Robert and Penelope Steiner Family
Robert and Penelope Steiner Family is a private foundation, based in Chicago, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $317K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 7 grants totaling $2.3M. Net investment income was $2K.
Robert and Penelope Steiner Family at a glance
In short: Robert and Penelope Steiner Family gave $2.3M across 7 grants in 2025 (avg $335K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,344,000
- -10.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 7
- -22.2% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $334,857
- +15.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $200,000
- Total assets
- $316,651
- +17.1% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Illinois (97% 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 Robert and Penelope Steiner Family funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Lyric Opera of Chicago ($1.0M). Together the top 7 received $2.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
37 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 13 grants of 37 (35%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
Cities
How Robert and Penelope Steiner Family gives
- Giving grew 51% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out well above 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.5M (2023) to $2.6M (2024). In 2025 it made 7 grants totaling $2.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lyric Opera of Chicago Chicago, IL | General Fund | $1,000,000 |
| Art Institute of Chicago Chicago, IL | General Fund | $500,000 |
| Chicago International Film Festival Inc Cinema-Chicago Chicago, IL | General Fund | $475,000 |
| The Joffrey Ballet Chicago, IL | General Fund | $200,000 |
| United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Washington, DC | General Fund | $69,000 |
| Grant Park Music Festival Chicago, IL | General Fund | $50,000 |
| Newberry Library Chicago, IL | General Fund | $50,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $316,651 | $2,402,382 | $2,356,235 | $2,344,000 | 7 | $2,356,215 | $2,382 | $24,996 |
| 2024 | $270,498 | $2,002,166 | $2,629,065 | $2,619,000 | 9 | $2,629,065 | $430 | $25,862 |
| 2023 | $897,397 | $2,000,313 | $1,560,546 | $1,544,000 | 12 | $1,560,546 | $313 | $41,476 |
| 2022 | $457,629 | $2,000,178 | $1,602,401 | $1,550,000 | 8 | $1,577,401 | $178 | $30,150 |
| 2021 | $59,852 | $2,787,632 | $2,009,754 | $2,000,000 | 1 | $2,009,414 | $720,804 | — |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Robert and Penelope Steiner Family reported a distributable amount of $25K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Robert and Penelope Steiner Family's 2025 filing lists 6 officers; none of the 6 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Charles L. Edwards
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Hess
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nicole Steiner
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Penelope Steiner
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert M. Steiner Jr.
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Suzanne Jessup
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Robert and Penelope Steiner Family
How much does Robert and Penelope Steiner Family give each year?
Robert and Penelope Steiner Family gave $2.3M across 7 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $2.6M across 9 grants.
What is Robert and Penelope Steiner Family's typical grant size?
Robert and Penelope Steiner Family's median grant in 2025 was $200,000, and its average grant was $334,857, across 7 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Robert and Penelope Steiner Family give grants?
Robert and Penelope Steiner Family gives mostly in Illinois: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (6 grants).
Does Robert and Penelope Steiner Family give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Robert and Penelope Steiner Family's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (7 of 7) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Robert and Penelope Steiner Family's largest grantees?
Robert and Penelope Steiner Family's largest 2025 grantees include Lyric Opera of Chicago ($1,000,000), Art Institute of Chicago ($500,000) and Chicago International Film Festival Inc Cinema-Chicago ($475,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 84% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Robert and Penelope Steiner Family?
Robert and Penelope Steiner Family reported $317K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $25K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Robert and Penelope Steiner Family's EIN?
Robert and Penelope Steiner Family's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-1791008. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 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 2021 (received by the IRS February 28, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS September 6, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 26, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 10, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Live grants for the work Robert and Penelope Steiner Family funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Robert and Penelope Steiner Family's focus areas in our free grants database
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