Earl & Brenda Shapiro Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Earl & Brenda Shapiro Foundation is a private foundation in Chicago, Illinois. In tax year 2024 it gave $3.6 million in 17 grants; the typical grant was $100,000 and the largest $2.0 million. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$3.6 million
- Number of grants17
- Typical grant$100,000
- Largest grant$2.0 million
- Assets$22.5 million
- New grantees12%
Giving in 2024 was down from $4.2 million the year before.
12% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, so most of its money goes to organizations it already funds.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $2.5 million | 1 | $28.3 million |
| 2022 | $4.7 million | 1 | $20.0 million |
| 2023 | $4.2 million | 42 | $22.3 million |
| 2024 | $3.6 million | 17 | $22.5 million |
How to apply
Earl & Brenda Shapiro Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
What Earl & Brenda Shapiro Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 8 states, the most to Rhode Island.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | 1 | $2.0 million |
| Illinois | 7 | $514,000 |
| New Jersey | 1 | $500,000 |
| New York | 4 | $315,000 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $100,000 |
| Oregon | 1 | $70,000 |
| Connecticut | 1 | $50,000 |
| Maine | 1 | $5,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Brown University | To support program and operational expenses | $2.0 million |
| The Trustees of Princeton University | To support program and operational expenses | $500,000 |
| University of Chicago - Division Social Science | To support program and operational expenses | $130,000 |
| Steppenwolf Theatre Company | To support program and operational expenses | $125,000 |
| Inside Climate News | To support program and operational expenses | $125,000 |
| Anti-Defamation League | To support program and operational expenses | $100,000 |
| University of Chicago | To support program and operational expenses | $100,000 |
| The Aspen Institute | To support program and operational expenses | $100,000 |
| Nourishing Hope | To support program and operational expenses | $100,000 |
| One World Network of Schools | To support program and operational expenses | $75,000 |
| Wild Salmon Center | To support program and operational expenses | $70,000 |
| Yale School of Architecture | To support program and operational expenses | $50,000 |
| Northwestern Memorial Foundation | To support program and operational expenses | $34,000 |
| Greater Chicago Food Depository | To support program and operational expenses | $15,000 |
| VIA Art Fund | To support program and operational expenses | $15,000 |
| Chicago High School for the Arts | To support program and operational expenses | $10,000 |
| Math4Science | To support program and operational expenses | $5,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Brenda M Shapiro
- Matthew I Shapiro
- Benjamin M Shapiro
- Alexandra E F Shapiro
Questions people ask
Does Earl & Brenda Shapiro Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Earl & Brenda Shapiro Foundation give?
$3.6 million in tax year 2024, across 17 grants, with a typical grant of $100,000.
Who runs Earl & Brenda Shapiro Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists Brenda M Shapiro (President/Director), Matthew I Shapiro (Vice Pres/Secretary/Director), Benjamin M Shapiro (Vice Pres/Treasurer/Director) and Alexandra E F Shapiro (Vice Pres/Director).
What does Earl & Brenda Shapiro Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education and arts and culture.