The Polsky Foundation | Foundation Profile

GrantBay analyzes IRS Form 990-PF data to help grant seekers find fit funders like The Polsky Foundation. Data shown is extracted from Form 990-PF filings.

EIN: 65-1164639

Foundation Overview

Based in Chicago, IL, The Polsky Foundation has awarded 227 grants totaling $53,314,488 to organizations in Illinois, Massachusetts and 15 other states, plus international recipients. Individual grants range from $1,000 to $4,000,000, with a median award of $25,000.

Latest Tax Year
2024
Total Giving (all years)
$53,314,488
Total Assets
$89,458,164
Median Grant (all grants)
$25,000

Latest Form 990-PF Snapshot

Total Grants
39
Median Grant
$10,000
% Median Grant Decline
-47% (vs previous year)
Data extracted from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Last filing year: March 2026

Foundation Intelligence

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

New Applicant Friendliness
Growth-Minded: 51%

20 of 39 recipients (51%) were new grantees. Foundation actively seeks new partnerships to expand impact. Fresh approaches and innovative programs receive serious consideration.

Geographic Focus
Illinois

69% of grants are awarded in Illinois, with additional funding distributed across 17 other locations. The foundation balances regional focus with broader geographic diversity. Within Illinois, funding concentrates in Chicago (83%), Highland Park (3%), Winnetka (3%).

Funding Trajectory
+474%

Strong 474% growth in annual giving over 8 years indicates expanding philanthropic capacity and increasing opportunities for grant seekers. This upward trajectory suggests growing foundation resources and commitment.

Program Areas
General Purposes + Community Projects

Dual focus on general purposes (67%) and community projects, indicating strategic concentration in complementary program areas.

Where is The Money Going?

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Grants & Funding

Analyzing past grantees provides valuable insights into The Polsky 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
Boys And Girls Club Of Chicago $31,568 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2024
High Jump $5,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2024
Jewish United Fund $5,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2024
Latin School Of Chicago $25,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2024
White Stork $150,000 Winnetka, IL, US General Fund 2024
World Jewish Congress $4,000 New York, NY, US General Fund 2024
Las Olas Chabad $10,000 Fort Lauderdale, FL, US General Fund 2024
Mayo Clinic $10,000 Rochester, MN, US General Fund 2024
The Buddy Program $1,500 Arlington Heights, IL, US General Fund 2024
Ukrainian Genocide Famine Foundation $4,500 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2024
Vetvoice Foundation $20,000 Portland, OR, US General Fund 2024
Chicago Association Of Veterans Of Wwii $27,801 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2024
Illinois Holocaust Museum $25,000 Skokie, IL, US General Fund 2024
St Nicholas Uk Catholic School $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2024
The Museum Of Contemporary Art $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2024
Voice Health Institute $200,000 Boston, MA, US General Fund 2024
Field Museum $10,000 Chicago, IL, US Charity 2024
Our Home Ukraine $968,283 Chicago, IL, US Charity 2024
Embarc $2,500 Chicago, IL, US Charity 2024
Art Institute Of Chicago $50,000 Chicago, IL, US Charity 2024
Magnitsky Justice Foundation $1,000 Washington, DC, US Charity 2024
Northwestern University $10,000 Evanston, IL, US Charity 2024
The Clayco Foundation $5,000 Chicago, IL, US Charity 2024
American Friends Of Chabad Cabo $5,000 Phoenix, AZ, US Charity 2024
Chicago Stallions $2,000 Chicago, IL, US Charity 2024
The Fund For Cooper Roberts $12,000 Radnor, PA, US Charity 2024
Chicago Sinai Congregation $10,000 Chicago, IL, US Charity 2024
Northwestern Memorial Foundation $2,006,992 Chicago, IL, US Charity 2024
University Of Chicago 2016 $1,704,101 Chicago, IL, US Charity 2024
Revived Soldiers Ukraine $4,000 Orlando, FL, US Charity 2024
American Foreign Policy Council $10,000 Washington, DC, US Charity 2024
Save Ukraine Inc $10,000 Kyiv, Foreign, UP Charity 2024
Chicago Media Project $18,452 Chicago, IL, US Charity 2024
Chicago Council Of Global Affairs $8,000 Chicago, IL, US Charity 2024
Wolcott School $5,000 Chicago, IL, US Charity 2024
Alliance Fancaise De Chicago $2,500 Chicago, IL, US Charity 2024
National Pku Alliance $2,500 Roanoke, VA, US Charity 2024
Chicago Cares $10,000 Chicago, IL, US Charity 2024
Brca Research And Cure Alliance $2,293,698 Chicago, IL, US Charity 2024
Jdrf International $25,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
United States Holocaust Museum $5,000 Highland Park, IL, US General Fund 2023
World Resources Institute $250,000 Washington, DC, US General Fund 2023
Harvey Global Health $25,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
Hope Chicago $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
Pine Crest $50,000 Hazel Crest, IL, US General Fund 2023
Uchicago Polsky Center $2,429,467 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
Boys And Girls Club Of Chicago $30,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
High Jump $5,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
Jewish United Fund $100,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
Latin School Of Chicago $15,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
Union Of Jewish Religious Communities $22,500 Kyiv, Foreign, UP General Fund 2023
White Stork $414,160 Winnetka, IL, US General Fund 2023
World Jewish Congress $24,000 New York, NY, US General Fund 2023
Yahad In Unum Mid-america $50,000 Cincinnati, OH, US General Fund 2023
American Heart Association $5,000 Dallas, TX, US General Fund 2023
Las Olas Chabad $100,000 Fort Lauderdale, FL, US General Fund 2023
Planned Parenthood Of Illinois $10,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
Ukrainian Resistance Foundation $27,500 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
Cal's All-star Angel Foundation $2,000 St Charles, IL, US General Fund 2023
City Year Chicago $5,000 Boston, MA, US General Fund 2023
College Possible $7,500 Saint Paul, MN, US General Fund 2023
Eldan Electronic Instruments $7,254 Petachtikva, Foreign, IS General Fund 2023
Friends Of Refugees Of Eastern Europe $15,000 Brooklyn, NY, US General Fund 2023
Help Heroes Of Ukraine Inc $8,300 Carol Stream, IL, US General Fund 2023
Heritage Congregation $25,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
Ingenuity Incorporated Chicago $5,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
Mayo Clinic $10,000 Rochester, MN, US General Fund 2023
Navy Pier $5,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
The Buddy Program $2,500 Arlington Heights, IL, US General Fund 2023
Ukrainian Genocide Famine Foundation $5,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
Vetvoice Foundation $25,000 Portland, OR, US General Fund 2023
Chicago Architecture Foundation $5,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
Chicago Association Of Veterans Of Wwii $27,700 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
Illinois Holocaust Museum $55,000 Skokie, IL, US General Fund 2023
Lyric Opera Of Chicago $10,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
Saved Dreams Foundation $9,000 Arlington, TX, US General Fund 2023
St Nicholas Uk Catholic School $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
Taps Ukraine $1,560 Arlington, VA, US General Fund 2023
The Feminist Majority $2,500 Arlington, VA, US General Fund 2023
The Honeycomb Project $23,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
The Museum Of Contemporary Art $5,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
The Young Center For Immigrant Children $35,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
Ukrainian National Museum $5,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
Uofc Young Innovators $175,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
Voice Health Institute $200,000 Boston, MA, US General Fund 2023
Northwestern Memorial Foundation $2,000,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Jdrf International $25,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
United States Holocaust Museum $600,000 Highland Park, IL, US General Fund 2022
World Resources Institute $500,000 Washington, DC, US General Fund 2022
Harvey Global Health $25,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Hope Chicago $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Obama Foundation $666,665 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Pine Crest $50,000 Hazel Crest, IL, US General Fund 2022
Uchicago Polsky Center $4,000,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Abundance International $5,000 Las Vegas, NV, US General Fund 2022
Auditorium Theatre Of Roosevelt University $40,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Boys And Girls Club Of Chicago $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Chicago Media Project $15,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Envision Unlimited $5,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Great Lakes Academy Charter School $2,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
High Jump $5,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Jewish United Fund $26,800 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Latin School Of Chicago $10,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Lurie Children's Hospital $5,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Polish Messenger Of The Sacred Heart $190,100 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
This Child Here $79,182 Daytona Beach, FL, US General Fund 2022
Union Of Jewish Religious Communities $9,893 Kyiv, Foreign, UP General Fund 2022
White Stork $225,544 Winnetka, IL, US General Fund 2022
World Jewish Congress $10,875 New York, NY, US General Fund 2022
Yahad In Unum Mid-america $100,000 Cincinnati, OH, US General Fund 2022
American Heart Association $5,000 Dallas, TX, US General Fund 2022
Big Green $10,000 Broomfield, CO, US General Fund 2022
Field Museum $10,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Help Razom $1,200 Melrose Park, IL, US General Fund 2022
Las Olas Chabad $10,000 Fort Lauderdale, FL, US General Fund 2022
Pack The Plane Ukraine Nfp Inc $20,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Ping Pong Productions Inc $32,000 Glendale, CA, US General Fund 2022
Planned Parenthood Of Illinois $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Save The Children Federation $100,000 Fairfield, CT, US General Fund 2022
Ukrainian Resistance Foundation $25,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
University Of Pennsylvania $100,000 Philadelphia, PA, US General Fund 2022
Northwestern Memorial Foundation $2,000,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Jdrf International $25,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
United States Holocaust Museum $600,000 Highland Park, IL, US General Fund 2022
World Resources Institute $500,000 Washington, DC, US General Fund 2022
Harvey Global Health $25,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Hope Chicago $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Obama Foundation $666,665 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Pine Crest $50,000 Hazel Crest, IL, US General Fund 2022
Uchicago Polsky Center $4,000,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Abundance International $5,000 Las Vegas, NV, US General Fund 2022
Auditorium Theatre Of Roosevelt University $40,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Boys And Girls Club Of Chicago $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Chicago Media Project $15,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Envision Unlimited $5,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Great Lakes Academy Charter School $2,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
High Jump $5,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Jewish United Fund $26,800 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Latin School Of Chicago $10,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Lurie Children's Hospital $5,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Polish Messenger Of The Sacred Heart $190,100 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
This Child Here $79,182 Daytona Beach, FL, US General Fund 2022
Union Of Jewish Religious Communities $9,893 Kyiv, Foreign, UP General Fund 2022
White Stork $225,544 Winnetka, IL, US General Fund 2022
World Jewish Congress $10,875 New York, NY, US General Fund 2022
Yahad In Unum Mid-america $100,000 Cincinnati, OH, US General Fund 2022
American Heart Association $5,000 Dallas, TX, US General Fund 2022
Big Green $10,000 Broomfield, CO, US General Fund 2022
Field Museum $10,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Help Razom $1,200 Melrose Park, IL, US General Fund 2022
Las Olas Chabad $10,000 Fort Lauderdale, FL, US General Fund 2022
Pack The Plane Ukraine Nfp Inc $20,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Ping Pong Productions Inc $32,000 Glendale, CA, US General Fund 2022
Planned Parenthood Of Illinois $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Save The Children Federation $100,000 Fairfield, CT, US General Fund 2022
Ukrainian Resistance Foundation $25,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
University Of Pennsylvania $100,000 Philadelphia, PA, US General Fund 2022
Northwestern Memorial Foundation $2,000,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Jdrf International $25,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
United States Holocaust Museum $600,000 Highland Park, IL, US General Fund 2022
World Resources Institute $500,000 Washington, DC, US General Fund 2022
Harvey Global Health $25,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Hope Chicago $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Obama Foundation $666,665 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Pine Crest $50,000 Hazel Crest, IL, US General Fund 2022
Uchicago Polsky Center $4,000,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Abundance International $5,000 Las Vegas, NV, US General Fund 2022
Auditorium Theatre Of Roosevelt University $40,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Boys And Girls Club Of Chicago $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Chicago Media Project $15,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Envision Unlimited $5,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Great Lakes Academy Charter School $2,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
High Jump $5,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Jewish United Fund $26,800 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Latin School Of Chicago $10,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Lurie Children's Hospital $5,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Polish Messenger Of The Sacred Heart $190,100 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
This Child Here $79,182 Daytona Beach, FL, US General Fund 2022
Union Of Jewish Religious Communities $9,893 Kyiv, Foreign, UP General Fund 2022
White Stork $225,544 Winnetka, IL, US General Fund 2022
World Jewish Congress $10,875 New York, NY, US General Fund 2022
Yahad In Unum Mid-america $100,000 Cincinnati, OH, US General Fund 2022
American Heart Association $5,000 Dallas, TX, US General Fund 2022
Big Green $10,000 Broomfield, CO, US General Fund 2022
Field Museum $10,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Help Razom $1,200 Melrose Park, IL, US General Fund 2022
Las Olas Chabad $10,000 Fort Lauderdale, FL, US General Fund 2022
Pack The Plane Ukraine Nfp Inc $20,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Ping Pong Productions Inc $32,000 Glendale, CA, US General Fund 2022
Planned Parenthood Of Illinois $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Save The Children Federation $100,000 Fairfield, CT, US General Fund 2022
Ukrainian Resistance Foundation $25,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
University Of Pennsylvania $100,000 Philadelphia, PA, US General Fund 2022
University Of Chicago $2,000,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2021
Northwestern Memorial Foundation $2,000,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2021
Illinois Holocaust Museum $50,000 Skokie, IL, US General Fund 2021
Voice Health Institute $400,000 Boston, MA, US General Fund 2021
Jdrf International $100,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2021
Museum Of Contemporary Art $25,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2021
United States Holocaust Museum $600,000 Highland Park, IL, US General Fund 2021
Weizmann Institute Of Science $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2021
World Resources Institute $250,000 Washington, DC, US General Fund 2021
American Committee For Weizmann Institute $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2020
University Of Chicago $2,000,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2020
Latin School Of Chicago $134,041 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2020
Northwestern Memorial Foundation $2,000,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2020
Illinois Holocaust Museum $600,000 Skokie, IL, US General Fund 2020
Voice Health Institute $200,000 Boston, MA, US General Fund 2020
Barack Obama Foundation $333,334 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2020
Vahatra Usa $10,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2020
American Committee For Weizmann Institute $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2017
University Of Chicago $1,500,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2017
Jewish Federation Of Metropolitan Chicago $10,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2017
Bulletin Of Atomic Scientist $15,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2017
Field Museum $15,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2017
Urological Research Foundation $15,000 St Louis, MO, US General Fund 2017
Clean Energy Trust $100,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2017
Latin School Of Chicago $112,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2017
Prostate Cancer Foundation $5,000 Westmont, IL, US General Fund 2017
Museum Of Contemporary Art $25,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2017
American Committee For Weizmann Institute $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2016
University Of Chicago $1,000,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2016
Jewish Federation Of Metropolitan Chicago $3,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2016
Northwestern Memorial Foundation $200,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2016
Field Museum $15,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2016
Urological Research Foundation $10,000 St Louis, MO, US General Fund 2016
Us Olympic & Paralympic Foundation $75,000 Colorado Springs, CO, US General Fund 2016

Foundations Similar to The Polsky Foundation

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EIN: 36-6065560 | 363 grants awarded
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Contact Information

Official contact details for The Polsky Foundation as registered with the IRS. These details are essential for grant applications, correspondence, and due diligence processes.

EIN 65-1164639
Website N/A
Address ONE SOUTH WACKER DRIVE SUITE 1810 Chicago, IL 60606-0000

Key People (3)

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

President And Director Michael P Polsky
Treasurer And Director Jonathan Taiber
Secretary And Director David Canmann

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 Polsky 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 March 2026 based on IRS Form 990-PF filings. Foundation information reflects most recent available tax year data.