Johnson Foundation Special Charitable Trust
Johnson Foundation Special Charitable Trust is a private foundation, based in Chicago, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $24.6M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $1.0M. Net investment income was $1.1M.
Johnson Foundation Special Charitable Trust at a glance
In short: Johnson Foundation Special Charitable Trust gave $1.0M across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $1.0M), mostly in Wisconsin. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,039,405
- +11.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $1,039,405
- +11.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,039,405
- Total assets
- $24,607,854
- -0.3% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (100% 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 Johnson Foundation Special Charitable Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was The Johnson Foundation ($1.0M).
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $500K–1M range: 3 grants of 5 (60%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How Johnson Foundation Special Charitable Trust gives
- Giving grew 45% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 83% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 $458K (2021) to $1.0M (2025). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $1.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Johnson Foundation Racine, WI | General Support | $1,039,405 |
Ready to take the next step with Johnson Foundation Special Charitable Trust?
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 | $24,607,854 | $1,230,327 | $1,310,795 | $1,039,405 | 1 | $1,177,419 | $1,111,838 | $1,426,563 |
| 2024 | $24,682,219 | $5,447,416 | $1,149,651 | $930,221 | 1 | $1,042,252 | $849,483 | $1,151,436 |
| 2023 | $20,396,076 | $676,473 | $1,136,086 | $936,122 | 1 | $1,039,094 | $585,157 | $1,033,193 |
| 2022 | $20,860,468 | $420,438 | $936,745 | $719,063 | 1 | $825,982 | $441,299 | $1,043,041 |
| 2021 | $21,377,172 | $8,696,557 | $631,956 | $458,397 | 1 | $550,401 | $626,254 | $811,067 |
| 2020 | $13,313,054 | $13,354,211 | $43,995 | — | — | — | $339,280 | $476,909 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Johnson Foundation Special Charitable Trust reported a distributable amount of $1.4M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Johnson Foundation Special Charitable Trust's only listed officer is Northern Trust Company, Trustee on every filing since 2020 (compensated).
Officers on the 2025 filing
Northern Trust Company
Trustee
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$29K (2020) → $217K (2025)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 $217K, to Northern Trust Company (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about Johnson Foundation Special Charitable Trust
How much does Johnson Foundation Special Charitable Trust give each year?
Johnson Foundation Special Charitable Trust gave $1.0M across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $930K across 1 grant.
How large is Johnson Foundation Special Charitable Trust?
Johnson Foundation Special Charitable Trust reported $24.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.4M (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.
Where does Johnson Foundation Special Charitable Trust operate?
Johnson Foundation Special Charitable Trust has awarded grants in Wisconsin.
What is Johnson Foundation Special Charitable Trust's EIN?
Johnson Foundation Special Charitable Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-5097913. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 7, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Johnson Foundation Special Charitable Trust funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Johnson Foundation Special Charitable Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Illinois
Johnson Family Foundation
Racine, WI
The Johnson Family Foundation supports education, human services, community programs, arts, and related work, primarily in Wisconsin. Its 2025 grants had a median of $10,000, though amounts ranged from $1,000 to $1,467,500. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected organizations.
Assets
$67.6M
Grants
47
Total Given
$3.5M
Greater Milwaukee Foundation Inc
Milwaukee, WI
The Greater Milwaukee Foundation funds nonprofit programs, projects, general operations and capital needs, with priorities including early childhood education, housing, basic needs, health, arts and culture, and scientific research. Its competitive grants primarily serve Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties; in 2024, the median grant was about $27,800, though awards varied widely. It runs competitive grant cycles, but whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
838
Total Given
$66.8M
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
The Allstate Foundation
Northbrook, IL
The Allstate Foundation funds youth empowerment, efforts to prevent and address relationship abuse, nonprofit leadership, and related economic opportunity and equity work. Its 2024 grants ranged from $250 to $2 million, with a median of $1,000, and awards must support work in the United States. It accepts proposals from organizations beyond a preselected list; proposals are reviewed as received.
Assets
$89.3M
Grants
2,010
Total Given
$38.0M
Elks National Foundation Inc
Chicago, IL
The Elks National Foundation funds scholarships, youth programs, veterans’ services, and charitable projects through Elks Lodges and state associations across the United States. Its 2026 grants had a median size of $10,000, though awards varied widely; the profile describes application routes for specific Lodge and scholarship programs but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$954.1M
Grants
1,536
Total Given
$36.5M
John D and Catherine T Macarthur Foundation
Chicago, IL
The MacArthur Foundation funds work advancing a more just, verdant, and peaceful world, including climate solutions, criminal justice, journalism, technology, and Chicago. In 2024, its grants had a median of $160,000, though awards ranged widely; it generally does not accept unsolicited requests, with possible exceptions for specific open calls or proposals that meet program guidelines.
Assets
$9.3B
Grants
1,086
Total Given
$356.1M
More similar funders
More Funders in Illinois
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Johnson Foundation Special 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.
Johnson Foundation Special Charitable Trust down — hundreds of funders to go?