Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois
The Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois (LTF) is a Chicago-based public charity, established in 1983, that supports civil legal aid for low-income Illinois residents. It makes annual grants to nonprofit organizations providing free legal services across Illinois.
Key facts about Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois
In short: Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois gave $28.1M across 55 grants in 2025 (avg $512K), mostly in Illinois. 24% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 36-3213132
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $28,141,889
- Grants made (2025)
- 55
- Average grant
- $511,671
- Median grant
- $110,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 24% first-time grantees (13 of 55, 2025)
- Total assets
- $83,301,533
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- Apply through LTF’s online grants portal; new applicants must register and receive approval before accessing the application. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- Applications for the CY 2027 annual grant cycle are due September 15, 2026.
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$83.3M
+41.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$28.1M
+25.9% YoY
Grant Count
55
+10.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$512K
+14.4% YoY
Is Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois open to new grantees?
24%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 13 of 55 grantees (24%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $75K; repeat grants $647K. How we count
Medians: $60K first-time, $227K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
LTF’s stated mission is to support the provision of civil legal services to low-income Illinois residents throughout the state in an efficient, effective, and equitable manner. It funds Illinois nonprofit organizations that provide direct civil legal services free of charge to low-income individuals and families.
LTF’s stated grantmaking goals include supporting the availability of civil legal services throughout the state, encouraging varied service-delivery methods, and addressing critical needs. Examples of grantees’ work include Prairie State Legal Services’ provision or coordination of free civil legal services for low-income people, families, and groups; the Law Center for Better Housing’s work to promote renters’ rights; and Equip for Equality’s advocacy for the human and civil rights of people with disabilities. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not LTF’s.
Grantmaking
LTF awards grants annually on a calendar-year basis. In filing year 2025, it reported 55 grants totaling $28,141,889. Individual grants ranged from $30,000 to $5,530,000, with a median of $110,000.
The largest reported 2025 awards included $5,530,000 to Prairie State Legal Services, $5,280,000 to Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, $2,080,000 to Legal Aid Chicago, $1,470,000 to CARPLS Legal Aid, and $1,445,000 to the National Immigrant Justice Center. The stated purpose for each was to provide free legal services.
Eligible applicants must be Illinois-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving Illinois residents who cannot afford private counsel. LTF describes eligible clients generally as individuals and families with incomes at or below 250% of the federal poverty level, while also recognizing other factors that may limit access to private legal help. Services supported with LTF funds must be free to clients. Organizations generally must employ at least one qualified attorney: a compensated, full-time employee directly involved in legal services who has been licensed for at least three years as of January 1 of the funding year. Emerging organizations and legal aid programs based in under-resourced communities may request a temporary, one-year waiver, subject to board discretion.
Interested organizations apply through LTF’s online grants portal. New applicants must register and receive LTF approval before accessing the application. The application requests service, staff, and financial data; LTF provides guidelines, application instructions, and data-collection resources.
Review Cycle
Applications for the CY 2027 annual grant cycle are due September 15, 2026. LTF says awards will be announced in mid-December 2026.
How to Apply
Apply through LTF’s online grants portal; new applicants must register and receive approval before accessing the application.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois
Ready to take the next step with Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
LTF supports legal aid organizations serving Illinois residents throughout the state. All reported grant dollars in filing year 2025 went to recipients in Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 55 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $7.1M (2021) to $28.1M (2025). In 2025 it made 55 grants totaling $28.1M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Prairie State Legal Services ($5.5M). Together the top 10 received $20.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
243 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 69 grants of 243 (28%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Prairie State Legal Services Rockford, IL | To Provide Free Legal Services | $5,530,000 |
| Land of Lincoln Legal Aid East St Louis, IL | To Provide Free Legal Services | $5,280,000 |
| Legal Aid Chicago Chicago, IL | To Provide Free Legal Services | $2,080,000 |
| Carpls Legal Aid Chicago, IL | To Provide Free Legal Services | $1,470,000 |
| National Immigrant Justice Center Chicago, IL | To Provide Free Legal Services | $1,445,000 |
| Illinois Legal Aid Online Chicago, IL | To Provide Free Legal Services | $1,275,000 |
| Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Chicago, IL | To Provide Free Legal Services | $1,087,000 |
| Cabrini Green Legal Aid Chicago, IL | To Provide Free Legal Services | $835,000 |
| Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Family Services Chicago, IL | To Provide Free Legal Services | $810,000 |
| Law Center for Better Housing Chicago, IL | To Provide Free Legal Services | $785,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $83,301,533 | $47,351,899 | $30,659,681 | $28,141,889 |
| 2024 | $59,059,830 | $44,227,030 | $24,087,662 | $22,357,167 |
| 2023 | $34,426,845 | $28,668,946 | $18,434,209 | $17,147,710 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $83,301,533 | $59,059,830 | $34,426,845 |
| Revenue | $47,351,899 | $44,227,030 | $28,668,946 |
| Expenses | $30,659,681 | $24,087,662 | $18,434,209 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,245,279 | $1,523,181 | $485,301 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 6, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 27, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 8, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 28, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 25, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 28, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Hon. Maryam Ahmad as president; Joseph J. Torres as vice president; and Jennifer L. Kinciad as treasurer. Directors listed include Hon. Barbara Crowder, Hon. Mary Kay O’Brien, Kristine Honiotes, and Kaylan V. Huber. The filing also identifies Stacy A. McCullough, Jonathon C. Fox, and Marcelo Halpern as past directors.
Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois is led by Mark Marquardt, Executive Director since 2023 (on filings since 2020); 5 of 18 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Mark Marquardt
Executive Director
Executive Director → Executive - Director, 2022
Executive - Director → Executive Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$135K (2020) → $161K (2025)
Maryam Ahmad
President
Director → President, 2025
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Hanna Kaufman
Director of Justice Innovation Initiative
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$103K (2024) → $111K (2025)
Jonathon C. Fox
Director & Treasurer - Past
Director → Director & Treasurer, 2023
Director & Treasurer → Director & Treasurer - Past, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marcelo Halpern
Director & President - Past
Director & Vice President → Director & President, 2024
Director & President → Director & President - Past, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Barbara Crowder
Director
Director → Vice President, 2024
Vice President → Director, 2025
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kaylan V. Huber
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary Kay O'Brien
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kristine Honiotes
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David J. Robinson
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Larry R. Rodgers
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ray J. Koenig III
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Holtermann
Deputy Executive Director for Grants & Legal Affai
General Counsel → Deputy Director for Grants, Policy & General Counsel, 2023
Deputy Director for Grants, Policy & General Counsel → Deputy Executive Director for Grants & Legal Affai, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$116K (2020) → $146K (2025)
Terri Smith-Ashford
Deputy Executive Director for Finance & Operations
Director of Banking & Operations → Deputy Director for Finance & Operations, 2023
Deputy Director for Finance & Operations → Deputy Executive Director for Finance & Operations, 2025
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$126K (2021) → $158K (2025)
Nebula Li
Program Officer for Legal Services
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$100K (2025)
Stacy A. McCullough
Director - Past
Director → Director - Past, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joseph J. Torres
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer L. Kinciad
Treasurer
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (11)
- Former: Tamika R. Walker (2020–2024) — Director & President - Past
- Former: Lauren Phyllis Buford (2023–2024) — Director - Past
- Former: Jennifer L. Kincaid (2024) — Director
- Former: Angelica W. Wawrzynek (2020–2023) — Secretary-Treasurer - Past
- Former: Sally J. McDonald (2020–2023) — Vice President - Past
- Former: Shawn S. Kasserman (2020–2023) — Director & President - Past
- Former: Robert L. Carter (2022–2023) — Director - Past
- Former: Mark D. Hassakis (2020–2022) — Director - Past
- Former: Aurora Abella Austriaco (2022) — Director - Past
- Former: Aurora Abella-Austriaco (2020–2021) — Director - New, Director & President - Past
- Former: Terri Smith (2020) — Director of Banking & Operat
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 $161K, to Mark Marquardt (Executive Director). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: One East Wacker Drive 2500, Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: (312) 938-2906
Website: https://ltf.org
Frequently asked questions about Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois
How much does Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois give each year?
Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois gave $28.1M across 55 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $22.4M across 50 grants.
What is Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois's typical grant size?
Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois's median grant in 2025 was $110,000, and its average grant was $511,671, across 55 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois that year got $75K on average.
Where does Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois give grants?
Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois gives mostly in Illinois: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (44 grants) and Waukegan, IL (2 grants).
Does Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 55 grants with a stated purpose on Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Provide Free Legal Services" (55 grants).
Who are Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois's largest grantees?
Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois's largest 2025 grantees include Prairie State Legal Services ($5,530,000), Land of Lincoln Legal Aid ($5,280,000) and Legal Aid Chicago ($2,080,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 46% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois?
Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois reported $83.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $47.4M.
What does Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois fund?
LTF’s stated mission is to support the provision of civil legal services to low-income Illinois residents throughout the state in an efficient, effective, and equitable manner. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois?
Apply through LTF’s online grants portal; new applicants must register and receive approval before accessing the application. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois's EIN?
Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3213132. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois by hand.
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