James and Lesley Anixter Foundation
James and Lesley Anixter Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in HIGHLAND PARK, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $285K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 18 grants totaling $140K. Net investment income was $19K.
Key facts about James and Lesley Anixter Foundation
- EIN
- 20-3072091
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $139,760
- Grants made (2024)
- 18
- Average grant
- $7,764
- Median grant
- $1,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 22% first-time grantees (4 of 18, 2024)
- Total assets
- $285,126
- Primary geography
- Illinois (95% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated April 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who James and Lesley Anixter Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for James and Lesley Anixter Foundation's 18 itemized 2024 grants were Illinois (95%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (6 grants) and Illinois, IL (6 grants). None of its 18 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Further the Mission of the Donee" (18 grants).
Is James and Lesley Anixter Foundation open to new grantees?
22%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 4 of 18 grantees (22%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $4K; repeat grants $9K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $1K repeat.
- 67% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 52% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 688% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$285K
-6.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$140K
+25.9% YoY
Grant Count
18
-14.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$8K
+46.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, James and Lesley Anixter Foundation reported a distributable amount of $20K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
About James and Lesley Anixter Foundation
Based on IRS filings
James and Lesley Anixter Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in HIGHLAND PARK, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $285K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 18 grants totaling $140K. Net investment income was $19K.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 18 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $285,126 | $305,472 | $311,411 |
| Revenue | $120,256 | $112,855 | $126,993 |
| Expenses | $140,680 | $118,389 | $106,622 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $139,775 | $114,173 | $102,150 |
| Net Investment Income | $19,475 | $8,952 | $22,521 |
| Distributable Amount | $20,306 | $17,308 | $15,720 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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
100 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago ($100,000), Ravinia Festival Association ($11,000), Jewish Council for Youth Services ($6,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| JEWISH UNITED FUND OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO CHICAGO, IL | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE | $100,000 |
| RAVINIA FESTIVAL ASSOCIATION ILLINOIS, IL | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE | $11,000 |
| JEWISH COUNCIL FOR YOUTH SERVICES CHICAGO, IL | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE | $6,000 |
| AM SHALOM GLENCOE, IL | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE | $5,500 |
| UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM WASHINGTON, DC | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE | $3,000 |
| CAMP GAN ISRAEL CHICAGO, IL | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE | $2,300 |
| NORTH SUBURBAN LEGAL AID CLINIC ILLINOIS, IL | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE | $2,000 |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF PALM BEACH WEST PALM BEACH, FL | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE | $1,800 |
| ANIXTER CENTER - CHICAGO HEARING SOCIETY DIVISION CHICAGO, IL | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE | $1,000 |
| FOCUS INC ARIZONA, AZ | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE | $1,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
No officer or director reported compensation in the available filings.
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| James Anixter | Pres. | — | — |
| Lesley Anixter | Vice Pres. | — | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is James and Lesley Anixter Foundation?
James and Lesley Anixter Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in HIGHLAND PARK, IL. It holds $285K in total assets as of 2024.
How large is James and Lesley Anixter Foundation?
As of 2024, James and Lesley Anixter Foundation holds $285K in total assets with $120K in annual revenue. It awarded 18 grants totaling $140K in 2024.
Where does James and Lesley Anixter Foundation operate?
James and Lesley Anixter Foundation has awarded grants in Arkansas, Arizona, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, North Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin.
What size grants does James and Lesley Anixter Foundation award?
In 2024, James and Lesley Anixter Foundation awarded 18 grants totaling $140K — an average of about $8K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is James and Lesley Anixter Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, James and Lesley Anixter Foundation reported a distributable amount of $20K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is James and Lesley Anixter Foundation's EIN?
James and Lesley Anixter Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-3072091. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.