The Berens Foundation | Foundation Profile
GrantBay analyzes IRS Form 990-PF data to help grant seekers find fit funders like The Berens Foundation. Data shown is extracted from Form 990-PF filings.
EIN: 27-0600726
Foundation Overview
Based in Glenview, IL, The Berens Foundation has awarded 31 grants totaling $6,490,743 to organizations in Illinois, Indiana and 3 other states across the US. Individual grants range from $36,839 to $582,065, with a median award of $100,000.
Latest Form 990-PF Snapshot
Foundation Intelligence
Advanced analytics and strategic insights to help nonprofit organizations assess grant opportunities and optimize their application strategies
New Applicant Friendliness
4 of 18 recipients (22%) were new grantees. Foundation strongly favors organizations with proven track records. New partnerships develop slowly over time.
Geographic Focus
68% of grants are awarded in Illinois, with additional funding distributed across 4 other locations. The foundation balances regional focus with broader geographic diversity. Within Illinois, funding concentrates in Chicago (86%), Glenview (14%).
Funding Trajectory
Strong 619% growth in annual giving over 4 years indicates expanding philanthropic capacity and increasing opportunities for grant seekers. This upward trajectory suggests growing foundation resources and commitment.
Program Areas
Dual focus on education (75%) and general purposes, indicating strategic concentration in complementary program areas.
Where is The Money Going?
Grants & Funding
Analyzing past grantees provides valuable insights into The Berens 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aid For Women | $36,839 | Chicago, IL, US | Charitable | 2024 |
| Big Shoulders Fund | $337,500 | Chicago, IL, US | Charitable | 2024 |
| Dav Charitable Service Trust | $100,000 | Erlanger, KY, US | Charitable | 2024 |
| Highsight | $400,000 | Chicago, IL, US | Charitable | 2024 |
| Horizons For Youth | $150,000 | Chicago, IL, US | Charitable | 2024 |
| Our Lady Of Perpetual Help | $50,000 | Glenview, IL, US | Charitable | 2024 |
| Women's Care Center | $582,065 | South Bend, IN, US | Charitable | 2024 |
| Infinite Worth Project | $400,000 | Snowflake, AZ, US | Charitable | 2024 |
| Mike Rowe Works Foundation | $100,000 | Santa Monica, CA, US | Charitable | 2024 |
| Aid For Women | $36,839 | Chicago, IL, US | Charitable | 2024 |
| Big Shoulders Fund | $337,500 | Chicago, IL, US | Charitable | 2024 |
| Dav Charitable Service Trust | $100,000 | Erlanger, KY, US | Charitable | 2024 |
| Highsight | $400,000 | Chicago, IL, US | Charitable | 2024 |
| Horizons For Youth | $150,000 | Chicago, IL, US | Charitable | 2024 |
| Our Lady Of Perpetual Help | $50,000 | Glenview, IL, US | Charitable | 2024 |
| Women's Care Center | $582,065 | South Bend, IN, US | Charitable | 2024 |
| Infinite Worth Project | $400,000 | Snowflake, AZ, US | Charitable | 2024 |
| Mike Rowe Works Foundation | $100,000 | Santa Monica, CA, US | Charitable | 2024 |
| Big Shoulders Fund | $250,000 | Chicago, IL, US | Charitable | 2023 |
| Our Lady Of Perpetual Help | $100,000 | Glenview, IL, US | Charitable | 2023 |
| Highsight | $100,000 | Chicago, IL, US | Charitable | 2023 |
| Horizons For Youth | $100,000 | Chicago, IL, US | Charitable | 2023 |
| Women's Care Center | $417,935 | South Bend, IN, US | Charitable | 2023 |
| Aid For Women | $50,000 | Chicago, IL, US | Charitable | 2023 |
| Dav Charitable Service Trust | $50,000 | Erlanger, KY, US | Charitable | 2023 |
| Big Shoulders Fund | $300,000 | Chicago, IL, US | Support For Scholarships | 2022 |
| Big Shoulders Fund | $300,000 | Chicago, IL, US | Support For Scholarships | 2022 |
| Big Shoulders | $70,000 | Chicago, IL, US | Support Scholarships | 2021 |
| Big Shoulders | $70,000 | Chicago, IL, US | Support Scholarships | 2021 |
| Big Shoulders | $70,000 | Chicago, IL, US | Support Scholarships | 2021 |
| Big Shoulders Fund | $300,000 | Chicago, IL, US | Fund Scholarships | 2020 |
Foundations Similar to The Berens Foundation
Discover 5 foundations with comparable assets ($87,022,012-$94,299,624), 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation
EIN: 47-1005952 | 384 grants awarded |
$94,299,624
(≈ Similar) |
$50,000
median grant |
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Trott Family Philanthropies Inc
EIN: 85-3003942 | 251 grants awarded |
$94,202,250
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$200,000
median grant |
Chicago, IL
Same state |
|
|
Donald Levin Family Foundation
EIN: 36-3329401 | 80 grants awarded |
$91,134,617
(≈ Similar) |
$95,000
median grant |
Glenview, IL
Same state |
|
|
The Edward E Ford Foundation Xxxxx2009
EIN: 13-6047243 | 208 grants awarded |
$90,150,725
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$100,000
median grant |
Chicago, IL
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|
|
Julian Grace Foundation
EIN: 47-1645999 | 769 grants awarded |
$87,022,012
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$60,000
median grant |
Highland Park, IL
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Contact Information
Official contact details for The Berens Foundation as registered with the IRS. These details are essential for grant applications, correspondence, and due diligence processes.
| EIN | 27-0600726 |
| Website | http://berensfoundation.org |
| Address | 1660 NORTH LN Northbrook, IL 60062-4708 |
Key People (7)
Board members, trustees, and key staff who oversee The Berens Foundation's grant making decisions and strategic direction. Understanding leadership composition can provide insights into foundation priorities and potential networking opportunities.
| President | Michael M Berens |
|---|---|
| Secretary & Treasurer | Lisa M Berens |
| Director | Stephen M Berens |
| Director | Daniel M Berens |
| Director | Paul J Berens |
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 The Berens 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
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