Spellman Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Not publicly disclosed in detail
• Grant Activity: 75 grants made in most recent year
• Decision Time: N/A - No public application process
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Assets: $10.3 million
• Geographic Focus: Chicago metropolitan area, particularly North Shore
• Foundation Type: Private family foundation (trustee discretion)

Contact Details

Address:
325 Shoreline Ct
Glencoe, IL 60022

EIN: 33-6524838

Note: This foundation does not have a website or publicly listed contact information. It does not accept unsolicited applications.

Overview

The Spellman Family Foundation is a private family foundation based in Glencoe, Illinois, established by Marc D. Spellman. The foundation received tax-exempt status in March 2025 and holds approximately $10.3 million in assets. In its most recent reporting period, the foundation made 75 grants to various organizations. As a family foundation operating through trustee discretion, it does not have a public application process or published funding guidelines.

Marc Spellman, the foundation's trustee, is President of Imperial Recycling and owner of Tri State Metal Company, long-established Chicago-area metal recycling businesses. He has been deeply involved in Chicago's Jewish philanthropic community, serving as the 2020 Annual Campaign Chair for the Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago (JUF) and currently serving on the JUF/Jewish Federation board. His leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic earned him the 2020 Shofar Award from JUF.

The foundation's grantmaking appears to align with Spellman's personal philanthropic interests, which center on Jewish community causes, education, and Chicago-area organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

This foundation does not operate formal grant programs with published guidelines or application cycles. Grants are made at the discretion of the trustee based on personal interests and relationships.

Priority Areas

While the foundation has not published explicit funding priorities, based on the trustee's philanthropic profile, likely areas of interest include:

• Jewish Community Organizations: Support for Jewish causes and institutions, particularly in the Chicago area
• Education and Youth Development: Educational programs and initiatives, particularly those serving Jewish youth
• Chicago/North Shore Community: Local organizations serving the Greater Chicago area and North Shore suburbs
• Social Services: Human services addressing community needs

Known Grantees (from public records):

• Braven (education nonprofit focused on career readiness and employment for underserved students)
• Additional recipients listed in Form 990-PF Schedule I

What They Don't Fund

As a private family foundation without published guidelines, exclusions are not formally documented. However, organizations outside the foundation's areas of interest or geographic focus are unlikely to receive funding.

Governance and Leadership

Trustee:
Marc D. Spellman

Professional Background:

• President, Imperial Recycling
• Owner, Tri State Metal Company (Chicago-based metal recycling and scrap metal business founded in 1962)
• MBA, DePaul University - Charles H. Kellstadt Graduate School of Business

Philanthropic Leadership:

• 2020 Annual Campaign Chair, Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago (JUF)
• Current Board Member, JUF/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago (2024-2025)
• 2020 Shofar Award recipient from JUF

In his role as 2020 JUF Campaign Chair during the COVID-19 pandemic, Spellman emphasized the organization's mission: "Responding in times of crisis is JUF's purpose... Our Jewish values don't pause for the pandemic." His leadership focused on supporting food pantries, meal programs, financial assistance for families, PPE for healthcare workers, and support for Jewish agencies and schools during unprecedented challenges.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The Spellman Family Foundation is a private family foundation that makes grants exclusively through trustee discretion. It does not accept unsolicited grant applications, proposals, or letters of inquiry. Grants are awarded based on the trustee's personal knowledge, interests, and existing relationships within the philanthropic community.

Organizations cannot apply directly to this foundation.

Getting on Their Radar

Strategic Relationship Building:

Since this foundation operates through trustee discretion and Marc Spellman's active involvement in Chicago's Jewish philanthropic community, organizations might increase their visibility through:

1. Jewish United Fund Connection: Marc Spellman serves on the JUF/Jewish Federation board and was the 2020 Campaign Chair. Organizations that are part of the JUF network or receive JUF support may have greater visibility to the foundation.

2. Chicago North Shore Community Presence: Establishing a strong presence and reputation among North Shore Chicago organizations and community leaders where the foundation is based.

3. Alignment with Jewish Values: Demonstrating clear alignment with Jewish values and community needs, particularly in education and social services.

Important Note: Even with strategic positioning, there is no guarantee of funding from this foundation. The trustee makes grant decisions independently based on personal priorities and timing.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made at the trustee's discretion without a formal application or decision cycle.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

This section does not apply to the Spellman Family Foundation as it does not accept applications from organizations.

For organizations seeking to understand the foundation's interests:

• Review Public Records: The foundation's Form 990-PF (available through ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, GuideStar, or the IRS) lists all grants made each year in Schedule I. Reviewing these grants provides insight into the types of organizations and causes the foundation supports.

• Jewish Community Focus: The trustee's deep involvement with JUF and Jewish causes suggests strong interest in supporting Jewish community organizations.

• Education Emphasis: Known support for organizations like Braven indicates interest in education and workforce development.

• Chicago Connection: Geographic proximity and Chicago ties appear important given the trustee's business and philanthropic roots in the area.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, proposals, or inquiries. Traditional grant-seeking approaches will not work.

• Trustee Discretion Model: All grants are made at the sole discretion of Marc D. Spellman based on his personal interests and relationships.

• Jewish Philanthropic Network: The trustee's leadership role with the Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago suggests that organizations within this network may have greater visibility.

• Review Past Grants: The foundation made 75 grants in its most recent reporting period. Reviewing the Form 990-PF Schedule I provides the most accurate picture of actual funding patterns.

• Local Focus: Based in Glencoe, IL (Chicago's North Shore), the foundation likely prioritizes Chicago-area organizations, though may support some national Jewish causes.

• Education and Youth: Known support for education-focused organizations like Braven suggests interest in educational programs and youth development.

• Relationship-Based Grantmaking: Success depends entirely on existing relationships and insider knowledge rather than proposal writing skills or formal applications.

References

1. Cause IQ - Spellman Family Foundation Profile
   https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/spellman-family-foundation,336524838/
   Accessed: March 10, 2026
   (Foundation financial data, grant activity, location, and classification)

2. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Spellman Family Foundation
   https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/336524838/
   Accessed: March 10, 2026
   (IRS Form 990-PF filings and tax documents)

3. GuideStar - Spellman Family Foundation Profile
   https://www.guidestar.org/Profile/33-6524838
   Accessed: March 10, 2026
   (Nonprofit verification and profile information)

4. Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago - "Our Jewish values don't pause for the pandemic"
   https://www.juf.org/news/campaign.aspx?id=450814
   Accessed: March 10, 2026
   (Article about Marc Spellman's role as 2020 JUF Campaign Chair, quote about pandemic response)

5. Jewish United Fund - Board of Directors 2024-2025
   JUF board documentation
   Accessed: March 10, 2026
   (Confirmation of Marc Spellman's current board service)

6. LinkedIn - Marc Spellman Professional Profile
   Accessed: March 10, 2026
   (Professional background, business roles, education)

7. Imperial Group - Company History
   https://www.imperialgp.com/history
   Accessed: March 10, 2026
   (Background on Tri State Metal Company and Imperial Recycling)

8. IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search
   https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/tax-exempt-organization-search
   Accessed: March 10, 2026
   (Tax-exempt status verification)