Trott Family Philanthropies Inc is a private foundation established in 2021 and based in Chicago, Illinois. The organization serves as the primary philanthropic vehicle for Byron and Tina Trott, who shifted the bulk of their grantmaking from the earlier Trott Family Foundation (established 1996) to this newer entity. The foundation operates with no employees and maintains a low public profile.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$98.1M
+20.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$17.4M
+5.4% YoY
Grant Count
77
+18.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$226K
-11.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Trott Family Philanthropies Inc reported a distributable amount of $5.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation does not maintain a published mission statement. However, their grantmaking priorities focus on:
- Education — particularly rural access to higher education
- Health
- Arts and Culture
- Youth Development
- Community Development — with emphasis on the Chicago area and rural communities
Grantmaking
Grant Range
s:** Grants range from $2,500 to $50,000,000+, with typical awards between $5,000 and $2,000,000.
How to Apply
** The foundation does not maintain a public website and does not accept unsolicited grant applications. Networking is noted as the primary pathway for grantseekers to connect with this funder.
Ready to take the next step with Trott Family Philanthropies Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation has a national focus with particular emphasis on the Chicago area and rural communities throughout the United States.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $81,158,365
- Total Revenue: $14,401,070
- Total Expenses: $17,112,556
- Total Liabilities: $0
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $98,065,371
- Total Giving: $17,417,443
The foundation received an endowment grant of $25,176,597 from the Trott Family Foundation in 2021.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $98,065,371 | $81,158,365 | $83,869,851 |
| Revenue | $35,191,641 | $14,401,070 | $79,523,768 |
| Expenses | $18,285,281 | $17,112,556 | $10,608,551 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $17,896,902 | $16,859,256 | $10,222,948 |
| Net Investment Income | $28,504,221 | $7,593,306 | $23,405,566 |
| Distributable Amount | $5,140,028 | $4,900,183 | $3,419,507 |
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
186 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Scholarship Foundation of St Louis ($1,094,626), National World War II Museum Inc ($1,000,000), Ohio State University Foundation ($1,000,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Overseas Memorial Day Foundation Valhalla, NY | Battle of the Bulge Digital Exhibit, Bastogne | $500,000 |
| Amherst College Amherst, MA | Stars College Network Program | $200,000 |
| Auburn University Auburn, AL | Stars College Network Program | $200,000 |
| Brayden Cole Hinck Foundation Inc Calabasas, CA | Fight For Brayden | $25,000 |
| Brown University Providence, RI | Stars College Network Program | $200,000 |
| California Institute of Technology Pasadena, CA | Stars College Network Program | $200,000 |
| Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OH | Stars College Network Program | $200,000 |
| Center Strategic International Studies Washington, DC | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $100,000 |
| Colby College Waterville, ME | Stars College Network Program | $200,000 |
| Columbia University New York, NY | Stars College Network Program | $200,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Byron Trott — Founder and primary philanthropist. He is the founder, chairman, and co-CEO of BDT & MSD Partners, a Chicago-based merchant bank serving ultra-wealthy families and family-owned businesses. He holds a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business and an MBA from the University of Chicago (1982). He previously worked at Goldman Sachs before founding BDT Capital Partners in 2009.
Tina Trott — Co-founder and philanthropist alongside Byron Trott.
Both Byron and Tina are first-generation college graduates from small towns with modest backgrounds. Byron grew up in Union, Missouri, where his father worked as a line repairman and his mother sold Avon products. The couple joined The Giving Pledge in January 2021, committing to give away the majority of their wealth.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KIMBETH COVENTRY | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | — | $281,111 |
| BYRON TROTT | PRESIDENT | — | — |
| MEGAN TROTT | SECRETARY | — | — |
| DAVID TROTT | TREASURER | — | — |
| TINA TROTT | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| ABBY TROTT | DIRECTOR | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**STARS College Network Initiative:** The Trotts' most significant recent philanthropic commitment is the STARS College Network, to which they pledged $150 million over ten years (2023-2024). This initiative aims to help students from small towns and rural communities access and succeed at elite colleges and universities.
$150 million new gift for rural recruitment from philanthropists Byron and\The foundation's grantmaking represents a strategic shift toward addressing educational access and opportunity for underserved rural populations, reflecting the founders' personal backgrounds and values.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Trott Family Philanthropies Inc fund?
The foundation does not maintain a published mission statement. However, their grantmaking priorities focus on: • **Education** — particularly rural access to higher education • **Health** • **Arts and Culture** • **Youth Development** • **Community Development** — with emphasis on the Chicago area and rural communities
How do I apply for a grant from Trott Family Philanthropies Inc?
**Grant Sizes:** Grants range from $2,500 to $50,000,000+, with typical awards between $5,000 and $2,000,000. **Recent Activity:** In 2023, the foundation distributed approximately $16.5 million across 63 grants. Notable 2023 grants included: • Conservation International: $2,000,000 (Spend Down Fund 2.0) • The Ohio State University: $1,000,000 (Schumaker Sports Center) • National WWII Museum: $1,000,000 (David W. Trott Liberation Pavilion) **Application Process:** The foundation does not mainta…
Where does Trott Family Philanthropies Inc make grants?
The foundation has a national focus with particular emphasis on the Chicago area and rural communities throughout the United States.
What size grants does Trott Family Philanthropies Inc award?
In 2024, Trott Family Philanthropies Inc awarded 77 grants totaling $17.4M — an average of about $226K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Trott Family Philanthropies Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Trott Family Philanthropies Inc reported a distributable amount of $5.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Trott Family Philanthropies Inc's EIN?
Trott Family Philanthropies Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 85-3003942. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Trott Family Philanthropies Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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
RHS Foundation
MOLINE, IL
Assets
$1.1M
Grants
37
Total Given
$342K
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
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Trott Family Philanthropies Inc 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
Go from researching Trott Family Philanthropies Inc to a real strategy.