Ernest Wentcher Educational Fund
Accepts applications
Ernest Wentcher Educational Fund is a private foundation in Chicago, Illinois. In tax year 2024 it gave $3.0 million in 96 grants; the typical grant was $10,000 and the largest $473,652. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$3.0 million
- Number of grants96
- Typical grant$10,000
- Largest grant$473,652
- Assets$79.5 million
- New grantees17%
Giving in 2024 was down from $3.2 million the year before.
17% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $3.0 million | 118 | $70.8 million |
| 2023 | $3.2 million | 108 | $75.5 million |
| 2024 | $3.0 million | 96 | $79.5 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Chris Broughton 233 S Wacker Drive, Suite 4400, Chicago, IL 60606 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (312) 722-6949, chris@wentcherfoundation.org |
| What to submit | Occ post graduate program - fafsa eligible, an application, occ transcript, teacher recommendations and an essay are required. Chicago public schools - fafsa eligible, an application, high school transcript, teacher and counselor recommendations, an essay and a student aid report are required. |
| Deadlines | Spring of each year |
| Restrictions | Successful oakton community college wentcher scholar graduates, fafsa-eligible students. Chicago public schools seniors, fasfa-eligible |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Ernest Wentcher Educational Fund funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 28 states, the most to Illinois.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 27 | $1.4 million |
| Michigan | 1 | $319,566 |
| California | 8 | $195,604 |
| District of Columbia | 2 | $141,356 |
| New York | 4 | $134,500 |
| Wisconsin | 3 | $131,325 |
| Georgia | 3 | $90,812 |
| Massachusetts | 6 | $86,494 |
| Missouri | 4 | $60,142 |
| Ohio | 5 | $50,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Univ of Illinois Urbana | Education | $473,652 |
| University of Michigan | Education | $319,566 |
| Depaul Univ | Education | $170,273 |
| Univ of Illinois Chicago | Education | $153,465 |
| Howard University | Education | $121,356 |
| Univ of Wisconsin | Education | $101,325 |
| Loyola University | Education | $97,500 |
| Univ of Southern California | Education | $97,483 |
| Northwestern University | Education | $87,927 |
| Cornell Univ | Education | $84,500 |
| Iit | Education | $65,407 |
| Dominican Univ | Education | $49,772 |
| Middlebury College | Education | $46,356 |
| Spelman College | Education | $40,000 |
| Univ of Chicago | Education | $32,247 |
| Illinois State University | Education | $31,341 |
| Morehouse College | Education | $30,000 |
| Northeastern University | Education | $30,000 |
| Pomona College | Education | $30,000 |
| Lewis University | Education | $28,588 |
| Oakton Comm College | Education | $26,250 |
| George Washington University | Education | $25,000 |
| Washington University | Education | $23,462 |
| Emory Univ | Education | $20,812 |
| American University | Education | $20,000 |
| Bradley University | Education | $20,000 |
| Columbia Univ | Education | $20,000 |
| Depauw University | Education | $20,000 |
| Illinois Wesleyan University | Education | $20,000 |
| Loyola Marymount University | Education | $20,000 |
| Marquette University | Education | $20,000 |
| New York University | Education | $20,000 |
| School of the Art Institute of Chic | Education | $20,000 |
| Univ of Missouri | Education | $20,000 |
| University of Miami | Education | $20,000 |
| Boston University | Education | $17,764 |
| Columbia College | Education | $17,688 |
| Duke University | Education | $16,283 |
| University of Pennsylvania | Education | $15,888 |
| Connecticut College | Education | $15,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Chris Broughton
- Brian Fitzpatrick
- Robert Wise
- Sally Tomlinson
- Dan Williams
- Robert Slay
- Lucy Tuck
- Laura Farr
- Richard Helmholz
Questions people ask
Does Ernest Wentcher Educational Fund accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: Spring of each year.
How much does Ernest Wentcher Educational Fund give?
$3.0 million in tax year 2024, across 96 grants, with a typical grant of $10,000.
Who runs Ernest Wentcher Educational Fund?
Its 2024 filing lists Chris Broughton (Executive Di), Brian Fitzpatrick (President), Robert Wise (Vice Preside) and Sally Tomlinson (Board Member) among 9 officers and trustees.
What does Ernest Wentcher Educational Fund fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education and environment and conservation.