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Linda & Jeffrey Wolfson Family Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Linda & Jeffrey Wolfson Family Foundation

Its FY2025 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$72k
Granted FY2025still arriving
10
Grants FY2025still arriving
7
States reached
$50k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
05Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
0196% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2024.

Health$251kPhilanthropy$107kReligion$37kEducation$29kRecreation & Sports$11kAnimals$4kHuman Services$3kInternational$529Other$0
02FY2025 · 10 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • Under $10k8 grants · $4k
  • $10k–50k1 grant · $18k
  • $50k–250k1 grant · $50k
$578
Median grant
7
States reached
$3k
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION$50,100
Individual grant recipient$18,000
NATIONAL MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY$1,660
JAFCO$1,000
KESHET$578
PAWS CHICAGO$209
ST JUDE CHILDRENS RESEARCH HOSPITAL$200
THE CHICAGO LIGHTHOUSE$200
THE MICHAEL J FOX FOUNDATION FOR PARKINSON'S RESEARCH$103
MT PLEASANT ANIMAL SHELTER$100
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY20–25, $2k) land where the poverty rate runs at 14%, against an area that typically sits at 10%. 100% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 10%JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE OF THE DESERT: $100 → 11%JEWISH ADOPTION AND FAMILY CARE OPTIONS: $100 → 13%MISERICORDIA HOME: $1k → 14%THE MISERICORDIA FOUNDATION: $500 → 14%HONOR FLIGHT CHICAGO: $100 → 14%THE CHICAGO LIGHTHOUSE: $250 → 14%THE CHICAGO LIGHTHOUSE: $200 → 14%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.

Which US states its grants reach

MN
IL
MI
NY
MA
OH
PA
CA
VA
MD
TN
NC
TX
FL
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

49%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$254k · 14 repeat orgs$265k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +33% since the first grant, against +31% for those funded once.

14 repeat relationships: 6 still active in FY2025, 8 since wound down; 4 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

14
49

Total granted

$254k
$246k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+33%
+31%

Still filing today

79%
51%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 73% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $19k went to new ones.

50%100%’17’20’21’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’17’20’21’22’23’24’25
HealthHuman ServicesAnimalsEducationInternationalRecreation & SportsOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • NATIONAL MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY
    4× · 2020–2025 · $11k · revenue +4%
  • Northwestern University
    2× · 2017–2021 · $11k · revenue +41%
  • K
    KESHET
    5× · 2020–2025 · $3k · revenue +53%

Funded once

  • AR
    ANN & ROBERT H LURIE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
    one grant, 2017 · $126k
  • NM
    NORTHWESTERN MEDICINE DIGESTIVE HEALTH CENTER
    one grant, 2023 · $50k
  • CF
    CCSA FOUNDATION
    one grant, 2017 · $25k · revenue +18%
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Children's Health Care

We champion the health needs of children and families. we are committed to improving children's health by providing the highest-quality, family centered care, advanced through research and education.

Health
2
University of Chicago Medical Center

Our mission at the university of chicago medicine is to provide superior health care through rigorous research, innovative education, and comprehensive care and healing. in partnership with our colleagues, we pursue life-changing…

Health
3
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

Leadership in the prevention, treatment, and cure of cancer through excellence, vision and cost effectiveness in patient care, outreach programs, research, and education.

Health
4
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Inc

The mission of dfci is to provide expert, compassionate, and equitable care to children, adults, and their families, while advancing the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, cure, and prevention of cancer and related diseases. we train new…

Health
5
Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute

Sanford burnham prebys medical discovery institute's mission is to advance the biomedical sciences by cultivating the next generation of scientific leaders, providing meaningful opportunities for researchers of all backgrounds to learn,…

Health
6
The Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Fdn Group

Susan g. komen 's mission is to save lives by meeting the most critical needs in our communities & investing in breakthrough research to prevent & cure breast cancer.

—
7
Dana-Farber Children's Hospital Cancer Care Inc

To oversee, coordinate and support the Pediatric Oncology Programs at Boston Children's Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Inc.

Health
8
Aim At Melanoma

Aim at melanoma (aim) is globally engaged and locally invested in advancing the battle against melanoma through innovative research, legislative reform, education, and patient and caregiver support. founded in 2004, aim at melanoma is the…

Health
9
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

As a leading academic healthcare organization, our mission is to elevate the health status of the communities we serve.(see schedule o for continuation)(continued)-we deliver exceptional healthcare enhanced by research and education-we…

Health
10
International Myeloma Foundation

Dedicated to improving the quality of life of myeloma patients while working toward prevention and a cure.

Unclassified
11
The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation Inc

The multiple myeloma research foundation (mmrf) is the largest nonprofit in the world solely focused on accelerating a cure for each and every multiple myeloma patient. we drive the development and delivery of next-generation therapies,…

Health
12
The Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Inc

Susan g. komen has an unmatched, comprehensive 360-degree approach to fighting breast cancer across all fronts and supporting millions of people in the u.s. and in countries worldwide. we advocate for policies to protect patients, drive…

Health
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is The Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired; the most unlike its peers is Helping Hands Network Inc. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

39 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 39 of the 68 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

0
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
5
Early backer (in before they grew)
39/39
Grantees still filing
33/39
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION: $150,700 · OtherNORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL FOUNDATIONANN & ROBERT H LURIE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL: $125,655 · OtherANN & ROBERT H LURIE CHILDREN'S HOSPITALNORTHWESTERN MEDICINE DIGESTIVE HEALTH CENTER: $50,000 · OtherNORTHWESTERN MEDICINE DIGESTIVE HEALTH CENTERTEMPLE BETH EL: $34,600 · OtherTEMPLE BETH ELDIGESTIVE HEALTH FOUNDATION: $31,250 · OtherDIGESTIVE HEALTH FOUNDATIONIndividual grant recipient: $18,000 · Other+32 more: $43,159 · Other+32 moreCCSA FOUNDATION: $25,000 · EducationTHE CHICAGO DEBATE COMMISSION: $2,500 · Education+1 more: $215 · EducationNATIONAL MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY: $11,100 · HealthCROHN'S & COLITIS FOUNDATION INC: $1,529 · HealthADVOCATE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION: $1,000 · HealthSUTTER BAY MEDICAL FOUNDATION: $1,000 · Health+10 more: $1,848 · HealthNorthwestern University: $11,100 · Recreation & SportsJEWISH UNITED FUND OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO: $5,000 · PhilanthropyThe Anti-Cruelty Society: $1,900 · AnimalsBIG DOG RANCH RESCUE INC: $1,000 · AnimalsPAWS INC: $721 · AnimalsPAWS CHICAGO: $209 · Animals+1 more: $100 · AnimalsMISERICORDIA HOME: $1,051 · Human ServicesMISERICORDIA FOUNDATION: $500 · Human ServicesTHE CHICAGO LIGHTHOUSE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED: $450 · Human ServicesJewish Adoption and Family Care Options Inc: $100 · Human ServicesJEWISH FAMILY SERVICE OF THE DESERT: $100 · Human ServicesHonor Flight Chicago Corp: $100 · Human Services
Other$453,364Education$27,715Health$16,477Recreation & Sports$11,100Philanthropy$5,000Animals$3,930Human Services$2,301

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetDIGESTIVE HEALTH FOUNDATION: $31,250 over 3y, 2.9% of budgetCCSA FOUNDATION: $25,000 over 1y, 0.9% of budgetNATIONAL MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY: $11,100 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetNorthwestern University: $11,100 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetJEWISH UNITED FUND OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetKESHET: $3,378 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetTHE CHICAGO DEBATE COMMISSION: $2,500 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetThe Anti-Cruelty Society: $1,900 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetCROHN'S & COLITIS FOUNDATION INC: $1,529 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetLYNN SAGE BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION: $1,200 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetMISERICORDIA HOME: $1,051 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetADVOCATE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetBIG DOG RANCH RESCUE INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetSUTTER BAY MEDICAL FOUNDATION: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetPAWS INC: $721 over 2y, 0.2% of budgetHELPING HANDS NETWORK INC: $583 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetCYSTIC FIBROSIS FOUNDATION: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetMISERICORDIA FOUNDATION: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE CHICAGO LIGHTHOUSE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED: $450 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetJEWISH NATIONAL FUND (KEREN KAYEMETH LEISRAEL) INC: $324 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC: $302 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetPLAY FOR PINK INC: $250 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetLIBRARIES WITHOUT BORDERS: $215 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE MICHAEL J FOX FOUNDATION FOR PARKINSON'S RESEARCH: $206 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetAmerican Heart Association Inc: $200 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetA SILVER LINING FOUNDATION: $135 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetRonald McDonald House Global: $105 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetInternational Rescue Committee INC: $105 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetGay Mens Chorus of Los Angeles: $100 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetMT PLEASANT ANIMAL SHELTER INC: $100 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetJewish Adoption and Family Care Options Inc: $100 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetNAMI National: $100 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE V FOUNDATION: $100 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetAMERICAN FRIENDS OF MAGEN DAVID ADOM: $100 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetJEWISH FAMILY SERVICE OF THE DESERT: $100 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetRush University Medical Center: $100 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetHonor Flight Chicago Corp: $100 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetALZHEIMER'S DISEASE & RELATED DISORDERS ASSOCIATION INC: $100 over 1y, 0.0% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

The Chicago Community…Vanguard Charitable E…National Philanthropi…Gs Donor Advised Phil…American Endowment Fo…Morgan Stanley Global…The Bank of America C…Donor Advised Charita…American Online Givin…Fidelity Investments …Amazonsmile Foundation
The Chicago Community TrustIL13× affinity5 shared granteesties to 10 of 10Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: The Chicago Community Trust · Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program · National Philanthropic Trust · Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund for Wealth Management Inc · American Endowment Foundation · Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc · The Bank of America Charitable Foundation Inc · Donor Advised Charitable Giving Inc · American Online Giving Foundation Inc · Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund · Amazonsmile Foundation

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization Linda & Jeffrey Wolfson Family Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Linda & Jeffrey Wolfson Family Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 10%0%1%3%5%funder's share of their income ↑0%10%20%30%40%share of the org’s income from government →median 0%
  • Big Dog Ranch Rescue Inc: 0% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
1get no government money at all
10report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
0rely on government for over half their income
⤢ axis zoomed · 0–40%
typical government reliance, FY20–25
How this is measured
Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.
05Through Plinth

Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

How do I get to Linda & Jeffrey Wolfson Family Foundation?

Find your warmest path to Linda & Jeffrey Wolfson Family Foundation through trustees and officers whose names appear on both boards. Search for your organization and Plinth traces the shortest route it can evidence.

Each link is a name appearing on two organizations’ public IRS 990 filings, matched on that name and, where the filings support it, on location. A same-state match has geographic support, which is a second matching feature rather than confirmation that the two are one person; a cross-state one is the likeliest to be two people who share a name. Every hop shows its tier, low-confidence and distant paths are held back rather than guessed, and it is worth confirming the person before you use the introduction.

On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 68 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

How this is measured
Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2025, released 2025. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Source object · view filing

Play a game based on Linda & Jeffrey Wolfson Family’s filings →

More from the funding graph

The unnamed billions
grants reported with no recipient in the public record
The regranting layer
51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
The DAF merry-go-round
$9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
The endowment market
who holds foundation money, and what just moved
The camps
funders cluster by geography, not ideology
By state
where grant money is based, and what stays home