The Richard and Margaret Romano
The Richard and Margaret Romano is a private foundation based in Evanston, Illinois. Its website says the Trust supports individuals and organizations working to create positive change, strengthen communities, encourage innovation, and help ideas grow into lasting change.
The Richard and Margaret Romano at a glance
In short: The Richard and Margaret Romano gave $1.9M across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $1.9M), mostly in Florida. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,936,500
- +93.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $1,936,500
- +93.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,936,500
- Total assets
- $6,798,796
- +0.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Florida (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Richard and Margaret Romano
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: One Rotary Center Suite 1300, Evanston, IL 60201
Phone: (847) 866-7700
Website: https://romanocharity.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Richard and Margaret Romano funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Schwab Charitable Fund ($1.9M).
Grant Size Distribution
39 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 33 grants of 39 (85%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 filing reports that 100% of grant dollars went to a recipient in Florida. This describes that year’s reported grant distribution; no broader geographic focus is stated.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How The Richard and Margaret Romano gives
- Giving grew 280% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 408% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $187K (2020) to $1.9M (2025). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $1.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Schwab Charitable Fund Orlando, FL | Donor-Advised Fund | $1,936,500 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $6,798,796 | $2,625,294 | $2,030,373 | $1,936,500 | 1 | $1,936,500 | $209,565 | $474,407 |
| 2024 | $6,753,467 | $3,211,223 | $1,062,343 | $1,001,000 | 1 | $1,001,000 | $218,151 | $408,860 |
| 2023 | $5,734,538 | $1,662,669 | $645,606 | $605,150 | 1 | $605,150 | $218,164 | $331,271 |
| 2022 | $5,272,729 | $1,266,574 | $516,734 | $510,000 | 1 | $510,000 | $194,534 | $326,495 |
| 2021 | $4,866,987 | $1,624,539 | $329,259 | $325,766 | 35 | $325,766 | $157,269 | $295,086 |
| 2020 | $3,810,268 | $2,186,377 | $209,750 | $187,183 | 38 | — | $197,518 | $199,617 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Richard and Margaret Romano reported a distributable amount of $474K for 2025 — 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 Trust describes its aim as supporting people and organizations dedicated to meaningful, positive change. Its website highlights LEARN, a network of tuition-free college-preparatory public elementary schools open to all students. It also describes Shore’s mission as improving the quality of life for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities through educational, residential, and vocational services.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported one grant totaling $1,936,500. The sole grant was to Schwab Charitable Fund in Orlando, Florida, for a donor-advised fund. Thus, the reported grant size for that year was $1,936,500.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists these trustees: Richard C. Romano, James D. Romano, Kathryn R. Mayer, Joseph R. V. Romano, Lou DiBerardino, Valerie Romano, and Mark Baric.
The Richard and Margaret Romano's 2025 filing lists 7 officers; 1 of 7 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Kathryn R. Mayer
Trustee
On filings since 2020
$8K (2023) → $37K (2025)
James D. Romano
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Joseph Rv Romano
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Richard C. Romano
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Lou Diberardino
Trustee
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Valerie Romano
Trustee
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Mark Baric
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Natalie Romano (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Robert S. Mayer (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Vanessa Romano (2020–2023) — Trustee
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $37K, to Kathryn R Mayer (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about The Richard and Margaret Romano
How much does The Richard and Margaret Romano give each year?
The Richard and Margaret Romano gave $1.9M across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.0M across 1 grant.
How large is The Richard and Margaret Romano?
The Richard and Margaret Romano reported $6.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $474K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Richard and Margaret Romano fund?
The Trust describes its aim as supporting people and organizations dedicated to meaningful, positive change. Its website highlights LEARN, a network of tuition-free college-preparatory public elementary schools open to all students. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Richard and Margaret Romano?
The foundation 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 ↑
Where does The Richard and Margaret Romano make grants?
The 2025 filing reports that 100% of grant dollars went to a recipient in Florida. This describes that year’s reported grant distribution; no broader geographic focus is stated.
What is The Richard and Margaret Romano's EIN?
The Richard and Margaret Romano's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 68-6251318. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does The Richard and Margaret Romano 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 September 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 May 8, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Richard and Margaret Romano funds
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