Seyfarth Shaw Charitable Foundation
The Seyfarth Shaw Charitable Foundation is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois. It supports charitable activities involving the law firm’s attorneys and staff, legal aid organizations with which the firm works, and charities selected by its offices.
Seyfarth Shaw Charitable Foundation at a glance
In short: Seyfarth Shaw Charitable Foundation gave $308K across 120 grants in 2025 (avg $3K), top state New York. 21% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $307,854
- +7.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 120
- +1.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $2,565
- +5.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $2,000
- Total assets
- $15,882
- -20.1% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 21% first-time grantees (25 of 120, 2025)
- Primary geography
- New York (17% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Seyfarth Shaw Charitable Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Its website says Seyfarth attorneys and staff may request funds on behalf of a specific organization.
- Contact
Mailing address: 233 South Wacker Drive 8000, Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (312) 460-5000
Website: https://seyfarth.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Seyfarth Shaw Charitable Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta Inc ($18K). Together the top 10 received $89K.
Grant Size Distribution
560 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 560 grants of 560 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 grant dollars were distributed across recipients in multiple states. The largest shares went to organizations in New York and Washington, DC, at 17% each, followed by Illinois at 15%, Georgia at 14%, and Massachusetts at 10%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 120 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Seyfarth Shaw Charitable Foundation open to new grantees?
21%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 25 of 120 grantees (21%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $3K; repeat grants $3K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $2K repeat.
- 77% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 30% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $201K (2021) to $308K (2025). In 2025 it made 120 grants totaling $308K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta Inc Atlanta, GA | General Charitable Purpose | $17,500 |
| Equal Justice Works Washington, DC | General Charitable Purpose | $15,234 |
| Lawyers Alliance for New York New York, NY | General Charitable Purpose | $15,000 |
| Cradles to Crayons Chicago, IL | General Charitable Purpose | $8,500 |
| Catholic Charities Washington, DC | General Charitable Purpose | $7,500 |
| Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy Charlotte, NC | General Charitable Purpose | $5,000 |
| Children's Burn Foundation Sherman Oaks, CA | General Charitable Purpose | $5,000 |
| Children's Legal Center Chicago, IL | General Charitable Purpose | $5,000 |
| Houston Food Bank Houston, TX | General Charitable Purpose | $5,000 |
| Kids in Need of Defense Washington, DC | General Charitable Purpose | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Seyfarth Shaw Charitable Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $15,882 | $303,000 | $307,999 | $307,854 | 120 | $307,999 | $11,409 |
| 2024 | $19,881 | $305,135 | $286,897 | $286,563 | 118 | $286,593 | $12,837 |
| 2023 | $1,643 | $291,000 | $282,015 | $282,000 | 133 | $282,015 | $6,869 |
| 2022 | $-7,342 | $227,015 | $236,130 | $236,000 | 107 | $236,030 | $4,664 |
| 2021 | $1,773 | $200,000 | $200,515 | $200,500 | 82 | $200,515 | $3,709 |
| 2020 | $2,288 | $232,000 | $223,515 | $223,500 | 72 | — | $7,088 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Seyfarth Shaw Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $11K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to improve the quality of life in its communities and encourage and support its people’s charitable efforts by contributing to charitable organizations in which they personally participate. Its website identifies legal aid partners and office-selected flagship charities as priorities. It also describes donations responding to natural and humanitarian disasters.
The 2025 grants included organizations working in legal services, public service, press freedom, food assistance, and support for children and families. For example, Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta says its mission is to promote and provide volunteer legal services for nonprofit agencies serving poor and disadvantaged communities in the greater Atlanta region. Equal Justice Works says it creates opportunities for lawyers to pursue public service. Lawyers Alliance for New York describes itself as a provider of business law and transactional legal services to nonprofit organizations improving quality of life in New York City neighborhoods. Children’s Legal Center says it provides free, trauma-informed immigration legal and wrap-around services to children and families who have experienced victimization.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation awarded 120 grants totaling $307,854. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $17,500, with a median grant of $2,000. Its largest grants included $17,500 to Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta, $15,234 to Equal Justice Works, and $15,000 to Lawyers Alliance for New York. Other listed grants included $8,500 to Cradles to Crayons in Chicago and $7,500 to Catholic Charities in Washington, DC. The filing lists the purposes of these grants as general charitable purpose.
The foundation’s website says all Seyfarthians are welcome and encouraged to request funds on behalf of a specific organization, but that the foundation does not accept solicitations from outside the firm. Its 2025 filing states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Christa Dommers as president; Randell Montellaro as secretary/treasurer; William Prickett as vice president; and Kathleen Cahill-Slaught, Ingrid Manevitz, Alex Drummond, Whitney Schmidt, and Joan K. Larkin as directors.
Seyfarth Shaw Charitable Foundation is led by Christa Dommers, President since 2025 (on filings since 2020); none of the 8 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Christa Dommers
President
Director → Vice President, 2022
Vice President → President, 2025
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joan K. Larkin
Director
Director & President → President, 2024
President → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kathleen Cahill-Slaught
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alex Drummond
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Whitney Schmidt
Director
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ingrid Manevitz
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Randell Montellaro
Secretary & Treasurer
Director, Secretary & Treasurer → Secretary & Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William Prickett
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Jennifer Kraft (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Luke Edwards (2020) — Director
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 Seyfarth Shaw Charitable Foundation
How much does Seyfarth Shaw Charitable Foundation give each year?
Seyfarth Shaw Charitable Foundation gave $308K across 120 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $287K across 118 grants.
What is Seyfarth Shaw Charitable Foundation's typical grant size?
Seyfarth Shaw Charitable Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $2,000, and its average grant was $2,565, across 120 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Seyfarth Shaw Charitable Foundation that year got $3K on average.
Where does Seyfarth Shaw Charitable Foundation give grants?
Seyfarth Shaw Charitable Foundation's top state is New York, with 17% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were District of Columbia (17%) and Illinois (15%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (15 grants), Chicago, IL (14 grants), Atlanta, GA (13 grants) and Washington, DC (12 grants).
Does Seyfarth Shaw Charitable Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Seyfarth Shaw Charitable Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (120 of 120) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Seyfarth Shaw Charitable Foundation's largest grantees?
Seyfarth Shaw Charitable Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta Inc ($17,500), Equal Justice Works ($15,234) and Lawyers Alliance for New York ($15,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 16% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Seyfarth Shaw Charitable Foundation?
Seyfarth Shaw Charitable Foundation reported $16K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $308K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $11K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Seyfarth Shaw Charitable Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to improve the quality of life in its communities and encourage and support its people’s charitable efforts by contributing to charitable organizations in which they personally participate. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Seyfarth Shaw Charitable Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Seyfarth Shaw Charitable Foundation's EIN?
Seyfarth Shaw Charitable Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-1076114. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Seyfarth Shaw Charitable 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Seyfarth Shaw Charitable Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Seyfarth Shaw Charitable Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/seyfarth-shaw-charitable-foundation-morg_a82d2c17181d43698bcb782051428dfb
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_201076114_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Seyfarth Shaw Charitable Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/seyfarth-shaw-charitable-foundation-morg_a82d2c17181d43698bcb782051428dfb},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Seyfarth Shaw Charitable Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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