Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust
The Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust is a private foundation established in 1992 and granted charitable status in June 1994. Based in Chicago, Illinois, the Trust practices values-based grant making to public charities serving Chicago and Cook County residents. The organization operates as an independent 501(c)(3) foundation with a focus on promoting individual self-reliance, relieving human suffering, and fostering individual self-worth.
Key facts about Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust
- EIN
- 36-7010559
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,757,050
- Grants made (2024)
- 41
- Average grant
- $67,245
- Median grant
- $45,000
- Primary geography
- Illinois (99% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The foundation invites organizations to review its Values Statement to determine alignment before applying. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust's 41 itemized 2024 grants were Illinois (99%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (33 grants). 29% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
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
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust
- How to evaluate Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
- Draft an LOI to Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust with AI
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- Track this opportunity in a free grant tracker
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$2.8M
-10.0% YoY
Grant Count
41
-8.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$67K
-1.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Trust's core values include promoting thrift, humility, industry, self-sacrifice, and self-sufficiency; relieving human suffering; developing self-esteem and dignity; and encouraging vigorous athletic activity. The foundation emphasizes developing regional solutions to Chicago's regional challenges.
Primary funding interests include:
- Community Development
- Education
- Health
- Social & Human Services
- Sports & Recreation
- Classical fine arts
- Physical health and spiritual well-being
- World peace through improved travel
Grantmaking
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust provides support geographically to Chicago and Cook County, Illinois. Organizations outside the immediate area may apply if they serve a significant number of Chicago residents.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 41 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of November 2023:
- Total Assets: $54,517,537 (ledger value)
- Annual Income: $18,441,989
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $68,163,016
- Total Revenues: $16,483,106
- Total Expenses: $4,090,390
The foundation is ranked 9,396 among the top 10,000 U.S. foundations by assets.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
89 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance ($250,000), National Museum of Mexican Art ($242,150), Chicago Opera Theater ($236,000).
| 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 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| James L Alexander | Co-Trustee | 20 | $418,584 |
Contact Information
- Website: www.emgeniustrust.org
- Address: 10 S Dearborn St, Suite IL1-0111, Chicago, IL 60603-2300
- Phone: 800-496-2583
- EIN: 36-7010559
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust fund?
The Trust's core values include promoting thrift, humility, industry, self-sacrifice, and self-sufficiency; relieving human suffering; developing self-esteem and dignity; and encouraging vigorous athletic activity. The foundation emphasizes developing regional solutions to Chicago's regional challenges. Primary funding interests include: • Community Development • Education • Health • Social & Human Services • Sports & Recreation • Classical fine arts • Physical health and spiritual well-being •…
How do I apply for a grant from Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust?
The foundation invites organizations to review its Values Statement to determine alignment before applying. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
Where does Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust make grants?
The Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust provides support geographically to Chicago and Cook County, Illinois. Organizations outside the immediate area may apply if they serve a significant number of Chicago residents.
What size grants does Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust award?
In 2024, Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust awarded 41 grants totaling $2.8M — an average of about $67K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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.
Explore Open Grants
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.