The Heritage Foundation of First Security
The Heritage Foundation of First Security is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois. Created in 1996 as part of First Security Federal Savings Bank, it supports Ukrainian educational institutions, churches, seminaries, museums, and social, cultural, and youth organizations in the United States.
The Heritage Foundation of First Security at a glance
In short: The Heritage Foundation of First Security gave $666K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $666K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $666,250
- -5.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $666,250
- -5.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $666,250
- Total assets
- $15,709,528
- +50.3% 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 October 2026.
How to apply to The Heritage Foundation of First Security
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 2247 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622-4723
Phone: (847) 341-3807
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Heritage Foundation of First Security funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
139 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 125 grants of 139 (90%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated mission concerns Ukrainian organizations in the United States. In filing year 2025, all reported grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
Cities
How The Heritage Foundation of First Security gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−5%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 91% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $626K (2021) to $828K (2023). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $666K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| See attached - Various Various, IL | Cultural & Educational | $666,250 |
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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 | $15,709,528 | $765,315 | $814,353 | $666,250 | 1 | $666,250 | $655,844 | $729,404 |
| 2024 | $10,449,311 | $733,248 | $835,059 | $703,616 | 1 | $703,616 | $625,245 | $691,550 |
| 2023 | $10,551,122 | $524,781 | $969,856 | $828,166 | 48 | $828,166 | $418,826 | $618,076 |
| 2022 | $10,996,197 | $319,347 | $869,204 | $700,915 | 47 | $700,915 | $175,926 | $636,515 |
| 2021 | $11,546,054 | $777,668 | $762,710 | $626,350 | 42 | $626,350 | $616,364 | $706,417 |
| 2020 | $11,531,096 | $626,890 | $773,861 | $653,750 | 45 | — | $532,948 | $637,941 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Heritage Foundation of First Security reported a distributable amount of $729K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to provide financial support to Ukrainian institutions and organizations in the United States, including educational institutions, churches, seminaries, museums, and social, cultural, and youth organizations.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported one grant totaling $666,250. The filing identifies the recipient as “See attached - Various” in Illinois and describes the purpose as “Cultural & Educational.” In 2024, it reported one grant totaling $703,616; in 2023, it reported 48 grants totaling $828,166.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Taras Drozd as president, Chrystya Wereszczak as vice president, Julian E. Kulas as president-emeritus, and Terry Gawryk as secretary-treasurer. It lists Paul Bandriwsky, Motria Melnyk, Maria Krutiak, and Dr. Paul Nadzikewycz as trustees.
The Heritage Foundation of First Security is led by Taras Drozd, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 8 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Taras Drozd
President
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Maria Krutiak
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Motria Melnyk
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paul Bandriwsky
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paul Nadzikiewycz
Trustee
Trustee Emeritus → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chrystya Wereszczak
Vice President
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Julian E. Kulas
President-Emeritus
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Terry Gawryk
Secretary-Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 The Heritage Foundation of First Security
How much does The Heritage Foundation of First Security give each year?
The Heritage Foundation of First Security gave $666K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $704K across 1 grant.
How large is The Heritage Foundation of First Security?
The Heritage Foundation of First Security reported $15.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $666K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $729K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The Heritage Foundation of First Security fund?
The foundation’s mission is to provide financial support to Ukrainian institutions and organizations in the United States, including educational institutions, churches, seminaries, museums, and social, cultural, and youth organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Heritage Foundation of First Security?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
Where does The Heritage Foundation of First Security make grants?
The foundation’s stated mission concerns Ukrainian organizations in the United States. In filing year 2025, all reported grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois.
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 2020–2025.
Does The Heritage Foundation of First Security 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 29, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 17, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 12, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Figures come from The Heritage Foundation of First Security'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.
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