Private foundation · EIN 36-3489719 · Lake Forest, Illinois

Wolff 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 2025 Form 990-PF: 26 grants paid, $156K total, median $5,000. 27% of grants stayed in Illinois.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
26
$156K
Median grant
$5,000
Stays in IL
27%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$1.8M

Grants paid in 2025

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

RecipientPurposeAmount
Jewish Family Service of the DesertPalm Springs, CAOperating fund$20K
Doctors Without BordersNew York, NYOperating fund$13K
Citizens of the World Charter SchoolKansas City, MOOperating fund$10K
Michael J Fox FoundationHagerstown, MDOperating fund$10K
Habitat for HumanityAmericus, GAOperating fund$9,500
Alzheimer's AssociationChicago, ILOperating fund$9,000
American Red CrossFairfax, VAOperating fund$7,500
Boulder Shelter for the HomelessBoulder, COOperating fund$7,500
American Civil Liberties UnionNew York, NYOperating fund$6,000
National Resource Defense CouncilNew York, NYOperating fund$6,000
Chicago Botanic GardenGlencoe, ILOperating fund$5,500
Am Shalom Human NeedsGlencoe, ILOperating fund$5,000
National Park Conservation AssociationWashington, DCOperating fund$5,000
Planned ParenthoodNew York, NYOperating fund$5,000
California Rural Legal AssistanceModesto, CAOperating fund$5,000
National Park FoundationWashington, DCOperating fund$5,000
Cancer Research InstituteNew York, NYOperating fund$4,000
National Alliance on Mental IllnessArlington, VAOperating fund$4,000
Farm Aid IncCambridge, MAOperating fund$4,000
Feeding AmericaChicago, ILOperating fund$3,000
The Nature ConservatoryArlington, VAOperating fund$3,000
Wbez ChicagoChicago, ILOperating fund$2,500
MisericordiaChicago, ILOperating fund$2,000
St Jude Children's HospitalMemphis, TNOperating fund$2,000
UNICEFNew York, NYOperating fund$2,000
Wttw WfmtChicago, ILOperating fund$1,000

By state: New York 6 · Illinois 7 · California 2 · Virginia 3 · Missouri 1 · Maryland 1

About this foundation

Wolff Family Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Lake Forest, Illinois, tax-exempt since 1987. 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 Wolff Family Foundation accept grant applications?

No. On its 2025 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 Wolff Family Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $156K across 26 grants, a median of $5,000.

Where does Wolff Family Foundation give?

New York (6 grants), Illinois (7 grants), California (2 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

More foundations near Lake Forest

All in Illinois
FoundationBased inGrants paidMedian grantAccepts applicationsAssets
The John and Kathleen Schreiber Foundationsince 2005 Lake Forest, IL $32M60 grants · 2024 $263KPreselected only $185M
Grainger Foundation Incsince 1968 Lake Forest, IL $22M1 grants · 2025 $22MPreselected only $172M
National Recreation Foundation Incsince 1965 Lake Forest, IL $2.4M75 grants · 2025 $20KPreselected only $56M
The Buchanan Family Foundationsince 1967 Lake Forest, IL $2.5M154 grants · 2025 $10KPreselected only $39M
Crain-Maling Foundationsince 2006 Lake Forest, IL $1.2M134 grants · 2024 $5,000Preselected only $33M
William H & Lois J McEssy Foundationsince 1996 Lake Forest, IL $2.1M8 grants · 2024 $250KPreselected only $28M
Walter C Dissen Charitable Trsince 2024 Lake Forest, IL $1.3M15 grants · 2024 $12KPreselected only $25M
Knight Impact Partnerssince 2010 Lake Forest, IL $5.1M32 grants · 2024 $50KPreselected only $24M
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