Leslie J Raffel Foundation
Leslie J Raffel Foundation is a private foundation, based in Chicago, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2026. As of 2026, the organization holds $10.7M in total assets. In 2026, it awarded 9 grants totaling $3.4M. Net investment income was $2.7M.
Leslie J Raffel Foundation at a glance
In short: Leslie J Raffel Foundation gave $3.4M across 9 grants in 2026 (avg $383K), mostly in Indiana. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2026)
- $3,447,343
- +329.1% vs 2025
- Grants made (2026)
- 9
- +28.6% vs 2025
- Average grant
- $383,038
- +233.7% vs 2025
- Median grant
- $201,922
- Total assets
- $10,693,882
- +16.6% vs 2025
- Primary geography
- Indiana (84% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2026; updated September 2026.
Who Leslie J Raffel Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2026
The largest 2026 recipient was Indiana University Foundation ($2.5M across 2 grants). Together the top 6 received $3.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
32 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 21 grants of 32 (66%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2026 grant dollars across all 9 itemized grants.
Cities
How Leslie J Raffel Foundation gives
- Giving grew 1571% from 2023 to 2026. Method
- In 2026 it paid out 374% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $41K (2020) to $3.4M (2026). In 2026 it made 9 grants totaling $3.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana University Foundation Bloomington, IN | To establish an endowed chair in the institute for the study of contemporary antisemitism | $1,983,745 |
| Indiana University Foundation Bloomington, IN | To establish an endowed chair in the institute for the study of contemporary antisemitism | $500,000 |
| Purdue for Life Foundation West Lafayette, IN | Gateway Building Project | $368,943 |
| American Friends of the Hebrew Univ New York, NY | To Provide Funds for Bio Design Lab | $250,000 |
| All Stars Project New York, NY | Chicago Development School for Youth Program | $201,922 |
| Anti-Defamation League New York, NY | Fight the defamation of the Jewish people and others and to secure justice and fair treatment to all | $100,412 |
| Chabad of Purdue Univ West Lafayette, IN | Social Support for Students at Purdue University | $30,000 |
| Anti-Defamation League New York, NY | Fight the defamation of the Jewish people and others and to secure justice and fair treatment to all | $10,000 |
| All Stars Project New York, NY | Chicago Development School for Youth Program | $2,321 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $10,693,882 | $2,754,456 | $3,584,503 | $3,447,343 | 9 | $3,534,992 | $2,679,943 | $945,858 |
| 2025 | $9,169,822 | $16,162,292 | $881,613 | $803,447 | 7 | $842,407 | — | $267,641 |
| 2024 | $1,041,979 | $91,234 | $154,988 | $70,000 | 3 | $109,946 | — | $137,095 |
| 2023 | $1,105,733 | $98,827 | $202,571 | $206,300 | 4 | $193,961 | $90,984 | $121,263 |
| 2022 | $1,209,477 | $1,167,485 | $112,056 | $110,700 | 9 | $111,110 | $441,988 | $142,109 |
| 2021 | $558,647 | $1,223,982 | $48,764 | $47,200 | 6 | — | $19,114 | $110,135 |
| 2020 | $523,383 | $-18,756 | $43,851 | $41,400 | 3 | — | $32,538 | $48,809 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Leslie J Raffel Foundation reported a distributable amount of $946K for 2026 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Leslie J Raffel Foundation is led by Robert G. Gerber, President since 2023 (on filings since 2020); none of the 3 officers listed in 2026 report compensation.
Officers on the 2026 filing
Robert G. Gerber
President
Director → President, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Harry M. Kramer
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marshall Gerber
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Jeff Kramer (2023–2025) — Vice President
- Former: Leslie J. Raffel (2020–2022) — President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2026. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Leslie J Raffel Foundation
How much does Leslie J Raffel Foundation give each year?
Leslie J Raffel Foundation gave $3.4M across 9 grants in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2025 it gave $803K across 7 grants.
What is Leslie J Raffel Foundation's typical grant size?
Leslie J Raffel Foundation's median grant in 2026 was $201,922, and its average grant was $383,038, across 9 grants on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Leslie J Raffel Foundation give grants?
Leslie J Raffel Foundation gives mostly in Indiana: 84% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (16%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (5 grants), Bloomington, IN (2 grants) and West Lafayette, IN (2 grants).
Does Leslie J Raffel Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2026: none of the 9 grants with a stated purpose on Leslie J Raffel Foundation's 2026 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Leslie J Raffel Foundation's largest grantees?
Leslie J Raffel Foundation's largest 2026 grantees include Indiana University Foundation ($2,483,745 across 2 grants), Purdue for Life Foundation ($368,943) and American Friends of the Hebrew Univ ($250,000), according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 90% of its itemized 2026 grant dollars.
How large is Leslie J Raffel Foundation?
Leslie J Raffel Foundation reported $10.7M in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $946K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Leslie J Raffel Foundation's EIN?
Leslie J Raffel Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-4230133. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2026.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 5, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 16, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 25, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS July 10, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 27, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS June 12, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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