Kern Foundation Trust
Kern Foundation Trust is a private foundation, based in Po Box Chicago, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $16.3M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 3 grants totaling $1.0M. Net investment income was $1.1M.
Kern Foundation Trust at a glance
In short: Kern Foundation Trust gave $1.0M across 3 grants in 2024 (avg $349K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,046,440
- -2.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 3
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $348,813
- -2.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $110,510
- Total assets
- $16,327,316
- -1.0% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Illinois (89% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
Who Kern Foundation Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Theosophical Society in America ($921K). Together the top 3 received $1.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
17 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 7 grants of 17 (41%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Kern Foundation Trust gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+7%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 102% 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $982K (2021) to $1.1M (2023). In 2024 it made 3 grants totaling $1.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Theosophical Society in America Wheaton, IL | General Support | $920,930 |
| Krotona Institute of Theosophy Ojai, CA | General Support | $110,510 |
| The Theosophical Order of Service USA Wheaton, IL | General Support | $15,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $16,327,316 | $1,034,712 | $1,196,103 | $1,046,440 | 3 | $1,125,639 | $1,106,166 | $1,099,447 |
| 2023 | $16,486,005 | $713,892 | $1,236,165 | $1,072,133 | 3 | $1,146,354 | $643,043 | $1,029,103 |
| 2022 | $18,420,286 | $1,523,683 | $1,255,411 | $1,070,169 | 3 | $1,146,563 | $646,503 | $1,042,746 |
| 2021 | $20,137,130 | $2,128,843 | $1,140,147 | $982,448 | 4 | $1,063,620 | $1,996,157 | $1,132,456 |
| 2020 | $19,362,964 | $450,357 | $1,176,993 | $1,048,550 | 4 | — | $332,776 | $981,834 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Kern Foundation Trust reported a distributable amount of $1.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Kern Foundation Trust's only listed officer is The Northern Trust Company, Trustee on every filing since 2020 (compensated).
Officers on the 2024 filing
The Northern Trust Company
Trustee
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$93K (2020) → $130K (2024)
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 $130K, to The Northern Trust Company (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about Kern Foundation Trust
How much does Kern Foundation Trust give each year?
Kern Foundation Trust gave $1.0M across 3 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.1M across 3 grants.
What is Kern Foundation Trust's typical grant size?
Kern Foundation Trust's median grant in 2024 was $110,510, and its average grant was $348,813, across 3 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Kern Foundation Trust give grants?
Kern Foundation Trust gives mostly in Illinois: 89% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was California (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Wheaton, IL (2 grants).
Does Kern Foundation Trust give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Kern Foundation Trust's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (3 of 3) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
How large is Kern Foundation Trust?
Kern Foundation Trust reported $16.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Kern Foundation Trust's EIN?
Kern Foundation Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-6107250. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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 November 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 9, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 5, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Illinois
The Theosophical Society in Cleveland
Parma, OH
The foundation supports Theosophical organizations and charities aligned with Theosophical ideals, including human services, public media, and animal welfare, primarily in the Cleveland area; it also supports the national Theosophical Society. Its 2025 grants ranged from $500 to $15,000, with a median of $1,000, and it accepts no unsolicited requests, giving only to preselected organizations.
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The Diane Stilwell Weinberg Foundation
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The Diane Stilwell Weinberg Foundation supports arts, books, culture, education, and historic preservation, with most of its giving going to organizations in Illinois. Its 2025 grants ranged from $500 to $26,000, with a median of $3,000. It gives only to preselected charities and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
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George and Kathleen Anderson Charitable Trust
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The George and Kathleen Anderson Charitable Trust funds a range of charitable organizations, including those focused on religious education, animal welfare, housing, and hunger relief, with most 2025 grant dollars going to Oregon. Its 2025 grants ranged from $15,000 to $85,000, with a median of $15,000. It contributes only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
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Richard and Diane Weinberg
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The Chicago-based foundation supports charitable, educational, religious, scientific, arts, and social-service organizations, with grants often benefiting children and people experiencing poverty; in 2025, awards ranged from $1,000 to $94,300, with a median of $5,000. Most 2025 funding went to organizations in Illinois and California, with additional grants in New York, Washington, DC, and Maryland. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
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Cushing Family Foundation
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The Chicago-based Cushing Family Foundation supports a varied mix of charitable work, including food assistance, global health, housing, youth programs, and climate technology, with most 2025 grant dollars going to organizations in Illinois and New York. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to $3.25 million, with a median of $50,000; it funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
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The Chicago Community Trust
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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
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