Special Kids Foundation
Special Kids Foundation is a private foundation, based in Chicago, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $3.5M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 9 grants totaling $200K. Net investment income was $223K.
Special Kids Foundation at a glance
In short: Special Kids Foundation gave $200K across 9 grants in 2025 (avg $22K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $200,000
- +35.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 9
- +50.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $22,222
- -9.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $3,512,300
- +2.3% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Special Kids Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Helping Hand ($35K). Together the top 9 received $200K.
Grant Size Distribution
42 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 42 grants of 42 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 9 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Special Kids Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+0%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 120% 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $147K (2024) to $200K (2025). In 2025 it made 9 grants totaling $200K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Helping Hand Countryside, IL | Support | $35,306 |
| The Chicago Lighthouse Chicago, IL | Support | $35,000 |
| The Kids Equipment Network Itasca, IL | Support | $30,000 |
| Search Inc Chicago, IL | Support | $25,000 |
| Special Gifts Theatre Northbrook, IL | Support | $25,000 |
| Oak Leydon Developmental Services Oak Park, IL | Support | $23,269 |
| Parents Alliance Employment Project Lisle, IL | Support | $16,660 |
| Esperanza Community Services Chicago, IL | Support | $6,415 |
| Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago Chicago, IL | Support | $3,350 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3,512,300 | $252,181 | $272,100 | $200,000 | 9 | $202,000 | $223,356 | $168,094 |
| 2024 | $3,432,712 | $243,401 | $222,625 | $147,428 | 6 | $147,428 | $215,524 | $159,134 |
| 2023 | $3,157,749 | $47,380 | $220,915 | $150,000 | 8 | $150,000 | $54,438 | $155,058 |
| 2022 | $3,342,605 | $83,297 | $275,904 | $200,000 | 11 | $219,114 | $49,708 | $177,099 |
| 2021 | $3,795,615 | $186,809 | $244,923 | $170,000 | 8 | — | $51,648 | $169,891 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Special Kids Foundation reported a distributable amount of $168K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Special Kids Foundation is led by Cheryle N. Yallen, Executive Director on every filing since 2021; 1 of 24 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Cheryle N. Yallen
Executive Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
$39K (2021) → $40K (2025)
Denise Schwartz
President
On filings since 2022
25 hrs/week
$41K (2022) → $0 (2025)
Barbara Silbert
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Deborah Granite
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Denise Kaplan
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Diane Mehlman
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Felice Boyer
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Janie sills
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Judy Katz
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lauren Litchfield
Director
President → Director, 2022
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mara Lane
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mara Lazar
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michele Shoolin
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Glazer
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pam Kaplan
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peggy Miller
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ruthy Rabyne
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sara Mervis
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stacie Cragg
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lauren Conway
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sami Glazer
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cynthia Johnson
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2022
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Davida Salamon
Secretary
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Heather Weiss
Treasurer
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (8)
- Former: Bobbie Levinson (2021) — Director
- Former: Dennis Schwartz (2021) — Vice President
- Former: Gayle Byck (2021) — Director
- Former: Gerry Lane (2021) — Director
- Former: Heather Bilski-Weiss (2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Jill Katz (2021) — Director
- Former: Mary Bortz (2021) — Secretary
- Former: Peg Beeman (2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $40K, to Cheryle Yallen (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Special Kids Foundation
How much does Special Kids Foundation give each year?
Special Kids Foundation gave $200K across 9 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $147K across 6 grants.
What is Special Kids Foundation's typical grant size?
Special Kids Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $22,222, across 9 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Special Kids Foundation give grants?
Special Kids Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (4 grants).
Does Special Kids Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 9 grants with a stated purpose on Special Kids Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Support" (9 grants).
Who are Special Kids Foundation's largest grantees?
Special Kids Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Helping Hand ($35,306), The Chicago Lighthouse ($35,000) and The Kids Equipment Network ($30,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 50% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Special Kids Foundation?
Special Kids Foundation reported $3.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $202K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $168K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Special Kids Foundation's EIN?
Special Kids Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3803232. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Special Kids Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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