Robert Swanson and Cynthia Shevlin Charitable
Robert Swanson and Cynthia Shevlin Charitable is a private foundation, based in Po Box Chica, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.2M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 9 grants totaling $180K. Net investment income was $98K.
Robert Swanson and Cynthia Shevlin Charitable at a glance
In short: Robert Swanson and Cynthia Shevlin Charitable gave $180K across 9 grants in 2025 (avg $20K), mostly in Arizona. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $180,000
- -5.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 9
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $20,000
- -5.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $1,158,393
- -7.0% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Arizona (53% 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 Swanson and Cynthia Shevlin Charitable funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Project Zawadi Inc ($30K). Together the top 9 received $180K.
Grant Size Distribution
21 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 18 grants of 21 (86%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 9 itemized grants.
Cities
How Robert Swanson and Cynthia Shevlin Charitable gives
- Giving fell 20% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 238% of 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $90K (2021) to $530K (2023). In 2025 it made 9 grants totaling $180K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Project Zawadi Inc Saint Paul, MN | Generalsupport | $30,000 |
| Daystar US Bloomington, MN | General Support | $30,000 |
| Musical Instrument Museum Phoenix, AZ | General Support | $25,000 |
| Arizona Musicfest Scottsdale, AZ | General Support | $25,000 |
| The Phoenix Symphony Phoenix, AZ | General Support | $25,000 |
| The Marvelwood School Kent, CT | General Support | $15,000 |
| Arizona Community Foundation Sierra Vista, AZ | General Support | $10,000 |
| Scottsdale Arts Scottsdale, AZ | General Support | $10,000 |
| Santa Barbara Museum of Art Santa Barbara, CA | General Support | $10,000 |
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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 | $1,158,393 | $101,282 | $188,616 | $180,000 | 9 | $186,112 | $97,806 | $78,322 |
| 2024 | $1,245,055 | $74,694 | $201,533 | $190,000 | 9 | $197,081 | $71,238 | $78,495 |
| 2023 | $1,372,487 | $199,093 | $548,487 | $530,000 | 1 | $537,467 | $195,170 | $79,090 |
| 2022 | $1,722,007 | $319,119 | $242,977 | $225,000 | 1 | $233,719 | $310,696 | $97,850 |
| 2021 | $1,645,865 | $642,169 | $101,923 | $90,000 | 1 | — | $132,054 | $90,995 |
| 2020 | $1,456,962 | $154,568 | $257,612 | $245,000 | 1 | — | $149,178 | $81,771 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Robert Swanson and Cynthia Shevlin Charitable reported a distributable amount of $78K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Robert Swanson and Cynthia Shevlin Charitable is led by Cynthia J. Shevlin, Trustee on every filing since 2020 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Cynthia J. Shevlin
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Robert O. Swanson (2020–2022) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 Swanson and Cynthia Shevlin Charitable
How much does Robert Swanson and Cynthia Shevlin Charitable give each year?
Robert Swanson and Cynthia Shevlin Charitable gave $180K across 9 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $190K across 9 grants.
What is Robert Swanson and Cynthia Shevlin Charitable's typical grant size?
Robert Swanson and Cynthia Shevlin Charitable's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $20,000, across 9 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Robert Swanson and Cynthia Shevlin Charitable give grants?
Robert Swanson and Cynthia Shevlin Charitable gives mostly in Arizona: 53% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Minnesota (33%) and Connecticut (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Phoenix, AZ (2 grants) and Scottsdale, AZ (2 grants).
Does Robert Swanson and Cynthia Shevlin Charitable give general operating support?
Yes: 89% of Robert Swanson and Cynthia Shevlin Charitable's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (8 of 9) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Robert Swanson and Cynthia Shevlin Charitable's largest grantees?
Robert Swanson and Cynthia Shevlin Charitable's largest 2025 grantees include Project Zawadi Inc ($30,000), Daystar US ($30,000) and Musical Instrument Museum ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 47% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Robert Swanson and Cynthia Shevlin Charitable?
Robert Swanson and Cynthia Shevlin Charitable reported $1.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $186K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $78K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Robert Swanson and Cynthia Shevlin Charitable's EIN?
Robert Swanson and Cynthia Shevlin Charitable's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-7237696. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 6, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 8, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS June 6, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS December 19, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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