Irvin Stern Foundation
Boca Raton, FL · EIN 36-6047947. Reported 158 grants totalling $3,437,919 to 92 organizations across tax years 2020-2023. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.
Does this foundation accept applications?
Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. Irvin Stern Foundation did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.
How big are its grants?
The median grant is $20,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $10,000 and $25,000; the smallest was $1,000 and the largest $90,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.
Every organization it funded
This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which the organization received money -- more than one means a real relationship rather than a one-off.
| Organization | Location | Total received | Grants | Years funded | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jewish United Fund of Chicago | Chicago, IL | $360,000 | 4 | 4 | 2023 |
| Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County | West Palm Beach, FL | $210,000 | 4 | 4 | 2023 |
| Milagro Center | Delray Beach, FL | $160,000 | 4 | 4 | 2023 |
| Root & Rebound | Oakland, CA | $120,000 | 3 | 3 | 2022 |
| University of Michigan | Ann Arbor, MI | $100,000 | 4 | 4 | 2023 |
| Bonifide | Saint Paul, MN | $90,000 | 3 | 3 | 2022 |
| Rivet School | Richmond, CA | $90,000 | 3 | 3 | 2022 |
| Nourishing Hope | Chicago, IL | $80,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Project Most | East Hampton, NY | $80,000 | 4 | 4 | 2023 |
| Brooklyn Boat Works | Brooklyn, NY | $75,000 | 3 | 3 | 2022 |
| Inside Out Network | Tucson, AZ | $75,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| In Global Learning Design | Ann Arbor, MI | $65,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Lakeview Pantry | Chicago, IL | $65,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Women in Need | New York, NY | $65,000 | 3 | 3 | 2022 |
| Figueroa Wu Family | Chicago, IL | $64,419 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| American Geographic Society | New York, NY | $60,000 | 3 | 3 | 2022 |
| Bay Street Theatre Inc | Sag Harbor, NY | $60,000 | 3 | 3 | 2022 |
| Thorn Digital Defenders | Washington, DC | $60,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Erie Family Healthcare | Chicago, IL | $50,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Midwest Access Coalition | Chicago, IL | $50,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Unite America | Denver, CO | $50,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Housing Plus Solutions | New York, NY | $45,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation | Atlanta, GA | $45,000 | 4 | 4 | 2023 |
| Pilot Light | Chicago, IL | $45,000 | 3 | 3 | 2022 |
| We Evanston | Evanston, IL | $45,000 | 3 | 3 | 2022 |
| Boca Ballet | Boca Raton, FL | $40,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Evanston Scholars | Evanston, IL | $40,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Mount Tamalpias College | San Quentin, CA | $40,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Prison Yoga Project | Bolinas, CA | $40,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Sweet Dreams | Folsom, CA | $40,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Wu Family Foundation (pilsen Food) | Folson, CA | $40,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Brady Center for Gun Violence | Washington, DC | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Haven of Hope | Clinton Township, MI | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Sweet Dream Makers | Folsom, CA | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Hanley Foundation | West Palm Beach, FL | $27,500 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| A Just Harvest | Chicago, IL | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Boys Town Nevada | Las Vegas, NV | $25,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Covenant House | Chicago, IL | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Cure Violence | Chicago, IL | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Cyber Civil Rights | Coral Cables, FL | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| J Street Education Fund | Chicago, IL | $25,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Kids on the Ball | Fort Mill, SC | $25,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| My Hood My Block My City | Chicago, IL | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Out in the Open | Battleboro, VT | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Renew America Foundation | Washington, DC | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Telluride Association | Ann Arbor, MI | $25,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Chapter 510 | Oakland, CA | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Chapter 510 | Oakland, MI | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Evanston Skokie District 65 | Evanston, IL | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Girl Forward | Chicago, IL | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Greater Chicago Food Depository | Chicago, IL | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Housing Plus Solutionsinc | New York, NY | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Housing Solutions | New York, NY | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Inner City Computer Stars | Chicago, IL | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada | Las Vegas, NV | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Springs Food Pantry | East Hampton, NY | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Twin Palms Center | Boca Raton, FL | $20,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Food Recovery Org | Washington, DC | $17,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Anne & Robert Lurie Childrens Hospital | Chicago, IL | $16,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| American Writers Museum | Chicago, IL | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Denver Children's Foundation | Denver, CO | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| High Sight | Chicago, IL | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Jewish Center of the Hamptons | East Hamptons, NY | $15,000 | 3 | 3 | 2022 |
| Johns Hopkins | Baltimore, MD | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Lc and Little Lillie Cox Haven of Hope | Danville, CA | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Means Data | Washington, DC | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Pactt Learning Center | Chicago, IL | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Spark Chicago | Chicago, IL | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Urban Alchemy | San Francisco, CA | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| American Jewish Committee | Philadelphia, PA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Chicago Food Project | Chicago, IL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Colorado Uplit | Denver, CO | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Denver Children Foundation | Denver, CO | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Dion's Dream | Chicago, IL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| East End for Opportunity | Riverhead, NY | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Friends of Hagal Sheli | Dover, DE | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Fulfillment Fund Las Vegas | Las Vegas, NV | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Israel Tennis & Education Centers Foundation | New York, NY | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County | Boca Raton, FL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Means Database | Washington, DC | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Rescuing Leftover Cuisine | New York, NY | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Rise Against Hunger | Raleigh, NC | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Sos Childrens Villages | Chicago, IL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Town of Palm Beach - United Way | Palm Beach, FL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Best Foot Forward | Boca Raaton, FL | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Tennyson Center for Children | Denver, CO | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Fernwood Cove Foundation | Harrison, ME | $7,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Association of Community Employment Programs for the Homeless Ace | New York, NY | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Macabee USA | Tuscaloosa, AL | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Saint Andrews School | Chicago, IL | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Strive Chicago | Chicago, IL | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Untold News | New York, NY | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
41 of 92 (45%) received money in more than one year over the 4 years we hold.
Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 51%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is less consistent than most. A high number means its list is close to settled and a newcomer has to displace someone; a low one means it is still moving money around, which is where an opening is.
What the money was for
Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.
- Anne & Robert Lurie Childrens Hospital
GENERAL PURPOSEGENERAL PURPOSE
What kind of organizations it funds
By the recipient's own IRS classification, for the 77 grants where we could identify the organization. These are assigned categories, not our guesses.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants | Total | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 45 | $912,500 | $20,000 |
| 2021 | 45 | $977,000 | $20,000 |
| 2022 | 37 | $905,000 | $25,000 |
| 2023 | 31 | $643,419 | $15,000 |
Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.
Where its money goes
Foundations concentrate geographically far more than their mission statements suggest. 33% of this one's giving went to organizations in Illinois. If you are outside its footprint, that matters more than how well your programme fits.
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Funders that support the same organizations
These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are the strongest available signal that two funders have overlapping priorities, and a funder already backing your peers is a far warmer prospect than one that merely lists your cause.
How to approach this foundation
- Check you are its size. The median grant is $20,000. Asking for ten times that is the most common way small organizations waste a submission.
- Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Illinois.
- Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
- Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.
Related guides
Where these numbers come from
Everything above is taken from Irvin Stern Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 4 returns (tax years 2020-2023). Nothing here is scraped, inferred, or estimated.
Address of record on the latest return: 5550 Glades Road 500, Boca Raton, FL, 33431. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.
EIN 36-6047947 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
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