Michael and Pamela Gordon Family
The Michael and Pamela Gordon Family is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois. Its 2024 filing reports grants to charitable organizations including education, housing, community, and other organizations.
Michael and Pamela Gordon Family at a glance
In short: Michael and Pamela Gordon Family gave $46K across 9 grants in 2024 (avg $5K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $46,367
- -55.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 9
- -25.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $5,152
- -40.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $132,438
- -20.9% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Illinois (71% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Michael and Pamela Gordon Family
- 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: One South Dearborn Sidley Austin, Chicago, IL 60603-2302
Phone: (312) 853-2217
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Michael and Pamela Gordon Family funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was High Jump ($15K). Together the top 9 received $46K.
Grant Size Distribution
52 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 46 grants of 52 (88%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 71% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois and 11% to recipients in New York. The recipient state for the remaining 18% is unspecified in the filing data.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 9 itemized grants.
Cities
How Michael and Pamela Gordon Family gives
- Giving grew 89% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 552% 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $25K (2021) to $9.4M (2020). In 2024 it made 9 grants totaling $46K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| High Jump Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $15,000 |
| Horatio Alger Association of Canada | Unrestricted | $8,367 |
| Broadway Housing Communities New York, NY | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| Jewish United Fund Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| America Red Cross Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| Temple Sholom of Chicago Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $4,000 |
| Chicago Area Runners Association Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $2,000 |
| The University of Chicago Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Start Early Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The foundation’s 2024 grants numbered 9; it made 12 grants in each of 2023 and 2022.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $132,438 | $11,520 | $46,480 | $46,367 | 9 | $46,367 | $11,407 | $8,400 |
| 2023 | $167,398 | $-10,017 | $103,613 | $103,500 | 12 | $103,500 | $5,086 | $11,068 |
| 2022 | $281,028 | $16,852 | $116,462 | $111,675 | 12 | $111,675 | $12,065 | $15,547 |
| 2021 | $380,638 | $260,779 | $26,090 | $24,500 | 6 | $24,500 | $201,714 | $8,651 |
| 2020 | $145,949 | $9,441,919 | $9,420,617 | $9,419,400 | 13 | — | $2,472 | $109,435 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Michael and Pamela Gordon Family reported a distributable amount of $8K 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 own mission is not stated. Its 2024 grants included support for organizations whose missions address education, housing, early learning, community services, and running.
For example, High Jump describes its work as providing academic enrichment, social and emotional instruction, and high school transition support for Chicago middle school students. Broadway Housing Communities says it combines stable affordable housing with access to the arts and early childhood education. Start Early describes its mission as advancing quality early learning for families with young children.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 9 grants totaling $46,367. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $15,000, with a median grant of $5,000. The largest grants were $15,000 to High Jump, $8,367 to the Horatio Alger Association of Canada, and $5,000 each to Broadway Housing Communities, Jewish United Fund, and America Red Cross. Other recipients included Temple Sholom of Chicago ($4,000), Chicago Area Runners Association ($2,000), The University of Chicago ($1,000), and Start Early ($1,000). The grants were listed as unrestricted.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Pamela Frankston as president and director, Michael A. Gordon as secretary and director, and Barbara Frankston as director.
Michael and Pamela Gordon Family is led by Pamela Frankston, President & Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Pamela Frankston
President & Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Barbara Frankston
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael A. Gordon
Secretary & Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about Michael and Pamela Gordon Family
How much does Michael and Pamela Gordon Family give each year?
Michael and Pamela Gordon Family gave $46K across 9 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $104K across 12 grants.
What is Michael and Pamela Gordon Family's typical grant size?
Michael and Pamela Gordon Family's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $5,152, across 9 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Michael and Pamela Gordon Family give grants?
Michael and Pamela Gordon Family gives mostly in Illinois: 71% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (7 grants).
Does Michael and Pamela Gordon Family give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Michael and Pamela Gordon Family's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (9 of 9) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Michael and Pamela Gordon Family's largest grantees?
Michael and Pamela Gordon Family's largest 2024 grantees include High Jump ($15,000), Horatio Alger Association of Canada ($8,367) and Broadway Housing Communities ($5,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 61% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Michael and Pamela Gordon Family?
Michael and Pamela Gordon Family reported $132K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $46K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $8K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Michael and Pamela Gordon Family fund?
The foundation’s own mission is not stated. Its 2024 grants included support for organizations whose missions address education, housing, early learning, community services, and running. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Michael and Pamela Gordon Family?
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 Michael and Pamela Gordon Family's EIN?
Michael and Pamela Gordon Family's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-2291101. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Michael and Pamela Gordon Family 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
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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