The Nikoh Foundation
The Nikoh Foundation is a private foundation based in Northbrook, Illinois, established in 2013 and managed by the donor’s family to honor his legacy. Its stated current primary focus areas are medical research around cancer and other life-altering conditions, and Jewish community and leadership development.
The Nikoh Foundation at a glance
In short: The Nikoh Foundation gave $588K across 42 grants in 2024 (avg $14K), mostly in Illinois. 36% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $587,655
- +4.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 42
- -6.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $13,992
- +11.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $8,750
- Total assets
- $9,477,325
- +8.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 36% first-time grantees (15 of 42, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (65% 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 The Nikoh Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
The foundation accepts applications only by invitation and does not accept unsolicited requests. It states that contributions go only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 425 Huehl Rd Bldg 7, Northbrook, IL 60062
Phone: (847) 272-5300
Website: https://nikohfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Nikoh Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Israel Cancer Research Fund ($67K). Together the top 10 received $398K.
Grant Size Distribution
186 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 158 grants of 186 (85%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 65% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois, 15% to New York, 6% each to California and Georgia, and 3% to Tennessee.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 42 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Nikoh Foundation open to new grantees?
36%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 15 of 42 grantees (36%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $4K; repeat grants $19K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $15K repeat.
- 62% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−2%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 92% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2024). 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 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $556K (2020) to $611K (2022). In 2024 it made 42 grants totaling $588K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Israel Cancer Research Fund Northfield, IL | Cancer research. | $66,500 |
| Jewish National Fund Northbrook, IL | Building medical center. | $50,500 |
| American Friends of Hebrew University Chicago, IL | Cancer research. | $50,000 |
| Leukemia Research Foundation Northfield, IL | Cancer research. | $50,000 |
| Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center New York, NY | Cancer research. | $50,000 |
| Keshet Northbrook, IL | Serve individuals with disabilities. | $40,000 |
| American Technion Society Chicago, IL | Cancer research. | $25,000 |
| Camp Kesem Covina, CA | Cancer assistance. | $25,000 |
| Friends of the IDF Chicago, IL | Assistance. | $21,000 |
| Vanderbilt Hillel Nashville, TN | Education. | $20,261 |
Ready to take the next step with The Nikoh 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 | $9,477,325 | $1,225,222 | $671,634 | $587,655 | 42 | $619,655 | $1,173,243 | $671,695 |
| 2023 | $8,740,000 | $397,812 | $633,608 | $564,906 | 45 | $596,906 | $361,110 | $602,218 |
| 2022 | $9,235,425 | $393,665 | $681,867 | $611,288 | 43 | $643,967 | $355,765 | $607,885 |
| 2021 | $9,775,503 | $845,710 | $668,691 | $597,619 | 31 | $630,325 | $807,344 | $663,857 |
| 2020 | $9,793,169 | $304,801 | $625,343 | $556,261 | 25 | — | $267,750 | $529,573 |
| 2019 | $9,470,848 | $330,006 | $650,553 | $580,295 | 30 | — | $292,251 | $529,134 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Nikoh Foundation reported a distributable amount of $672K 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
The foundation says it strives to honor the donor’s legacy. Its website identifies medical research around cancer and other life-altering conditions, and Jewish community and leadership development, as its primary focus areas.
Its 2024 grants included support for organizations working in cancer research, disability services, emergency medical services, education, and community service. The Leukemia Research Foundation describes its mission as funding innovative research to cure leukemia and supporting patients and families. Keshet says it provides opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in activities that support growth and development. Friends of United Hatzalah says it raises and provides funding for organizations delivering medical and trauma-related first-responder services.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 42 grants totaling $587,655. Grant amounts ranged from $25 to $66,500, with a median of $8,750. Its largest reported grants included $66,500 to Israel Cancer Research Fund for cancer research; $50,500 to Jewish National Fund for building a medical center; and $50,000 each to American Friends of Hebrew University, Leukemia Research Foundation, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for cancer research.
Other notable 2024 grants included $40,000 to Keshet to serve individuals with disabilities, $25,000 to Camp Kesem for cancer assistance, $20,000 to Friends of United Hatzalah for emergency medical services, and $20,261 to Vanderbilt Hillel for education. Among the grantees described in their own words, Jewish Fertility Foundation says it provides financial assistance, emotional support, and infertility education to hopeful parents.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Debra M Hokin as President, Eugene B Levin as Treasurer, Joseph A Hokin and Gary S Hokin as Vice Presidents, and Samuel C Hokin as Secretary.
The Nikoh Foundation is led by Debra M Hokin, President on every filing since 2019; all 5 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Debra M Hokin
President
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
$8K (2019) → $8K (2024)
Eugene B Levin
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
$8K (2019) → $8K (2024)
Gary S Hokin
Vice President
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
$6K (2019) → $8K (2024)
Joseph A Hokin
Vice President
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
$8K (2019) → $8K (2024)
Samuel C Hokin
Secretary
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
$8K (2019) → $8K (2024)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $8K, to Debra M Hokin (President). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Nikoh Foundation
How much does The Nikoh Foundation give each year?
The Nikoh Foundation gave $588K across 42 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $565K across 45 grants.
What is The Nikoh Foundation's typical grant size?
The Nikoh Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $8,750, and its average grant was $13,992, across 42 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Nikoh Foundation that year got $4K on average.
Where does The Nikoh Foundation give grants?
The Nikoh Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 65% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were New York (15%) and California (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (6 grants), New York, NY (4 grants), Atlanta, GA (4 grants) and Northfield, IL (3 grants).
Does The Nikoh Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 42 grants with a stated purpose on The Nikoh Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Cancer research." (5 grants), "Religious." (5 grants) and "Education." (3 grants).
Who are The Nikoh Foundation's largest grantees?
The Nikoh Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Israel Cancer Research Fund ($66,500), Jewish National Fund ($50,500) and American Friends of Hebrew University ($50,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 28% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Nikoh Foundation?
The Nikoh Foundation reported $9.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $620K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $672K (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 Nikoh Foundation fund?
The foundation says it strives to honor the donor’s legacy. Its website identifies medical research around cancer and other life-altering conditions, and Jewish community and leadership development, as its primary focus areas. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Nikoh Foundation?
The foundation accepts applications only by invitation and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Nikoh Foundation's EIN?
The Nikoh Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-4254755. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Does The Nikoh 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
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS September 2, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 1, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Nikoh Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-nikoh-foundation-morg_df7b6f8a2d254be6b986f20aae337509
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_364254755_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Nikoh Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-nikoh-foundation-morg_df7b6f8a2d254be6b986f20aae337509},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Nikoh 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.
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