Gilbert & Jacqueline R Fern Foundation | Foundation Profile

GrantBay analyzes IRS Form 990-PF data to help grant seekers find fit funders like Gilbert & Jacqueline R Fern Foundation. Data shown is extracted from Form 990-PF filings.

EIN: 26-1464104

Foundation Overview

Based in Chicago, IL, Gilbert & Jacqueline R Fern Foundation has awarded 48 grants totaling $1,127,271 to organizations in Illinois, Tennessee and 5 other states across the US. Individual grants range from $25 to $221,679, with a median award of $5,000.

Latest Tax Year
2023
Total Giving (all years)
$1,127,271
Total Assets
$1,283,027
Median Grant (all grants)
$5,000

Latest Form 990-PF Snapshot

Total Grants
5
Median Grant
$2,500
% Median Grant Decline
-85% (vs previous year)
Data extracted from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Last filing year: February 2026

Foundation Intelligence

Advanced analytics and strategic insights to help nonprofit organizations assess grant opportunities and optimize their application strategies

New Applicant Friendliness
Relationship-Focused: 20%

1 of 5 recipients (20%) were new grantees. Foundation strongly favors organizations with proven track records. New partnerships develop slowly over time.

Geographic Focus
Illinois

85% of all grants are concentrated in Illinois, demonstrating highly focused geographic giving. This foundation prioritizes deep community impact in its primary service area. Within Illinois, funding concentrates in Chicago (100%).

Funding Trajectory
+86%

Strong 86% growth in annual giving over 7 years indicates expanding philanthropic capacity and increasing opportunities for grant seekers. This upward trajectory suggests growing foundation resources and commitment.

Program Areas
General Purposes

Highly focused on general purposes with 100% of funding dedicated to this sector. This specialization indicates deep expertise and committed investment in the field.

Where is The Money Going?

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Grants & Funding

Analyzing past grantees provides valuable insights into Gilbert & Jacqueline R Fern Foundation's funding preferences, organizational priorities, and grant making patterns. This historical data helps potential applicants understand the foundation's strategic focus and identify successful funding approaches.

Name Amount Location Purpose Year
Alzheimer Association $10,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2023
Les Turner Als Foundation $153,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2023
Make A Wish $2,500 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2023
Ronald Mcdonald House $2,500 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2023
Shirley Ryan Ability Lab $2,500 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2023
Alzheimer Association $10,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2022
Les Turner Als Foundation $23,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2022
Alzheimer Association $10,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2022
Les Turner Als Foundation $23,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2022
Alzheimer Association $10,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2022
Les Turner Als Foundation $23,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2022
Alzheimer Association $10,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2022
Les Turner Als Foundation $23,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2022
Alzheimer Association $221,679 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2021
Alzheimer Gala $5,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2021
Impact Grant Chicago $1,100 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2021
Les Turner Als Foundation $125,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2021
Les Turner Als Walk Match $10,704 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2021
Make A Wish $2,500 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2021
Shirley Ryan Ability Lab $250 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2021
Les Turner Als Foundation $35,934 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2020
Meals On Wheels $10,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2020
Shirley Ryan Ability Lab $2,500 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2020
St Judes Research Center $1,000 Memphis, TN, US Charitable 2020
Blessings In A Backpack $1,000 Louisville, KY, US Charitable 2020
Alzheimers Association $221,679 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2020
Les Turner Als Foundation $24,845 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2018
Alzheimers Association $10,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2018
Make A Wish Foundation $5,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2018
Council For Jewish Edelery $5,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2018
Meals On Wheels $5,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2018
Les Turner Als Foundation $15,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2017
Alzheimers Association $20,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2017
Make A Wish Foundation $5,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2017
Blessings In A Backpack $5,000 Louisville, KY, US Charitable 2017
Les Turner Als Foundation $44,555 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2016
Alzheimers Association $7,500 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2016
Make A Wish Foundation $3,500 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2016
Greater Chicago Food Depository $5,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2016
Juvenile Diabetes Foundation $5,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2016
Meals On Wheels $10,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2016
Widow Warrior Project $25 Buda, TX, US Charitable 2016
University Of Arizona Foundation $1,000 Tuscon, AZ, US Charitable 2016
Gwen Knepp Center $2,500 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2016
Kiva $2,500 San Francisco, CA, US Charitable 2016
Ric Women's Board $2,500 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2016
Water Organization $2,500 Kansas City, MO, US Charitable 2016
Council For The Jewish Elderly $5,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2016

Foundations Similar to Gilbert & Jacqueline R Fern Foundation

Discover 5 foundations with comparable assets ($1,279,773-$1,285,389), similar grant patterns, and geographic focus in IL that may also align with your organization's funding needs and grant seeking strategy.

Foundation Name Total Assets Typical Grant Size Service Area Similarity Match

EIN: 36-7327056 | 145 grants awarded
$1,282,151
(≈ Similar)
$5,000
median grant
Chicago, IL
Same state
100%
Excellent match

EIN: 04-3830802 | 166 grants awarded
$1,284,310
(≈ Similar)
$3,000
median grant
Hinsdale, IL
Same state
100%
Excellent match

EIN: 81-6982032 | 61 grants awarded
$1,284,679
(≈ Similar)
$5,500
median grant
Rockford, IL
Same state
100%
Excellent match

EIN: 36-4408738 | 100 grants awarded
$1,285,389
(≈ Similar)
$2,500
median grant
Antioch, IL
Same state
100%
Excellent match

EIN: 36-3818697 | 67 grants awarded
$1,279,773
(≈ Similar)
$5,000
median grant
Glenview, IL
Same state
100%
Excellent match

Contact Information

Official contact details for Gilbert & Jacqueline R Fern Foundation as registered with the IRS. These details are essential for grant applications, correspondence, and due diligence processes.

EIN 26-1464104
Website N/A
Address 233 S WACKER DR Chicago, IL 60606-7147

Key People (3)

Board members, trustees, and key staff who oversee Gilbert & Jacqueline R Fern Foundation's grant making decisions and strategic direction. Understanding leadership composition can provide insights into foundation priorities and potential networking opportunities.

President Robin Fern
Vice President Ronald Schreiber
Director Charles Gofen

Forms 990-PF

IRS Form 990-PF filings provide comprehensive financial information, grant details, and operational data. These documents are essential resources for understanding foundation capacity, giving patterns, and strategic priorities.

Form 990-PF Research Tips
  • Review Part XV for detailed grant recipient information and funding purposes
  • Check Part I for total assets, annual giving amounts, and payout requirements
  • Examine Part VIII for key personnel compensation and board structure
  • Look for trends across multiple years to understand giving patterns

About This Foundation Profile

This comprehensive foundation profile for Gilbert & Jacqueline R Fern Foundation is powered by Grant Bay's advanced foundation research platform. Our system analyzes IRS Form 990-PF filings, grant histories, and philanthropic patterns to provide nonprofit organizations with actionable intelligence for grant seeking success.

Data Sources & Accuracy

All information is derived from official IRS filings and public records. Grant Bay processes thousands of Form 990-PF documents to extract grant details, financial data, and organizational information. Data accuracy depends on foundation reporting quality and IRS filing completeness.

Research Applications

Use this profile for prospect research, grant strategy development, application preparation, and relationship building. Combine this data with additional research on foundation priorities, application processes, and board member backgrounds for comprehensive grant seeking strategies.

Data Currency: Last updated February 2026 based on IRS Form 990-PF filings. Foundation information reflects most recent available tax year data.