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Shaw Fam Supporting Organization Tr

EIN 54-6587682 · Evanston, IL

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood81 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE FUNDING TO MEET THE NEEDS OF SIX NAMED SUPPORTED ORGS THE FUNDS PROVIDE FUNDING OF REQUESTED NEEDS BY THEM. THUS THE ORGANIZATION IS BEING ATTENTIVE, AND RESPONSIVE

Income
$739,828
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
101.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 68%
Employees
0
Volunteers
5

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 101.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 62% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    3 of 5 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (12)
  1. $718,000 spent. CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO-PROVIDES FUNDING OF THE CATHOLIC CHAPLAIN OF THE SHEIL CENTER. ADDITIONALLY,PROVIDES FUNDS FOR THE SPECIAL AND CAPITAL PROJECTS, AND UNEXPECTED NEEDS OF THE SHEIL CENTER. CATHOLIC CHARTIES FUNDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROGRAM. MISERICORDIA-FUNDING OF DEVELPMENTAL TRAINING. ST THOMAS VILLANOVA, PALATINE, IL-DONATIONS TO ASSIST IN PARISH MINISTRY. CATHOLIC EXTENSION-CONTRIBUTIONS TO ITS MINISTRY ARCHDIOCESE-AS NEEDED SPECIAL PROGRAMS, AND NEEDS
  2. $191,000 spent. NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY, EVANSTON, IL FUNDING SCHOLARSHIPS IN VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY. IN PARTICULAR, FUNDING OF ADVANCED ACEDEMIC DEGREES IN THE SCIENCE OF PLANT BIOLOGY. THE PROGRAM PARTNERS WITH CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN (ALSO A NAMED SUPPORTED ORGANIZATION) ADDITIONAL UNIVERSITY FUNDING ANNUAL GRANTS TO AID THE ARTS, SCIENCE, WOMEN HEALTH RESEARCH, AND OTHER PROGRAMS. TWO TRUSTEES OF SHAW FAMILY S O SERVE AS VOLUNTEERS ASSISTING THE UNIVERSITY, ONE ACTS AS A LECTURER.
  3. $150,000 spent. CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN, GLENCOE, IL FUNDING OF THE ADVANCED ACEDEMIC DEGREE PROGRAMS. THE DEGREES ARE AT THE MASTERS AND DOCTORAL LEVEL IN PLANT BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION THIS PROGRAM IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NORTWESTERN UNIVERSITY. AS DECRIBED IN LINE 4b TWO TRUSTEES OF THE SHAW FAMILY SUPPORTING ORGANIZATION PROVIDE VOLUNTEER SERVICE. THEY PROVIDE TIME AS MENTORS TO NEW VOLUNTEERS TO GARDEN
  4. $50,000 spent. SHEDD AQUARIUM, CHICAGO, IL -FUND AQUATIC RESEDANCY PROGRAN VETINARY SCIENCE
  5. $35,000 spent. THE FIELD MUSEUM, CHICAGO, IL-FUND ANTHPOLOGY RESEARCH
  6. $35,000 spent. GOODMAN THEATER, CHICAGO, IL-FUND NEW THEATRICAL WORKS
  7. Expenses: $50000.00 including grants of: $0.00 Revenue: $0.00
  8. SHEDD AQUARIUM, CHICAGO, IL -FUND AQUATIC RESEDANCY PROGRAN
  9. Expenses: $35000.00 including grants of: $0.00 Revenue: $0.00
  10. THE FIELD MUSEUM, CHICAGO, IL-FUND ANTHPOLOGY RESEARCH
  11. Expenses: $35000.00 including grants of: $0.00 Revenue: $0.00
  12. GOODMAN THEATER, CHICAGO, IL-FUND NEW THEATRICAL WORKS

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since July 2004.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.