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Polen Family Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Polen Family Foundation

Its FY2024 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$141k
Granted FY2024still arriving
35
Grants FY2024still arriving
9
States reached
$25k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
01What it funds
0191% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2020 to 2024.

Health$114kHuman Services$84kInternational$60kPhilanthropy$49kEducation$43kAnimals$28kEnvironment$15kFood & Nutrition$11kOther$0
02FY2024 · 35 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2024

  • Under $10k31 grants · $83k
  • $10k–50k4 grants · $58k
$2,000
Median grant
9
States reached
$1.3M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
Individual grant recipient$25,000
ASPEN VALLEY HOSPITAL FOUNDATION$12,700
FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES$10,000
CATHOLIC CHARITIES$10,000
UNITED WAY$7,500
TUNNEL TO TOWERS FOUNDATION$5,000
VISION CORPS$5,000
SALVATION ARMY$5,000
Individual grant recipient$5,000
HP COMMUNITY FOUNDATION$5,000
JIMMY FUND$5,000
ASPEN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION$3,500
NORTHERN ILLINOIS FOOD BANK$3,000
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL SPORT CENTER FOR THE DISABLED$2,500
CHICAGO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY$2,500
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 (FY24–24, $5k) land where the poverty rate runs at 9%, against an area that typically sits at 9%. 100% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 9%VISION CORPS: $5k → 9%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
NY
MA
NV
PA
CA
CO
VA
AR
DC
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.

90%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$474k · 38 repeat orgs$52k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +50% since the first grant, against +24% for those funded once.

38 repeat relationships: 33 still active in FY2024, 5 since wound down; 1 grantees were first funded in FY2024 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

38
21

Total granted

$474k
$47k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+50%
+24%

Still filing today

50%
19%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2024, 96% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $5k went to new ones.

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

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

’20’21’22’23’24
HealthAnimalsEnvironmentInternationalEducationCivil RightsOther
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

  • FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES
    5× · 2020–2024 · $26k · revenue +211%
  • Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Inc
    5× · 2020–2024 · $25k · revenue +95%
  • Chicago Zoological Society
    5× · 2020–2024 · $13k · revenue +80%

Funded once

  • LC
    LURIE CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION
    one grant, 2022 · $10k
  • CH
    CHILDRENS HOSPITAL
    one grant, 2021 · $5k
  • IG
    Individual grant recipient
    one grant, 2020 · $5k
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
Naples Zoo Inc

Naples zoo is accredited by the american zoo & aquarium association (aza) and has numerous animal exhibits placed on its 45-acre site. (continued on schedule o)each exhibit is unique and designed to simulate typical conditions for the…

Animals
2
American Gas Association

American gas association's (the association) mission is to develop and advocate for informed, innovative, and durable policy that fulfills our nation's energy needs, environmental aspirations and economic potential. we are committed to…

—
3
National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors

Empowering financial professionals and consumers through world-class advocacy and education.

—
4
Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States Inc

The fsmb serves as the voice for state medical boards, supporting them through education, assessment, research and advocacy while providing services and initiatives that promote patient safety, quality health care and regulatory best…

Health
5
Air & Space Forces Association

The air & space forces association (afa) is a nonprofit, independent, professional military, and aerospace education association. the association's mission is to promote dominant u.s. air and space forces as the foundation of a strong…

Education
6
African Parks Foundation of America

To engage the united states and its citizens in the work of african parks and to promote access to american experience and expertise in the african parks actiities by 1) raising funds for specific projects, activities, training, equipment…

Recreation & Sports
7
Acadia General Hospital Inc

The organization provides medical care to improve, maintain, and restore the health of the people in the communities we serve.

Health
8
Lincoln Park Zoological Society

Lincoln park zoo is dedicated to connecting people with nature by providing a free, family-oriented wildlife experience in the heart of chicago and by advancing the highest quality of animal care, horticulture, education, science and…

Animals
9
American Academy of Neurology

The Academy's mission is to enhance member career fulfillment and promote brain health for all.

Community Improvement
10
American Water Works Association

To promote public health, safety, and welfare through the improvement of the quality and quantity of drinking water and the development and furtherance of understanding of the problems relating thereto.

Public Benefit
11
Rainforest Trust

Rainforest trust saves endangered wildlife and protects our planet by creating rainforest reserves through partnerships, community engagement, and donor support.

International
12
Native Plant Trust Inc

The organization's mission is to conserve and promote new england's native plants to ensure healthy, biologically diverse landscapes.

Environment
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Vail Health Services Foundation; the most unlike its peers is Dana-Farber Cancer Institute 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

25 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. 25 of the 61 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)
4
Early backer (in before they grew)
25/25
Grantees still filing
19/25
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

Individual grant recipient: $50,000 · OtherIndividual grant recipientMASSACHUSETTS COLLEGE OF PHARMACY: $30,000 · OtherMASSACHUSETTS COLLEGE OF PHARMACYTHE SALVATION ARMY: $25,000 · OtherTHE SALVATION ARMYUNITED WAY: $25,000 · OtherUNITED WAYCATHOLIC CHARITIES INC: $23,000 · OtherCATHOLIC CHARITIES INCHEIFER INTERNATIONAL: $21,000 · OtherHEIFER INTERNATIONALIndividual grant recipient: $19,000 · OtherHP COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: $18,500 · OtherASPEN VALLEY HOSPITAL: $15,000 · OtherDISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS: $14,000 · Other+32 more: $123,000 · Other+32 moreDana-Farber Cancer Institute Inc: $25,000 · HealthDana-Farber Ca…ASPEN VALLEY HOSPITAL FOUNDATION: $19,200 · HealthASPEN VALLEY H…CANCER WELLNESS CENTER: $9,500 · HealthCANCER WELLNES…MICHAEL REESE HEALTH TRUST: $5,000 · HealthMICHAEL REESE …PADS Lake County Inc: $5,000 · HealthPADS Lake Coun…THE JOSSELYN CENTER NFP: $3,000 · Health+1 more: $500 · HealthFRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES: $26,000 · InternationalFRIENDS O…MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES USA INC: $12,500 · InternationalMEDECINS …AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL SPORT CENTER FOR THE DISABLED: $6,000 · InternationalAMERICAN …Chicago Zoological Society: $12,500 · AnimalsWILDAID INC: $8,000 · AnimalsPAWS CHICAGO: $4,000 · AnimalsPAWS INC: $1,000 · AnimalsNORTHERN ILLINOIS FOOD BANK: $11,000 · Food & NutritionCHICAGO HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY: $7,500 · EnvironmentLAKE FOREST OPEN LANDS ASSOCIATION: $2,000 · EnvironmentNATIONAL PARKS CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION: $1,000 · EnvironmentLake County Childrens Advocacy Center: $7,000 · Crime & Legal
Other$363,500Health$67,200International$44,500Animals$25,500Food & Nutrition$11,000Environment$10,500Crime & Legal$7,000

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 budgetFRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES: $26,000 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetDana-Farber Cancer Institute Inc: $25,000 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetASPEN VALLEY HOSPITAL FOUNDATION: $19,200 over 2y, 0.2% of budgetChicago Zoological Society: $12,500 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetMEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES USA INC: $12,500 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetNORTHERN ILLINOIS FOOD BANK: $11,000 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetCANCER WELLNESS CENTER: $9,500 over 5y, 0.1% of budgetWILDAID INC: $8,000 over 4y, 0.1% of budgetCHICAGO HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY: $7,500 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetLake County Childrens Advocacy Center: $7,000 over 5y, 1.5% of budgetAMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL SPORT CENTER FOR THE DISABLED: $6,000 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetSTEPHEN SILLER TUNNEL TO TOWERS FOUNDATION: $6,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetVISIONCORPS: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetPADS Lake County Inc: $5,000 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE: $4,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetAMERICA'S VETDOGS THE VETERANS K-9 CORPS INC: $4,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetNATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION: $4,000 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetPAWS CHICAGO: $4,000 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetASPEN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: $3,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE JOSSELYN CENTER NFP: $3,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetLAKE FOREST OPEN LANDS ASSOCIATION: $2,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetPAWS INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetNATIONAL PARKS CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetVAIL HEALTH SERVICES FOUNDATION: $500 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.

  • Who funds FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES ↗
  • Who funds Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Inc ↗
  • Who funds ASPEN VALLEY HOSPITAL FOUNDATION ↗
  • Who funds Chicago Zoological Society ↗
  • Who funds MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES USA INC ↗
  • Who funds NORTHERN ILLINOIS FOOD BANK ↗
  • Who funds CANCER WELLNESS CENTER ↗
  • Who funds WILDAID INC ↗
  • Who funds CHICAGO HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY ↗
  • Who funds Lake County Childrens Advocacy Center ↗
  • Who funds AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL SPORT CENTER FOR THE DISABLED ↗
  • Who funds STEPHEN SILLER TUNNEL TO TOWERS FOUNDATION ↗
  • Who funds VISIONCORPS ↗
  • Who funds MICHAEL REESE HEALTH TRUST ↗
  • Who funds PADS Lake County Inc ↗
  • Who funds ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE ↗
  • Who funds AMERICA'S VETDOGS THE VETERANS K-9 CORPS INC ↗
  • Who funds NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION ↗
  • Who funds PAWS CHICAGO ↗

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.

National Philanthropi…Vanguard Charitable E…Fidelity Investments …Amazonsmile Foundation
National Philanthropic TrustPA9.2× affinity4 shared granteesties to 3 of 3Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: National Philanthropic Trust · Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program · 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 Polen Family Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Polen Family Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 00%0%1%3%5%funder's share of their income ↑0%23%45%68%90%share of the org’s income from government →median 7%
  • Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Inc: 7% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
0get no government money at all
4report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
0rely on government for over half their income
⤢ axis zoomed · 0–90%
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.

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 61 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 2024, released 2024. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Source object · view filing

Play a game based on Polen 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