Polk Family Charitable Fund

EIN 36-3332896 · IL

Invitation only Typical grant ~$1.1K Funds in IL, MA, CO +10
Save this funder to your list to research later.

Giving Profile

In 2024, Polk Family Charitable Fund based in IL paid 72 grants totaling $274.9K to 72 organizations across 13 states. Individual grants ranged from $300 to $50K, with a median of $1.1K. Its largest recipients included CRADLES TO CRAYONS, AMERICAN COLLEGE OF SURGEONS FOUNDATION, and FRIENDS OF ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES. The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications — giving is by invitation only.

Foundation at a Glance

Total assets
$1,597,623
Giving (latest yr)
$274,850
Filing year
2024
Itemized grants
72
Median grant
$1.1K
Recipients
72
States reached
13
Officers/trustees
11
Unsolicited applications
No — invitation only

Where the Money Goes

Top recipients

  • Cradles to Crayons$50,000
  • American College of Surgeons Foundation$20,000
  • Friends of Israel Defense Forces$20,000
  • Wellesley College$20,000
  • Colorado Gives Foundation$14,000

Where grants went

  • Illinois$154,600 · 32 grants
  • Massachusetts$28,000 · 2 grants
  • Colorado$26,150 · 5 grants
  • Arizona$13,000 · 8 grants
  • Oregon$12,600 · 12 grants
  • Washington$6,000 · 1 grant

Grants Paid (72)

Cradles to Crayons
Chicago, IL
Grant Award
$50,000
Friends of Israel Defense Forces
Chicago, IL
Grant Award
$20,000
Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA
Grant Award
$20,000
American College of Surgeons Foundation
Chicago, IL
Grant Award
$20,000
Royal Ontario Museum Foundation
Grant Award
$14,000
Colorado Gives Foundation
Arvada, CO
Grant Award
$14,000
Ort America
Northbrook, IL
Grant Award
$9,000
Suffolk University
Boston, MA
Grant Award
$8,000
Ravinia Festival Association
Highland Park, IL
Grant Award
$7,500
School Alternatives
Portland, OR
Grant Award
$7,000
Lurie Children's Foundation
Chicago, IL
Grant Award
$6,700
Boulder Shelter for the Homeless
Colorado, CO
Grant Award
$6,650

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FAQFrequently Asked Questions

No. Polk Family Charitable Fund does not accept unsolicited applications — its grantmaking is by invitation only. Cultivating a relationship or securing an introduction is typically required.

In its most recent filing, Polk Family Charitable Fund reported 72 itemized grants totaling $274.9K. Individual grants ranged from $300 to $50K (median $1.1K).

Recent recipients include CRADLES TO CRAYONS, AMERICAN COLLEGE OF SURGEONS FOUNDATION, FRIENDS OF ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES, among 72 organizations in total. The full grant list is on this page.

Polk Family Charitable Fund is a private foundation based in Illinois, per its IRS 990-PF filing.

Polk Family Charitable Fund gives by invitation only, so there is no open application. Officer and address details from its 990-PF are the best starting point for an introduction.

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