Robin and Sandy Stuart Foundation
The Robin and Sandy Stuart Foundation is a private family foundation based in Lake Forest, Illinois. Established in 2017, it is named for and directed by Alexander "Sandy" Stuart and Ann Peake "Robin" Stuart. The foundation operates as a left-of-center grantmaking organization focused on supporting various charitable initiatives.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.3M
+12.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$569K
+20.4% YoY
Grant Count
24
-11.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$24K
+35.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Robin and Sandy Stuart Foundation reported a distributable amount of $130K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation does not have a publicly stated mission statement. However, based on recent grantmaking activity, the foundation supports initiatives in the following areas:
- Education and campus free expression
- Neighborhood entrepreneurship
- General organizational support
- Internship programs
- Philanthropy and volunteerism
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and operates on an invite-only basis.
Grant Range
$1,000 to $75,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Illinois, South Carolina, and Wyoming.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $1,260,096
- Total revenues: $1,095,985
- Total expenses: $648,319
- Giving rate: 45.2% of assets
As of 2023:
- Total assets: $1,183,339
- Total revenues: $552,673
- Total expenses: $544,644
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,260,096 | $1,120,593 | $1,183,339 |
| Revenue | $1,095,985 | $694,866 | $552,673 |
| Expenses | $648,319 | $547,144 | $544,644 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $602,542 | $510,172 | $432,571 |
| Net Investment Income | $312,062 | $363,056 | $148,473 |
| Distributable Amount | $129,956 | $127,582 | $126,128 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
115 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Heterodox Academy ($75,000), Council of Independent Colleges ($50,000), Ragdale Foundation ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Episcopal Church of Nashville Nashville, TN | General Support | $35,000 |
| Millennium Park Foundation Chicago, IL | General Support | $10,000 |
| Buffalo Bill Center of the West Cody, WY | General Support | $10,000 |
| Foundation for Individual Rights in Education Philadelphia, PA | General Support | $40,000 |
| Gorton Community Center Lake Forest, IL | General Support | $20,000 |
| Heterodox Academy New York, NY | General Support | $75,000 |
| James Madison Program Princeton, NJ | General Support | $40,000 |
| Savannah Music Festival Savannah, GA | General Support | $25,000 |
| Lake Forest Open Lands Lake Forest, IL | General Support | $6,000 |
| Institute of Politics at University of Chicago chicago, IL | Internship Program | $30,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Alexander "Sandy" Stuart — Co-Director
- Ann Peake "Robin" Stuart — Co-Director
- Teresa Acuna — Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander D Stuart | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| Ann Peake Stuart | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| Teresa Acuna | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 150 N Field Dr Ste 100 Lake Forest, IL 60045
EIN: 81-0839186
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Robin and Sandy Stuart Foundation fund?
The foundation does not have a publicly stated mission statement. However, based on recent grantmaking activity, the foundation supports initiatives in the following areas: • Education and campus free expression • Neighborhood entrepreneurship • General organizational support • Internship programs • Philanthropy and volunteerism
How do I apply for a grant from Robin and Sandy Stuart Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Total annual giving: approximately $569,000 (2024) • Number of grants: 24 grants (2024) • Grant range: $1,000 to $75,000 • Median grant size: $20,000 **Recent Grants (2024):** • Heterodox Academy: $75,000 (General Support) • Council of Independent Colleges (CIC): $50,000 (Campus Free Expression) • Ragdale Foundation: $50,000 (Pledge Payment) **Application Process:** The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and operates on an invite-only basis.
Where does Robin and Sandy Stuart Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Illinois, South Carolina, and Wyoming.
What size grants does Robin and Sandy Stuart Foundation award?
In 2024, Robin and Sandy Stuart Foundation awarded 24 grants totaling $569K — an average of about $24K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Robin and Sandy Stuart Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Robin and Sandy Stuart Foundation reported a distributable amount of $130K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Robin and Sandy Stuart Foundation's EIN?
Robin and Sandy Stuart Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-0839186. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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