Julian Grace Foundation
The Julian Grace Foundation is a private foundation based in Highland Park, Illinois. Founded in 2015 by Jessica Sarowitz, it makes high-engagement grants to nonprofit organizations working in immigration and human rights, cultural heritage, health, educational opportunity, and environmental protection.
Julian Grace Foundation at a glance
In short: Julian Grace Foundation gave $8.1M across 105 grants in 2024 (avg $77K), mostly in Illinois. 35% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $8,061,293
- +9.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 105
- +4.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $76,774
- +5.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $60,000
- Total assets
- $87,022,012
- +1.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 35% first-time grantees (37 of 105, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (66% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Julian Grace Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds; applications are by invitation, with organizations selected through recommendations from the board and professional staff. Organizations may submit a brief description of their work, up to 250 words, and a link to their website to introduce themselves, but this does not guarantee an invitation. The foundation says it currently partners only with organizations based in the United States.
- Review Cycle
- Invited proposals are generally due in April and September. Decisions are made within two to three months after application.
- Deadline
- Invited proposals are generally due in April and September.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1849 Green Bay Rd 280, Highland Park, IL 60035
Phone: (847) 780-3413
Website: https://juliangrace.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Julian Grace Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Fundacion Asistencial Maria Rosa ($310K). Together the top 10 received $2.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
539 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 201 grants of 539 (37%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says it currently partners only with organizations based in the United States. In 2024, Illinois recipients received 66% of grant dollars. Grants also went to recipients in California, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, among other locations.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 105 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Julian Grace Foundation open to new grantees?
35%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 37 of 105 grantees (35%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $55K; repeat grants $89K. How we count
Medians: $50K first-time, $75K repeat.
- 64% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 22% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 236% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $7.4M (2023) to $10.3M (2021). In 2024 it made 105 grants totaling $8.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Fundacion Asistencial Maria Rosa | General Operating Support | $310,000 |
| Sociedad Amigos De Los Nios | General Operating Suppot | $306,000 |
| The Tahirih Justice Center Falls Church, VA | General Operating Support | $302,000 |
| Mano a Mano Family Resource Center Round Lake Park, IL | General Operating Support | $300,000 |
| Nicat Pittsburgh, PA | General Operating Support | $300,000 |
| Depaul University Chicago, IL | General Operating Support | $226,243 |
| Morehouse College Atlanta, GA | General Operating Support | $206,500 |
| Beyond Legal Aid Chicago, IL | General Operating Support | $205,000 |
| Chinese American Service League Chicago, IL | General Operating Support | $205,000 |
| Vietnamese Association of Illinois Chicago, IL | General Operating Support | $151,500 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $87,022,012 | $8,350,438 | $10,953,583 | $8,061,293 | 105 | $10,073,112 | $7,568,978 | $4,275,766 |
| 2023 | $86,099,265 | $3,478,097 | $9,736,492 | $7,383,639 | 101 | $8,931,716 | $2,687,772 | $4,231,293 |
| 2022 | $81,595,483 | $5,332,367 | $10,368,243 | $8,482,159 | 115 | $9,398,000 | $4,462,124 | $4,532,570 |
| 2021 | $112,702,880 | $7,626,124 | $11,899,992 | $10,343,553 | 115 | $10,959,064 | $6,795,196 | $5,367,531 |
| 2020 | $102,340,055 | $8,989,027 | $10,577,728 | $9,215,288 | 103 | — | $28,161,866 | $4,203,617 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Julian Grace Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4.3M for 2024 — 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 vision is a just world with renewed hope, socioeconomic mobility, unity, and healing within and among individuals, communities, and the environment. Its stated funding areas are:
- Immigration and human rights: Immigration services and domestic or international human-rights work.
- Preservation of cultural heritage: Preserving and presenting cultural artifacts that educate and benefit communities.
- Health: Work to develop healthier communities.
- Educational opportunity: Education, career and job training, and improved family conditions for underserved, low-income, and minority communities, with particular interest in science and technology access. The foundation says it is not currently inviting new organizations in this area.
- Environmental protection: Protecting natural habitats and promoting sustainable, healthier interactions between distressed communities and their environments.
Examples of grantees illustrate the range of organizations supported. The Tahirih Justice Center describes its work as combining free legal services, social-services case management, policy analysis, and research-based training and education. Mano a Mano Family Resource Center says its mission is to empower immigrants and their families in Lake County, Illinois, to become full participants in American life. DePaul University describes its mission as supporting students’ integral human development through teaching and academic excellence.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 105 grants totaling $8,061,293. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $310,000, with a median of $60,000. Among the largest grants were $310,000 to Fundación Asistencial Maria Rosa, $306,000 to Sociedad Amigos de los Niños, $302,000 to the Tahirih Justice Center, $300,000 to Mano a Mano Family Resource Center, and $300,000 to NICAT. Other notable grants included $226,243 to DePaul University, $206,500 to Morehouse College, and $205,000 to Beyond Legal Aid and the Chinese American Service League.
The foundation describes its approach as high-engagement grantmaking, with staff collaborating closely with grantee partners. Organizations invited to apply generally submit a written proposal and may have a follow-up conversation or site visit with staff and board members. Grantee engagement is limited to five years, and future funding is not guaranteed.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Jessica P. Sarowitz as president/managing director; Scott H. McLellan as executive director; Soheil Soheil as treasurer; and Marjorie L. Moore as secretary. Directors listed are Steven I. Sarowitz, Carol Hincker, James A. Casselberry, Sarah Sarowitz, and Larry Robbins.
Julian Grace Foundation is led by Scott H. McLellan, Executive Director on every filing since 2023; 1 of 9 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Scott H. McLellan
Executive Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$187K (2023) → $191K (2024)
Jessica P. Sarowitz
President & Managing Director
Vice President → President & Managing Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carol Hincker
Director
Board Member → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James A. Casselberry
Director
Board Member → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Larry Robbins
Director
Board Member → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steven I. Sarowitz
Director
President → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Sarowitz
Director
Board Member → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marjorie L. Moore
Secretary
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Soheil Soheil
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Alison Upton Lopez (2020–2022) — Executive Director
- Former: Angelique Power (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Hina Mahmood (2021) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $191K, to Scott H McLellan (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Julian Grace Foundation
How much does Julian Grace Foundation give each year?
Julian Grace Foundation gave $8.1M across 105 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $7.4M across 101 grants.
What is Julian Grace Foundation's typical grant size?
Julian Grace Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $60,000, and its average grant was $76,774, across 105 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Julian Grace Foundation that year got $55K on average.
Where does Julian Grace Foundation give grants?
Julian Grace Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 66% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were California (7%) and Virginia (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (60 grants), Waukegan, IL (6 grants), Los Angeles, CA (6 grants) and Washington, DC (2 grants).
Does Julian Grace Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Julian Grace Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (105 of 105) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Julian Grace Foundation's largest grantees?
Julian Grace Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Fundacion Asistencial Maria Rosa ($310,000), Sociedad Amigos De Los Nios ($306,000) and The Tahirih Justice Center ($302,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 11% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Julian Grace Foundation?
Julian Grace Foundation reported $87.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $10.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $4.3M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Julian Grace Foundation fund?
The foundation’s vision is a just world with renewed hope, socioeconomic mobility, unity, and healing within and among individuals, communities, and the environment. Its stated funding areas are: See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Julian Grace Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds; applications are by invitation, with organizations selected through recommendations from the board and professional staff. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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.
Does Julian Grace Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, 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
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Julian Grace Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in Julian Grace Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Julian Grace Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/julian-grace-foundation-morg_1a6f76919123495297d3ba508546b7e1
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_471645999_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Julian Grace Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/julian-grace-foundation-morg_1a6f76919123495297d3ba508546b7e1},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. 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 Julian Grace 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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