Private foundation · EIN 20-3970463 · Highland Park, Illinois · Philanthropy & grantmaking

Polen Family Foundation

Should you approach them?

Don't send a cold proposal. The foundation reports that it only gives to preselected organizations; an introduction through a current grantee or board member is the realistic route.

From the 2024 Form 990-PF: 35 grants paid, $141K total, median $2,000. 63% of grants stayed in Illinois.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2024
35
$141K
Median grant
$2,000
Stays in IL
63%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$1.3M

Grants paid in 2024

35 grants, all shown · from Form 990-PF Part XV

RecipientPurposeAmount
Shirly Ryan AbilitylabChicago, ILCharitable$25K
Aspen Valley Hospital FoundationAspen, COCharitable$13K
Catholic CharitiesCarol Stream, ILCharitable$10K
Friends of the Israel Defense ForcesChicago, ILCharitable$10K
United WayAlexandria, VACharitable$7,500
For Autistic KidsGlenview, ILCharitable$5,000
Hp Community FoundationHighland Park, ILCharitable$5,000
Jimmy FundBrookline, MACharitable$5,000
Salvation ArmyChicago, ILCharitable$5,000
Tunnel to Towers FoundationStaten Island, NYCharitable$5,000
Vision CorpsLancaster, PACharitable$5,000
Aspen Community FoundationBasalt, COCharitable$3,500
Northern Illinois Food BankGeneva, ILCharitable$3,000
American Friends of the Israel Sport Center for the DisabledNorthfield, ILCharitable$2,500
Cancer Wellness CenterNorthbrook, ILCharitable$2,500
Chicago Zoological SocietyBrookfield, ILCharitable$2,500
Doctors Without BordersNew York, NYCharitable$2,500
America's VetdogsSmithtown, NYCharitable$2,000
Anti-Defamation LeagueChicago, ILCharitable$2,000
Disabled American VeteransChicago, ILCharitable$2,000
Heifer InternationalLittle Rock, ARCharitable$2,000
IcfsNational City, CACharitable$2,000
Jewish War Veterans of the USAWashington, DCCharitable$2,000
Multiple Sclerosis of AmericaChicago, ILCharitable$2,000
The ArkChicago, ILCharitable$2,000
Wild AidSan Francisco, CACharitable$2,000
Chicago Botanical GardenGlencoe, ILCharitable$1,500
Josselyn CenterNorthbrook, ILCharitable$1,500
Lake County Children's AdvocacyGurnee, ILCharitable$1,500
UsoChicago, ILCharitable$1,500
College Board OpportunitiesHighland Park, ILCharitable$1,000
Lake Forest Open LandsLake Forest, ILCharitable$1,000
National Park FoundationWashington, DCCharitable$1,000
Pads Lake CountyWaukegan, ILCharitable$1,000
Paws ChicagoChicago, ILCharitable$1,000

By state: Illinois 22 · Colorado 2 · New York 3 · Virginia 1 · Massachusetts 1 · Pennsylvania 1

About this foundation

Polen Family Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Highland Park, Illinois, administered in care of Edward Polen, tax-exempt since 2007. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.

All filings on ProPublica

Does Polen Family Foundation accept grant applications?

No. On its 2024 Form 990-PF the foundation checked that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations. Look for an introduction through a current grantee.

How much does Polen Family Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2024 it paid $141K across 35 grants, a median of $2,000.

Where does Polen Family Foundation give?

Illinois (22 grants), Colorado (2 grants), New York (3 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

More foundations near Highland Park that accept applications

All in Illinois
FoundationBased inGrants paidMedian grantAccepts applicationsAssets
1111 Foundationsince 2013 Highland Park, IL $28M54 grants · 2024 $50KPreselected only $579M
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Ploughshares Foundationsince 1991 Highland Park, IL $3.6M368 grants · 2025 $6,000Yes $81M
Simon Family Foundationsince 1999 Highland Park, IL $5.9M45 grants · 2025 $100KYes $60M
Sheba Foundationsince 1994 Highland Park, IL $4.4M51 grants · 2024 $21KPreselected only $45M
Donald M Ephraim Familysince 1991 Highland Park, IL $1.2M57 grants · 2025 $750Preselected only $31M
Wayfarer Foundationsince 2021 Highland Park, IL $24M166 grants · 2024 $88KPreselected only $28M
Pattis Family Foundationsince 1987 Highland Park, IL $503K1 grants · 2024 $503KPreselected only $16M
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