Rothman Charitable Trust
Preselected recipients only
Rothman Charitable Trust is a private foundation in Chicago, Illinois. In tax year 2025 it gave $30,608 in 43 grants; the typical grant was $200 and the largest $7,500. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$30,608
- Number of grants43
- Typical grant$200
- Largest grant$7,500
- Assets$1.6 million
- New grantees30%
Giving in 2025 was down from $45,001 the year before.
30% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $35,306 | 54 | $1.1 million |
| 2024 | $45,001 | 50 | $1.3 million |
| 2025 | $30,608 | 43 | $1.6 million |
How to apply
Rothman Charitable Trust 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 Rothman Charitable Trust funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 8 states, the most to Illinois.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 19 | $21,438 |
| New York | 15 | $8,279 |
| Ohio | 3 | $375 |
| District of Columbia | 2 | $150 |
| Florida | 1 | $116 |
| Maryland | 1 | $100 |
| Virginia | 1 | $100 |
| California | 1 | $50 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Porchlight Music Theatre | Arts | $7,500 |
| Beth Hillel Bnai Emunah | Religious | $4,850 |
| 54 Below Foundation | Social service | $2,600 |
| H Foundation | Social services | $2,000 |
| American Music Theatre Archives | Arts | $1,250 |
| Wbez | Literary | $1,200 |
| Sarah Siddons Society | Literary | $1,150 |
| ACLU Foundation | Social services | $1,000 |
| Jewish Child & Family Services | Social services | $1,000 |
| Mabel Mercer Foundation | Social services | $700 |
| Adl - Anti Defamation League | Social services | $500 |
| Broadway Cares | Arts | $500 |
| Doctors Without Borders | Medical aid | $500 |
| Fractured Atlas Voices Festival | Arts | $500 |
| Greater Chicago Food Depository | Social services | $500 |
| Grin 2B Foundation | Social services | $500 |
| Refugee One | Social services | $500 |
| WTTW | Literary | $500 |
| Art Institute | Arts | $410 |
| Museum of Science and Industry | Education | $270 |
| WDCB Public Radio | Literary | $270 |
| The Cradle | Social services | $200 |
| Northwestern University | Education | $200 |
| Camp Tavor | Social services | $180 |
| York Theatre | Arts | $150 |
| Frick Museum | Edcation | $130 |
| Chicago History Museum | Education | $120 |
| Naples Botanical Garden | Education | $116 |
| Cleveland Botanical and Holden Forestand Gardens | Education | $115 |
| Jewish Museum | Education | $115 |
| Chicago Jewish Historical Society | Education | $108 |
| Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute | Social services | $100 |
| Friends of the Idf | Social services | $100 |
| Hadassah | Social services | $100 |
| Nature Conservancy | Environmental | $100 |
| NRDC | Social services | $100 |
| Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance | Medical | $100 |
| Metropolitan Museum of Art | Education | $99 |
| Cleveland Aquarium | Educaion | $80 |
| Chicago Sun Times | Literary | $60 |
Officers and trustees
- Joel S Rothman
- Jeri J Rothman
Questions people ask
Does Rothman Charitable Trust accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Rothman Charitable Trust give?
$30,608 in tax year 2025, across 43 grants, with a typical grant of $200.
Who runs Rothman Charitable Trust?
Its 2025 filing lists Joel S Rothman (Co-Trustee) and Jeri J Rothman (Co-Trustee).
What does Rothman Charitable Trust fund?
Based on its grants, mainly arts and culture, human services and faith communities.