Ruth Oliver Secord Perpetual Charitable Trust
The Ruth Oliver Secord Perpetual Charitable Trust is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois. It supports charitable organizations through grants; its 2025 grants went to organizations in Illinois.
Key facts about Ruth Oliver Secord Perpetual Charitable Trust
In short: Ruth Oliver Secord Perpetual Charitable Trust gave $296K across 22 grants in 2026 (avg $13K), mostly in Illinois. 5% of 2026 grantees were new. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 45-2684146
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2026
- Annual giving (2026)
- $295,920
- Grants made (2026)
- 22
- Average grant
- $13,451
- Median grant
- $10,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 5% first-time grantees (1 of 22, 2026)
- Total assets
- $4,495,198
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The trust makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2026; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2026 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.5M
+3.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$296K
+16.7% YoY
Grant Count
22
+4.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$13K
+11.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ruth Oliver Secord Perpetual Charitable Trust reported a distributable amount of $376K for 2026 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Ruth Oliver Secord Perpetual Charitable Trust open to new grantees?
5%
first-time grantees, 2026
In 2026, 1 of 22 grantees (5%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $3K; repeat grants $14K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $13K repeat.
- 95% of 2026 grantees were also funded in 2025. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2023 to 2026 (−10%). Method
- In 2026 it paid out 95% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2026). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the trust is provided. Its grantees include organizations working in community planning, conservation, education, arts, food assistance, and services addressing domestic violence. For example, Beverly Area Planning Association says it serves as a forum for concerns shared by organizations in the Beverly Hills and Morgan Park communities. Friends of the Forest Preserves describes its mission as conserving Cook County’s forest preserves. WINGS Program says it provides housing, integrated services, education, and advocacy to end domestic violence. Morgan Park Academy says it operates a private independent school for preschool through grade 12.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the trust made 21 grants totaling $253,620. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $42,500, with a median grant of $6,000. Notable grants included $42,500 to Trinity United Methodist Church, $31,620 to Washington & Jane Smith Community, $20,000 to Beverly Arts Center, and $15,000 each to Beverly Area Arts Alliance, Beverly Area Planning Association, and three Chicago elementary schools: Kate S Kellogg, Henry R Clissold, and Elizabeth H Sutherland. The listed grant purposes were “GENERAL.”
Ready to take the next step with Ruth Oliver Secord Perpetual Charitable Trust?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars in 2025 went to organizations in Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2026 grant dollars across all 22 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $241K (2021) to $328K (2023). In 2026 it made 22 grants totaling $296K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2026
The largest 2026 recipient was Trinity United Methodist Church ($45K). Together the top 10 received $220K.
Grant Size Distribution
103 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 102 grants of 103 (99%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Trinity United Methodist Church Chicago, IL | General | $45,000 |
| Washington & Jane Smith Community Chicago, IL | General | $42,920 |
| Beverly Arts Center Chicago, IL | General | $25,000 |
| Beverly Area Arts Alliance Chicago, IL | General | $17,500 |
| Maple Morgan Park Community Food Pantry Chicago, IL | General | $15,000 |
| Beverly Area Planning Association Chicago, IL | General | $15,000 |
| Friends of the Forest Preserves Chicago, IL | General | $15,000 |
| Kate S Kellogg Elementary School Chicago, IL | General | $15,000 |
| Henry R Clissold Elementary School Chicago, IL | General | $15,000 |
| Elizabeth H Sutherland Elementary School Chicago, IL | General | $15,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Grant total | Number of grants |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $253,620 | 21 |
| 2024 | $250,290 | 20 |
| 2023 | $328,084 | 19 |
| Metric | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,495,198 | $4,341,276 | $4,435,894 |
| Revenue | $583,828 | $285,612 | $229,168 |
| Expenses | $435,905 | $381,240 | $368,675 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $355,733 | $309,111 | $302,566 |
| Net Investment Income | $504,881 | $212,252 | $156,792 |
| Distributable Amount | $375,696 | $345,411 | $305,896 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 10, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS December 6, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 6, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS June 7, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 9, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS July 8, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Christopher J Berghoff is listed as co-trustee on the 2025 filing.
Ruth Oliver Secord Perpetual Charitable Trust is led by Christopher J. Berghoff, Co-Trustee on every filing since 2020 — the only officer listed, and compensated.
Officers on the 2026 filing
Christopher J. Berghoff
Co-Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$30K (2020) → $45K (2026)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2026. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2026 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2026 filing was $45K, to Christopher J Berghoff (Co-Trustee).
Contact
Mailing address: 10 S Dearborn Il1-0111, Chicago, IL 60603
Phone: (800) 496-2583
Frequently asked questions about Ruth Oliver Secord Perpetual Charitable Trust
How much does Ruth Oliver Secord Perpetual Charitable Trust give each year?
Ruth Oliver Secord Perpetual Charitable Trust gave $296K across 22 grants in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2025 it gave $254K across 21 grants.
What is Ruth Oliver Secord Perpetual Charitable Trust's typical grant size?
Ruth Oliver Secord Perpetual Charitable Trust's median grant in 2026 was $10,000, and its average grant was $13,451, across 22 grants on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Ruth Oliver Secord Perpetual Charitable Trust that year got $3K on average.
Where does Ruth Oliver Secord Perpetual Charitable Trust give grants?
Ruth Oliver Secord Perpetual Charitable Trust gives mostly in Illinois: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (21 grants).
Does Ruth Oliver Secord Perpetual Charitable Trust give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Ruth Oliver Secord Perpetual Charitable Trust's 2026 grants with a stated purpose (22 of 22) were for general or operating support, per its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Ruth Oliver Secord Perpetual Charitable Trust's largest grantees?
Ruth Oliver Secord Perpetual Charitable Trust's largest 2026 grantees include Trinity United Methodist Church ($45,000), Washington & Jane Smith Community ($42,920) and Beverly Arts Center ($25,000), according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 38% of its itemized 2026 grant dollars.
How large is Ruth Oliver Secord Perpetual Charitable Trust?
Ruth Oliver Secord Perpetual Charitable Trust reported $4.5M in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $356K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $376K (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.
What does Ruth Oliver Secord Perpetual Charitable Trust fund?
No mission statement for the trust is provided. Its grantees include organizations working in community planning, conservation, education, arts, food assistance, and services addressing domestic violence. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Ruth Oliver Secord Perpetual Charitable Trust?
The trust makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Ruth Oliver Secord Perpetual Charitable Trust's EIN?
Ruth Oliver Secord Perpetual Charitable Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-2684146. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2026.
Does Ruth Oliver Secord Perpetual Charitable Trust accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Ruth Oliver Secord Perpetual Charitable Trust by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Ruth Oliver Secord Perpetual Charitable Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds nonprofits addressing economic mobility, wealth gaps, and urgent community needs, with priorities including homeownership, small businesses, education, quality jobs, and investment in underinvested communities. Its 2025 itemized grants had a median of $26,500, though awards vary widely; grants generally benefit Chicago-region residents, and the Trust directs applicants to open opportunities but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
John D and Catherine T Macarthur
Chicago, IL
The foundation funds a broad range of work, including journalism, arts, Chicago communities, climate and clean energy, homelessness, human rights, and criminal justice reform. Its 2024 grants had a median of $160,000, with awards ranging from $450 to $21 million; funding is nationwide, with the largest shares going to New York, Illinois, and Washington, D.C. Application rules vary by program: some accept self-nominations or Letters of Inquiry, while others generally do not fund unsolicited proposals.
Assets
$9.3B
Grants
1,086
Total Given
$356.1M
Fulk Family Foundation Inc
Lincoln, NE
Fulk Family Foundation supports charitable organizations that enhance quality of life, especially through education and health in the Midwest; its 2025 grants went primarily to Illinois, Nebraska, and Indiana. Grants ranged from $7,500 to $1.35 million, with a median of $50,000. It made grants by invitation only, did not accept unsolicited requests, and has completed grantmaking and is winding down.
Assets
$24.6M
Grants
111
Total Given
$23.5M
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports nonprofits in health, education, arts, disaster relief, reforestation, hunger relief, and community equity, with an emphasis on organizations actively supported by Enterprise employees and their families. Its reported grants range widely: 2024 giving averaged about $7,700 across 9,499 grants, while the foundation also offers awards of up to $40,000; it supports communities where Enterprise operates worldwide. Unsolicited requests are accepted at any time, but eligible applications must be submitted by an Enterprise team member or their spouse or domestic partner on behalf of a nonprofit they actively support.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
The Clare Foundation
Chicago, IL
The Clare Foundation supports charitable organizations, with recent grants going to youth, domestic-violence services, and community groups. Its 2025 grants ranged from $2,000 to $25,000, with a median of $5,000, and went mainly to Illinois organizations, with some funding in Michigan. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$2.3M
Grants
10
Total Given
$78K
The Allstate Foundation
Northbrook, IL
The Allstate Foundation funds youth empowerment, efforts to prevent and address relationship abuse, nonprofit leadership, and related economic opportunity and equity work. Its 2024 grants ranged from $250 to $2 million, with a median of $1,000, and awards must support work in the United States. It accepts proposals from organizations beyond a preselected list; proposals are reviewed as received.
Assets
—
Grants
2,010
Total Given
$38.0M
Elks National Foundation Inc
Chicago, IL
The Elks National Foundation funds scholarships, youth programs, veterans services, disaster relief, and community projects, primarily through Elks Lodges and state associations in communities across the United States where Elks live and work. Its 2025 grants had a median of $8,500, though amounts varied widely; the listed Beacon and Freedom Grants are limited to Elks Lodges. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$954.1M
Grants
1,536
Total Given
$36.5M
Arie and Ida Crown Memorial
Chicago, IL
Arie and Ida Crown Memorial supports a broad range of organizations, including education, Jewish organizations, and community foundations. Its 2024 grants ranged from $500 to $3 million, with a median of $55,000; 55% of grant dollars went to Illinois, with additional funding in New York, Washington, DC, California, and Minnesota. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
—
Grants
897
Total Given
$115.2M
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago
Chicago, IL
The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan funds human services, education, community programs, Jewish life, and crisis relief in the Chicago area, as well as support for Israel and Jewish communities worldwide. Its 2025 grants ranged from about $5,000 to $27.4 million, with a median of about $20,000. Unsolicited requests are not addressed for the Federation overall; its separate Jewish Women’s Foundation accepts letters of intent, with proposals by invitation only.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
896
Total Given
$166.6M
Greater Chicago Food Depository
Chicago, IL
The Greater Chicago Food Depository funds hunger-relief work, including food distribution and programs serving children, older adults, and other communities in need across Chicago and Cook County, Illinois. In 2025, its 119 grants ranged from $30 to $175,000, with a median of $3,760; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$216.0M
Grants
677
Total Given
$191.2M
More Funders in Illinois
Ruth Oliver Secord Perpetual Charitable Trust down — hundreds of funders to go?