 | $31,026,069 |
| Revenue | $2,828,382 | $2,364,764 | $1,819,435 |
| Expenses | $1,949,184 | $1,907,543 | $1,845,824 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,636,745 | $1,641,768 | $1,586,990 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,325,953 | $1,860,392 | $926,046 |
| 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 2025
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
Eric Delli Bovi — Executive Director
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ERIC DELLI BOVI | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $178,100 |
| BARBARA M KAUFMAN | BOARD PRESIDENT | 3 | — |
| RICHARD DASPIT JR | VICE PRESIDENT, ASST SEC & TREAS | 0.3 | — |
| ROBERT W FIORETTI | SECRETARY | 0.3 | — |
| MARC CHRISTMAN | TREASURER | 0.3 | — |
| GIANNA BERN | DIRECTOR | 0.3 | — |
| SCOTT BROWN | DIRECTOR | 0.3 | — |
| KIMBERLEY FREEDMAN | DIRECTOR | 0.3 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In October 2025, the George M. Pullman Educational Foundation received a $10 million unrestricted gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. This substantial contribution supports the Foundation's endowment and empowers it to sustain and expand resources provided to Pullman Scholars. According to Executive Director Eric Delli Bovi, the award affirms the Foundation's distinctive model and comes at a significant juncture in the program's development.
George M. Pullman Educational Foundation Receives $10 Million from MacKenzieThe Foundation has distributed between $663,000 and $714,000 annually in recent years and has made 298 grants with a median grant size of $8,000.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Green and Blue Foundation
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
—
Grants
3
Total Given
$51K
Above and Beyond Daycare Center
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, IL
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Primo Center for Women & Children
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
$9.7M
Grants
1
Total Given
$35K
Rose Lafferty Educational Fund Xxxxx9006
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
$3.4M
Grants
1
Total Given
$228K
The John Crerar Foundation
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
$991K
Grants
1
Total Given
$35K
Fostering Success
WAYNE, IL
Assets
$38K
Grants
1
Total Given
$2K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with George M Pullman Educational Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities