Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust
The Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust is a Chicago-based private foundation that makes values-based grants to qualifying 501(c)(3) public charities. Its website says eligible organizations must primarily serve residents of Chicago and Cook County, Illinois, and connect their missions, programs, or projects to one or more of the Trust’s stated values.
Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust at a glance
In short: Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust gave $2.8M across 41 grants in 2024 (avg $67K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,757,050
- -10.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 41
- -8.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $67,245
- -1.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $45,000
- Total assets
- $68,163,016
- +25.0% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Illinois (99% 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 Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The Trust accepts unsolicited requests in the form of Letters of Inquiry; proposals are accepted only after the Trust issues a Request for Proposal. The 2023 filing lists “SEE ATTACHED GUIDELINES” for application materials and award restrictions.
- Review Cycle
- The 2023 filing states that there are no deadlines.
- Deadline
- The 2023 filing states that there are no deadlines.
- Contact
Application contact: James L Alexander Co-Trustee
Mailing address: 208 S Lasalle Street Suite 1660, Chicago, IL 60604-1226
Phone: (312) 739-0326
Website: https://emgeniustrust.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust
Who Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance ($250K). Together the top 10 received $1.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
89 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 39 grants of 89 (44%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Trust’s website says it makes grants to organizations that primarily serve residents of Chicago and Cook County, Illinois. In 2024, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois; the filing reports 1% in Pennsylvania and less than 1% in Washington, DC.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 41 itemized grants.
Cities
How Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust gives
- 30% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+8%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 96% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 $2.6M (2021) to $3.1M (2022). In 2024 it made 41 grants totaling $2.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance Chicago, IL | Support the EMG Children's | $250,000 |
| National Museum of Mexican Art Chicago, IL | Support NMMA Collection | $242,150 |
| Chicago Opera Theater Chicago, IL | Support Capital Campaign | $236,000 |
| Illinois Justice Project Chicago, IL | Support the Communications | $200,000 |
| Chapin Hall Center for Children Chicago, IL | Support Building | $175,000 |
| Lyric Opera of Chicago Chicago, IL | Support a Paid Internship | $150,000 |
| P33 Chicago, IL | Support General Operating | $150,000 |
| Navy Pier Inc Chicago, IL | Support the Strategic Plan | $100,000 |
| Merit School of Music Chicago, IL | Support General Operating | $100,000 |
| Goodman Theatre Chicago, IL | Support Two Simultaneous | $100,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The filing type is Form 990-PF (a private foundation).
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $68,163,016 | $16,483,106 | $4,090,390 | $2,757,050 | 41 | $3,386,472 | $16,069,493 | $3,525,245 |
| 2023 | $54,517,537 | $4,095,798 | $4,241,797 | $3,062,957 | 45 | $3,649,545 | $3,572,703 | $3,455,048 |
| 2022 | $54,687,697 | $3,163,377 | $4,269,507 | $3,094,947 | 1 | $3,698,262 | $5,729,326 | $3,555,995 |
| 2021 | $53,369,759 | $6,432,204 | $3,781,561 | $2,553,341 | 1 | — | $5,831,725 | $3,689,341 |
| 2020 | $50,678,968 | $2,551,862 | $3,626,212 | $2,650,398 | 1 | — | $2,059,179 | $3,080,716 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust reported a distributable amount of $3.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Trust’s values statement describes the areas it seeks to support. These include research or education related to disease treatment; assistance for youth facing disadvantage, troubled childhoods, disabilities, or emotional disorders; support addressing the concerns of older people; and aid during natural or human-made disasters. It also highlights youth from underserved or under-resourced communities, physical health and spiritual well-being, and solutions intended to improve quality of life in the Chicago region.
The Trust supports qualifying 501(c)(3) public charities. Examples of grantees’ work include the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance’s educational programming and community engagement; Chicago Opera Theater’s presentation of rarely produced and contemporary operas; Chapin Hall Center for Children’s policy research on children, youth, families, and communities; and Merit School of Music’s work to reduce barriers to music education for young people.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Trust reported 41 grants totaling $2,757,050. Grants ranged from $10,000 to $250,000, with a median of $45,000. Larger awards included $250,000 to Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance, $242,150 to National Museum of Mexican Art, $236,000 to Chicago Opera Theater, $200,000 to Illinois Justice Project, and $175,000 to Chapin Hall Center for Children. Other grants included $150,000 each to Lyric Opera of Chicago and P33, and $100,000 each to Navy Pier Inc, Merit School of Music, Better Government Association Inc, and Goodman Theatre.
The Trust welcomes Letters of Inquiry as the first step in its application process and issues Requests for Proposal before accepting proposals. Its website describes the process as rigorous and comprehensive and says it may take six months to a year or longer. The Trust may request revised application materials. The website’s funding parameters exclude grants for individuals, endowments, capital campaigns, political activity, and private foundations; it also says grants do not fund proselytizing or sectarian programs. The 2024 filing describes one grant to Chicago Opera Theater as support for a capital campaign, so applicants should confirm current parameters with the Trust.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Bank of America NA, James L Alexander, and JP Morgan Chase Bank NA as co-trustees.
Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust's 2024 filing lists 3 officers; all 3 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
James L. Alexander
Co-Trustee
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$362K (2020) → $419K (2024)
Bank Of America NA
Co-Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
20 hrs/week
$45K (2024)
JP Morgan Chase Bank NA
Co-Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
20 hrs/week
$369K (2024)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Bank of America N A (2020–2023) — Co-Trustee
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $419K, to James L Alexander (Co-Trustee). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust
How much does Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust give each year?
Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust gave $2.8M across 41 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $3.1M across 45 grants.
What is Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust's typical grant size?
Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust's median grant in 2024 was $45,000, and its average grant was $67,245, across 41 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust give grants?
Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust gives mostly in Illinois: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (33 grants).
Does Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust give general operating support?
Yes: 29% of Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (12 of 41) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust's largest grantees?
Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust's largest 2024 grantees include Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance ($250,000), National Museum of Mexican Art ($242,150) and Chicago Opera Theater ($236,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 26% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust?
Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust reported $68.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.5M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust fund?
The Trust’s values statement describes the areas it seeks to support. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust?
The Trust accepts unsolicited requests in the form of Letters of Inquiry; proposals are accepted only after the Trust issues a Request for Proposal. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust's EIN?
Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-7010559. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, 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 October 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 April 27, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 25, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 6, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 9, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/elizabeth-morse-genius-charitable-trust-morg_e4caa73e39dd406e9d2b980c456a6515
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_367010559_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/elizabeth-morse-genius-charitable-trust-morg_e4caa73e39dd406e9d2b980c456a6515},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust'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.
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