Trillium Foundation
Trillium Foundation is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois. Its 2025 filing reports grants to charitable organizations, all of which went to recipients in Illinois.
Trillium Foundation at a glance
In short: Trillium Foundation gave $83K across 14 grants in 2025 (avg $6K), mostly in Illinois. 0% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $82,500
- +3.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 14
- +7.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $5,893
- -3.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $6,250
- Total assets
- $428,546
- -10.5% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 14, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (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. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Trillium Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 300 S Wacker Drive Suite 1500, Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (312) 238-8772
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Trillium Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Community Partners for Affordable Housing ($10K). Together the top 10 received $76K.
Grant Size Distribution
71 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 71 grants of 71 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars reported for 2025 went to recipients in Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Trillium Foundation open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 0 of 14 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. With only 14 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. How we count
- 93% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+3%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 317% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $78K (2023) to $185K (2021). In 2025 it made 14 grants totaling $83K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community Partners for Affordable Housing Libertyville, IL | General Operating Purposes | $10,000 |
| Urban Gateways Chicago, IL | General Operating Purposes | $10,000 |
| Family Focus Inc Chicago, IL | General Operating Purposes | $9,000 |
| Fenix Health Center Inc Highland, IL | General Operating Purposes | $8,000 |
| Rotary Club of Highland Parkhighwood Highland Park, IL | General Operating Purposes | $8,000 |
| Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center Gurnee, IL | General Operating Purposes | $8,000 |
| Highland Park Community Nursery School Highland Park, IL | General Operting Purposes | $7,500 |
| Chicago Botanic Garden Glencoe, IL | General Operating Purposes | $5,000 |
| Ravinia Festival Assoc Highland Park, IL | General Operating Services | $5,000 |
| North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic Highland Park, IL | General Operating Services | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Trillium Foundation?
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 | $428,546 | $70,313 | $104,381 | $82,500 | 14 | $93,353 | $59,286 | $29,408 |
| 2024 | $478,572 | $65,357 | $101,972 | $79,500 | 13 | $90,467 | $53,852 | $31,281 |
| 2023 | $515,728 | $30,143 | $95,393 | $78,000 | 14 | $87,156 | $24,407 | $34,629 |
| 2022 | $582,709 | $102,033 | $94,274 | $80,000 | 13 | $89,489 | $98,890 | $37,632 |
| 2021 | $567,010 | $809,511 | $204,935 | $184,500 | 17 | $197,573 | $117,930 | $26,595 |
| 2020 | $200,855 | $4,381 | $29,285 | — | — | — | $12,539 | $12,537 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Trillium Foundation reported a distributable amount of $29K 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
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grantees include organizations whose stated missions involve arts experiences for young people, family and child services, support for survivors of sexual abuse, early childhood education, free legal services, and services for children, adults, and families.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 14 grants totaling $82,500. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $10,000, with a median of $6,250. Examples include $10,000 to Urban Gateways, $9,000 to Family Focus, $8,000 to Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center, $7,500 to Highland Park Community Nursery School, $5,000 to North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic, and $2,500 to Jewish Child and Family Services. The filing lists the purposes of these grants as general operating support or services.
The grantees describe their work in their own words: Urban Gateways says it engages young people in arts experiences to inspire creativity and impact social change; Family Focus says it strengthens families and children through community-based education and social service programs; and Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center says it supports survivors’ healing and mobilizes the community to end sexual violence. Highland Park Community Nursery School describes its work as providing an environment for preschool- and kindergarten-age children’s development. North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic says it provides free legal services in domestic violence, housing, and immigration. Jewish Child and Family Services describes programs supporting the wellbeing of children, teens, adults, and families.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Janet Lubetkin as president and Robert Kaufman as treasurer. It lists Carol Govern, James Brusslan, Andrew Lubetkin, and Michael Govern as directors.
Trillium Foundation is led by Janet Lubetkin, President since 2021 (on filings since 2020); 2 of 6 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Janet Lubetkin
President
Director → President, 2021
On filings since 2020
$3K (2021) → $3K (2025)
James Brusslan
Director
On filings since 2020
$3K (2021) → $3K (2025)
Andrew Lubetkin
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Carol Govern
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Michael Govern
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Robert Kaufman
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Carol Brusslan (2020) — President
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 $3K, to Janet Lubetkin (President). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Trillium Foundation
How much does Trillium Foundation give each year?
Trillium Foundation gave $83K across 14 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $80K across 13 grants.
What is Trillium Foundation's typical grant size?
Trillium Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $6,250, and its average grant was $5,893, across 14 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Trillium Foundation give grants?
Trillium Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Highland Park, IL (6 grants) and Chicago, IL (3 grants).
Does Trillium Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Trillium Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (14 of 14) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Trillium Foundation's largest grantees?
Trillium Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Community Partners for Affordable Housing ($10,000), Urban Gateways ($10,000) and Family Focus Inc ($9,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 35% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Trillium Foundation?
Trillium Foundation reported $429K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $93K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $29K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Trillium Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Trillium Foundation?
The foundation states that it 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 ↑
What is Trillium Foundation's EIN?
Trillium Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-4184470. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Trillium Foundation 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
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 26, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 9, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 29, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 7, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 22, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Trillium Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
First Bank Chicago Foundation
Highland Park, IL
The foundation supports charitable, educational, religious, and scientific organizations, with grants backing areas such as affordable housing, education, health, and community services. It primarily funds Illinois organizations; grants ranged from $50 to $34,690 in 2024, with a median of $1,000. It does not limit giving to preselected organizations, and the profile says to contact Jill Takiff Hirsch; no application form or deadline is specified.
Assets
$17K
Grants
144
Total Given
$452K
United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc
Chicago, IL
United Way of Metropolitan Chicago funds nonprofits addressing basic needs and community priorities such as health care, housing, food assistance, early learning, workforce development, and legal services across greater Chicago, including targeted support for Chicago’s South and West Sides and south suburbs. In 2025, grants ranged from about $5,000 to $2 million, with a median of $25,000. The stated 2026 Impact Grants process was limited to current partners, and the BridgeBuilders application was closed; no open unsolicited application process is stated.
Assets
$48.8M
Grants
331
Total Given
$22.8M
The Lake County Community Foundation
Grayslake, IL
The Lake County Community Foundation funds nonprofits addressing basic needs and improving quality of life for Lake County residents, including work in food access, housing, health care, education, transportation, and legal support. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,500 to $230,829, with a median of $25,500. It accepts letters of inquiry for its Growing Communities grants; food-system and some other grants are by invitation.
Assets
$26.9M
Grants
44
Total Given
$1.5M
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago
Chicago, IL
The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago funds human services, Jewish education and community programs, crisis response, and support for Israel and Jewish communities worldwide, primarily through Chicago-area agencies and initiatives. In 2025, its grants had a median of about $20,000, though awards ranged widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
896
Total Given
$166.6M
Kovler Family Foundation
Chicago, IL
The foundation supports medical care and research, children’s welfare, education, general welfare, and cultural and civic activities, with recent grants concentrated in Illinois and California. Its typical award is $1,000–$5,000, though amounts vary widely. It does not limit giving to preselected organizations and recommends a short written proposal and determination letter.
Assets
$34.6M
Grants
191
Total Given
$5.6M
More similar funders
More Funders in Illinois
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Trillium Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/trillium-foundation-morg_51b80db6680b42ed85d7187e95f53d30
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_364184470_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Trillium Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/trillium-foundation-morg_51b80db6680b42ed85d7187e95f53d30},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Trillium Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Trillium Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?