Edward And Shirley Marx Foundation
The organization is a private foundation dedicated to supporting various charitable causes. Its mission appears to focus on community service and support for human services, with a particular emphasis on initiatives that benefit the Jewish community, as evidenced by its funding of organizations like The Jewish Club of Chicago. The foundation provides unrestricted grants to a diverse range of recipients, including charities involved in community service and human services. While it operates primarily in Illinois, its funding extends to organizations across multiple states.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
Small-to-midsize charities or community organizations that fit the board’s interests (community service clubs, Jewish community groups, trade/industry associations, or local projects) and that could be identified and recommended to the foundation rather than applying unsolicited.
Good Fit
- • Existing relationship or introduction to a trustee, officer, or known intermediary.
- • Project or organization scope matching prior recipients (community clubs, Jewish organizations, trade associations, community farm activities).
- • Requests in the $5,000–$25,000 range for general/unrestricted support.
- • Geographic presence in states the funder has previously supported or clear local community impact.
Geography
In the latest year grants went to four different states (WY, IL, DC, VA), showing a multi-state footprint rather than a single-city focus.
Recipient Variety
The most recent year included four distinct independent recipients and no repeated grantees across the two-year window, indicating a modestly diverse recipient set for a micro foundation, though total grant count is small.
New Applicants
The foundation’s records and application information indicate it only funds preselected applicants and there is no public website or contact route; while several new recipients appeared in 2023, direct evidence shows selection is invitation-based rather than open to unsolicited applicants.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
