The Sheba Foundation
The Sheba Foundation is a private foundation based in Highland Park, Illinois. Its 2024 grants supported organizations and activities including synagogue security, social services, medical equipment, emergency resources, education, and public safety.
The Sheba Foundation at a glance
In short: The Sheba Foundation gave $4.4M across 51 grants in 2024 (avg $85K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $4,355,519
- +287.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 51
- +37.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $85,402
- +181.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,879
- Total assets
- $44,844,317
- +14.0% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Illinois (75% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Sheba Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1849 Green Bay Road 440, Highland Park, IL 60035
Phone: (312) 670-4260
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Sheba Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was North Suburban Synagogue Beth El ($1.1M). Together the top 10 received $3.3M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($50,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
117 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 84 grants of 117 (72%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 75% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois, 12% to New York, 4% to Pennsylvania, 3% to Virginia, and 3% to Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 51 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Sheba Foundation gives
- Giving grew 28% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 180% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.1M (2023) to $4.4M (2024). In 2024 it made 51 grants totaling $4.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| North Suburban Synagogue Beth El Highland Park, IL | Support the Synagogue and Its Security | $1,100,000 |
| Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago Chicago, IL | Social Services | $770,195 |
| Jewish United Fund - Kibbutz NIR Oz Chicago, IL | Kibbutz Family Expenses and Milking Stations | $235,000 |
| Jewish United Fund - American Friends of Sheba Medical Center Chicago, IL | Medical Equipment | $232,600 |
| American Friends of the Hebrew University Inc New York, NY | Research on Food Safety | $222,000 |
| Jewish United Fund - NA' Amat USA Chicago, IL | Bomb Shelter | $180,000 |
| Friends of the Israel Defense Forces New York, NY | Support Israeli Services and Scholarships | $140,040 |
| The Clarion Project Richardson, TX | Education on Public Safety | $110,000 |
| Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago Chicago, IL | Emergency Resources | $109,152 |
| Central Fund of Israel Cedarhurst, NY | Public Affairs, Public Awareness, Combat Anti-Semitism | $100,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Sheba Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Grantmaking totals by filing year:
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $44,844,317 | $10,309,359 | $4,860,785 | $4,355,519 | 51 | $5,296,211 | $3,631,137 | $2,946,689 |
| 2023 | $39,353,140 | $3,553,710 | $1,416,804 | $1,123,979 | 37 | $1,127,479 | $3,295,064 | $2,510,492 |
| 2022 | $36,292,309 | $9,671,589 | $3,275,037 | $3,004,500 | 13 | $3,007,850 | $1,419,834 | $2,250,133 |
| 2021 | $29,895,757 | $4,334,158 | $3,669,288 | $3,410,000 | 8 | $3,413,100 | $1,834,985 | $2,323,325 |
| 2020 | $29,230,887 | $6,229,373 | $2,749,566 | $2,529,000 | 8 | — | $1,648,518 | $1,917,166 |
| 2019 | $27,182,848 | $2,545,696 | $3,028,124 | $2,850,500 | 14 | — | $2,064,237 | $1,843,459 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Sheba Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.9M 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 a synagogue and its security, social services, medical equipment, research on food safety, a bomb shelter, and emergency education resources.
The grantees describe a range of missions. Friends of the Israel Defense Forces says it supports the health, well-being, and education of Israel’s protectors. The Israel Advocacy Group says it provides humanitarian relief, combats antisemitism, and educates the public about Israel and Jewish people. Camp for All Kids says it supports youth from underrepresented backgrounds in attending overnight summer camp. Ronald McDonald House Global says it provides services intended to strengthen families and promote healing when children need healthcare.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 51 grants totaling $4,355,519. Grants ranged from $263 to $1,100,000, with a median of $20,879. The largest awards included $1,100,000 to North Suburban Synagogue Beth El for synagogue support and security; $770,195 to Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago for social services; $235,000 to Jewish United Fund – Kibbutz Nir Oz for kibbutz family expenses and milking stations; and $232,600 to Jewish United Fund – American Friends of Sheba Medical Center for medical equipment.
Other 2024 awards included $222,000 to American Friends of the Hebrew University for food-safety research, $180,000 to Jewish United Fund – NA’AMAT USA for a bomb shelter, and $140,040 to Friends of the Israel Defense Forces for Israeli services and scholarships. Ronald McDonald House Global received two grants, of $75,000 and $30,000.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Steven H. Lavin as director and president; Deborah Rosenberg as director and secretary; Dawn Lavin as director and assistant secretary; and Michael Lavin as treasurer.
The Sheba Foundation is led by Steven H. Lavin, Director & President since 2024 (on filings since 2019); none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Steven H. Lavin
Director & President
Director, Secretary & Treasurer → President, 2023
President → Director & President, 2024
On filings since 2019
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Deborah Rosenberg
Director & Secretary
Director & Ass't Secretary → Director & Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dawn Lavin
Director & Assistant Secretary
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Lavin
Treasurer
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Sheldon Lavin (2019–2023) — Past President
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.
Frequently asked questions about The Sheba Foundation
How much does The Sheba Foundation give each year?
The Sheba Foundation gave $4.4M across 51 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.1M across 37 grants.
What is The Sheba Foundation's typical grant size?
The Sheba Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $20,879, and its average grant was $85,402, across 51 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Sheba Foundation give grants?
The Sheba Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 75% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (22 grants), New York, NY (6 grants), Washington, DC (3 grants) and Skokie, IL (2 grants).
Does The Sheba Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 4% of The Sheba Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 51) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Social Services" (5 grants) and "Youth Development" (3 grants).
Who are The Sheba Foundation's largest grantees?
The Sheba Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include North Suburban Synagogue Beth El ($1,100,000), Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago ($879,347 across 2 grants) and Jewish United Fund - Kibbutz NIR Oz ($235,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($50,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 51% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Sheba Foundation?
The Sheba Foundation reported $44.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $5.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.9M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Sheba Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for a synagogue and its security, social services, medical equipment, research on food safety, a bomb shelter, and emergency education resources. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Sheba Foundation?
The foundation states that it 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 The Sheba Foundation's EIN?
The Sheba Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3976909. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Does The Sheba 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 May 13, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 3, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 29, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 3, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 23, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 27, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Sheba Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Sheba Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-sheba-foundation-morg_a7c787f1a0b54a9d8310632e74be5056
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_363976909_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Sheba Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-sheba-foundation-morg_a7c787f1a0b54a9d8310632e74be5056},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 Sheba 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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