The Baila Foundation
The Baila Foundation is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois. In its 2025 filing, it reported 16 grants totaling $54,865 to charitable organizations, including universities, cultural organizations, and organizations serving older adults.
The Baila Foundation at a glance
In short: The Baila Foundation gave $55K across 16 grants in 2025 (avg $3K), mostly in Illinois. 31% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $54,865
- +6.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 16
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $3,429
- +6.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $320,135
- -4.6% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 31% first-time grantees (5 of 16, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (70% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Baila Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 161 E Chicago Avenue 49G, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (312) 337-6435
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Baila Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was University of Chicago ($26K). Together the top 10 received $52K.
Grant Size Distribution
109 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 109 grants of 109 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 70% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois, 14% to New Jersey, 9% to Massachusetts, 5% to California, and 2% to New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 16 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Baila Foundation open to new grantees?
31%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 16 grantees (31%) were first-time recipients. With only 16 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $4K; repeat grants $3K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $1K repeat.
- 50% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 22% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 218% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $30K (2019) to $55K (2025). In 2025 it made 16 grants totaling $55K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Chicago Chicago, IL | General charitable contribution | $26,000 |
| Music Will Montclair, NJ | General charitable contributionGeneral charitable contribution | $7,500 |
| Marine Biological Laboratory Woods Hole, MA | General charitable contribution | $5,000 |
| Northwestern University Evanston, IL | General charitable contribution | $5,000 |
| Basketball & Mentorship Academy Los Angeles, CA | General charitable contribution | $3,000 |
| Anti-Defamation League New York, NY | General charitable contribution | $1,000 |
| Blue Cap Blue Island, IL | General charitable contribution | $1,000 |
| CJE Senior Life Chicago, IL | General charitable contribution | $1,000 |
| Goodman Theatre Chicago, IL | General charitable contribution | $1,000 |
| St James Cathedral Chicago, IL | General charitable contribution | $1,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Baila 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $320,135 | $52,522 | $67,823 | $54,865 | 16 | $54,865 | $46,079 | $25,142 |
| 2024 | $335,436 | $53,808 | $62,851 | $51,730 | 16 | $51,730 | $49,111 | $24,946 |
| 2023 | $344,479 | $31,628 | $39,009 | $30,050 | 17 | $30,050 | $27,144 | $26,986 |
| 2022 | $351,860 | $16,165 | $56,925 | $44,925 | 28 | $44,925 | $11,443 | $29,190 |
| 2021 | $392,620 | $29,301 | $62,855 | $51,950 | 32 | $51,950 | $24,978 | $28,851 |
| 2020 | $426,174 | $41,580 | $54,456 | $42,355 | 27 | — | $35,846 | $27,569 |
| 2019 | $439,050 | $36,508 | $40,347 | $29,755 | 19 | — | $32,199 | $28,624 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Baila Foundation reported a distributable amount of $25K for 2025 — 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 2025 grants show support for organizations with varied missions. The University of Chicago describes its mission as sustaining excellence in communicating and creating knowledge and fostering a community of scholars and students. The Marine Biological Laboratory describes itself as a center for biological discovery and training. The Selfhelp Home says it provides nursing, healthcare, and related activities for older people. The Anti-Defamation League describes its mission as combating defamation of Jewish people and securing justice and fair treatment for all. International Women Associates says it builds connections through cross-cultural exchange, community service, dialogue, and friendship.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 16 grants totaling $54,865. Grants ranged from $365 to $26,000, with a median grant of $1,000.
The largest reported grants included $26,000 to the University of Chicago; $7,500 to Music Will; $5,000 each to the Marine Biological Laboratory and Northwestern University; and $3,000 to Basketball & Mentorship Academy. Other reported recipients included the Anti-Defamation League, Blue Cap, CJE Senior Life, Goodman Theatre, St James Cathedral, and The Selfhelp Home, each receiving $1,000; Chicago Architecture Center, receiving $600; and International Women Associates, which received $500.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Lisa Warshauer as President and Treasurer, Ashraf Abdelhamid as Director, and Ken Lorch as Vice President.
The Baila Foundation is led by Lisa Warshauer, President & Treaurer on every filing since 2019; 1 of 3 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Lisa Warshauer
President & Treaurer
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
$7K (2019) → $8K (2025)
Ashraf Abdelhamid
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ken Lorch
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 $8K, to Lisa Warshauer (President & Treaurer).
Frequently asked questions about The Baila Foundation
How much does The Baila Foundation give each year?
The Baila Foundation gave $55K across 16 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $52K across 16 grants.
What is The Baila Foundation's typical grant size?
The Baila Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $1,000, and its average grant was $3,429, across 16 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Baila Foundation that year got $4K on average.
Where does The Baila Foundation give grants?
The Baila Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 70% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were New Jersey (14%) and Massachusetts (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (8 grants).
Does The Baila Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Baila Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (16 of 16) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Baila Foundation's largest grantees?
The Baila Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include University of Chicago ($26,000), Music Will ($7,500) and Marine Biological Laboratory ($5,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 70% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Baila Foundation?
The Baila Foundation reported $320K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $55K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $25K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Baila Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for organizations with varied missions. The University of Chicago describes its mission as sustaining excellence in communicating and creating knowledge and fostering a community of scholars and students. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Baila Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Baila Foundation's EIN?
The Baila Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-2615047. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does The Baila 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
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 22, 2020)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 8, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Baila Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
John D and Catherine T Macarthur Foundation
Chicago, IL
The MacArthur Foundation funds work advancing a more just, verdant, and peaceful world, including climate solutions, criminal justice, journalism, technology, and Chicago. In 2024, its grants had a median of $160,000, though awards ranged widely; it generally does not accept unsolicited requests, with possible exceptions for specific open calls or proposals that meet program guidelines.
Assets
$9.3B
Grants
1,086
Total Given
$356.1M
Arie and Ida Crown Memorial
Chicago, IL
Arie and Ida Crown Memorial supports education, the environment, health and human services, gun violence prevention, homelessness prevention, and Jewish community and Israel initiatives, with a strong focus on Chicago and giving across the U.S. and internationally. In 2024, its grants ranged from $500 to $3 million, with a median of $55,000. It uses an invitation-only process and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.4B
Grants
897
Total Given
$115.2M
Lloyd a Fry Foundation
Chicago, IL
The Lloyd A. Fry Foundation funds arts learning, education, and employment programs serving low-income and underserved communities in Chicago, prioritizing specific projects with clear outcomes. In 2025, grants ranged from $125 to $250,000, with a median grant of $5,000. An LOI is recommended but not required before submitting a proposal.
Assets
$208.2M
Grants
394
Total Given
$9.3M
The Joyce Foundation
Chicago, IL
The Joyce Foundation funds policy research, development, and advocacy advancing racial equity and economic mobility, across areas including education, the environment, democracy, culture, gun violence prevention and justice reform, and journalism. Its grants primarily support work in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin; the 2024 median grant was $80,000, with awards ranging from $685 to $1 million. It accepts online letters of inquiry year-round, but formal proposals are by invitation only.
Assets
$1.3B
Grants
470
Total Given
$52.2M
The Allstate Foundation
Northbrook, IL
The Allstate Foundation funds youth empowerment, efforts to prevent and address relationship abuse, nonprofit leadership, and related economic opportunity and equity work. Its 2024 grants ranged from $250 to $2 million, with a median of $1,000, and awards must support work in the United States. It accepts proposals from organizations beyond a preselected list; proposals are reviewed as received.
Assets
$89.3M
Grants
2,010
Total Given
$38.0M
More similar funders
More Funders in Illinois
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Baila Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-baila-foundation-morg_239cd76527db4283b633df774157f0e1
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_362615047_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Baila Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-baila-foundation-morg_239cd76527db4283b633df774157f0e1},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 The Baila 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.
The Baila Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?