Chicago Educational Research Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Chicago Educational Research Foundation is a private foundation in Chicago, Illinois. In tax year 2025 it gave $37,400 in 34 grants; the typical grant was $1,000 and the largest $5,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$37,400
- Number of grants34
- Typical grant$1,000
- Largest grant$5,000
- Assets$624,534
- New grantees50%
Giving in 2025 was down from $46,500 the year before.
50% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $33,000 | 25 | $577,548 |
| 2024 | $46,500 | 31 | $599,284 |
| 2025 | $37,400 | 34 | $624,534 |
How to apply
Chicago Educational Research Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
What Chicago Educational Research Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 11 states, the most to Illinois.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 18 | $18,350 |
| Nevada | 2 | $6,000 |
| New York | 4 | $3,245 |
| Colorado | 1 | $3,000 |
| Minnesota | 1 | $1,500 |
| Virginia | 1 | $1,500 |
| California | 3 | $1,005 |
| Alabama | 1 | $1,000 |
| New Jersey | 1 | $1,000 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $500 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Temple Beth Sholom | Congregation beth shalom, the spiritual home to more than 1150 member families, is the largest conservative synagogue on the north shore. We are dedicated to promoting family and community through limud (study), tefillah (prayer), and tzedakah (acts of justice and loving kindness). | $5,000 |
| Johnny's Ambassadors | Johnnys ambassadorsis on a mission to educate teens, parents, and communities about the dangers of todays high-thc marijuana on adolescent brain development, mental illness, and suicide. | $3,000 |
| Chicago Jewish Day School | An authentic jewish education that integrates independent learning with jewish values. | $2,500 |
| Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center | The museum is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the holocaust by honoring the memories of those who were lost and by teaching universal lessons that combat hatred, prejudice and indifference. The museum fulfills its mission through the exhibition, preservation and interpretation of its collections and through education programs and initiatives that foster the promotion of human rights and the elimination of genocide. | $2,500 |
| Madonna Mission | Madonna mission is a not-for-profit organization providing education and resettlement support programs for refugee individuals and their families in chicago. | $2,500 |
| Margaret R Baker Charitable Foundation | Awards scholarships that are payable to educational institutions on behalf of deserving young adults who are in good standing at their colleges or universities in order to help them flourish | $1,500 |
| Over the Rainbow Housing | Otr is an illinois non-profit organization dedicated to providing independent living solutions for individuals with physical disabilities. | $1,500 |
| PCD Foundation | The primary purpose for starting the pcdf was to address severe unmet needs in the pcd patient community, including: diagnostic challenges, lack of evidence to support therapies, inadequate demographic information and paucity of data related to the natural history of this disorder. Our programs reflect our efforts to create an infrastructure and processes to address these unmet needs. | $1,500 |
| Soul City Church | Leading people into a transforming relationship with jesus. | $1,500 |
| Tunnel to Towers Foundation | Helping americas heroes by providing mortgage-free homes to gold star and fallen first responder families with young children and by building specially-adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. We are also committed to eradicating veteran homelessness and helping america to never forget september 11, 2001 | $1,500 |
| Cancer Wellness Center | Through supportive care and education, the cancer wellness center seeks to improve the emotional and physical well-being of people affected by cancer. | $1,000 |
| Carfu - Chicago Area Rugby Football Union | Governing body for the illinois, indiana, iowa, michigan, minnesota, ohio, and wisconsin laus | $1,000 |
| Kleo Cummunity Family Life Center | To eradicate violence by breinging opportunity to those in need throught arts, culture, workforce | $1,000 |
| Mark Schonwetter Holocaust Education Foundation | Grants funds for holocaust eduction to schools nationwide | $1,000 |
| Shalva | Shalva is the oldest independent, jewish domestic abuse agency in the united states. | $1,000 |
| Siena Military Club | Serves as a support network for military families, veterans, and students interested in joining the military or pursuing careers related to the armed forces | $1,000 |
| Ver International | Ver internationals mission is to help break cycles of poverty among the most vulnerable of honduras through programs ineducation,health and hygiene, andentrepreneurship. | $1,000 |
| Youth Build of Lake County | To provide underserved young adults with the education, training, and life skills necessary to become gainfully employed and build a better future. | $1,000 |
| Ort America | Ort america transforms lives through education, fostering an innovative global network grounded in jewish values. | $745 |
| Hillel International | A safe space for jewish students and events aimed at facilitating jewish traditions on college campuses | $500 |
| Jewish United Fund | Rooted in the belief in collective action and collective responsibility, juf provides life-saving services and life-enriching experiences where they are needed most. | $500 |
| Magen David Adom | Israelis depend on magen david adom to save lives every day | $500 |
| Michigan Shores Club Foundation | Sponsors scholarships and educational opportunities for michigan shores club employees and their families | $500 |
| NAMI -National Alliance on Mental Illness | The nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of americans affected by mental illness | $500 |
| Shriners Children's Chicago | A pediatric specialty hospital serving children in orthopedics with care, treatment and rehabilitation services | $500 |
| The Michael J Fox Foundation | Eliminate parkinson's disease in our lifetime | $500 |
| Friends of Idf | Raises funds for programs that support the health, well-being, and education of active duty israel defense forces soldiers, veterans, and bereaved familie | $459 |
| Or Shalom | Embraces jewish tradition and values while encouraging questioning and experimentation | $400 |
| Keshet | Works for the full equality of lgbtq+ jews and our families in jewish life | $300 |
| Merit School of Music | Focuses on high-quality music instruction for kids and teens, offering group music classes, private lessons, and conservatory level instruction | $250 |
| St Paulanne Needy Family Fund | Answere the call of those in our parish and community who are in nancial crisis | $250 |
| Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart | Offers a unique and transformative high school experienceone where every element is intentionally designed to cultivate the gifts of each student and to help intelligent, interested and energetic young women to thrive | $250 |
| Chicago Botanic Garden | The chicago botanic garden has 385 acres of nature, beauty, and respite to discover. | $141 |
| Wikimedia Foundation | Support the people, technology, and policies that enable reliable information to be shared with the world. | $105 |
Officers and trustees
- Jay Sorkin
- Anthony Danielak III
- Larry Dorf
- Paul RT Johnson Jr
Questions people ask
Does Chicago Educational Research Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Chicago Educational Research Foundation give?
$37,400 in tax year 2025, across 34 grants, with a typical grant of $1,000.
Who runs Chicago Educational Research Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Jay Sorkin (President/Director), Anthony Danielak III (Secretary/Director), Larry Dorf (Officer/Director) and Paul RT Johnson Jr (Officer/Director).
What does Chicago Educational Research Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly faith communities, education and human services.