Herbst Family Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Herbst Family Foundation is a private foundation in Chicago, Illinois. In tax year 2025 it gave $120,900 in 29 grants; the typical grant was $600 and the largest $50,000. 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$120,900
- Number of grants29
- Typical grant$600
- Largest grant$50,000
- Assets$3.2 million
- New grantees41%
Giving in 2025 was down from $126,310 the year before.
41% 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 | $111,875 | 27 | $2.7 million |
| 2024 | $126,310 | 32 | $3.0 million |
| 2025 | $120,900 | 29 | $3.2 million |
How to apply
Herbst Family 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 Herbst Family Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 12 states, the most to Illinois.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 5 | $52,150 |
| Arizona | 8 | $45,800 |
| New York | 3 | $16,300 |
| District of Columbia | 4 | $2,850 |
| Massachusetts | 2 | $1,300 |
| California | 1 | $500 |
| Maryland | 1 | $500 |
| Colorado | 1 | $300 |
| Iowa | 1 | $300 |
| Kansas | 1 | $300 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Chicago | Program support | $50,000 |
| U of A Foundation | College of science | $20,000 |
| Gilder Lehrman Inst of Amer Hist | Program support | $15,000 |
| U of A Foundation | Program support | $12,200 |
| Arizona Theatre Company | Program support | $5,000 |
| Tucson Symphony Orchestra | Program support | $5,000 |
| Smithsonian | Program support | $1,250 |
| Tucson Festival of Books | Program support | $1,100 |
| Arizona Public Media | Program support | $1,000 |
| Harvard Radcliffe Institute | Program support | $1,000 |
| Invisible Theater | Program support | $1,000 |
| National Academy of Medicine | Program support | $1,000 |
| Planned Parenthood Federation of America Inc | Program support | $1,000 |
| University of Chicago | Women's board | $1,000 |
| WTTW WFMT | Program support | $600 |
| Therapeutic Riding of Tucson | Program support | $500 |
| US Holocaust Memorial Museum | Program support | $500 |
| Jewish Family Services | Program support | $500 |
| Americans United for Separation of Churc | Program support | $300 |
| Compassion and Choices | Program support | $300 |
| Doctors Without Borders | Program support | $300 |
| Nature Conservancy | Program support | $300 |
| Wbez Public Radio | Program support | $300 |
| National Audubon Society | Program support | $300 |
| World Wildlife Fund | Program support | $300 |
| National Geographic | Program support | $300 |
| Union of Concerned Scientist | Program support | $300 |
| Brennan Center for Justice | Program support | $300 |
| Love to Serve | Program support | $250 |
Officers and trustees
- Lee G Herbst
- Arthur L Herbst Jr
Questions people ask
Does Herbst Family Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Herbst Family Foundation give?
$120,900 in tax year 2025, across 29 grants, with a typical grant of $600.
Who runs Herbst Family Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Lee G Herbst (President) and Arthur L Herbst Jr (Director).
What does Herbst Family Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, science and research and arts and culture.