The Gene Roman Family Foundation
The Gene Roman Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Mokena, Illinois, that provides financial assistance to people with cancer who face hardship. Founded by Gene and Sandie Roman in 2003, it says it helps with day-to-day living expenses during treatment, often on a one-time emergency basis.
The Gene Roman Family Foundation at a glance
In short: The Gene Roman Family Foundation gave $43K across 229 grants in 2026 (avg $186.41), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2026)
- $42,688
- +79.9% vs 2025
- Grants made (2026)
- 229
- +84.7% vs 2025
- Average grant
- $186
- -2.6% vs 2025
- Median grant
- $200
- Total assets
- $6,293
- +126.8% vs 2025
- Primary geography
- Illinois (99% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2026; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Gene Roman Family Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The filing lists a request for assistance form and a doctor or clinic referral as required materials. Sandra L. Peccia is listed as the contact for applications. Assistance is restricted to cancer patients.
- Contact
Application contact: Sandra L Peccia
Mailing address: 12250 Foxborough Drive, Mokena, IL 60448
Phone: (708) 606-1449
Website: https://www.generoman.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Gene Roman Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2026
The largest 2026 recipient was Gloria Salgado ($369). Together the top 10 received $3K.
Grant Size Distribution
659 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 659 grants of 659 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is based in Mokena, Illinois. In 2026, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois and 1% to recipients in Indiana.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2026 grant dollars across all 229 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Gene Roman Family Foundation gives
- <1% of 2026 grantees were also funded in 2025. Method
- Giving grew 58% from 2023 to 2026. Method
- In 2026 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2026). 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 2021 to 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $15K (2021) to $43K (2026). In 2026 it made 229 grants totaling $43K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Gloria Salgado Chicago, IL | As Determined Bybeneficiary of Grant | $369 |
| Tracey Palmer Chicago, IL | As Determined Bybeneficiary of Grant | $350 |
| Marcia Mondragon Carbajal Woodstock, IL | As Determined Bybeneficiary of Grant | $330 |
| Ariana Gonzalez Lyons, IL | As Determined Bybeneficiary of Grant | $325 |
| Audrey Mikaila Homer Glen, IL | As Determined Bybeneficiary of Grant | $305 |
| Ariana Robles Montgomery, IL | As Determined Bybeneficiary of Grant | $300 |
| Lanier Harper Harvey, IL | As Determined Bybeneficiary of Grant | $300 |
| Keith Coleman Chicago, IL | As Determined Bybeneficiary of Grant | $300 |
| Michelle Powell Michigan City, IN | As Determined Bybeneficiary of Grant | $300 |
| Gloria White Chicago, IL | As Determined Bybeneficiary of Grant | $285 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $6,293 | $49,260 | $45,742 | $42,688 | 229 | $42,688 | $1,411 |
| 2025 | $2,775 | $41,550 | $32,195 | $23,728 | 124 | $23,728 | $1,169 |
| 2024 | $1,676 | $42,315 | $44,422 | $35,748 | 162 | $35,748 | $645 |
| 2023 | $-4,474 | $33,468 | $35,538 | $26,963 | 92 | $26,963 | $620 |
| 2022 | $-2,404 | $20,111 | $36,119 | $28,585 | 52 | $28,585 | $787 |
| 2021 | $13,603 | $22,881 | $17,546 | $15,354 | 41 | — | $843 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Gene Roman Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1K for 2026 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to help people battling cancer who are experiencing financial burdens. It provides assistance to cancer patients for expenses such as rent, mortgage payments, utilities, groceries, and transportation or parking for treatment. Its filing also describes assistance with medical expenses and other items relating to beneficiaries’ well-being. The foundation states that it only provides assistance for cancer patients.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2026, the foundation reported 229 grants totaling $42,688. Grants ranged from $100 to $369, with a median of $200. The largest listed grants included $369 to Gloria Salgado of Chicago, Illinois; $350 to Tracey Palmer of Chicago; and $330 to Marcia Mondragon Carbajal of Woodstock, Illinois. The stated purpose for each of these grants was “as determined by beneficiary of grant.”
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2026 filing lists Sandra L. Peccia as president, secretary, and treasurer; Angela Isbell as vice president; and Cindy Hill, Robert Slovin, Gerry Berzins, and Michele Roman as board members.
The Gene Roman Family Foundation is led by Angela Isbell, V. President on every filing since 2021; none of the 6 officers listed in 2026 report compensation.
Officers on the 2026 filing
Angela Isbell
V. President
On filings since 2021
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sandra L. Peccia
President, Sectr & Treasurer
On filings since 2021
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cindy Hill
Board Member
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gerry Berzins
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michele Roman
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert Slovin
Board Member
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2026. "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 The Gene Roman Family Foundation
How much does The Gene Roman Family Foundation give each year?
The Gene Roman Family Foundation gave $43K across 229 grants in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2025 it gave $24K across 124 grants.
What is The Gene Roman Family Foundation's typical grant size?
The Gene Roman Family Foundation's median grant in 2026 was $200, and its average grant was $186, across 229 grants on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Gene Roman Family Foundation give grants?
The Gene Roman Family Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (135 grants), Oak Lawn, IL (5 grants), Tinley Park, IL (4 grants) and Oak Park, IL (4 grants).
Does The Gene Roman Family Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2026: none of the 229 grants with a stated purpose on The Gene Roman Family Foundation's 2026 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "As Determined Bybeneficiary of Grant" (229 grants).
Who are The Gene Roman Family Foundation's largest grantees?
The Gene Roman Family Foundation's largest 2026 grantees include Gloria Salgado ($369), Tracey Palmer ($350) and Marcia Mondragon Carbajal ($330), according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 2% of its itemized 2026 grant dollars.
How large is The Gene Roman Family Foundation?
The Gene Roman Family Foundation reported $6K in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $43K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Gene Roman Family Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to help people battling cancer who are experiencing financial burdens. It provides assistance to cancer patients for expenses such as rent, mortgage payments, utilities, groceries, and transportation or parking for treatment. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Gene Roman Family Foundation?
The filing lists a request for assistance form and a doctor or clinic referral as required materials. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Gene Roman Family Foundation's EIN?
The Gene Roman Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 30-0177368. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2026.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS June 20, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
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