Steve and Janice Hefter Family Foundation
STEVE AND JANICE HEFTER is a private foundation based in Highland Park, Illinois. Its 2024 filing reports grants to charitable organizations, including organizations whose stated missions concern Israel, Jewish community services, and defending Jewish civil and human rights.
Steve and Janice Hefter Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Steve and Janice Hefter Family Foundation gave $551K across 15 grants in 2024 (avg $37K), top state District of Columbia. 14% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $550,800
- -20.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 15
- -25.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $36,720
- +5.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $3,001,910
- +1.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 14% first-time grantees (2 of 14, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (39% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Steve and Janice Hefter Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 2386 Tennyson, Highland Park, IL 60035
Phone: (847) 831-2386
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Steve and Janice Hefter Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Central Fund of Israel ($150K). Together the top 10 received $511K.
Grant Size Distribution
89 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 61 grants of 89 (69%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, grant dollars by recipient state were reported as 39% to DC, 35% to NY, 13% to IL, 9% to CA, and 2% to MA.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 15 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Steve and Janice Hefter Family Foundation open to new grantees?
14%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 2 of 14 grantees (14%) were first-time recipients. With only 14 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $14K; repeat grants $43K. How we count
Medians: $14K first-time, $28K repeat.
- 71% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+6%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 356% 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.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $521K (2021) to $696K (2023). In 2024 it made 15 grants totaling $551K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Central Fund of Israel Cedarhurst, NY | Charity | $150,000 |
| American Israel Education Foundation Washington, DC | Charity | $75,000 |
| Jewish Institute for National Security of America Washington, DC | Charity | $66,700 |
| Foundation for the Defense of Democracies Washington, DC | Charity | $50,000 |
| Stand with US Los Angeles, CA | Charity | $50,000 |
| The Lawfare Project New York, NY | Charity | $30,000 |
| African Middle Eastern Leadership Project (Amel) Washington, DC | Charity | $25,000 |
| Jewish United Fund Chicago, IL | Charity | $25,000 |
| North Suburban Synagogue Beth El Highland Park, IL | Charity | $24,500 |
| Friends of of the Israeli Defense Force New York, NY | Charity | $15,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Steve and Janice Hefter Family Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3,001,910 | $691,101 | $556,025 | $550,800 | 15 | $551,556 | $491,173 | $154,931 |
| 2023 | $2,962,170 | $179,184 | $704,749 | $695,800 | 20 | $695,800 | $175,370 | $164,760 |
| 2022 | $3,487,735 | $-757,901 | $671,822 | $640,338 | 17 | $640,601 | $203,854 | $193,926 |
| 2021 | $4,917,458 | $2,452,012 | $536,881 | $521,001 | 21 | $521,001 | $960,809 | $185,253 |
| 2020 | $2,999,811 | $1,118,902 | $685,421 | $681,133 | 16 | — | $340,319 | $119,311 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Steve and Janice Hefter Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $155K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for organizations with a range of stated missions. The Central Fund of Israel says it was established to direct donations to charities in Israel. The American Israel Education Foundation describes itself as the charitable organization affiliated with AIPAC and says it supports educational programs, including research, materials, and conferences. The Lawfare Project says it works to defend the civil and human rights of Jewish people and fight discrimination.
Other recipients describe missions that include providing food, health care, education, and emergency assistance to Chicagoans and Jewish communities worldwide (Jewish United Fund); expanding giving (The Giving Back Fund); and educating U.S. and European leaders and citizens about Israel and promoting diplomatic and cultural relations (Friends of ELNET).
Grantmaking
The foundation reported 15 grants totaling $550,800 in 2024. The grants ranged from $2,600 to $150,000, with a median of $25,000. Among the largest were $150,000 to Central Fund of Israel, $75,000 to American Israel Education Foundation, $66,700 to Jewish Institute for National Security of America, $50,000 each to Foundation for the Defense of Democracies and Stand With Us, and $30,000 to The Lawfare Project.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Steve Hefter as president and treasurer, Janice Hefter as vice president, and Justin Hefter as secretary.
Steve and Janice Hefter Family Foundation is led by Steve Hefter, President & Treasurer on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Steve Hefter
President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Janice Hefter
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Justin Hefter
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/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.
Frequently asked questions about Steve and Janice Hefter Family Foundation
How much does Steve and Janice Hefter Family Foundation give each year?
Steve and Janice Hefter Family Foundation gave $551K across 15 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $696K across 20 grants.
What is Steve and Janice Hefter Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Steve and Janice Hefter Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $36,720, across 15 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Steve and Janice Hefter Family Foundation that year got $14K on average.
Where does Steve and Janice Hefter Family Foundation give grants?
Steve and Janice Hefter Family Foundation's top state is District of Columbia, with 39% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New York (35%) and Illinois (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (4 grants), New York, NY (2 grants), Chicago, IL (2 grants) and Highland Park, IL (2 grants).
Does Steve and Janice Hefter Family Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 15 grants with a stated purpose on Steve and Janice Hefter Family Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charity" (15 grants).
Who are Steve and Janice Hefter Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Steve and Janice Hefter Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Central Fund of Israel ($150,000), American Israel Education Foundation ($75,000) and Jewish Institute for National Security of America ($66,700), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 53% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Steve and Janice Hefter Family Foundation?
Steve and Janice Hefter Family Foundation reported $3.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $552K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $155K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Steve and Janice Hefter Family Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for organizations with a range of stated missions. The Central Fund of Israel says it was established to direct donations to charities in Israel. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Steve and Janice Hefter Family Foundation?
The foundation 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 Steve and Janice Hefter Family Foundation's EIN?
Steve and Janice Hefter Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-4337226. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Steve and Janice Hefter Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 17, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 21, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 9, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 3, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS July 10, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Steve and Janice Hefter Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Lee and Anne Samson Charitable
Los Angeles, CA
Based in Los Angeles, Lee and Anne Samson Charitable supports a range of organizations, including education, arts and culture, and Jewish community and religious causes; most 2025 grant dollars went to California recipients, followed by Delaware and New Jersey. Its 16 grants ranged from $180 to $150,000, with a median of $6,022. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$731
Grants
16
Total Given
$487K
Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemeth Leisrael) Inc
New York, NY
Jewish National Fund supports projects and organizations connected to Israel, including community development, environmental and water initiatives, accessibility, research, heritage, and Zionist education; its grants also go to some U.S.-based recipients. In 2025, grants ranged from $5,360 to $5.27 million, with a median of $20,200, and the available information does not establish whether it currently accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$697.6M
Grants
150
Total Given
$14.0M
Newton & Rochelle Becker Charitable Trus
Larkspur, CA
The Trust funds work on Jewish continuity and identity, Israel and Middle East peace and security, democratic values, California Jewish communities, and cultural and civic institutions, with grants primarily in California and other U.S. locations. In 2024, grants ranged from $1,800 to $1.925 million, with a median of $12,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected organizations.
Assets
$157.4M
Grants
47
Total Given
$3.7M
Hochberg Family Foundation
Skokie, IL
The foundation supports a range of charitable work, including Israel-related causes, healthcare, and children’s music programs, with 2025 grants from $100 to $102,500 and a median of $3,000. Its grants went mainly to organizations in New York, California, Washington, DC, Illinois, and Tennessee. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected organizations.
Assets
$9.3M
Grants
99
Total Given
$914K
United Jewish Community of Broward County Inc
Davie, FL
The Federation funds Jewish organizations and programs addressing community needs, safety, education, Israel and global Jewish life, and crisis response, with work focused on Broward County, Israel, and Jewish communities worldwide. In 2025, grants ranged from $5,500 to $1,497,202, with a median of $25,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests; proposals are by invitation only.
Assets
$210.6M
Grants
99
Total Given
$8.2M
Jewish Community Foundation of Orange County
Irvine, CA
The Jewish Community Foundation Orange County primarily funds Jewish nonprofit organizations serving Orange County, supporting Jewish life and programs for people of different ages and needs; it also makes grants to other charitable organizations, including recipients outside California. Its 2025 grants had a median of about $25,000, though amounts varied widely. The Foundation says its General Grants Program reviews applications, but the available information does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$134.8M
Grants
193
Total Given
$12.2M
More similar funders
More Funders in Illinois
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Steve and Janice Hefter Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 6, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/steve-and-janice-hefter-family-foundation-morg_66c519743159425f89c623be319ecd8f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_364337226_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Steve and Janice Hefter Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/steve-and-janice-hefter-family-foundation-morg_66c519743159425f89c623be319ecd8f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-06. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Steve and Janice Hefter Family Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Steve and Janice Hefter Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?