Julian Grace Foundation
The Julian Grace Foundation is a private philanthropic foundation established in 2015 and headquartered in Highland Park, Illinois. Named after the middle names of the founders' children, the foundation operates as an entrepreneurial private foundation focused on high-engagement grantmaking to create "a just, unified, and hopeful world." The foundation is BIPOC-led and prioritizes supporting small and new organizations with unrestricted general operating grants.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$8.1M
+9.2% YoY
Grant Count
105
+4.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$77K
+5.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation was founded by Jessica Sarowitz, inspired by her family's values of equity, compassion, and giving back. The organization is committed to increasing financial resources and fostering authentic, long-term partnerships that create lasting value while addressing systemic inequities.
Primary funding priorities include:
- Immigration & Human Rights — Programs and organizations providing immigration services or focusing on human rights domestically or internationally
- Preservation of Cultural Heritage — Programs supporting preservation and presentation of cultural artifacts that educate and enhance community life
- Health — Programs developing healthier communities
- Educational Opportunity — Programs reaching underserved, low-income, minority communities with education, career/job training, and improved family conditions, with particular interest in science and technology access (currently not inviting new organizations in this area)
- Environmental Protection — Programs protecting natural habitats and promoting sustainable interactions between distressed communities and their environments
Grantmaking
Organizations can submit a brief description (250 words maximum) with a website link through the "Introduce Yourself" form on the foundation's website. Submission does not guarantee an invitation to apply. The foundation currently only partners with organizations based in the United States.
Grant Range
$250 - $310,000
How to Apply
- First-Time Grantee Program: $15,000 - $50,000 one-year "Get to Know You" grants
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
No geographic limits within the United States and international funding. The foundation currently only partners with organizations based in the United States.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $87 million
- Total Revenue: $8.35 million
- Total Expenses: $11 million
- Total Liabilities: $1,970
As of December 2023:
- Total Assets: $86,099,265
- Total Revenue: $3,478,097
- Total Expenses: $9,736,492
- Annual Giving: $7.4 million
- Number of Grants: 101
Tax Status:
- 501(c)(3) organization
- Tax-exempt since February 2015
- EIN: 47-1645999
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| 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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Fundacion Asistencial Maria Rosa ($310,000), Depaul University ($226,243), Beyond Legal Aid ($205,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A LONG WALK HOME CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $80,000 |
| AMERICAN HEADACHE ASSOCIATION RIVERWOODS, IL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPOT | $120,000 |
| ANGIOMA ALLIANCE CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $60,000 |
| APNA GHAR CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $115,000 |
| ASPIRITECH NFP HIGHLAND PARK, IL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| BEYOND LEGAL AID CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $205,000 |
| BLACKS IN GREEN (BIG NFP) CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF LAKE COUNTY WAUKEGAN, IL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $61,000 |
| BUILDING EQUITY AND ALIGNMENT (BEA) FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE CALABASAS, CA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $40,000 |
| BURST INTO BOOKS CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $85,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board & Leadership:
- Jessica P. Sarowitz — President/Managing Director
- Steven I. Sarowitz — Director
- Scott H. McLellan — Executive Director
- Tanya E. Jaramilla — Director of Impact & Engagement
- Carrie Madden — Senior Program Officer
- Yanelly Villegas — Senior Program Officer
- Martha Sutton — Director of Administration
- Soheil Soheil — Treasurer
- Marjorie L. Moore — Secretary
- Carol Hincker — Director
- James A. Casselberry — Director
- Sarah Sarowitz — Director
- Larry Robbins — Director
Staff: The foundation employs approximately 6-7 staff members.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEVEN I SAROWITZ | DIRECTOR | 5 | — |
| JESSICA P SAROWITZ | PRESIDENT/MANAGING DIRECTOR | 10 | — |
| SOHEIL SOHEIL | TREASURER | 5 | — |
| MARJORIE L MOORE | SECRETARY | 5 | — |
| CAROL HINCKER | DIRECTOR | 5 | — |
| JAMES A CASSELBERRY | DIRECTOR | 5 | — |
| SARAH SAROWITZ | DIRECTOR | 5 | — |
| LARRY ROBBINS | DIRECTOR | 5 | — |
| SCOTT H MCLELLAN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $190,855 |
Contact Information
Address: 1849 Green Bay Road, Suite 280/430 Highland Park, IL 60035
Phone: 847-780-3413
Email: info@juliangrace.org
Website: juliangrace.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Julian Grace Foundation fund?
The foundation was founded by Jessica Sarowitz, inspired by her family's values of equity, compassion, and giving back. The organization is committed to increasing financial resources and fostering authentic, long-term partnerships that create lasting value while addressing systemic inequities. **Primary funding priorities include:** • **Immigration & Human Rights** — Programs and organizations providing immigration services or focusing on human rights domestically or internationally • **Preser…
How do I apply for a grant from Julian Grace Foundation?
**Grant Structure:** • Invitation-only application process • First-Time Grantee Program: $15,000 - $50,000 one-year "Get to Know You" grants • Grant range: $250 - $310,000 • Median grant amount: $60,000 • Average decision time: 3 months **Application Process:** Organizations can submit a brief description (250 words maximum) with a website link through the "Introduce Yourself" form on the foundation's website. Submission does not guarantee an invitation to apply. The foundation currently only p…
Where does Julian Grace Foundation make grants?
No geographic limits within the United States and international funding. The foundation currently only partners with organizations based in the United States.
What size grants does Julian Grace Foundation award?
In 2024, Julian Grace Foundation awarded 105 grants totaling $8.1M — an average of about $77K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Julian Grace Foundation's EIN?
Julian Grace Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-1645999. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Julian Grace 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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