Louis & Julie Bucksbaum Fam Foundation
The Louis & Julie Bucksbaum Fam Foundation is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois. Its 2025 filing reports 14 grants totaling $195,200 to charitable organizations.
Louis & Julie Bucksbaum Fam Foundation at a glance
In short: Louis & Julie Bucksbaum Fam Foundation gave $195K across 14 grants in 2025 (avg $14K), top state Illinois. 43% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $195,200
- +121.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 14
- +180.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $13,943
- -20.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,500
- Total assets
- $1,061,632
- -4.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 43% first-time grantees (6 of 14, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (49% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Louis & Julie Bucksbaum Fam Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1 N Franklin St 625, Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (312) 960-2524
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Louis & Julie Bucksbaum Fam Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Jewish United Fund ($70K). Together the top 10 received $190K.
Grant Size Distribution
55 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 48 grants of 55 (87%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, grant dollars were distributed among recipients in Illinois (49%), Washington, DC (26%), New York (12%), Pennsylvania (8%), and Massachusetts (6%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Louis & Julie Bucksbaum Fam Foundation open to new grantees?
43%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 6 of 14 grantees (43%) were first-time recipients. With only 14 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $5K; repeat grants $21K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $11K repeat.
- 21% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 50% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 367% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $88K (2024) to $229K (2023). In 2025 it made 14 grants totaling $195K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Jewish United Fund Chicago, IL | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $70,000 |
| US Holocaust Memorial Museum Washington, DC | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $50,000 |
| Maccabi USA Philadephia, PA | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $15,000 |
| Tourette Association of America Inc Bayside, NY | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $15,000 |
| Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America Weston, MA | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $12,000 |
| Childrens Brittle Bone Foundation Chicago, IL | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $10,000 |
| Cancer Wellness Center Northbrook, IL | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $6,000 |
| Friends of the IDF New York, NY | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $5,000 |
| North Shore Congregation Israel Glencoe, IL | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $4,000 |
| Owls Lacrosse Chicago, IL | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $3,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Louis & Julie Bucksbaum Fam Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,061,632 | $148,972 | $148,278 | $195,200 | 14 | $195,215 | $146,976 | $53,169 |
| 2024 | $1,110,938 | $117,558 | $89,786 | $88,000 | 5 | $88,026 | $110,219 | $57,335 |
| 2023 | $1,133,180 | $29,841 | $330,632 | $229,000 | 16 | $229,029 | $28,389 | $60,403 |
| 2022 | $1,333,957 | $10,642 | $136,881 | $130,210 | 16 | $130,235 | $29,974 | $65,851 |
| 2021 | $1,460,203 | $247,263 | $106,733 | $104,136 | 4 | $104,136 | $101,329 | $70,846 |
| 2020 | $1,319,720 | $17,407 | $124,202 | $123,862 | 7 | — | $23,837 | $64,965 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Louis & Julie Bucksbaum Fam Foundation reported a distributable amount of $53K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants went to organizations working in areas including Jewish community and Israel-related activities, health and medical research, and support for people affected by illness or disability.
The grantees describe their own work in varied terms: Maccabi USA says it builds Jewish pride through sports and promotes support for Israel, Zionism, and Jewish continuity; the Tourette Association of America says it works to identify the cause of and find a cure for Tourette syndrome and improve life for people affected by Tourette and tic disorders. The Children’s Brittle Bone Foundation says it funds research for a cure to osteogenesis imperfecta and provides impact grants to people living with the condition. Cancer Wellness Center says it helps people affected by cancer through guidance, comfort, and community, while Israel Cancer Research Fund says it supports cancer research in Israel.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 14 grants totaling $195,200. Grant amounts ranged from $100 to $70,000, with a median grant of $5,500.
The largest reported grants included $70,000 to Jewish United Fund, $50,000 to the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, $15,000 each to Maccabi USA and the Tourette Association of America, $12,000 to Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America, and $10,000 to the Children’s Brittle Bone Foundation. Other listed awards included $6,000 to Cancer Wellness Center, $5,000 to Friends of the IDF, $4,000 to North Shore Congregation Israel, $3,000 to Owls Lacrosse, and $2,500 each to Israel Cancer Research Fund and Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago. The filing lists the purpose for these grants as “all contributions made for the intent established by the various charities.”
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Louis Bucksbaum as president, Julie Bucksbaum as vice president, and Robert Trattner as secretary/treasurer.
Louis & Julie Bucksbaum Fam Foundation is led by Louis Bucksbaum, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Louis Bucksbaum
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julie Bucksbaum
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert Trattner
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 Louis & Julie Bucksbaum Fam Foundation
How much does Louis & Julie Bucksbaum Fam Foundation give each year?
Louis & Julie Bucksbaum Fam Foundation gave $195K across 14 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $88K across 5 grants.
What is Louis & Julie Bucksbaum Fam Foundation's typical grant size?
Louis & Julie Bucksbaum Fam Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $5,500, and its average grant was $13,943, across 14 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Louis & Julie Bucksbaum Fam Foundation that year got $5K on average.
Where does Louis & Julie Bucksbaum Fam Foundation give grants?
Louis & Julie Bucksbaum Fam Foundation's top state is Illinois, with 49% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were District of Columbia (26%) and New York (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (4 grants) and New York, NY (2 grants).
Does Louis & Julie Bucksbaum Fam Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 14 grants with a stated purpose on Louis & Julie Bucksbaum Fam Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Louis & Julie Bucksbaum Fam Foundation's largest grantees?
Louis & Julie Bucksbaum Fam Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Jewish United Fund ($70,000), US Holocaust Memorial Museum ($50,000) and Maccabi USA ($15,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 69% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Louis & Julie Bucksbaum Fam Foundation?
Louis & Julie Bucksbaum Fam Foundation reported $1.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $195K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $53K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Louis & Julie Bucksbaum Fam Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants went to organizations working in areas including Jewish community and Israel-related activities, health and medical research, and support for people affected by illness or disability. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Louis & Julie Bucksbaum Fam Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Louis & Julie Bucksbaum Fam Foundation's EIN?
Louis & Julie Bucksbaum Fam Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-1521549. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Louis & Julie Bucksbaum Fam 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
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 6, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 9, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS June 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 20, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Louis & Julie Bucksbaum Fam Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Louis & Julie Bucksbaum Fam Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
Leon and Sharon Kaufman Foundation
Highland Park, IL
Assets
$280K
Grants
46
Total Given
$90K
James and Lesley Anixter Foundation
Highland Park, IL
The James and Lesley Anixter Foundation supports charitable organizations working in areas including community services, youth, music, health, and Israel-related activities, primarily in Illinois, with some giving elsewhere. In 2025, grants ranged from $500 to $100,000, with a median of $2,000. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited funding requests.
Assets
$430K
Grants
19
Total Given
$147K
Jerold a & Ruth L Hecktman Family
Skokie, IL
Assets
$639K
Grants
35
Total Given
$52K
Anixter and Silva Family Foundation
Chicago, IL
The Anixter and Silva Family Foundation’s 2025 grants supported organizations working in areas including community assistance, anti-hate efforts, cancer, food access, and reproductive health, with most funding going to Illinois. Grants ranged from $1,500 to $215,200, with a median of $10,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$12.8M
Grants
62
Total Given
$1.3M
Jerrold Ruskin Foundation Inc
Chicago, IL
Assets
$534K
Grants
53
Total Given
$200K
More similar funders
More Funders in Illinois
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Louis & Julie Bucksbaum Fam Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 25, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/louis-and-julie-bucksbaum-fam-foundation-morg_0dd901d5cf9a4d2cb6941780d797737e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_461521549_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Louis \& Julie Bucksbaum Fam Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/louis-and-julie-bucksbaum-fam-foundation-morg_0dd901d5cf9a4d2cb6941780d797737e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-25. 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 Louis & Julie Bucksbaum Fam 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.
Louis & Julie Bucksbaum Fam Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?