Skender Foundation
The mission of Skender Foundation is to empower and inspire mindful individuals and groups to achieve lifelong successes in education and wellness and to perpetuate the legacy of giving through gifts, time and talent to those in need.
Skender Foundation at a glance
In short: Skender Foundation gave $1.2M across 6 grants in 2021 (avg $203K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2021 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2021)
- $1,218,885
- +612.3% vs 2020
- Grants made (2021)
- 6
- -64.7% vs 2020
- Average grant
- $203,148
- +1918.1% vs 2020
- Median grant
- $12,500
- Primary geography
- Illinois (99% of itemized 2021 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2021 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2021; updated September 2026.
Who Skender Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2021
The largest 2021 recipient was Skender Legacy Donor Advised Fund ($1.2M). Together the top 6 received $1.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
23 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 22 grants of 23 (96%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2021 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2021, annual grant giving ranged from $171K (2020) to $1.2M (2021). In 2021 it made 6 grants totaling $1.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Skender Legacy Donor Advised Fund Chicago, IL | Transfer Funds | $1,150,385 |
| Mobile Care Foundation Chicago, IL | Community Support | $30,000 |
| Depaul University Chicago, IL | Community Support | $15,000 |
| RCCS Cancer Society Brooklyn, NY | Medical Support | $10,000 |
| Open Heart Magic Chicago, IL | Community Support | $7,500 |
| Friends of Prentice Chicago, IL | Medical Support | $6,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | — | $127,626 | $1,270,882 | $1,218,885 | 6 | — |
| 2020 | $1,120,657 | $402,293 | $307,680 | $171,125 | 17 | $11,509 |
About Skender Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Skender Foundation is a public charity, based in Chicago, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2021. In 2021, it awarded 6 grants totaling $1.2M.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Skender Foundation is led by Cheryl Skender, President, Secretary & Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 10 officers listed in 2021 report compensation.
Officers on the 2021 filing
Cheryl Skender
President, Secretary & Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$25K (2020) → $0 (2021)
Brian Skender
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jared Funk
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Skender
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jerry Ball
Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joseph Skender
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Justin Brown
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Skender
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tim Swanson
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Belinda Moore
Associate Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$66K (2020) → $0 (2021)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2021. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2020 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2020 filing was $66K, to Belinda Moore (Associate Executive Direct). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Skender Foundation
How much does Skender Foundation give each year?
Skender Foundation gave $1.2M across 6 grants in 2021, according to its 2021 IRS Form 990. In 2020 it gave $171K across 17 grants.
What is Skender Foundation's typical grant size?
Skender Foundation's median grant in 2021 was $12,500, and its average grant was $203,148, across 6 grants on its 2021 IRS Form 990.
Where does Skender Foundation give grants?
Skender Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2021 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (5 grants).
Does Skender Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2021: none of the 6 grants with a stated purpose on Skender Foundation's 2021 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Community Support" (3 grants).
Who are Skender Foundation's largest grantees?
Skender Foundation's largest 2021 grantees include Skender Legacy Donor Advised Fund ($1,150,385), Mobile Care Foundation ($30,000) and Depaul University ($15,000), according to its 2021 IRS Form 990. Together they received 98% of its itemized 2021 grant dollars.
What is Skender Foundation's EIN?
Skender Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-4455243. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2021.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2021
Live grants for the work Skender Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Skender Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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