Well Told Grants

Foundations / Illinois

The Barr Fund

Preselected recipients only Chicago, Illinois · EIN 366111449

The Barr Fund is a private foundation in Chicago, Illinois. In tax year 2024 it gave $4.1 million in 6 grants; the typical grant was $4,300 and the largest $4.1 million. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.

From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.

Giving in 2024 was up from $267,140 the year before.

80% of its 2024 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$267,14085$6.4 million
2024$4.1 million6$0

How to apply

The Barr Fund 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.

IRS filings on ProPublica

What The Barr Fund funds

Where it gives

Its grants went to recipients in 3 states, the most to Colorado.

StateGrantsAmount
Colorado2$4.1 million
New York3$8,750
Wyoming1$3,600

Grants paid in 2024

All 6 grants
RecipientPurposeAmount
Schwab Charitable
Lone Tree, CO
General fund$4.1 million
Schwab Charitable
Lone Tree, CO
General fund$5,892
Ethical Culture Fieldston School
The Bronx, NY
General fund$5,000
Jackson Hole Jewish Community
Jackson, WY
General fund$3,600
Seventh Regiment Armory Conservancy Inc
New York, NY
General fund$2,500
Columbia University
New York, NY
General fund$1,250

Officers and trustees

As listed in Part VIII of the 2024 filing.

Questions people ask

Does The Barr Fund accept grant applications?

No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.

How much does The Barr Fund give?

$4.1 million in tax year 2024, across 6 grants, with a typical grant of $4,300.

Who runs The Barr Fund?

Its 2024 filing lists Howard Isenberg (Chairman & Director), Amy Lubin (President & Director), Marc S Isenberg (Director) and Alan L Isenberg (Director) among 6 officers and trustees.

What does The Barr Fund fund?

Based on its grants, mainly education.

Similar foundations in Illinois