Robert G Shaw Family Foundation
The Robert G Shaw Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Lake Forest, Illinois. Its 2024 grants went to charitable organizations including colleges, a church, a theater, and community organizations.
Robert G Shaw Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Robert G Shaw Family Foundation gave $31K across 28 grants in 2024 (avg $1K), top state Illinois. 14% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $30,701
- +4.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 28
- -6.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $1,096
- +12.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $213
- Total assets
- $306,401
- -2.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 14% first-time grantees (4 of 28, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (38% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Robert G Shaw Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 888 Gloucester Crossing, Lake Forest, IL 60045
Phone: (847) 641-6481
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Robert G Shaw Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Carnegie Mellon University ($10K). Together the top 10 received $28K.
Grant Size Distribution
150 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 150 grants of 150 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois (38%), Pennsylvania (33%), Wisconsin (20%), California (7%), and Connecticut (2%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 28 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Robert G Shaw Family Foundation open to new grantees?
14%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 4 of 28 grantees (14%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $141; repeat grants $1K. How we count
Medians: $133 first-time, $250 repeat.
- 79% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 39% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 144% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $22K (2021) to $46K (2020). In 2024 it made 28 grants totaling $31K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| First Presbyterian Church Lake Forest, IL | Unrestricted | $6,700 |
| Beloit College Beloit, WI | Unrestricted | $6,000 |
| Stanford University Stanford, CA | Unrestricted | $2,000 |
| Citadel Theatre Lake Forest, IL | Unrestricted | $750 |
| GPF Foundation Lake Forest, IL | Unrestricted | $600 |
| Ben's Lighthouse Newton, CT | Unrestricted | $500 |
| Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Historical Society Lake Forest, IL | Unrestricted | $450 |
| Chicago Botanical Garden Glencoe, IL | Unrestricted | $361 |
| Faraja Fund Foundation Lake Forest, IL | Unrestricted | $250 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $306,401 | $5,380 | $35,279 | $30,701 | 28 | $30,701 | $22,665 | $21,383 |
| 2023 | $314,476 | $3,367 | $37,956 | $29,351 | 30 | $29,351 | $2,710 | $19,128 |
| 2022 | $346,351 | $3,076 | $36,020 | $25,463 | 34 | $25,463 | — | $19,704 |
| 2021 | $390,089 | $10,273 | $38,659 | $22,115 | 29 | $22,115 | $11,343 | $23,260 |
| 2020 | $409,713 | $8,367 | $52,336 | $45,951 | 29 | — | $2,807 | $20,325 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Robert G Shaw Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $21K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for organizations with varied activities. Carnegie Mellon University describes its work as providing a transformative educational experience for students, while Beloit College emphasizes student learning and public contribution. Citadel Theatre Company says it produces plays and offers arts education programs for the Chicago North Shore area. Other grantees describe work in drug-use awareness and education (GPF Foundation), literacy tutoring for elementary-school children (Reading Power), and education, health care, and physical therapy for children with disabilities in Tanzania (Faraja Fund Foundation).
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 28 grants totaling $30,701. Grant amounts ranged from $100 to $10,000, with a median of $212. The largest grants included $10,000 to Carnegie Mellon University, $6,700 to First Presbyterian Church in Lake Forest, and $6,000 to Beloit College. Other grants included $2,000 to Stanford University, $750 to Citadel Theatre, and $600 to GPF Foundation. The listed grants were designated unrestricted.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Robert G Shaw as president, treasurer, and secretary, and as a director. It also lists Mary H Coan and Suzanne S Bohm as directors.
Robert G Shaw Family Foundation is led by Robert G. Shaw, President, Treasurer, Secretary & Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Robert G. Shaw
President, Treasurer, Secretary & Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary H. Coan
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Suzanne S. Bohm
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 G Shaw Family Foundation
How much does Robert G Shaw Family Foundation give each year?
Robert G Shaw Family Foundation gave $31K across 28 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $29K across 30 grants.
What is Robert G Shaw Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Robert G Shaw Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $213, and its average grant was $1,096, across 28 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Robert G Shaw Family Foundation that year got $141 on average.
Where does Robert G Shaw Family Foundation give grants?
Robert G Shaw Family Foundation's top state is Illinois, with 38% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Pennsylvania (33%) and Wisconsin (20%). The most frequent recipient cities were Lake Forest, IL (10 grants) and Chicago, IL (5 grants).
Does Robert G Shaw Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 93% of Robert G Shaw Family Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (26 of 28) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Robert G Shaw Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Robert G Shaw Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Carnegie Mellon University ($10,000), First Presbyterian Church ($6,700) and Beloit College ($6,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 74% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Robert G Shaw Family Foundation?
Robert G Shaw Family Foundation reported $306K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $31K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $21K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Robert G Shaw Family Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for organizations with varied activities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Robert G Shaw Family Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Robert G Shaw Family Foundation's EIN?
Robert G Shaw Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 35-2205289. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Robert G Shaw Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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