Podolsky Family Foundation
The Podolsky Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Riverwoods, Illinois. Its 2025 grants went to a range of charitable organizations, including educational, community, Jewish community, food assistance, conservation, and public-service organizations.
Podolsky Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Podolsky Family Foundation gave $207K across 83 grants in 2025 (avg $2K), mostly in Illinois. 23% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $207,038
- +5.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 83
- -15.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $2,494
- +24.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $3,369,060
- -1.2% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 23% first-time grantees (19 of 83, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (64% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Podolsky Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 2610 Lake Cook Road Suite 250, Riverwoods, IL 60015
Phone: (847) 444-5725
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Podolsky Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Congregation Beth Shalom ($28K). Together the top 10 received $116K.
Grant Size Distribution
439 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 439 grants of 439 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 64% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois, 9% to New York, 9% to Colorado, 6% to Florida, and 4% to Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 83 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Podolsky Family Foundation open to new grantees?
23%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 19 of 83 grantees (23%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $1K; repeat grants $3K. How we count
Medians: $500 first-time, $1K repeat.
- 69% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 20% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 107% 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 $172K (2022) to $218K (2021). In 2025 it made 83 grants totaling $207K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Congregation Beth Shalom Northbrook, IL | Charitable Donation | $27,603 |
| Jewish United Fund Chicago, IL | Charitable Donation | $16,688 |
| Roycemore School Evanston, IL | Charitable Donation | $15,000 |
| Jewish Federation of Greater Naples Naples, FL | Charitable Donation | $11,000 |
| Friends of the Israel Defenses Forces Chicago, IL | Charitable Donation | $10,988 |
| Jcys Chicago, IL | Charitable Donation | $10,000 |
| American Friends of Ieaf West Hempstead, NY | Charitable Donation | $8,000 |
| Telluride Adaptive Sports Telluride, CO | Charitable Donation | $5,500 |
| Friends of Chicago Harbor Lighthouse Chicago, IL | Charitable Donation | $5,500 |
| The Conservation Fund Arlington, VA | Charitable Contribution | $5,500 |
Ready to take the next step with Podolsky Family Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The foundation’s EIN is 36-3648282.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3,369,060 | $183,030 | $222,372 | $207,038 | 83 | $207,038 | $183,030 | $194,158 |
| 2024 | $3,411,390 | $154,614 | $209,340 | $196,120 | 98 | $196,120 | $154,614 | $187,766 |
| 2023 | $3,470,061 | $-68,573 | $194,916 | $178,000 | 98 | $178,000 | $126,969 | $174,823 |
| 2022 | $3,735,547 | $247,926 | $193,992 | $172,006 | 88 | $172,006 | $247,926 | $181,274 |
| 2021 | $3,679,616 | $772,979 | $231,161 | $217,739 | 72 | — | $740,979 | $200,854 |
| 2020 | $3,146,074 | $112,715 | $209,796 | $196,503 | 83 | — | $107,715 | $176,424 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Podolsky Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $194K 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
The foundation’s own stated mission is not available in the provided information. Its 2025 recipients illustrate a range of supported work. Roycemore School describes its mission as inspiring students through academic excellence and a diverse, intimate community. Northern Illinois Food Bank says it provides meals and access to nutritious food through a network of food pantries and programs. Jewish Federation of Greater Naples describes work meeting educational, humanitarian, and social-service needs in the Jewish community and promoting cooperation with the non-Jewish community. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not the foundation’s.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation awarded 83 grants totaling $207,038. Individual grants ranged from $100 to $27,603, with a median of $1,000. Recent annual giving was $196,120 across 98 grants in 2024 and $178,000 across 98 grants in 2023.
Among its largest 2025 grants were $27,603 to Congregation Beth Shalom, $16,688 to Jewish United Fund, $15,000 to Roycemore School, $11,000 to Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, $10,988 to Friends of the Israel Defenses Forces, and $10,000 to JCYS. Each was listed as a charitable donation.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Steven Podolsky as president, Randy Podolsky as vice president, Deborah A Marcusson as treasurer, and Nancy L Gunning as secretary.
Podolsky Family Foundation is led by Steven Podolsky, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Steven Podolsky
President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Deborah A Marcusson
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Nancy L Gunning
Secretary
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Randy Podolsky
Vice President
Vice President & Secretary → Vice President, 2021
On filings since 2020
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 Podolsky Family Foundation
How much does Podolsky Family Foundation give each year?
Podolsky Family Foundation gave $207K across 83 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $196K across 98 grants.
What is Podolsky Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Podolsky Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $1,000, and its average grant was $2,494, across 83 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Podolsky Family Foundation that year got $1K on average.
Where does Podolsky Family Foundation give grants?
Podolsky Family Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 64% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were New York (9%) and Colorado (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (19 grants), Telluride, CO (9 grants), New York, NY (7 grants) and Naples, FL (6 grants).
Who are Podolsky Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Podolsky Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Congregation Beth Shalom ($27,603), Jewish United Fund ($16,688) and Roycemore School ($15,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 29% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Podolsky Family Foundation?
Podolsky Family Foundation reported $3.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $207K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $194K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Podolsky Family Foundation fund?
The foundation’s own stated mission is not available in the provided information. Its 2025 recipients illustrate a range of supported work. Roycemore School describes its mission as inspiring students through academic excellence and a diverse, intimate community. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Podolsky Family Foundation?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Podolsky Family Foundation's EIN?
Podolsky Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3648282. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Podolsky Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 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 August 24, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 30, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 29, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 12, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Podolsky Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Illinois
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
The Allstate Foundation
Northbrook, IL
The Allstate Foundation funds youth empowerment, efforts to prevent and address relationship abuse, nonprofit leadership, and related economic opportunity and equity work. Its 2024 grants ranged from $250 to $2 million, with a median of $1,000, and awards must support work in the United States. It accepts proposals from organizations beyond a preselected list; proposals are reviewed as received.
Assets
$89.3M
Grants
2,010
Total Given
$38.0M
Elks National Foundation Inc
Chicago, IL
The Elks National Foundation funds scholarships, youth programs, veterans’ services, and charitable projects through Elks Lodges and state associations across the United States. Its 2026 grants had a median size of $10,000, though awards varied widely; the profile describes application routes for specific Lodge and scholarship programs but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$954.1M
Grants
1,536
Total Given
$36.5M
John D and Catherine T Macarthur Foundation
Chicago, IL
The MacArthur Foundation funds work advancing a more just, verdant, and peaceful world, including climate solutions, criminal justice, journalism, technology, and Chicago. In 2024, its grants had a median of $160,000, though awards ranged widely; it generally does not accept unsolicited requests, with possible exceptions for specific open calls or proposals that meet program guidelines.
Assets
$9.3B
Grants
1,086
Total Given
$356.1M
Arie and Ida Crown Memorial
Chicago, IL
Arie and Ida Crown Memorial supports education, the environment, health and human services, gun violence prevention, homelessness prevention, and Jewish community and Israel initiatives, with a strong focus on Chicago and giving across the U.S. and internationally. In 2024, its grants ranged from $500 to $3 million, with a median of $55,000. It uses an invitation-only process and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.4B
Grants
897
Total Given
$115.2M
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago
Chicago, IL
The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago funds human services, Jewish education and community programs, crisis response, and support for Israel and Jewish communities worldwide, primarily through Chicago-area agencies and initiatives. In 2025, its grants had a median of about $20,000, though awards ranged widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
896
Total Given
$166.6M
More similar funders
More Funders in Illinois
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Podolsky Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/podolsky-family-foundation-morg_9ab31b37726141e8933cdd0ccd055bde
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_363648282_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Podolsky Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/podolsky-family-foundation-morg_9ab31b37726141e8933cdd0ccd055bde},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Podolsky Family 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.
Podolsky Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?