Earl & Brenda Shapiro Foundation
The Earl & Brenda Shapiro Foundation is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois. It supports charitable organizations, including universities, arts and social-service organizations, and groups working in journalism, public policy, civil rights, and conservation.
Earl & Brenda Shapiro Foundation at a glance
In short: Earl & Brenda Shapiro Foundation gave $3.6M across 17 grants in 2024 (avg $209K), mostly in Rhode Island. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,554,000
- -15.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 17
- -59.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $209,059
- +109.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $100,000
- Total assets
- $12,664,268
- -13.4% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Rhode Island (56% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Earl & Brenda Shapiro Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 400 N Michigan Avenue Suite 250, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (312) 552-7660
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Earl & Brenda Shapiro Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Brown University ($2.0M). Together the top 10 received $3.3M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($130,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
62 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 31 grants of 62 (50%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in Rhode Island (56%), Illinois (14%), New Jersey (14%), New York (9%), and Washington, DC (3%), among other locations.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 17 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Earl & Brenda Shapiro Foundation gives
- 88% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 41% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 314% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2.4M (2020) to $4.7M (2022). In 2024 it made 17 grants totaling $3.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Brown University Providence, RI | To support program and operational expenses | $2,000,000 |
| The Trustees of Princeton University Princeton, NJ | To support program and operational expenses | $500,000 |
| 1 grant to individuals Recipients not named | — | $130,000 |
| Steppenwolf Theatre Company Chicago, IL | To support program and operational expenses | $125,000 |
| Inside Climate News Brooklyn, NY | To support program and operational expenses | $125,000 |
| Anti-Defamation League New York, NY | To support program and operational expenses | $100,000 |
| University of Chicago Chicago, IL | To support program and operational expenses | $100,000 |
| The Aspen Institute Washington, DC | To support program and operational expenses | $100,000 |
| Nourishing Hope Chicago, IL | To support program and operational expenses | $100,000 |
| One World Network of Schools New York, NY | To support program and operational expenses | $75,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Earl & Brenda Shapiro Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $12,664,268 | $1,790,213 | $3,737,523 | $3,554,000 | 17 | $3,554,250 | $624,174 | $1,132,857 |
| 2023 | $14,615,744 | $8,586,244 | $4,307,841 | $4,194,500 | 42 | $4,194,925 | $4,413,042 | $921,882 |
| 2022 | $13,605,588 | $1,382,801 | $4,971,067 | $4,714,583 | 1 | $4,714,608 | $1,217,929 | $1,167,013 |
| 2021 | $17,193,854 | $2,022,556 | $3,287,598 | $2,514,917 | 1 | $2,514,942 | $1,885,536 | $1,231,681 |
| 2020 | $18,458,896 | $704,414 | $2,624,798 | $2,415,918 | 1 | — | $497,698 | $1,070,510 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Earl & Brenda Shapiro Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for higher education, theatre, food and social services, environmental journalism, conservation, and anti-hate work.
The grantees describe their own missions in varied terms. Steppenwolf Theatre Company says it creates “thrilling, courageous and provocative art”; Nourishing Hope says it provides food, mental-health support, and social services; and Inside Climate News says it works to build a national reporting network and strengthen environmental journalism. Wild Salmon Center describes its mission as promoting the conservation and sustainable use of wild salmon ecosystems across the Pacific Rim.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 17 grants totaling $3,554,000. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $2,000,000, with a median of $100,000. The 2024 filing describes the purposes of the listed larger grants as support for program and operational expenses.
The largest 2024 grant was $2,000,000 to Brown University. Other notable grants included $500,000 to The Trustees of Princeton University; $130,000 to the University of Chicago’s Division of an individual recipient; $125,000 each to Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Inside Climate News; and $100,000 each to the Anti-Defamation League, the University of Chicago, The Aspen Institute, and Nourishing Hope.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Brenda M. Shapiro as president and director; Matthew I. Shapiro as vice president, secretary, and director; Benjamin M. Shapiro as vice president, treasurer, and director; and Alexandra E. F. Shapiro as vice president and director.
Earl & Brenda Shapiro Foundation is led by Brenda M. Shapiro, President & Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Brenda M. Shapiro
President & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alexandra E. F. Shapiro
Vice President & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Benjamin M. Shapiro
Vice President, Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matthew I. Shapiro
Vice President, Secretary & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Earl & Brenda Shapiro Foundation
How much does Earl & Brenda Shapiro Foundation give each year?
Earl & Brenda Shapiro Foundation gave $3.6M across 17 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $4.2M across 42 grants.
What is Earl & Brenda Shapiro Foundation's typical grant size?
Earl & Brenda Shapiro Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $100,000, and its average grant was $209,059, across 17 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Earl & Brenda Shapiro Foundation give grants?
Earl & Brenda Shapiro Foundation gives mostly in Rhode Island: 56% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Illinois (14%) and New Jersey (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (6 grants) and New York, NY (3 grants).
Does Earl & Brenda Shapiro Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Earl & Brenda Shapiro Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (17 of 17) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Earl & Brenda Shapiro Foundation's largest grantees?
Earl & Brenda Shapiro Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Brown University ($2,000,000), The Trustees of Princeton University ($500,000) and Steppenwolf Theatre Company ($125,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($130,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 74% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Earl & Brenda Shapiro Foundation?
Earl & Brenda Shapiro Foundation reported $12.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Earl & Brenda Shapiro Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for higher education, theatre, food and social services, environmental journalism, conservation, and anti-hate work. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Earl & Brenda Shapiro Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Earl & Brenda Shapiro Foundation's EIN?
Earl & Brenda Shapiro Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-0524597. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Earl & Brenda Shapiro Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 23, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 17, 2024)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 12, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Earl & Brenda Shapiro Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
IBM International Foundation
Armonk, NY
The IBM International Foundation funds education and workforce programs that build 21st-century and technology job skills, including initiatives for underserved students and job seekers. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $8.48 million, with a median of $100,000, and went to organizations across several U.S. states, especially Delaware and Massachusetts. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$357.7M
Grants
16
Total Given
$11.7M
Aetna Foundation Inc
Hartford, CT
Aetna Foundation supported health and wellness, access to health care, and related community needs; its 2021 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1 million, with a median of $40,000, and went to organizations across multiple states, especially in D.C. and Connecticut. Its 2021 filing was marked final, so it appears to have ended or be winding down grantmaking; that filing said there were no restrictions on who could apply and pointed applicants to its website for application materials.
Assets
—
Grants
65
Total Given
$7.2M
Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Inc
Princeton, NJ
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation supports health access and stronger health systems, with a focus on adult and pediatric cancers, blood disorders, brain health, and clinical-trial participation in the United States, Brazil, India, and ten Sub-Saharan African countries. In 2024, its median grant was about $134,000, though awards varied widely; it does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests, and advises prospective applicants to contact the Foundation about its process.
Assets
$83.3M
Grants
144
Total Given
$67.7M
The Joyce Foundation
Chicago, IL
The Joyce Foundation funds policy research, development, and advocacy advancing racial equity and economic mobility, across areas including education, the environment, democracy, culture, gun violence prevention and justice reform, and journalism. Its grants primarily support work in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin; the 2024 median grant was $80,000, with awards ranging from $685 to $1 million. It accepts online letters of inquiry year-round, but formal proposals are by invitation only.
Assets
$1.3B
Grants
470
Total Given
$52.2M
Circle of Service Foundation
Chicago, IL
The foundation funds community services, education, Jewish community, and medical research, with grantmaking concentrated in Cook and Lake Counties, Illinois, though it also funds organizations elsewhere. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000 and ranged from $50 to about $1.74 million; it accepts unsolicited pre-applications for community services and for Jewish community requests in Cook or Lake County, but not for the other stated categories or out-of-area Jewish community requests.
Assets
$592.0M
Grants
637
Total Given
$37.0M
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago
Chicago, IL
The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago funds human services, Jewish education and community programs, crisis response, and support for Israel and Jewish communities worldwide, primarily through Chicago-area agencies and initiatives. In 2025, its grants had a median of about $20,000, though awards ranged widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
896
Total Given
$166.6M
More similar funders
More Funders in Illinois
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Earl & Brenda Shapiro Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/earl-and-brenda-shapiro-foundation-morg_e688bfea96024cf29adbb0172d482c7c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_450524597_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Earl \& Brenda Shapiro Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/earl-and-brenda-shapiro-foundation-morg_e688bfea96024cf29adbb0172d482c7c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Earl & Brenda Shapiro Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Earl & Brenda Shapiro Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?