Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois
The Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois (LTF) is a public charity based in Chicago, Illinois, established in 1983. It makes annual grants to nonprofit organizations providing free civil legal aid to low-income Illinois residents.
Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois at a glance
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.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $28,141,889
- +25.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 55
- +10.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $511,671
- +14.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $110,000
- Total assets
- $83,301,533
- +41.0% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 24% first-time grantees (13 of 55, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois
- How to Apply
-
The 2027 annual grant application cycle used LTF’s online grants portal; new applicants must register and receive LTF approval before accessing the application. Applications require service, staff, and financial data in application tables. The 2027 cycle’s September 15, 2026 application deadline has passed; awards are scheduled to be announced in mid-December 2026.
- Review Cycle
- September 15, 2026, for the 2027 annual grant cycle; this deadline has passed.
- Deadline
- September 15, 2026, for the 2027 annual grant cycle; this deadline has passed.
- Contact
Mailing address: One East Wacker Drive 2500, Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: (312) 938-2906
Website: https://ltf.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois
Who Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois funds
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%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
LTF’s grantmaking supports civil legal services for low-income Illinois residents throughout the state. All reported 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 55 itemized grants.
Cities
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.
Giving History
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.
Grants by year
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 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $83,301,533 | $47,351,899 | $30,659,681 | $28,141,889 | 55 | $3,245,279 |
| 2024 | $59,059,830 | $44,227,030 | $24,087,662 | $22,357,167 | 50 | $1,523,181 |
| 2023 | $34,426,845 | $28,668,946 | $18,434,209 | $17,147,710 | 48 | $485,301 |
| 2022 | $21,902,869 | $13,558,856 | $13,651,671 | $12,516,209 | 44 | $359,273 |
| 2021 | $23,693,587 | $13,676,265 | $8,306,389 | $7,129,060 | 46 | $827,472 |
| 2020 | $22,509,066 | $15,354,235 | $13,457,768 | $12,210,785 | 44 | $198,731 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
LTF’s stated mission is to provide grant funds to Illinois not-for-profit organizations providing legal assistance to the poor throughout Illinois, and for other public-benefit programs specifically approved by the Illinois Supreme Court. Its website describes its grantmaking as supporting direct civil legal services, free of charge, for low-income Illinois residents.
LTF supports nonprofit organizations providing services in areas such as domestic violence, child custody, eviction, foreclosure, elder abuse, access to medical care, and immigration. Its 2027 guidelines prioritize statewide availability of civil legal services, varied service-delivery methods, and services addressing critical needs. To be eligible under the published guidelines, an organization must be an Illinois-based nonprofit with tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3), serve Illinois residents unable to afford private counsel, provide services without charge to clients, and meet an attorney staffing requirement.
The grantees’ own mission statements illustrate the range of organizations supported. Prairie State Legal Services says it provides or coordinates high-quality free civil legal services for low-income individuals, families, and groups. Land of Lincoln Legal Aid says it pursues justice for low-income people through free representation and education. Illinois Legal Aid Online describes its work as educating Illinoisans about their rights and connecting them to lawyers and solutions.
Grantmaking
LTF awards grants annually on a calendar-year basis. In filing year 2025, it reported 55 grants totaling $28,141,889. Grant amounts ranged from $30,000 to $5,530,000, with a median of $110,000.
Among the largest reported 2025 grants were $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.
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 lists Stacy A. McCullough as director—past, Jonathon C. Fox as director/treasurer—past, and Marcelo Halpern as director/president—past.
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.
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 provide grant funds to Illinois not-for-profit organizations providing legal assistance to the poor throughout Illinois, and for other public-benefit programs specifically approved by the Illinois Supreme Court. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois?
The 2027 annual grant application cycle used LTF’s online grants portal; new applicants must register and receive LTF 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 October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
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
Live grants for the work Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 23, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/lawyers-trust-fund-of-illinois-morg_c07debf222734558a7b26f58d87e7de2
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_363213132_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/lawyers-trust-fund-of-illinois-morg_c07debf222734558a7b26f58d87e7de2},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-23. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois'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.
Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois down — hundreds of funders to go?