Robert F Empson Trust
Robert F Empson Trust is a private foundation, based in Clayton, MO. IRS filing data is available from 2022 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $2.0M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 2 grants totaling $128K. Net investment income was $188K.
Robert F Empson Trust at a glance
In short: Robert F Empson Trust gave $128K across 2 grants in 2025 (avg $64K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $128,282
- +10.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 2
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $64,141
- +10.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $64,141
- Total assets
- $1,999,101
- +2.4% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
Who Robert F Empson Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was CDF DBA Carle Ctr for Philanthropy ($64K). Together the top 2 received $128K.
Grant Size Distribution
8 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 8 grants of 8 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Robert F Empson Trust gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−8%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 96% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 2022 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $116K (2024) to $139K (2023). In 2025 it made 2 grants totaling $128K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CDF DBA Carle Ctr for Philanthropy Urbana, IL | General Operations | $64,141 |
| Illinois Wesleyan University Bloomington, IL | General Operations | $64,141 |
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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 | $1,999,101 | $209,479 | $157,728 | $128,282 | 2 | $134,600 | $187,524 | $139,881 |
| 2024 | $1,951,853 | $107,973 | $145,847 | $115,709 | 2 | $120,977 | $86,176 | $133,549 |
| 2023 | $1,993,648 | $112,065 | $165,669 | $138,870 | 2 | $144,018 | $87,946 | $126,402 |
| 2022 | $2,054,404 | $78,005 | $174,142 | $138,870 | 2 | $145,212 | $53,331 | $139,667 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Robert F Empson Trust reported a distributable amount of $140K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Robert F Empson Trust's only listed officer is Commerce Trust Company, Trustee & Tax Preparation on every filing since 2022 (compensated).
Officers on the 2025 filing
Commerce Trust Company
Trustee & Tax Preparation
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$23K (2022) → $25K (2025)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2022–2025. "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 $25K, to Commerce Trust Company (Trustee). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Robert F Empson Trust
How much does Robert F Empson Trust give each year?
Robert F Empson Trust gave $128K across 2 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $116K across 2 grants.
How large is Robert F Empson Trust?
Robert F Empson Trust reported $2.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $135K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $140K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
Where does Robert F Empson Trust operate?
Robert F Empson Trust has awarded grants in Illinois.
What is Robert F Empson Trust's EIN?
Robert F Empson Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 37-6051722. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2022–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS January 29, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 14, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 17, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2022–2025
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