The Gerda L Carlstrom Charitable Trust FBO
The Gerda L Carlstrom Charitable Trust FBO is a private foundation focused on Human Services, based in Chicago, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2026. As of 2026, the organization holds $3.2M in total assets. In 2026, it awarded 1 grant totaling $146K. Net investment income was $229K.
The Gerda L Carlstrom Charitable Trust FBO at a glance
In short: The Gerda L Carlstrom Charitable Trust FBO gave $146K across 1 grant in 2026 (avg $146K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2026)
- $145,748
- +3.7% vs 2025
- Grants made (2026)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2025
- Average grant
- $145,748
- +3.7% vs 2025
- Median grant
- $145,748
- Total assets
- $3,160,125
- +1.6% vs 2025
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2026; updated September 2026.
Who The Gerda L Carlstrom Charitable Trust FBO funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2026
The largest 2026 recipient was The Salvation Army ($146K).
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 5 grants of 5 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2026 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How The Gerda L Carlstrom Charitable Trust FBO gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2023 to 2026 (+7%). Method
- In 2026 it paid out 93% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $134K (2021) to $178K (2022). In 2026 it made 1 grant totaling $146K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Salvation Army Hoffman Estates, IL | General Support | $145,748 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $3,160,125 | $241,371 | $190,457 | $145,748 | 1 | $177,308 | $229,377 | $190,354 |
| 2025 | $3,109,169 | $146,506 | $186,453 | $140,550 | 1 | $169,955 | $134,887 | $178,453 |
| 2024 | $3,149,049 | $379,113 | $199,416 | $158,666 | 1 | $183,952 | $363,293 | $159,558 |
| 2023 | $2,969,891 | $89,338 | $187,509 | $136,825 | 1 | $162,617 | $69,460 | $164,295 |
| 2022 | $3,069,444 | $286,752 | $233,692 | $177,696 | 1 | $207,003 | $226,229 | $221,450 |
| 2021 | $3,017,202 | $154,112 | $189,064 | $133,961 | 1 | — | $131,133 | $167,085 |
| 2020 | $3,052,726 | $577,569 | $177,873 | $135,679 | 1 | — | $560,977 | $159,661 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Gerda L Carlstrom Charitable Trust FBO reported a distributable amount of $190K for 2026 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Gerda L Carlstrom Charitable Trust FBO's 2026 filing lists 2 officers; 1 of 2 officers listed in 2026 is compensated.
Officers on the 2026 filing
Northern Trust Company
Co-Trustee
Trustee → Co-Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$39K (2020) → $41K (2026)
Bramwell Higgins Salvation Army
Co-Trustee
On filings since 2025
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: The Salvation Army (2020–2024) — Co-Trustee
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 $41K, to Northern Trust Company (Co-Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about The Gerda L Carlstrom Charitable Trust FBO
How much does The Gerda L Carlstrom Charitable Trust FBO give each year?
The Gerda L Carlstrom Charitable Trust FBO gave $146K across 1 grant in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2025 it gave $141K across 1 grant.
How large is The Gerda L Carlstrom Charitable Trust FBO?
The Gerda L Carlstrom Charitable Trust FBO reported $3.2M in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $177K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $190K (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 is The Gerda L Carlstrom Charitable Trust FBO?
The Gerda L Carlstrom Charitable Trust FBO is a private foundation focused on Human Services, based in Chicago, IL. It holds $3.2M in total assets as of 2026.
Where does The Gerda L Carlstrom Charitable Trust FBO operate?
The Gerda L Carlstrom Charitable Trust FBO has awarded grants in Illinois.
What is The Gerda L Carlstrom Charitable Trust FBO's EIN?
The Gerda L Carlstrom Charitable Trust FBO's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-7242830. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2026.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 12, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS December 1, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS December 1, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 1, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 7, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 13, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS August 10, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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