Julian Family Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Julian Family Foundation is a private foundation in Chicago, Illinois. In tax year 2025 it gave $2.3 million in 34 grants; the typical grant was $7,500 and the largest $935,000. 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$2.3 million
- Number of grants34
- Typical grant$7,500
- Largest grant$935,000
- Assets$9.4 million
- New grantees12%
Giving in 2025 was down from $3.0 million the year before.
12% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, so most of its money goes to organizations it already funds.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1.8 million | 42 | $8.5 million |
| 2024 | $3.0 million | 36 | $7.9 million |
| 2025 | $2.3 million | 34 | $9.4 million |
How to apply
Julian 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 Julian Family Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 4 states, the most to Illinois.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 29 | $2.1 million |
| New York | 3 | $205,000 |
| Wisconsin | 1 | $5,000 |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | $2,500 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Symphony Orchestra | General purposes | $935,000 |
| Merit School of Music | General purposes | $500,000 |
| Wttwwfmt - Window to the World Communications Inc | General purposes | $160,000 |
| League of American Orchestras (Lao) | General purposes | $150,000 |
| Lyric Opera of Chicago | General purposes | $140,000 |
| Music Institute of Chicago | General purposes | $75,000 |
| Cedille Chicago - Recording Foundation | General purposes | $70,000 |
| Fractured Atlas Empowering Artists Everywhere | General purposes | $50,000 |
| Ensemble Dal Niente | General purposes | $40,000 |
| Third Coast Percussion | General purposes | $25,000 |
| Grant Park Symphony & Music Festival | General purposes | $17,500 |
| Collaborative Arts Institute of Chicago (Caic) | General purposes | $15,000 |
| Greater Chicago Food Depository | General purposes | $15,000 |
| Arts Alliance Illinois | General purposes | $10,000 |
| Chicago Zoological Society (Brookfield Zoo) | General purposes | $10,000 |
| Morton Arboretum | General purposes | $10,000 |
| Solti Foundation | General purposes | $10,000 |
| Chicago Opera Theater | General purposes | $5,000 |
| Civitas Education Partners | General purposes | $5,000 |
| Classical Music Chicago | General purposes | $5,000 |
| Immaculate Conception Parish | General purposes | $5,000 |
| King-Bruwaert House | General purposes | $5,000 |
| Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra | General purposes | $5,000 |
| People's Music School | General purposes | $5,000 |
| The Metropolitan Opera Association (The Met) | General purposes | $5,000 |
| The Art Institute of Chicago | General purposes | $3,000 |
| Almost Home Kids - Chicago | General purposes | $2,500 |
| Chicago A Capella | General purposes | $2,500 |
| Chicago Architectural Foundation | General purposes | $2,500 |
| Chicago Botanic Garden | General purposes | $2,500 |
| Chicago High School for the Arts - Chiarts Foundation | General purposes | $2,500 |
| Eighth Blackbird | General purposes | $2,500 |
| Philadelphia Orchestra | General purposes | $2,500 |
| Wellness House | General purposes | $2,500 |
Officers and trustees
- Loretta N Julian
Questions people ask
Does Julian Family Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Julian Family Foundation give?
$2.3 million in tax year 2025, across 34 grants, with a typical grant of $7,500.
Who runs Julian Family Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Loretta N Julian (Trustee).
What does Julian Family Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly arts and culture, education and environment and conservation.