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Foundations / Illinois

Master Educational Assistance Foundation

Accepts applications Oak Park, Illinois · EIN 363542174

Master Educational Assistance Foundation is a private foundation in Oak Park, Illinois. In tax year 2025 it gave $384,281 in 53 grants; the typical grant was $3,500 and the largest $48,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.

From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.

Giving in 2025 was up from $329,313 the year before.

61% 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 yearGrants paidNumber of grantsAssets
2023$320,56660$6.5 million
2024$329,31356$7.2 million
2025$384,28153$7.9 million

How to apply

ContactJames F Zangrilli
747 S Euclid Ave, Oak Park, IL 60304
Phone or email(847) 431-5590
What to submitLetter, rochure, etc. Describing person/organization seeking assistance

As written in the foundation's IRS filing for tax year 2025. Details may have changed since.

IRS filings on ProPublica

What Master Educational Assistance Foundation funds

Where it gives

Its US grants went to recipients in 10 states, the most to Illinois. It also paid $1,000 in 1 grant to recipients outside the US.

StateGrantsAmount
Illinois40$318,400
Maryland2$26,381
Michigan1$20,000
Ohio1$5,000
New York1$3,500
Arizona2$3,000
Tennessee2$3,000
Indiana1$2,500
Virginia1$1,000
Minnesota1$500

Grants paid in 2025

The 40 largest of 53 grants
RecipientPurposeAmount
Liberty Forever Foundation
Chicago, IL
Contributior$48,000
Christ the King College Prep
Chicago, IL
Contributior$37,585
University of Illinois
Urbana, IL
Scholarship$28,298
Frieda Inc
Wheeling, IL
Contributior$20,000
Lansing Catholic High School
Lansing, MI
Scholarship$20,000
Resilience Partners NFP
Chicago, IL
Contributior$18,000
St Frances of Rome School
Cicero, IL
Contributior$17,500
Pilsen Promise Project
Chicago, IL
Contributior$17,000
University of Maryland
Baltimore, MD
Scholarship$16,381
Chicago Police Marine Corps LG
Chicago, IL
Contributior$13,460
Windy City Athletes
Chicago, IL
Contributior$12,000
Center for Spiritual Integ Arts
Towson, MD
Contributior$10,000
Marist High School
Chicago, IL
Scholarship$10,000
Brotherhood for the Fallen
Chicago, IL
Contributior$8,500
American Brain Tumor Assn
Chicago, IL
Contributior$7,000
St Pius V School
Chicago, IL
Contributior$6,500
Abc Pilsen Athletics
Chicago, IL
Contributior$5,100
St Agnes of Bohemia School
Chicago, IL
Contributior$5,000
El Nino Rey
Northbrook, IL
Contributior$5,000
Opportunity Knocks
River Forest, IL
Contributior$5,000
University of Dayton
Dayton, OH
Scholarship$5,000
De la Salle High School
Chicago, IL
Scholarship$4,400
Romeoville Fire Academy
Romeoville, IL
Scholarship$3,900
Chicago Hope Academy
Chicago, IL
Scholarship$3,800
Chicago Police Memorial Found
Chicago, IL
Contributior$3,500
Tunnel to Towers
Staten Island, NY
Contributior$3,500
Emerald Society
Chicago, IL
Contribuitor$3,500
Ignite the Spirit
Chicago, IL
Contributior$3,000
Hope Family Services
Chicago, IL
Contributior$3,000
St Andrews Luthern School
Park Ridge, IL
Scholarship$2,550
Gerry's Cafe
Arlington HTS, IL
Contributior$2,500
Paralyzed Marine
Valparison, IN
Contributior$2,500
Chesterton Academy
Lisle, IL
Scholarship$2,500
Individual
IL
Scholarship$2,500
College of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL
Scholarship$2,249
St Ann School
Chicago, IL
Scholarship$2,200
Individual
IL
Scholarship$2,180
Echoing Hope Ranch
Hereford, AZ
Contributior$2,000
Illinois Cops
Montgomery, IL
Contributior$2,000
Empowering Gardens
River Forest, IL
Contributior$2,000

Officers and trustees

As listed in Part VIII of the 2025 filing.

Questions people ask

Does Master Educational Assistance Foundation accept grant applications?

Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications.

How much does Master Educational Assistance Foundation give?

$384,281 in tax year 2025, across 53 grants, with a typical grant of $3,500.

Who runs Master Educational Assistance Foundation?

Its 2025 filing lists James Francis Zangrilli (Executive Director) and James Franklin Zangrilli (Director).

What does Master Educational Assistance Foundation fund?

Based on its grants, mainly education, faith communities and environment and conservation.

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