The Robert Thomas Bobins Foundation
The Robert Thomas Bobins Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 2007 and based in Chicago, Illinois. Designated as a 501(c)(3) organization, it operates as a family foundation focused on philanthropic giving across the United States.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.8M
-5.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$535K
-17.2% YoY
Grant Count
83
-15.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$6K
-2.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports diverse projects across multiple funding areas, including education, philanthropy and voluntarism, human services, arts, creative writing, historic buildings, and journalism. The foundation does not maintain a specified website or formally published subject areas of focus, but its grant history reflects support for varied initiatives.
Grantmaking
The foundation awarded approximately $534,800 to $646,000 in total giving in recent years. Typical grant awards range from $100 to $75,000. The foundation has demonstrated openness to new applicants, with approximately 12% of new applicants receiving funding.
Ready to take the next step with The Robert Thomas Bobins Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's primary geographic focus includes Illinois, New York, and Wisconsin, though it has supported projects in various locations across the United States.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $2.99 million (as of 2023)
Total Giving: $534,800 to $646,000 (recent years)
Revenue: $248,884 (2023)
Expenses: $683,201 (2023)
Total Liabilities: $0 (2023)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,818,402 | $2,991,016 | $3,388,266 |
| Revenue | $393,099 | $248,884 | $614,150 |
| Expenses | $568,658 | $683,201 | $500,818 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $542,329 | $648,575 | $471,075 |
| Net Investment Income | $272,737 | $226,418 | $588,179 |
| Distributable Amount | $194,943 | $131,159 | $164,857 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is managed by trustees Norman Bobins and Virginia Bobins, both of whom serve without compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| NORMAN BOBINS | TRUSTEE | 10 | — |
| VIRGINIA BOBINS | TRUSTEE | 10 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 209 E Lake Shore Dr # 10e, Chicago, IL 60611-1307
Telephone: 877-829-5500
EIN: 26-1569990
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Green and Blue Foundation
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
—
Grants
3
Total Given
$51K
Above and Beyond Daycare Center
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, IL
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Primo Center for Women & Children
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
$9.7M
Grants
1
Total Given
$35K
Rose Lafferty Educational Fund Xxxxx9006
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
$3.4M
Grants
1
Total Given
$228K
The John Crerar Foundation
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
$991K
Grants
1
Total Given
$35K
Fostering Success
WAYNE, IL
Assets
$38K
Grants
1
Total Given
$2K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Robert Thomas Bobins Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities