Golder Family Foundation
The Golder Family Foundation is a private foundation established in 1985 and based in Winnetka, Illinois. The foundation operates as a non-operating private foundation with a focus on philanthropic grantmaking to organizations across multiple sectors.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$7.1M
-0.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$424K
-6.5% YoY
Grant Count
32
-3.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$13K
-3.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Golder Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $409K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's giving priorities include:
- Jewish agencies and temples
- Education (including higher education and education for the deaf)
- Social service organizations
- Gymnastics events
- Unrestricted grants to select organizations
The foundation primarily supports organizations in Illinois and Minnesota, with grantmaking reaching organizations across 11 states.
Grantmaking
No special forms are required for grant applications.
Grant Range
s:**
Average Grant
$10,000–$12,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in:
- Illinois
- Minnesota
- Florida
These three states account for the majority of grantmaking activity. The foundation has supported 66 unique organizations, with grantmaking reaching across 11 states total.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total assets: $7,162,810
- Total revenues: $521,482
- Total expenses: $486,259
- Investment income and dividends: $220,597
- Total grants, contributions, etc.: $49,458
Historical Asset Growth:
- 2011: $5.8 million
- 2023: $7.2 million
Annual Distribution: The foundation has distributed between $405,000 and $453,000 annually from 2020 to 2023.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $7,106,815 | $7,162,810 | $7,129,262 |
| Revenue | $441,616 | $521,482 | $134,957 |
| Expenses | $498,269 | $486,259 | $504,983 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $423,520 | $453,000 | $437,750 |
| Net Investment Income | $325,259 | $437,910 | $116,460 |
| Distributable Amount | $409,362 | $382,202 | $407,021 |
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
185 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Illinois Holocaust Museum & Ed Center ($75,000), Golden Apple Foundation ($50,000), Jewish United Fund ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE NEW YORK, NY | UNRESTRICTED | $20,000 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS WASHINGTON, DC | UNRESTRICTED | $30,000 |
| CENTER FOR ENRICHED LIVING RIVERWOODS, IL | UNRESTRICTED | $3,000 |
| CHICAGO ACADEMY FOR THE ARTS CHICAGO, IL | UNRESTRICTED | $1,000 |
| CHICAGO COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOL CHICAGO, IL | UNRESTRICTED | $10,000 |
| DEPAUW UNIVERSITY GREENCASTLE, NJ | UNRESTRICTED | $5,000 |
| FLORIDA HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE ASSOCIATION INC TALLAHASSEE, FL | UNRESTRICTED | $1,000 |
| GOLDEN APPLE FOUNDATION CHICAGO, IL | EDUCATION | $50,000 |
| ILLINOIS HOLOCAUST MUSEUM & ED CENTER SKOKIE, IL | UNRESTRICTED | $75,000 |
| INDIGENOUS ENVIRONMENTAL NETWORK BEMIDJI, MN | UNRESTRICTED | $1,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
David Golder serves as Vice President and Treasurer of the Golder Family Foundation. He is also Managing Partner of Golder Investment Management LLC and former Founder and President of Lightfall Interactive Media. David Golder currently chairs the Board of Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago and serves on numerous other boards including the Board of Trustees of AJC Chicago.
The foundation is governed by 4 officers and trustees, with Golder Thoma & Cressey listed as the principal officer.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOAN J GOLDER | PRESIDENT/SECRETARY | 0.5 | — |
| DAVID B GOLDER | TREASURER/VICE PRESIDENT | 2 | $36,000 |
| NANCY NORTHRIP | VICE PRESIDENT | 0.5 | — |
| KENNETH GOLDER | VICE PRESIDENT | 0.5 | — |
Contact Information
- Address: 254 Scott Ave, Winnetka, IL 60093-1560
- Phone: (847) 242-0500
- EIN: 36-3485592
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Golder Family Foundation fund?
The foundation's giving priorities include: • Jewish agencies and temples • Education (including higher education and education for the deaf) • Social service organizations • Gymnastics events • Unrestricted grants to select organizations The foundation primarily supports organizations in Illinois and Minnesota, with grantmaking reaching organizations across 11 states.
How do I apply for a grant from Golder Family Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 37 grants in 2023 • Total giving in 2023: $423,520 • Historical total grants: 109 grants totaling $1.3 million across available records **Grant Sizes:** • Smallest grant: $250–$500 • Median grant: $5,000 • Average grant: $10,000–$12,000 • Largest grant: $85,000 • Typical award range: $250–$85,000 **Recent Notable Grants (2023):** • Interfaith America: $75,000 (unrestricted) • Golden Apple Foundation: $50,000 (education) • University of Illinois Foundation: $40,000 (un…
Where does Golder Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in: • Illinois • Minnesota • Florida These three states account for the majority of grantmaking activity. The foundation has supported 66 unique organizations, with grantmaking reaching across 11 states total.
What size grants does Golder Family Foundation award?
In 2024, Golder Family Foundation awarded 32 grants totaling $424K — an average of about $13K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Golder Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Golder Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $409K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Golder Family Foundation's EIN?
Golder Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3485592. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Golder Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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