The Weiner-Ellman Family Foundation
The Weiner-Ellman Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Evanston, Illinois. Its 2024 filing reports 25 grants totaling $48,980 to charitable organizations, including recipients working in animal welfare, youth employment, education, and community services.
The Weiner-Ellman Family Foundation at a glance
In short: The Weiner-Ellman Family Foundation gave $49K across 25 grants in 2024 (avg $2K), mostly in Indiana. 36% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $48,980
- +26.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 25
- -3.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $1,959
- +31.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $500
- Total assets
- $319,237
- -6.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 36% first-time grantees (9 of 25, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Indiana (57% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990 filing, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990 filing, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Weiner-Ellman Family 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: 1570 E Elmwood Ave, Evanston, IL 60201
Phone: (847) 922-1603
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Weiner-Ellman Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Michiana Humane Society ($28K). Together the top 10 received $45K.
Grant Size Distribution
128 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 128 grants of 128 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, the reported shares of grant dollars by recipient state were Indiana 57%, Illinois 42%, Washington, DC 1%, Massachusetts 1%, and Florida 0%. The largest grant went to Michiana Humane Society in Michigan City, Indiana; other major recipients included organizations in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 25 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Weiner-Ellman Family Foundation open to new grantees?
36%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 9 of 25 grantees (36%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $239; repeat grants $3K. How we count
Medians: $200 first-time, $570 repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $19K (2020) to $49K (2024). In 2024 it made 25 grants totaling $49K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Michiana Humane Society Michigan City, IN | Charitabl | $27,709 |
| Youth Job Center Evanston, IL | Charitable | $9,743 |
| Evanston Roundtable Evanston, IL | Charitable | $2,050 |
| One Tail at a TIme Chicago, IL | Charitable | $1,103 |
| Felines and Canines Chicago, IL | Charitable | $1,030 |
| Evanston Community FDN Evanston, IL | Charitable | $1,026 |
| Food Depository Chicago, IL | Charitable | $627 |
| Evanston Animal Shelter Evanston, IL | Charitabke | $624 |
| Warren W Cherry Preschool Evanston, IL | Charitable | $515 |
| SSP COnnections Evanston, IL | Charitable | $515 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $319,237 | $6,095 | $52,142 | $48,980 | 25 | $2,933 |
| 2023 | $339,650 | $7,158 | $42,113 | $38,751 | 26 | $27,020 |
| 2022 | $340,288 | $7,351 | $43,912 | $40,219 | 18 | $3,548 |
| 2021 | $369,266 | $7,374 | $26,656 | $23,306 | 31 | $35,355 |
| 2020 | $350,006 | $2,092 | $21,757 | $18,588 | 28 | — |
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 show support for organizations with varied missions. For example, Michiana Humane Society says its mission is to give animals and the people who love them a second chance. Youth Job Center describes connecting young people ages 14–25 to careers through training, coaching, and employer partnerships. Warren W Cherry Preschool says it provides an early childhood program supporting children’s development.
Other 2024 recipients include Curt’s Cafe, which says it provides job and life-skills training and placement for youth re-entering the community after incarceration and at-risk young adults, and Evanston Scholars, which describes supporting college access and success for first-generation and low-income Evanston students.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 25 grants totaling $48,980. Grants ranged from $62 to $27,709, with a median of $500. The largest awards included $27,709 to Michiana Humane Society and $9,743 to Youth Job Center. Other notable grants were $2,050 to Evanston Roundtable, $1,103 to One Tail at a Time, $1,030 to Felines and Canines, and $1,026 to Evanston Community FDN.
Additional 2024 recipients included Food Depository ($627), Evanston Animal Shelter ($624), Warren W Cherry Preschool ($515), SSP COnnections ($515), Curt’s Cafe ($500), Evanston Scholars ($409), The Ark ($373), Recovery on Water ($259), and NAMI Chicago ($104).
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Howard Ellman, Caryn Weiner, and Elizabeth Ellman as directors.
The Weiner-Ellman Family Foundation's 2024 filing lists 3 officers; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Caryn Weiner
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Ellman
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Howard Ellman
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 Weiner-Ellman Family Foundation
How much does The Weiner-Ellman Family Foundation give each year?
The Weiner-Ellman Family Foundation gave $49K across 25 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. In 2023 it gave $39K across 26 grants.
What is The Weiner-Ellman Family Foundation's typical grant size?
The Weiner-Ellman Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $500, and its average grant was $1,959, across 25 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Weiner-Ellman Family Foundation that year got $239 on average.
Where does The Weiner-Ellman Family Foundation give grants?
The Weiner-Ellman Family Foundation gives mostly in Indiana: 57% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing went to recipients there. The next largest state was Illinois (42%). The most frequent recipient cities were Evanston, IL (10 grants), Chicago, IL (9 grants), Michigan City, IN (2 grants) and Sarasota, FL (2 grants).
Does The Weiner-Ellman Family Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 25 grants with a stated purpose on The Weiner-Ellman Family Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 filing were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable" (23 grants).
Who are The Weiner-Ellman Family Foundation's largest grantees?
The Weiner-Ellman Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Michiana Humane Society ($27,709), Youth Job Center ($9,743) and Evanston Roundtable ($2,050), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Together they received 81% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Weiner-Ellman Family Foundation?
The Weiner-Ellman Family Foundation reported $319K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Its revenue that year was $6K.
What does The Weiner-Ellman Family Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for organizations with varied missions. For example, Michiana Humane Society says its mission is to give animals and the people who love them a second chance. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Weiner-Ellman Family 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 Weiner-Ellman Family Foundation's EIN?
The Weiner-Ellman Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-2476123. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Weiner-Ellman Family 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 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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