John J Signer Memorial Trust Fund
John J Signer Memorial Trust Fund is a private foundation, based in Milwaukee, WI. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $499K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 4 grants totaling $43K. Net investment income was $60K.
John J Signer Memorial Trust Fund at a glance
In short: John J Signer Memorial Trust Fund gave $43K across 4 grants in 2025 (avg $11K), mostly in California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $42,500
- +60.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 4
- +33.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $10,625
- +20.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,500
- Total assets
- $499,159
- +3.0% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- California (74% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who John J Signer Memorial Trust Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Stanford University ($13K). Together the top 2 received $24K.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 individual scholarships ($19,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
19 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 19 grants of 19 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How John J Signer Memorial Trust Fund gives
- Giving fell 22% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 115% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $27K (2024) to $55K (2022). In 2025 it made 4 grants totaling $43K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Stanford University Stanford, CA | Scholarships | $12,500 |
| Northeastern University Boston, MA | Scholarship | $11,000 |
| 2 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $19,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $499,159 | $77,928 | $63,414 | $42,500 | 4 | $45,490 | $59,923 | $39,704 |
| 2024 | $484,643 | $7,349 | $44,957 | $26,500 | 3 | $31,762 | $3,407 | $70,154 |
| 2023 | $522,157 | $28,904 | $64,353 | $51,000 | 5 | $54,926 | $19,849 | $35,138 |
| 2022 | $558,055 | $28,747 | $67,093 | $54,545 | 4 | $58,329 | $20,138 | $42,551 |
| 2021 | $598,053 | $21,617 | $39,103 | $26,515 | 3 | — | $12,977 | $38,436 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, John J Signer Memorial Trust Fund reported a distributable amount of $40K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
John J Signer Memorial Trust Fund's 2025 filing lists 2 officers; all 2 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Frederick Hoyt McCrea
Co-Trustee
On filings since 2021
20 hrs/week
$5K (2021) → $7K (2025)
US Bank N A
Co-Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
$10K (2024) → $12K (2025)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Mufg Union Bank N A (2021–2023) — Co-Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $12K, to US Bank N a (Co-Trustee). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about John J Signer Memorial Trust Fund
How much does John J Signer Memorial Trust Fund give each year?
John J Signer Memorial Trust Fund gave $43K across 4 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $27K across 3 grants.
What is John J Signer Memorial Trust Fund's typical grant size?
John J Signer Memorial Trust Fund's median grant in 2025 was $10,500, and its average grant was $10,625, across 4 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does John J Signer Memorial Trust Fund give grants?
John J Signer Memorial Trust Fund gives mostly in California: 74% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Massachusetts (26%).
Does John J Signer Memorial Trust Fund give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 4 grants with a stated purpose on John J Signer Memorial Trust Fund's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship" (3 grants).
How large is John J Signer Memorial Trust Fund?
John J Signer Memorial Trust Fund reported $499K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $45K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $40K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is John J Signer Memorial Trust Fund's EIN?
John J Signer Memorial Trust Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-6288204. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
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