The Mary Helen Roberts Trust is a private foundation located in Watseka, Illinois, established on October 15, 1993. The trust funds charitable projects through the sale of its assets and maintains a focus on community-based initiatives in its region.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$197K
-4.4% YoY
Grant Count
37
+15.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$5K
-17.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The trust's primary purpose is to fund charitable projects including:
- Summer reading programs
- Vacation bible school
- Infrastructure improvements (tuck pointing and brick replacement)
- Track area lighting
- Educational programs and STEM kits
- Community recreation and youth programs
Grantmaking
The trust accepts grant applications. Application materials are available through First Trust & Savings Bank, which serves as trustee. Applications have been accepted with deadlines in May.
Grant Range
$1,000–$50,000
Average Grant
amount varies by year
Review Cycle
in May.
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The trust primarily funds organizations in Illinois and Nebraska, with a strong emphasis on the local Watseka, Illinois area and surrounding Iroquois County communities.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $3,821,055
- Total revenues: $214,932
- Total expenses: $251,305
- Total giving: $197,086
- Giving rate: 5.1% of assets
- Number of employees: 0
Historical Trend:
| Year | Total Assets | Total Giving | Number of Grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3,821,055 | $197,086 | 33 |
| 2023 | $3,900,000 | $205,000 | 30 |
| 2022 | $4,000,000 | $235,000 | 32 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
169 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Iroquois West School District 10 ($50,000), Gilman Cemetery District ($21,194), Gilman Comm Fire Protection Distric ($18,185).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CAMP 911 GILMAN, IL | COVER PORTION OF 911 CAMP FOR KIDS | $2,000 |
| CENTRAL CITIZENS LIBRARY DIST CLIFTON, IL | AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM | $900 |
| CHRIST LUTHERAN HS BUCKLEY, IL | COMPUTERS/ROSETTA STONE | $7,000 |
| CISSNA PARK CHURCH FOOD PANTRY CISSNA PARK, IL | FOOD FOR AREA RESIDENTS | $2,500 |
| CLIFTON FOOD PANTRY CLIFTON, IL | FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES FOR CLIE | $2,500 |
| COUNTRY THEATER WORKSHOP CISSNA PARK, IL | REPLACE WIRELESS MICROPHONES | $1,000 |
| CRESCENT IROQUOIS BOOSTERS CRESCENT CITY, IL | K-5 LIBRARY | $2,000 |
| DANFORTH TWP COMM BLDG DANFORTH, IL | REPLACE CHAIRS/UPGRADE GYM | $5,000 |
| DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP PARK DIS GILMAN, IL | BACK STOP FENCING MANN PARK | $16,905 |
| FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH FOOD WATSEKA, IL | FOOD FROM FOODBANK | $2,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The Mary Helen Roberts Trust is administered by First Trust & Savings Bank, which serves as trustee. The bank's trust professionals manage the foundation's charitable contributions, asset management, and grantmaking operations.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIRST TRUST SAVINGS BANK | TRUSTEE | — | $32,065 |
Contact Information
Address: PO Box 160, 120 E Walnut Street Watseka, IL 60970-0160
Phone: 815-432-2494
EIN: 46-6985483
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Mary Helen Roberts Trust fund?
The trust's primary purpose is to fund charitable projects including: • Summer reading programs • Vacation bible school • Infrastructure improvements (tuck pointing and brick replacement) • Track area lighting • Educational programs and STEM kits • Community recreation and youth programs
How do I apply for a grant from Mary Helen Roberts Trust?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 33 grants in 2024 • Total giving in 2024: $197,086 • Grant range: $1,000–$50,000 • Median grant size: $3,000 • Average grant amount varies by year **Recent Grants (2024):** • Onarga Historical Society: $5,000 (Lower Level Floor Repairs) • Gilman Old Boys and Girls Association: $4,000 (Rent Stages for 2025 Event) • Summer in the Park: $4,000 (Summer in Park Program) • Iroquois County Community Unit School District 9 Academic Foundation: $1,500 (Purchase 230 Chromebook …
Where does Mary Helen Roberts Trust make grants?
The trust primarily funds organizations in Illinois and Nebraska, with a strong emphasis on the local Watseka, Illinois area and surrounding Iroquois County communities.
What size grants does Mary Helen Roberts Trust award?
In 2024, Mary Helen Roberts Trust awarded 37 grants totaling $197K — an average of about $5K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Mary Helen Roberts Trust's EIN?
Mary Helen Roberts Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-6985483. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Mary Helen Roberts Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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