Robert F Smith Charitable Trust
Robert F Smith Charitable Trust is a private foundation, based in Chicago, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2021. In 2021, it awarded 2 grants totaling $1.3M. Net investment income was $397K.
Robert F Smith Charitable Trust at a glance
In short: Robert F Smith Charitable Trust gave $1.3M across 2 grants in 2021 (avg $642K), mostly in Ohio. Source: 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2021)
- $1,284,210
- +3052.7% vs 2020
- Grants made (2021)
- 2
- +0.0% vs 2020
- Average grant
- $642,105
- +3052.7% vs 2020
- Median grant
- $642,105
- Primary geography
- Ohio (80% of itemized 2021 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2021 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2021; updated September 2026.
Who Robert F Smith Charitable Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2021
The largest 2021 recipient was Ohio Wesleyan University ($1.0M). Together the top 2 received $1.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
6 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 4 grants of 6 (67%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2021 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Robert F Smith Charitable Trust gives
- In 2021 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 2019 to 2021, annual grant giving ranged from $41K (2020) to $1.3M (2021). In 2021 it made 2 grants totaling $1.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Wesleyan University Delaware, OH | General | $1,027,368 |
| Connecticut College New London, CT | General | $256,842 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | — | $401,462 | $1,303,395 | $1,284,210 | 2 | $1,293,218 | $396,785 | $30,483 |
| 2020 | $901,931 | $40,803 | $57,002 | $40,734 | 2 | — | $35,714 | $51,716 |
| 2019 | $918,125 | $42,630 | $66,954 | $51,976 | 2 | — | $40,442 | $53,014 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Robert F Smith Charitable Trust reported a distributable amount of $30K for 2021 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Robert F Smith Charitable Trust's only listed officer is Northern Trust Company, Trustee on every filing since 2019 (compensated).
Officers on the 2021 filing
Northern Trust Company
Trustee
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$11K (2019) → $9K (2021)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2021. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2021 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2021 filing was $9K, to Northern Trust Company (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about Robert F Smith Charitable Trust
How much does Robert F Smith Charitable Trust give each year?
Robert F Smith Charitable Trust gave $1.3M across 2 grants in 2021, according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2020 it gave $41K across 2 grants.
Where does Robert F Smith Charitable Trust operate?
Robert F Smith Charitable Trust has awarded grants in Connecticut, Ohio.
How much is Robert F Smith Charitable Trust required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2021, Robert F Smith Charitable Trust reported a distributable amount of $30K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Robert F Smith Charitable Trust's EIN?
Robert F Smith Charitable Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-0321180. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2021.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS April 27, 2020)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2021
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Robert F Smith Charitable Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
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