The Julian Grace Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The filing lists the United States as the Foundation's geographic focus, and its stated themes are immigration and human rights, preservation of cultural heritage, health and environmental protection, so first check that your work sits in one of these areas.
- About 8 in 10 of its grants fall between $11,000 and $125,000, with a median of $60,000, so a request in that range is a realistic size, although its largest grant was $475,000.
- Because 83% of its grant dollars to organisations went to groups it had funded in earlier filings, a first approach is harder to judge, but the route it describes is a brief description of up to 250 words plus your website link through its contact form, and it will reach out only if it sees a potential fit.
- Proposals are due in April and September, so send your description ahead of one of those deadlines.
Overview
The Julian Grace Foundation is a US private foundation based in Highland Park, IL.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The Julian Grace Foundation describes its grants as typically supporting immigration and human rights, preservation of cultural heritage, health and environmental protection. It supports organisations providing immigration services or focusing on human rights domestically or internationally, and programmes that preserve and present cultural artefacts to educate and enhance communities. Its health work aims to develop healthier communities. Environmental work protects natural habitats and promotes sustainable, healthier interactions between distressed communities and their environments. The Foundation describes its approach as high-engagement grantmaking, collaborating closely with partners, fostering deep relationships and addressing immediate needs and longer-term goals.
Themes
- Immigration and human rights
- Preservation of Cultural Heritage
- Health
- Environmental Protection
Geographic Focus
United States.
How to apply
Nonprofit organisations may submit a brief description of their work (up to 250 words) and a link to their website using the contact form; if the Foundation sees a potential fit, it will reach out.
Deadlines: Grant proposals are due in April and September.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 83% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 321 grants to organisations were $60,000 or less.
What the foundation says:
- The Foundation invites full applications from organisations that fit its priorities and budget.
- Invitations follow recommendations from the Foundation’s Board of Directors and professional staff.
- Invited applicants generally submit a written proposal and may have a follow-up conversation or site visit with staff and Board members.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
6 other states: 3%
Outside the US or with no state on the filing: 8%
- The largest single recipient received 5% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 83% of grant dollars went to organisations The Julian Grace Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- 8% of grant dollars went directly to organisations outside the US (Honduras).
- <1% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 105 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $60,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Fundación Asistencial María Rosa · General operating support$310,0002024 tax year
- Sociedad Amigos de los Niños · General operating suppot$306,0002024 tax year
- Tahirih Justice Center · General operating support$302,0002024 tax year
- Nicat · General operating support$300,0002024 tax year
- Mano a Mano Family Resource Center · General operating support$300,0002024 tax year
- DePaul University · General operating support$226,2432024 tax year
- Morehouse College · General operating support$206,5002024 tax year
- Beyond Legal Aid · General operating support$205,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Steven I Sarowitz — Director
- Scott H Mclellan — Executive Director
- Larry Robbins — Director
- Sarah Sarowitz — Director
- James A Casselberry — Director
- Carol Hincker — Director
- Marjorie L Moore — Secretary
- Soheil Soheil — Treasurer
- Jessica P Sarowitz — President / Managing Director
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $10,368,243 | $8,482,159 | $81,595,483 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $9,736,492 | $7,383,639 | $86,099,265 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $10,953,583 | $8,061,293 | $87,022,012 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
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At a glance
Applying to The Julian Grace Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- info@juliangrace.org
- Highland Park, IL
- juliangrace.org
Applying to The Julian Grace Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- info@juliangrace.org
- Highland Park, IL
- juliangrace.org