The John Crerar Foundation
The organization's mission is to provide financial support to the john crerar library (the "library") in the form of grants made not less often than annually. The library is the science, medicine and technology component of the university of chicago library system. Virtually all of the organization's income is used in furtherance of this mission.
The John Crerar Foundation at a glance
In short: The John Crerar Foundation gave $35K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $35K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $35,000
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $35,000
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $35,000
- Total assets
- $1,136,497
- +14.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The John Crerar Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was The University of Chicago FBO the John Crerar Library ($35K).
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 5 grants of 5 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How The John Crerar Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−3%). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $30K (2019) to $36K (2023). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $35K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The University of Chicago FBO the John Crerar Library Chicago, IL | See Form 990, Part III | $35,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,136,497 | $21,375 | $35,000 | $35,000 | 1 | $21,375 |
| 2024 | $991,216 | $13,359 | $35,000 | $35,000 | 1 | $13,359 |
| 2023 | $886,603 | $1,845 | $36,307 | $36,000 | 1 | $1,845 |
| 2022 | $761,816 | $1,617 | $36,220 | $36,000 | 1 | $1,617 |
| 2021 | $1,031,415 | $488,191 | $31,016 | $31,000 | 1 | $488,191 |
| 2020 | $935,247 | $29,395 | $31,030 | $31,000 | 1 | $29,395 |
| 2019 | $969,658 | $31,677 | $30,589 | $30,000 | 1 | $31,677 |
About The John Crerar Foundation
Based on IRS filings
The John Crerar Foundation is a public charity, based in Chicago, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.1M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $35K. Net investment income was $21K.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The John Crerar Foundation is led by Patrick J. Bitterman, President & Director since 2025 (on filings since 2019); none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Patrick J. Bitterman
President & Director
Secretary, Treasurer & Director → President & Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Janice E. Rodgers
Director
President & Director → Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Lowenthal
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bomie Leonard
Secretary & Treasurer Director
New on the 2025 filing
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Vernon Squires (2019–2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 The John Crerar Foundation
How much does The John Crerar Foundation give each year?
The John Crerar Foundation gave $35K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $35K across 1 grant.
How large is The John Crerar Foundation?
The John Crerar Foundation reported $1.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $21K.
Where does The John Crerar Foundation operate?
The John Crerar Foundation has awarded grants in Illinois.
What is The John Crerar Foundation's EIN?
The John Crerar Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3155157. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 6, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
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