The Robert and Carol Adams
The Robert and Carol Adams is a private foundation, based in Eden Prairie, MN. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $432K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 6 grants totaling $26K. Net investment income was $20K.
The Robert and Carol Adams at a glance
In short: The Robert and Carol Adams gave $26K across 6 grants in 2025 (avg $4K), top state Illinois. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $26,000
- +8.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 6
- +20.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $4,333
- -9.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $4,063
- Total assets
- $432,380
- +0.4% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Illinois (38% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Robert and Carol Adams funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was American Library Association ($7K). Together the top 6 received $26K.
Grant Size Distribution
19 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 19 grants of 19 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Robert and Carol Adams gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−7%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 99% 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $21K (2020) to $28K (2022). In 2025 it made 6 grants totaling $26K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Library Association Chicago, IL | General Purpose | $6,500 |
| American Chemical Society Washintgton, DC | General Purpose | $4,875 |
| Unbound Now Houston Pearland, TX | General Purpose | $4,875 |
| World Central Kitchen Washington, DC | General Purpose | $3,250 |
| Best Christmas Ever Cloquet, MN | General Purpose | $3,250 |
| Feeding America Chicago, IL | Gneral Purpose | $3,250 |
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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 | $432,380 | $32,704 | $31,168 | $26,000 | 6 | $26,000 | $20,044 | $26,202 |
| 2024 | $430,756 | $32,045 | $27,505 | $24,000 | 5 | $24,000 | $17,966 | $23,933 |
| 2023 | $426,168 | $18,667 | $29,327 | $25,000 | 4 | $25,000 | $15,435 | $23,800 |
| 2022 | $436,780 | $19,318 | $32,542 | $28,000 | 2 | $28,000 | $17,902 | $25,667 |
| 2021 | $450,142 | $24,734 | $29,752 | $24,000 | 2 | $24,000 | $15,275 | $24,637 |
| 2020 | $455,107 | $4,696 | $25,777 | $21,000 | 7 | — | $12,622 | $24,674 |
| 2019 | $476,166 | $65,359 | $34,869 | $25,000 | 8 | — | $19,061 | $25,616 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Robert and Carol Adams reported a distributable amount of $26K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Robert and Carol Adams's 2025 filing lists 8 officers; none of the 8 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Andrew Edstrom
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Carl A. Adams
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Evaline Boersma
Director
Treasurer → Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
John W. Adams
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Julie Hawkins
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
William M. Adams
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Thomas C. Adams
Director
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Katherine Soens Adams
Treasurer
New on the 2025 filing
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Katherine Soens-Adams (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Margaret I. Adams (2019–2023) — 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 Robert and Carol Adams
How much does The Robert and Carol Adams give each year?
The Robert and Carol Adams gave $26K across 6 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $24K across 5 grants.
What is The Robert and Carol Adams's typical grant size?
The Robert and Carol Adams's median grant in 2025 was $4,063, and its average grant was $4,333, across 6 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Robert and Carol Adams give grants?
The Robert and Carol Adams's top state is Illinois, with 38% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were District of Columbia (31%) and Texas (19%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (2 grants).
Does The Robert and Carol Adams give general operating support?
Yes: 83% of The Robert and Carol Adams's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 6) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Robert and Carol Adams's largest grantees?
The Robert and Carol Adams's largest 2025 grantees include American Library Association ($6,500), American Chemical Society ($4,875) and Unbound Now Houston ($4,875), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 63% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Robert and Carol Adams?
The Robert and Carol Adams reported $432K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $26K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $26K (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 Robert and Carol Adams's EIN?
The Robert and Carol Adams's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1874410. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
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 2019 (received by the IRS June 1, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 17, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 7, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
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