The Senser Foundation is a private independent family foundation based in Highland Park, Illinois. Established in 2013, it operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization dedicated to advancing philanthropic work grounded in Jewish values and principles of social justice.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$416K
-33.8% YoY
Grant Count
18
+5.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$23K
-37.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Based on the Jewish ideal of "B'tzelem Elohim" (in the image of God), the Senser Foundation's vision is of a world where all people are recognized to have merit and deserve equal respect. The foundation believes that diverse, liberal, and democratic values must flourish to realize this vision.
The foundation partners with impactful organizations in the U.S. and Israel active in the following areas:
- Organizations responding to the unprecedented situation in Israel following the events of October 2023
- Next-generation engagement with Jewish peoplehood
- Strengthening marginalized communities
- Social and religious diversity in Israel
- Liberal and democratic values
- Women's rights, security, and empowerment
Grantmaking
The Senser Foundation emphasizes organizational capacity development through digital transformation as a core philanthropic strategy. The foundation partners with organizations to help nonprofits understand how to use technology to achieve their strategic goals, broaden support for clients, and increase efficiency.
Grant Range
s and Activity
Average Grant
amount varies by year
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds organizations primarily in:
- Illinois (particularly the Chicago metropolitan area)
- New York
- District of Columbia
- California
- New Jersey
The foundation supports initiatives across multiple U.S. cities including Chicago, Glenview, Millburn, New York, Northbrook, Northfield, Santa Monica, Skokie, Washington, and West Hills, as well as organizations in Israel.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Data (2024):
- Total assets: $23,383
- Total giving: $416,400
- Annual revenue: $692,505
- Annual expenses: $714,943
- Expense ratio: 103.2% of total revenue spent on programs
Prior Year Data (2023):
- Total assets: $8,994
- Revenue: $693,000
- Expenses: $715,000
- Total liabilities: $0
The foundation has been tax-exempt since February 2013 (EIN: 36-7611461).
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
101 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include America Gives ($120,000), Bright Star Community Outreach ($50,000), Fuente Latina ($40,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICA GIVES NEW YORK, NY | PROMOTE AND FACILITATE PHILANTHROPY IN THE US AND ISRAEL | $120,000 |
| BNAI ABRAHAM-ZION CONGREGATION (GLASSER PRESCHOOL) OAK PARK, IL | PROMOTE PRESCHOOL EDUCATION | $11,000 |
| BRIGHT STAR COMMUNITY OUTREACH CHICAGO, IL | EMPOWER RESIDENTS TO SHARE IN COMMUNITY BUILDING | $50,000 |
| CAMP YOUNG JUDAEA MIDWEST CHICAGO, IL | SUPPORT GENERAL OPERATIONS | $10,000 |
| FOUNDATION FOR THE DEFENSE OF DEMOCRACIES WASHINGTON, DC | RESEARCH INSTITUTES AND/OR PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS | $7,500 |
| FUENTE LATINA MIAMI, FL | PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND EVENTS TO SPANISH LANGUAGE SPEAKERS REGARDING THE MIDDLE EAST | $40,000 |
| JEWISH FREE LOAN CHICAGO CHICAGO, IL | NO-INTEREST LOANS TO INDIVIDUALS FOR CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $5,000 |
| JEWISH UNITED FUND OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO CHICAGO, IL | COMMUNITY FUNDS/TRUSTS AND FEDERATED GIVING PROGRAM | $10,000 |
| JEWISH WOMEN INTERNATIONAL WASHINGTON, DC | EMPOWER WOMEN AND GIRLS TO THRIVE IN HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS | $30,000 |
| LITTLE VILLAGE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ORGANIZATION CHICAGO, IL | ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Naomi Ragins Senser, MD — Co-founder and trustee. Naomi retired from a pediatric practice to focus on women's issues, Jewish causes, and pro-Israel initiatives. She serves as a trustee and Grants Chair of the Jewish Women's Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago and as Board President of SHALVA, a Jewish domestic violence counseling and education organization. She holds a Master of Jewish Professional Studies from Spertus College, completed executive education through Northwestern University-Kellogg and the Board Member Institute for Jewish Nonprofits, earned a BS in Zoology from the University of Michigan, and an MD from Northwestern University Medical School.
Jerry Senser — Co-founder and trustee. Jerry spent the bulk of his professional career at Institutional Capital LLC, an investment advisory firm in Chicago, where he served as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer from 2007 to 2015. He serves as a trustee of the foundation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JERROLD SENSER | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
Recent Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has actively expanded its digital transformation initiatives. In 2021, the foundation began implementing the Lean Digital Transformation Model to assess nonprofit technological needs and help organizations implement computer programs to meet their strategic goals. Organizations including Jewish Women International have participated in this 10-to-12 month program, which has helped nonprofits strengthen their technological capabilities and operational efficiency.
Sensata Foundation Announces 2025 Grant AwardeesThe foundation's approach addresses a recognized gap in nonprofit funding, as donors traditionally prefer funding new programs and initiatives over infrastructure improvements. The Sensers view technological capacity building as a force multiplier that enables organizations to achieve all their goals more effectively.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Senser Foundation fund?
Based on the Jewish ideal of "B'tzelem Elohim" (in the image of God), the Senser Foundation's vision is of a world where all people are recognized to have merit and deserve equal respect. The foundation believes that diverse, liberal, and democratic values must flourish to realize this vision. The foundation partners with impactful organizations in the U.S. and Israel active in the following areas: • Organizations responding to the unprecedented situation in Israel following the events of Octob…
How do I apply for a grant from Senser Foundation?
The Senser Foundation emphasizes organizational capacity development through digital transformation as a core philanthropic strategy. The foundation partners with organizations to help nonprofits understand how to use technology to achieve their strategic goals, broaden support for clients, and increase efficiency. Since 2021, the foundation has implemented comprehensive long-term transformation models, specialized digital skills courses, and innovative hackathons that equip nonprofits with too…
Where does Senser Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds organizations primarily in: • Illinois (particularly the Chicago metropolitan area) • New York • District of Columbia • California • New Jersey The foundation supports initiatives across multiple U.S. cities including Chicago, Glenview, Millburn, New York, Northbrook, Northfield, Santa Monica, Skokie, Washington, and West Hills, as well as organizations in Israel.
What size grants does Senser Foundation award?
In 2024, Senser Foundation awarded 18 grants totaling $416K — an average of about $23K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Senser Foundation's EIN?
Senser Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-7611461. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Senser Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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