Polen Family Foundation
Polen Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Highland Park, Illinois. Its 2024 filing reports 35 grants totaling $140,700 to charitable organizations, including recipients working in health care, human services, food access, conservation, and animal welfare.
Key facts about Polen Family Foundation
In short: Polen Family Foundation gave $141K across 35 grants in 2024 (avg $4K), mostly in Illinois. 6% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 20-3970463
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $140,700
- Grants made (2024)
- 35
- Average grant
- $4,020
- Median grant
- $2,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 6% first-time grantees (2 of 35, 2024)
- Total assets
- $1,277,891
- Primary geography
- Illinois (63% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.3M
+19.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$141K
+11.7% YoY
Grant Count
35
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$4K
+11.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Polen Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $63K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Polen Family Foundation open to new grantees?
6%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 2 of 35 grantees (6%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $4K; repeat grants $4K. How we count
Medians: $4K first-time, $2K repeat.
- 94% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 68% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 224% 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.
Mission & Focus Areas
No foundation mission statement is provided. Its grants include support for organizations serving people affected by disability, illness, food insecurity, and adversity, as well as organizations focused on conservation and animal welfare. For example, the Cancer Wellness Center says it helps people touched by cancer find a way forward, and Northern Illinois Food Bank says it provides meals through a network of food pantries and programs.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation awarded 35 grants totaling $140,700. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $25,000, with a median of $2,000. The largest grants included $25,000 to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, $12,700 to Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation, and $10,000 each to Catholic Charities and Friends of the Israel Defense Forces. Other recipients included For Autistic Kids ($5,000), the Jimmy Fund ($5,000), and Aspen Community Foundation ($3,500).
Ready to take the next step with Polen Family Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, Illinois organizations received 63% of grant dollars, followed by organizations in Colorado (12%), New York (7%), Virginia (5%), and Massachusetts (4%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 35 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $84K (2021) to $141K (2024). In 2024 it made 35 grants totaling $141K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Shirly Ryan Abilitylab ($25K). Together the top 10 received $90K.
Grant Size Distribution
172 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 172 grants of 172 (100%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Shirly Ryan Abilitylab Chicago, IL | Charitable | $25,000 |
| Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation Aspen, CO | Charitable | $12,700 |
| Catholic Charities Carol Stream, IL | Charitable | $10,000 |
| Friends of the Israel Defense Forces Chicago, IL | Charitable | $10,000 |
| United Way Alexandria, VA | Charitable | $7,500 |
| For Autistic Kids Glenview, IL | Charitable | $5,000 |
| HP Community Foundation Highland Park, IL | Charitable | $5,000 |
| Jimmy Fund Brookline, MA | Charitable | $5,000 |
| Salvation Army Chicago, IL | Charitable | $5,000 |
| Tunnel to Towers Foundation Staten Island, NY | Charitable | $5,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants | Grant count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,277,891 | $353,050 | $149,317 | $140,700 | 35 |
| 2023 | $1,074,158 | $329,533 | $136,181 | $126,000 | 35 |
| 2022 | $880,806 | $314,546 | $98,386 | $92,000 | 34 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,277,891 | $1,074,158 | $880,806 |
| Revenue | $353,050 | $329,533 | $314,546 |
| Expenses | $149,317 | $136,181 | $98,386 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $140,700 | $126,000 | $92,000 |
| Net Investment Income | $47,983 | $25,642 | $20,305 |
| Distributable Amount | $62,903 | $48,440 | $35,716 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Edward Polen as president, secretary, and director; Tamra Polen as treasurer and director; and Bernard A. Schlifke as assistant secretary and director.
Polen Family Foundation is led by Edward Polen, President, Secretary & Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Edward Polen
President, Secretary & Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bernard A. Schlifke
Assistant Secretary & Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Tamra Polen
Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 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.
Contact
Mailing address: 2780 Ridge Road, Highland Park, IL 60035
Phone: (847) 689-2200
Frequently asked questions about Polen Family Foundation
How much does Polen Family Foundation give each year?
Polen Family Foundation gave $141K across 35 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $126K across 35 grants.
What is Polen Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Polen Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $2,000, and its average grant was $4,020, across 35 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Polen Family Foundation that year got $4K on average.
Where does Polen Family Foundation give grants?
Polen Family Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 63% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Colorado (12%) and New York (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (9 grants), Highland Park, IL (2 grants), Northbrook, IL (2 grants) and Washington DC, DC (2 grants).
Does Polen Family Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 35 grants with a stated purpose on Polen Family Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable" (35 grants).
Who are Polen Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Polen Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Shirly Ryan Abilitylab ($25,000), Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation ($12,700) and Catholic Charities ($10,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 34% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Polen Family Foundation?
Polen Family Foundation reported $1.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $141K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $63K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Polen Family Foundation fund?
No foundation mission statement is provided. Its grants include support for organizations serving people affected by disability, illness, food insecurity, and adversity, as well as organizations focused on conservation and animal welfare. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Polen Family Foundation?
The foundation states that it 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 Polen Family Foundation's EIN?
Polen Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-3970463. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Polen 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.
Here's the math on researching Polen Family Foundation by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Polen 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 nonprofits addressing economic mobility, wealth gaps, and urgent community needs, with priorities including homeownership, small businesses, education, quality jobs, and investment in underinvested communities. Its 2025 itemized grants had a median of $26,500, though awards vary widely; grants generally benefit Chicago-region residents, and the Trust directs applicants to open opportunities but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
AbbVie Foundation
North Chicago, IL
The AbbVie Foundation funds health equity, access to care, cancer care, and community-led health solutions through partnerships and local programs, supporting communities worldwide. Its 2025 grants ranged from $8,000 to $15 million, with a median of $25,000. It says it funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests; a separate Health Equity Accelerator is listed as encouraging applications, but its application details are not specified.
Assets
$265.6M
Grants
65
Total Given
$47.1M
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, disaster relief, and community projects, primarily through Elks Lodges and state associations in communities across the United States where Elks live and work. Its 2025 grants had a median of $8,500, though amounts varied widely; the listed Beacon and Freedom Grants are limited to Elks Lodges. The profile 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 foundation funds a broad range of work, including journalism, arts, Chicago communities, climate and clean energy, homelessness, human rights, and criminal justice reform. Its 2024 grants had a median of $160,000, with awards ranging from $450 to $21 million; funding is nationwide, with the largest shares going to New York, Illinois, and Washington, D.C. Application rules vary by program: some accept self-nominations or Letters of Inquiry, while others generally do not fund unsolicited proposals.
Assets
$9.3B
Grants
1,086
Total Given
$356.1M
Arie and Ida Crown Memorial
Chicago, IL
Arie and Ida Crown Memorial supports a broad range of organizations, including education, Jewish organizations, and community foundations. Its 2024 grants ranged from $500 to $3 million, with a median of $55,000; 55% of grant dollars went to Illinois, with additional funding in New York, Washington, DC, California, and Minnesota. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.4B
Grants
897
Total Given
$115.2M
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago
Chicago, IL
The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan funds human services, education, community programs, Jewish life, and crisis relief in the Chicago area, as well as support for Israel and Jewish communities worldwide. Its 2025 grants ranged from about $5,000 to $27.4 million, with a median of about $20,000. Unsolicited requests are not addressed for the Federation overall; its separate Jewish Women’s Foundation accepts letters of intent, with proposals by invitation only.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
896
Total Given
$166.6M
Circle of Service Foundation
Chicago, IL
Circle of Service Foundation funds community services, education, medical research, and Jewish causes, with nearly all grants going to organizations in Cook and Lake Counties, Illinois. Grants typically range from $100 to $500,000, with a median of $25,000. It accepts unsolicited pre-applications for community services and Jewish community needs; education and medical research grants are typically by invitation, and unsolicited capital proposals are not accepted.
Assets
$592.0M
Grants
637
Total Given
$37.0M
Ea Mellinger Educational
Monmouth, IL
The foundation primarily funds undergraduate scholarships and makes a small number of educational grants to charitable organizations; in 2025, awards ranged from $183 to $15,000, with a median of $2,100. Scholarships are limited to residents of six Illinois counties, and most grant dollars go to Illinois recipients. It provides an online scholarship application, but whether it accepts unsolicited requests for organizational grants is not stated.
Assets
$25.0M
Grants
582
Total Given
$1.2M
Polk Bros Foundation Inc
Chicago, IL
Polk Bros Foundation funds community-driven Chicago nonprofits working to close the life expectancy gap, build community wealth, and foster participatory, multiracial democracy. Recent grants ranged from $100 to $250,000, with a median of $25,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests during its transition period, which ends in fall 2026; it currently offers targeted RFPs.
Assets
$334.3M
Grants
568
Total Given
$19.3M
More Funders in Illinois
Polen Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?