Jean Paul Ohadi Memorial Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $256,000 (2022)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available (discretionary grant-making)
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Varies (6 grants totaling $256,000 in 2022)
• Geographic Focus: Primarily Illinois, with broader humanitarian focus
• Foundation Type: Private family foundation
• Assets: $5.9 million (2022)

Contact Details

Mailing Address: 730 Scenic Ranch Center, Fairview, TX 75069

Phone: (972) 881-5399

Email: Texnbell@mac.com (Cynthia Drey, Scholarship Coordinator)

EIN: 36-4240821

Note: While the foundation is registered in Northbrook, IL, the contact person is based in Fairview, Texas.

Overview

The Jean Paul Ohadi Memorial Foundation was established in 1999 by Cynthia Drey in memory of her son, Jean Paul Ohadi, who passed away in 1998 at the age of 19. Jean Paul suffered from bipolar disorder and faced harassment due to societal prejudice against his sexual orientation. The foundation was created to help organizations aid in the treatment, education, support, and understanding of mental health and LGBTQ issues.

As a private family foundation with assets of approximately $5.9 million, the foundation distributed $256,000 in grants in 2022 across six awards. The foundation primarily funds education, human services, and humanitarian causes. Known grantees include Rotary International and PFLAG Deerfield. In addition to organizational grants, the foundation administers an annual $1,000 scholarship program for LGBTQ youth in Illinois who are pursuing post-secondary education.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through discretionary grant-making by trustees rather than open competitive grant cycles. Based on 2022 IRS Form 990-PF filings:

• Organizational Grants: Six grants totaling $256,000 in 2022 (average of approximately $42,000 per grant)
• Scholarship Program: $1,000 annual scholarships for LGBTQ youth (17-22 years old) who are Illinois residents attending or planning to attend post-secondary education institutions

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on organizations that:

• Support mental health treatment and education, particularly related to bipolar disorder
• Advance LGBTQ rights, understanding, and support
• Provide education and humanitarian services
• Serve communities in Illinois and beyond

Known Recipients: Rotary International, PFLAG Deerfield

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not publicly documented, as a private family foundation with a specific memorial mission, grants are likely limited to organizations aligned with mental health and LGBTQ advocacy.

Governance and Leadership

Founder: Cynthia Drey (Jean Paul Ohadi's mother)

Scholarship Coordinator: Cynthia Drey

The foundation operates as a private family foundation, with grant decisions made through trustee discretion. According to 2023 records, the foundation identified three new personnel, though specific names and roles of all trustees are not publicly available without accessing the complete Form 990-PF filings.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process for organizational grants. As a private family foundation, grants are made at the discretion of the trustees rather than through an open competitive process. Organizations cannot submit unsolicited proposals.

For Scholarship Applications Only:

• Application window: February 1 - April 1 annually
• Applications can be emailed to Cynthia Drey at Texnbell@mac.com
• Mailed applications must be postmarked by April 1
• Applicants must submit evidence of academic achievement and involvement in the LGBTQ community

Getting on Their Radar

Since this foundation makes grants through trustee discretion rather than open applications, organizations interested in potential funding might consider:

PFLAG Connection: The foundation has a long-standing relationship with PFLAG Deerfield in administering the scholarship program. Organizations working on similar LGBTQ advocacy and support initiatives may benefit from connections within the PFLAG network.

Rotary International Partnership: The foundation has supported Rotary International, suggesting interest in humanitarian service organizations with established track records. Organizations already involved with Rotary or similar service organizations may have indirect pathways to visibility.

Illinois Mental Health and LGBTQ Sector: Given the foundation's mission to support organizations addressing mental health (particularly bipolar disorder) and LGBTQ issues in Illinois, active participation and leadership in these sectors may naturally bring organizations to the attention of foundation trustees.

Note: As a small private family foundation, direct outreach is unlikely to be productive without an existing connection or relationship.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation operates through discretionary grant-making, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations that have received funding typically demonstrate:

• Mission Alignment: Clear connection to mental health education and treatment (particularly bipolar disorder) or LGBTQ advocacy and support
• Established Track Record: The foundation supports established organizations like Rotary International, suggesting preference for organizations with proven impact
• Illinois Connection: While the foundation supports broader humanitarian causes, there appears to be a particular focus on Illinois-based programs and beneficiaries
• Community-Based Approach: The scholarship program works through PFLAG Deerfield, indicating appreciation for grassroots, community-focused initiatives

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a private family foundation without a public application process - unsolicited proposals are not accepted
• The foundation makes approximately 6-7 grants annually, totaling around $250,000
• Average grant size in 2022 was approximately $42,000
• Focus areas are mental health (particularly bipolar disorder) and LGBTQ support and education
• Known grantees include major organizations (Rotary International) and community-based groups (PFLAG Deerfield)
• The foundation was established as a memorial and maintains strong personal connections to its mission
• Geographic focus includes Illinois with broader humanitarian interests
• Organizations must typically have existing relationships or connections to come to the foundation's attention

References

• Cause IQ: Jean Paul Ohadi Memorial Foundation Profile. Retrieved from https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/jeanpaul-ohadi-memorial-foundation,364240821/
• Charity Navigator: Jeanpaul Ohadi Memorial Foundation Profile. Retrieved from https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/364240821
• GuideStar: Jeanpaul Ohadi Memorial Foundation Profile. Retrieved from https://www.guidestar.org/profile/36-4240821
• Grantmakers.io: Jeanpaul Ohadi Memorial Foundation Profile. Retrieved from https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/364240821-jeanpaul-ohadi-memorial-foundation/
• Instrumentl: Jean Paul Ohadi Memorial Foundation 990 Report. Retrieved from https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/jean-paul-ohadi-memorial-foundation
• PFLAG Deerfield: Jean Paul Ohadi Scholarship. Retrieved from https://deerfield.pflag.org/jean-paul-ohadi-scholarship/
• Candid Foundation Directory: Jean Paul Ohadi Memorial Foundation. Retrieved from https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=OHAD001

All sources accessed March 2026. Financial data based on 2022 IRS Form 990-PF filings.