Lester And Edward Anixter Family Foundation
The organization is a private foundation dedicated to supporting various charitable causes. Its mission reflects a commitment to enhancing community welfare, with a particular focus on Jewish organizations, healthcare, cancer research, and educational initiatives. The foundation provides funding to a diverse array of recipients, including hospitals, cultural institutions, and community service organizations. It primarily serves populations in need, particularly within the Jewish community, and addresses issues such as healthcare access, education, and food security.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
An established nonprofit (often with an Illinois presence or national Jewish/health/cultural mission) that is already known to the foundation or can be introduced through a trusted intermediary.
Good Fit
- • Organizational presence or program activity in Illinois (major share of past funding).
- • Alignment with historical priorities: Jewish communal organizations, healthcare/hospitals, cancer research, Holocaust/memory institutions, or established cultural nonprofits.
- • Demonstrated fiscal stability and capacity to manage gifts in the $10K–$150K range.
- • An existing relationship, referral, or introduction to a board member, officer, or current grantee.
Geography
Grants went to organizations in multiple states (recipients in nine states), but roughly 63% of dollars were concentrated in Illinois, indicating a regional/state-focused footprint rather than a broad national program.
Recipient Variety
The latest year funded 64 distinct recipients and the three-year history shows many recurring but also numerous independent grantees across Jewish, health, research, cultural, and human services sectors, indicating a broad recipient set for this foundation's size.
New Applicants
Although the foundation added 13 new recipients in 2024, the publicly stated policy is preselection/invitation-only and there is no visible submission route; therefore unfamiliar applicants are unlikely to enter the portfolio without a referral or introduction.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
