J R Albert Foundation
The J.R. Albert Foundation is a private foundation based in Naperville, Illinois, established in 2007. The foundation supports organizations working to create and protect local, healthy food systems throughout the Midwest.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$39.1M
+5.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.2M
-14.1% YoY
Grant Count
27
-43.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$46K
+52.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, J R Albert Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.9M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission centers on three primary areas:
Increasing access to healthy foods by developing local food delivery systems, increasing distribution of fresh foods, and supporting work in sustainable agriculture, urban farms, and community gardens
Providing food to those in need by supporting large regional food banks
Providing nutrition and wellness education and opportunities, particularly in economically disadvantaged populations
Grantmaking
Contact information for inquiries:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Missouri, Illinois, and Wisconsin, with a focus on Midwest-based food systems work.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $39,096,174
- Total revenues: $4,152,974
- Total expenses: $1,880,342
- Number of employees: 2
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $39,096,174 | $36,969,482 | $34,128,760 |
| Revenue | $4,152,974 | $3,120,265 | $891,518 |
| Expenses | $1,880,342 | $2,001,667 | $2,357,945 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,704,117 | $1,862,627 | $2,218,705 |
| Net Investment Income | $4,037,749 | $3,016,225 | $764,205 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,858,945 | $1,709,795 | $1,831,728 |
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
225 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include A Red Circle ($100,000), Urban Initiatives ($100,000), Advocates for Urban Agriculture ($75,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A RED CIRCLE ST LOUIS, MO | GENERAL OPERATING | $100,000 |
| ACRES ST LOUIS, MO | GENERAL OPERATING | $50,000 |
| ADVOCATES FOR URBAN AGRICULTURE CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL OPERATING | $75,000 |
| CENTRAL MISSOURI COMMUNITY ACTION COLUMBIA, MO | EAT HEALTHY! STAY ACTIVE! | $50,000 |
| CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN GLENCOE, IL | WINDY CITY HARVEST | $30,000 |
| CITY GREENS MARKET ST LOUIS, MO | GENERAL OPERATING | $50,000 |
| COLUMBIA CENTER FOR URBAN AGRICULTURE COLUMBIA, MO | GENERAL OPERATING | $50,000 |
| CULTIVATE KANSAS CITY KANSAS CITY, MO | GENERAL OPERATING | $30,000 |
| FAITH IN PLACE CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL OPERATING | $50,000 |
| GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL OPERATING | $30,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board of Trustees:
- Trish Robb – President
- Carol Deese
- Danny Mills
- Maddi Mills
- Allison Robb
- Elizabeth Robb
- Haley Robb
- Harry Robb
- Patty Robb
- Sue Robb
- Drinnan Sante
- Kelsey Sante
- Jake Toarmina
Staff:
- Melvin Kim, Chief Executive Officer
- Gwen Wurst, Program Officer
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MELVIN KIM | CEO | 40 | $160,968 |
| PATRICIA BELLE ROBB | PRESIDENT | 5 | $10,000 |
| MICHAEL R SANTE | SECRETARY (THRU 06/30/2024) | 5 | $5,000 |
| CAROL DEESE | DIRECTOR | 5 | $10,000 |
| DANIEL MILLS | DIRECTOR | 5 | $10,000 |
| MADALYN MILLS | DIRECTOR | 5 | $10,000 |
| ALLISON ROBB | DIRECTOR | 5 | $10,000 |
| ELIZABETH ROBB | DIRECTOR | 5 | $10,000 |
| HALEY ROBB | DIRECTOR | 5 | $10,000 |
| HARRY ROBB | DIRECTOR | 5 | $10,000 |
| PATRICIA L ROBB | DIRECTOR | 5 | $10,000 |
| SUSAN ROBB | DIRECTOR | 5 | $10,000 |
| DRINNAN SANTE | DIRECTOR | 5 | $10,000 |
| KELSEY SANTE | DIRECTOR | 5 | $10,000 |
| JAKE TOARMINA | DIRECTOR (BEGAN 10/01/2024) | 5 | $2,500 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does J R Albert Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission centers on three primary areas: 1. **Increasing access to healthy foods** by developing local food delivery systems, increasing distribution of fresh foods, and supporting work in sustainable agriculture, urban farms, and community gardens 2. **Providing food to those in need** by supporting large regional food banks 3. **Providing nutrition and wellness education and opportunities**, particularly in economically disadvantaged populations
How do I apply for a grant from J R Albert Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • The foundation made 61 grants in 2024 • Total giving in 2024: $1,232,000 • Typical grant awards range from $500 to $257,050 **Recent Grants (2024):** • A Red Circle: $100,000 (General Operating) • Urban Initiatives: $100,000 (General Operating) • Star Farm Chicago: $75,000 (General Operating) **Application Information:** Contact information for inquiries: • Phone: 773-707-0299 • Website: www.jralbertfoundation.org
Where does J R Albert Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Missouri, Illinois, and Wisconsin, with a focus on Midwest-based food systems work.
What size grants does J R Albert Foundation award?
In 2024, J R Albert Foundation awarded 27 grants totaling $1.2M — an average of about $46K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is J R Albert Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, J R Albert Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.9M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is J R Albert Foundation's EIN?
J R Albert Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-0147405. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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