The Simon Family Foundation
The Simon Family Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2000 and based in Highland Park, Illinois. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and has been tax-exempt since December 1999. With substantial assets and consistent annual giving, the foundation maintains a broad philanthropic scope across multiple states and funding areas.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$5.5M
+12.6% YoY
Grant Count
49
-2.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$112K
+14.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation has not provided a formal mission statement. However, its grantmaking demonstrates support across diverse areas including:
- Education
- Human services
- Health
- Arts and culture
- Children and youth
- Jewish organizations
- Food security
- Disability services
- Philanthropy and voluntarism
The foundation provides both general operating support and project support to nonprofit organizations.
Grantmaking
The foundation distributed approximately $5.47 million in grants in 2023, with 52 grants made to various organizations.
Grant Range
$5,000 to $400,000
Average Grant
Approximately $97,200
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Simon Family Foundation operates primarily in Illinois with a particular concentration in the Chicago metropolitan area. The foundation also makes grants across multiple states including:
- California
- Colorado
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- New York
- Texas
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending December 2024:
- Total assets: $59.5 million
- Total revenue: $8.52 million
- Total expenses: $6.18 million
- Net income: $2.34 million
- Total liabilities: $233,000
As of Fiscal Year Ending December 2023:
- Total assets: $56.87 million
- Total revenue: $6.87 million
- Total expenses: $5.39 million
The foundation's revenue includes investment income and dividends. In 2023, investment income and dividends totaled $1.03 million, representing a 21.9% increase from the prior year.
| 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 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
249 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Greater Chicago Food Depository ($400,000), Timeline Theatre Company ($370,000), A Silver Lining Foundation Chicagoland Cancer Info Coalition ($325,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A SILVER LINING FOUNDATION CHICAGOLAND CANCER INFO COALITION CHICAGO, IL | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION | $325,000 |
| ALBANY PARK THEATER PROJECT CHICAGO, IL | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION | $115,000 |
| AMERICAN COMMITTEE FOR THE WEIZMANN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE INC CHICAGO, IL | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION | $100,000 |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF MAGEN DAVID ADOM NEW YORK, NY | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION | $125,000 |
| ASPIRITECH NFP HIGHLAND PARK, IL | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION | $130,000 |
| BRIGHT FOCUS FOUNDATION CLARKSBURG, MD | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION | $10,000 |
| CENTER FOR SCIENCE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST WASHINGTON, DC | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION | $160,000 |
| CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN GLENCOE, IL | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION | $90,000 |
| CHICAGO PUBLIC MEDIA INC CHICAGO, IL | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION | $60,000 |
| DENVER HEALTH FOUNDATION DENVER, CO | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Albert Simon III – President
- Judith Simon – Vice President
- Steven Simon – Assistant
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALBERT SIMON III | PRESIDENT | 15 | $47,500 |
| JUDITH SIMON | VICE PRESIDENT | 15 | $47,500 |
| STEVEN SIMON | ASSISTANT | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 1755 Lake Cook Road, Apt 314, Highland Park, IL 60035-4479
Phone: (847) 835-9195
The foundation does not maintain a public website or published email address for grant inquiries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Simon Family Foundation fund?
The foundation has not provided a formal mission statement. However, its grantmaking demonstrates support across diverse areas including: • Education • Human services • Health • Arts and culture • Children and youth • Jewish organizations • Food security • Disability services • Philanthropy and voluntarism The foundation provides both general operating support and project support to nonprofit organizations.
How do I apply for a grant from The Simon Family Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Annual giving: $4.8 million to $5.5 million • Number of annual grants: Approximately 49-52 grants per year • Grant range: $5,000 to $400,000 • Average grant size: Approximately $97,200 • Success rate for new applicants: 12% **Recent Grantees (2023):** • Greater Chicago Food Depository: $300,000 • DonorsChoose.org: $300,000 • Spondylitis Association of America (SAA): $300,000 The foundation distributed approximately $5.47 million in grants in 2023, with 52 grants made to va…
Where does The Simon Family Foundation make grants?
The Simon Family Foundation operates primarily in Illinois with a particular concentration in the Chicago metropolitan area. The foundation also makes grants across multiple states including: • California • Colorado • District of Columbia • Florida • Massachusetts • Minnesota • Missouri • New York • Texas
What size grants does The Simon Family Foundation award?
In 2024, The Simon Family Foundation awarded 49 grants totaling $5.5M — an average of about $112K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is The Simon Family Foundation's EIN?
The Simon Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-4325958. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Simon Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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