Sol R Kaufman Family Foundation
The organization is a private foundation dedicated to charitable giving, primarily focusing on arts and culture, community service, and human services. It supports a variety of nonprofit organizations, with a notable emphasis on those that promote the arts, such as the Silent Film Society of Chicago and the Chicago Opera Theatre. Additionally, it funds organizations that provide essential community services, indicating a commitment to enhancing the well-being of local populations. The foundation's activities are largely concentrated in the Chicago area, reflecting a strong connection to the community it serves.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
Small to mid‑sized Chicago/Illinois nonprofits—particularly arts and culture organizations—with programs similar to prior grantees and an existing local connection to the foundation or its network.
Good Fit
- • Organization based in Chicago or elsewhere in Illinois.
- • Mission in arts, culture, or small community services similar to past grantees.
- • A prior relationship or introduction from a trustee, past grantee, or local intermediary.
- • Project or operating support requests in the small grant range (roughly a few thousand up to ~20K).
Geography
Giving is strongly concentrated in Illinois, especially Chicago; the latest year was 100% in Illinois and previous years were predominantly in‑state with only one small out‑of‑state grant in 2023.
Recipient Variety
Across three years the foundation funded between 2 and 8 recipients per year, including multiple arts and community groups, but the latest year contracted to two repeat grantees—so the observed recipient set is moderately diverse overall but currently narrow.
New Applicants
Filings explicitly state grants are made only to preselected organizations and the latest year shows no new recipients; while earlier years included new grantees, the declared 'preselected only' policy and repeat funding pattern indicate low likelihood that an unfamiliar applicant will successfully enter without a prior connection.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
