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.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.5M
+2.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$200K
+35.7% YoY
Grant Count
9
+50.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$22K
-9.6% YoY
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.
About Special Kids Foundation
Based on IRS filings
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.
Ready to take the next step with Special Kids Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,512,300 | $3,432,712 | $3,157,749 |
| Revenue | $252,181 | $243,401 | $47,380 |
| Expenses | $272,100 | $222,625 | $220,915 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $202,000 | $147,428 | $150,000 |
| Net Investment Income | $223,356 | $215,524 | $54,438 |
| Distributable Amount | $168,094 | $159,134 | $155,058 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
42 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Helping Hand ($35,306), The Chicago Lighthouse ($35,000), The Kids Equipment Network ($30,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago Chicago, IL | Support | $3,350 |
| Esperanza Community Services Chicago, IL | Support | $6,415 |
| Helping Hand Countryside, IL | Support | $35,306 |
| Oak Leydon Developmental Services Oak Park, IL | Support | $23,269 |
| Parents Alliance Employment Project Lisle, IL | Support | $16,660 |
| Search Inc Chicago, IL | Support | $25,000 |
| Special Gifts Theatre Northbrook, IL | Support | $25,000 |
| The Chicago Lighthouse Chicago, IL | Support | $35,000 |
| The Kids Equipment Network Itasca, IL | Support | $30,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheryle Yallen | Executive Director | 2 | $40,458 |
| Denise Schwartz | President | 25 | — |
| Cynthia Johnson | Vice President | 2 | — |
| Heather Weiss | Treasurer | 2 | — |
| Davida Salamon | Secretary | 2 | — |
| Barbara Silbert | Director | 2 | — |
| Deborah Granite | Director | 2 | — |
| Denise Kaplan | Director | 2 | — |
| Diane Mehlman | Director | 2 | — |
| Felice Boyer | Director | 2 | — |
| Janie sills | Director | 2 | — |
| Judy Katz | Director | 2 | — |
| Lauren Conway | Director | 2 | — |
| Lauren Litchfield | Director | 2 | — |
| Mara Lane | Director | 2 | — |
| Mara Lazar | Director | 2 | — |
| Michele Shoolin | Director | 2 | — |
| Nancy Glazer | Director | 2 | — |
| Pam Kaplan | Director | 2 | — |
| Peggy Miller | Director | 2 | — |
| Ruthy Rabyne | Director | 2 | — |
| Sami Glazer | Director | 2 | — |
| Sara Mervis | Director | 2 | — |
| Stacie Cragg | Director | 2 | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
How large is Special Kids Foundation?
As of 2025, Special Kids Foundation holds $3.5M in total assets with $252K in annual revenue. It awarded 9 grants totaling $200K in 2025.
Where does Special Kids Foundation operate?
Special Kids Foundation has awarded grants in Illinois.
What size grants does Special Kids Foundation award?
In 2025, Special Kids Foundation awarded 9 grants totaling $200K — an average of about $22K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Special Kids Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, Special Kids Foundation reported a distributable amount of $168K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Special Kids Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Green and Blue Foundation
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
—
Grants
3
Total Given
$51K
Above and Beyond Daycare Center
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, IL
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Primo Center for Women & Children
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
$9.7M
Grants
1
Total Given
$35K
RHS Foundation
MOLINE, IL
Assets
$1.1M
Grants
37
Total Given
$342K
Rose Lafferty Educational Fund Xxxxx9006
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
$3.4M
Grants
1
Total Given
$228K
The John Crerar Foundation
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
$991K
Grants
1
Total Given
$35K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
What could you do with Special Kids Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Special Kids Foundation to a real strategy.