The Heritage Foundation of First Security

CHICAGO, IL EIN: 36-4135415 Website

The Heritage Foundation of First Security is a private grantmaking foundation based in Chicago, Illinois. Established in 1996 as a nonprofit organization affiliated with First Security Federal Savings Bank, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting Ukrainian institutions and community organizations across the United States.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

—

Annual Giving

$704K

-15.0% YoY

Grant Count

-97.9% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$704K

+3978.1% YoY

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation was created with the mission of financially supporting Ukrainian educational institutions, churches, seminaries, museums, social, cultural and youth organizations in the United States. The overarching goal is to help maintain the viability and vitality of the Ukrainian community in the US, to provide awareness of Ukrainian history and culture, and to highlight the richness of the Ukrainian heritage.

Primary funding areas include:

Education
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
Human Services
Ukrainian cultural and educational institutions

Grantmaking

The foundation is an active grantmaker with a significant funding portfolio. In 2023, the foundation made 45 grants totaling $828,166 in giving.

Average Grant

amount: $50–$73,500

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation primarily funds organizations in Illinois, New York, and Pennsylvania, with a particular emphasis on supporting the Ukrainian community in these regions.

Grant Distribution by State

Illinois $2.8M (79%)

New York $419K (12%)

Pennsylvania $154K (4%)

Michigan $56K (2%)

Ohio $38K (1%)

Florida $31K (1%)

Indiana $25K (1%)

Virginia $20K (1%)

+1 more states

States

District of Columbia Florida Illinois Indiana Michigan New York Ohio Pennsylvania Virginia

Cities

AlgonquinBLOOMINGTONBloomingdaleCHICAGOCLEVELANDCarol StreamChicagoClevelandCrystal LakeDES PLAINESELKINS PARKElkins PaarkFALLS CHURCHFORT MEYERSFalls ChurchFort MyersFox Chase ManorFranklin ParkFreeportJENKINTOWN

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

As of 2024:

Total Assets: $10.4 million
Total Liabilities: $0
Revenue: $733,000
Expenses: $835,000

As of 2023:

Total Assets: $10,551,122
Total Revenues: $524,781
Total Expenses: $969,856
Total Giving: $828,166

Historical Context: The foundation was established in 1996 with an initial infusion of $5 million in First Security cash and stock. Following First Security Federal Savings Bank's 2004 merger with MB Financial Bank, MB Financial donated $1 million to the foundation, bringing its asset base to approximately $12 million.

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	—	—	—
Revenue	—	—	—
Expenses	—	—	—
Qualifying Distributions	—	—	—
Net Investment Income	—	—	—
Distributable Amount	—	—	—

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 1 recipients in 2024

Grant Size Distribution

183 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include See attached - Various ($703,616).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
See attached - Various Various, IL	Cultural & Educational	$703,616

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The original board of directors included:

Julian Kulas, President and CEO of First Security Federal Savings Bank
Paul Nadzikewycz, Chairman of the Board of Directors
Taras Gawryk, Bank Director

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
TARAS DROZD	PRESIDENT	10	—
CHRYSTYA WERESZCZAK	VICE PRESIDENT	2	—
JULIAN E KULAS	PRESIDENT-EMERITUS	—	—
TERRY GAWRYK	SECRETARY-TREASURER	2	—
PAUL BANDRIWSKY	TRUSTEE	—	—
MOTRIA MELNYK	TRUSTEE	—	—
MARIA KRUTIAK	TRUSTEE	—	—
DR PAUL NADZIKIEWYCZ	TRUSTEE	—	—

Recent News & Activity

Recent developments and announcements

The foundation continues to thrive and actively support Ukrainian institutions. The organization maintains its commitment to the Ukrainian community through ongoing grantmaking activities, with recent grants distributed to major Ukrainian cultural and educational organizations in the United States.

[PDF] Download PDF File - Ukrainian Sports Hall of Fame and Museum

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Frequently Asked Questions

What does The Heritage Foundation of First Security fund?

How do I apply for a grant from The Heritage Foundation of First Security?

The foundation is an active grantmaker with a significant funding portfolio. In 2023, the foundation made 45 grants totaling $828,166 in giving. **Grant Characteristics:** • Average grant amount: $50–$73,500 • Typical grant recipients include Ukrainian cultural, educational, and community organizations **Recent Grant Examples (2023):** • Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art: $61,800 • Ukrainian National Museum: $51,000 • Ukrainian World Foundation USA: $25,000

Where does The Heritage Foundation of First Security make grants?

The foundation primarily funds organizations in Illinois, New York, and Pennsylvania, with a particular emphasis on supporting the Ukrainian community in these regions.

What size grants does The Heritage Foundation of First Security award?

In 2024, The Heritage Foundation of First Security awarded 1 grants totaling $704K — an average of about $704K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

What is The Heritage Foundation of First Security's EIN?

The Heritage Foundation of First Security's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-4135415. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.