Skip to content
Plinth
Foundation DossiersAlso receives grants — funding profile →
Plinth

· Private foundation

The Northern Trust Company Charitable Trust

Its FY2020 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$376k
Granted FY2020
331
Grants FY2020
31
States reached
$71k
Largest
01What you fundRead
02Your fieldRead
03Through PlinthRead
01What you fund
01FY2020 · 331 grants

Where the money goes

Your grants by size, and where they go.

The 331 grants below total $305,590 — the rows itemised in this filing. The $375,815 headline is the total grant expense reported on the return, so the remaining $70,225 is giving the schedule does not break out: grants under the $5,000 itemisation floor, grants to individuals, and grants reported on other schedules. Every figure below describes the itemised rows only.

By grant size · FY2020

  • Under $10k329 grants · $206k
  • $10k–50k1 grant · $29k
  • $50k–250k1 grant · $71k
$250
Median grant
31
States reached
$0
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
Greater Chicago Food Depository$70,663
Greater Chicago Food Depository$29,337
Colabi$5,000
New York University$2,000
Hesed House (Aurora)$2,000
St Marys University Of Minnesota$2,000
360 Youth Services$2,000
Ann & Robert H Lurie Childrens Hospital of Chicago$2,000
Boston College Trustees$2,000
Greenwich Historical Society Inc$2,000
DePaul University$2,000
Florida State University Foundation Inc$2,000
Artis-Naples Inc$2,000
Drexel University$2,000
Treehouse$2,000
02Your field

The map has a center of gravity: the average direction from the rest of the sector toward the organizations the foundation funds — the shape of its giving. Scoring every nonprofit along that direction surfaces the ones that look most like the portfolio. These are the closest matchesthat aren’t grantees — a resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Columbia College Chicago

The organization's mission is to educate students for creative occupations in diverse fields of arts and media.

Education
2
University of New Haven

The University of New Haven is a student-centered comprehensive university with an emphasis on excellence in liberal arts and professional education. Our mission is to prepare our students to lead purposeful and fulfilling lives in a…

Education
3
Saint Xavier University

Saint xavier university, a catholic institution inspired by the heritage of the sisters of mercy, educates persons to search for truth, think critically, communicate effectively and serve wisely and compassionately in support of human…

Education
4
Boston Architectural College

The bac is committed to provide excellence in design education grounded in practice and accessible to diverse communities.

—
5
Augustana College

Rooted in the liberal arts & sciences & lutheran expression of the christian faith, & is committed to offering a challenging education that develops qualities of mind, spirit, & body necessary for a rewarding life of leadership & service…

Education
6
Manhattanville University

To educate students to be ethical and socially responsible leaders in a global community.

Education
7
Point Park University

Provides innovative education in a dynamic urban setting. dedicated to academic excellence and community engagement,we prepare students of diverse backgrounds with the knowledge, skill,and experience to lead meaningful lives as informed…

—
8
Trustees of Tufts College

Education and Research

Education
9
Albright College

As a diverse community of learners, we cultivate integrity, curiosity, connection and resilience.

Education
10
Concordia University Chicago

Steadfast in jesus christ as revealed in the holy scriptures, concordia university chicago promotes academic rigor in its liberal arts and professional programs; grounds students in objective truth, integrity, and excellence; and practices…

Education
11
The George Washington University

The mission of the george washington university (gw) is to educate individuals in liberal arts, languages, sciences, learned professions, and other courses and subjects of study, and to conduct scholarly research and publish the findings…

Education
12
Columbia College

Columbia college improves lives by providing quality education to both traditional and nontraditional students, helping them achieve their true potential.

Education

For reference, the grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago Inc and the most unlike its peers is Bridges to a New Day Nfp. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.

For each theme you fund, this compares how the sector’s money is shifting with how your own giving is shifting.

← shrinkinggrowing →↓ leaning in → pulling backsteadyFaith-Based Liberal Arts Co…College Foundation SupportEducation Equity InitiativesFood Pantries and AssistanceLocal History MuseumsDomestic Violence and Sexua…Community Hospital SystemsGovernment Accountability &…Environmental Advocacy and …Child Abuse Advocacy Servic…Ymca Community CentersLgbtqia+ Advocacy and Commu…Veteran Support ServicesFaith-Based Homeless Servic…Community Theater CompaniesClassical Music OrchestrasSenior Support ServicesDevelopmental Disabilities …Community Literacy TutoringProfessional Dance CompaniesAsian American Civic & Cult…Affordable Housing Developm…Addiction & Mental Health T…Childhood Cancer SupportFaith-Based Senior LivingCommunity Arts CentersCharter and Independent Sch…Youth Sports ProgramsChristian Outreach Ministri…Animal Rescue and Shelter
the sector your giving your giving is ahead of the sector the sector’s ahead of you· dot size = how much the theme matters to each side
Ordered by the change in your giving — leaning in on top, pulling back at the bottom. The bar between the two dots is how out of step you are with the sector. Hover any row for detail.

Sector change and giving change are each shown relative to their own range, growing (right) or shrinking (left); both normalized, so inflation isn’t mistaken for growth.

Your grantees are a median of 48 years old; the field is 20. You back the established end — and your money leans older still.

THE FIELDby orgYOUR GRANTEESby number18%1%<5yr13%1%5–10yr18%7%10–20yr15%25%20–35yr14%26%35–55yr22%41%55yr+
THE FIELDby orgYOUR MONEYby value18%0%<5yr13%0%5–10yr18%2%10–20yr15%11%20–35yr14%57%35–55yr22%30%55yr+

The field is 18% startups (under 5 years old) — 1% of your grantees by number, and just 0% of your money.

Closures · last 5 years

The orgs you fund almost never close — 0.5% lost their exemption, against 12% of the field you don’t fund.

orgs you fund
0.5%1/195
the rest of the field
12%
8,890/72,164

Age = years since IRS exemption (a founding proxy). “Closed” = auto-revocation for 3 years of non-filing — a floor on closure, not proof, and bigger established orgs lapse least. Association, not causation.

02the grantee network

191 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each one resolved to its own IRS returns and tracked year by year — your grant beside their revenue from every source. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

Counted here: distinct organizations you funded across 2017–2025, not grant rows in a single year — so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 191 of the 238 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile; the rest are funded organizations whose filings we could not track year by year.

0
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
24
Early backer (in before they grew)
190/191
Grantees still filing
164/191
Grew since you first funded

Where your money sits — by cause, then by grantee

GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY — $103,132 · Food & NutritionGREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY+5 more — $4,808 · Food & NutritionUniversity of Notre Dame du Lac — $4,600 · EducationUniversity of Notre Dame d…Big Shoulders Fund — $2,700 · EducationDEPAUL UNIVERSITY — $2,400 · Education+56 more — $60,045 · Education+56 moreColabi — $5,000 · OtherColabiHesed House (Aurora) — $2,400 · Other+58 more — $54,151 · Other+58 moreAmerican National Red Cross & Its Constituent Chapters and Branches — $2,220 · Human ServicesAmerican …FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER D/B/A ADOPTION CENTER OF ILLINOIS — $2,000 · Human ServicesFAMILY RE…NEW HORIZONS OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA INC — $2,000 · Human ServicesNEW HORIZ…360 YOUTH SERVICES — $2,000 · Human Services360 YOUTH…FAMILY SERVICE OF GLENCOE — $1,500 · Human ServicesFAMILY SE…GIFFORD YOUTH ACHIEVEMENT CENTER INC — $1,500 · Human ServicesGIFFORD Y…CAMELOT COMMUNITY CARE INC — $1,500 · Human ServicesCAMELOT C…CLEARBROOK — $1,377 · Human ServicesJACK AND JILL CHILDREN'S CENTER INC — $1,134 · Human ServicesAlmost Home Kids — $1,000 · Human ServicesThe Cradle Foundation — $1,000 · Human ServicesBARRINGTON AREA COUNCIL ON AGING INC — $909 · Human Services+20 more — $7,818 · Human Services+20 moreSTEP UP WOMEN'S NETWORK — $3,000 · Arts & CultureNATIONAL THEATRE IN AMERICA INC — $2,000 · Arts & CultureNew Century Chamber Orchestra — $2,000 · Arts & CultureARTIS-NAPLES INC — $2,000 · Arts & CultureGREENWICH HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC — $2,000 · Arts & CultureRAVINIA FESTIVAL ASSOCIATION — $1,601 · Arts & CultureSTEPPENWOLF THEATRE COMPANY — $1,500 · Arts & CultureNational Gallery of Art — $1,250 · Arts & CultureROBERT W WOODRUFF ARTS CENTER INC — $1,000 · Arts & CultureOLD TOWN SCHOOL OF FOLK MUSIC — $1,000 · Arts & CultureNAPLES HISTORICAL SOCIETY FOUNDATION INC — $1,000 · Arts & Culture+13 more — $4,050 · Arts & CultureAnn & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago — $3,620 · HealthST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC — $1,730 · HealthFamily Christian Health Center Inc — $1,030 · HealthSOUTHWEST GENERAL HEALTH CENTER — $1,000 · HealthCHRIST COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES AUGUSTA INC — $500 · Health+6 more — $913 · HealthSANTA BARBARA RESCUE MISSION — $2,000 · Housing & ShelterMiami Rescue Mission Inc — $2,000 · Housing & ShelterTHE BOULEVARD OF CHICAGO INC — $1,025 · Housing & ShelterAPPALACHIA SERVICE PROJECT INC — $1,000 · Housing & ShelterCHICAGO COALITION TO END HOMELESSNESS — $327 · Housing & ShelterAPNA GHAR INC — $250 · Housing & Shelter+2 more — $200 · Housing & Shelter
Food & Nutrition$107,940Education$69,745Other$61,551Human Services$25,958Arts & Culture$22,401Health$8,793Housing & Shelter$6,802

Showing your 200 largest grantees by grant value.

Each org by its size and your share of it — top-left is where you’re load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ your share of their budgetGREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY — $103,132 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetUniversity of Notre Dame du Lac — $4,600 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetAnn & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago — $3,620 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetSTEP UP WOMEN'S NETWORK — $3,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetNORTHERN ILLINOIS FOOD BANK — $2,800 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetBig Shoulders Fund — $2,700 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetDEPAUL UNIVERSITY — $2,400 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetAmerican National Red Cross & Its Constituent Chapters and Branches — $2,220 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetWilliams College — $2,050 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCLEMSON UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION — $2,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetNew York University — $2,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetLSU FOUNDATION — $2,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetST MARYS UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA — $2,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetNATIONAL THEATRE IN AMERICA INC — $2,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetFAMILY RESOURCE CENTER D/B/A ADOPTION CENTER OF ILLINOIS — $2,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetFURMAN UNIVERSITY — $2,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetUNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — $2,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetWILLIAM RAINEY HARPER COLLEGE EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION — $2,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetSANTA BARBARA RESCUE MISSION — $2,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetNorthwest Community Hospital Foundation — $2,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetUniversity of Illinois Foundation — $2,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTRUSTEES OF BOSTON COLLEGE — $2,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetST JOHN'S UNIVERSITY NEW YORK — $2,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTREEHOUSE — $2,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetNEW HORIZONS OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA INC — $2,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetBACK 2 SCHOOL AMERICA — $2,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetTUCSON BOTANICAL GARDENS — $2,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetTHE ADMINISTRATORS OF THE TULANE EDUCATIONAL FUND — $2,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetNew Century Chamber Orchestra — $2,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetFranklin College of Indiana — $2,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTaylor University — $2,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetUNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN FOUNDATION — $2,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetMiami Rescue Mission Inc — $2,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budget360 YOUTH SERVICES — $2,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetThe Florida State University Foundation Inc — $2,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetSHEDD AQUARIUM SOCIETY — $2,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetARTIS-NAPLES INC — $2,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetDREXEL UNIVERSITY — $2,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetFLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION INC — $2,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetBREAKTHROUGH URBAN MINISTRIES INC — $1,750 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC — $1,730 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetRAVINIA FESTIVAL ASSOCIATION — $1,601 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetHUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN FOUNDATION — $1,570 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCHINESE AMERICAN SERVICE LEAGUE INC — $1,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetBAYLOR UNIVERSITY — $1,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetFAMILY SERVICE OF GLENCOE — $1,500 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetGIFFORD YOUTH ACHIEVEMENT CENTER INC — $1,500 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetSTEPPENWOLF THEATRE COMPANY — $1,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budget
Go grantee by grantee — a decade per org, and how each moved after you funded them

A decade per grantee — revenue shaded, your grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

The grantmakers whose grantees overlap with yours far more than size alone predicts. Each orbits closer the stronger the alignment; the arcs between them show where they also fund each other. Here it reads as a tightly interlocked camp — most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

The Chicago Community…United Way of Metropo…John D and Catherine …Polk Bros Foundation …AbbVie FoundationLloyd a Fry FoundationCircle of Service Fou…George M Eisenberg Fo…Arie and Ida Crown Me…Fifth Third Chicagola…Arthur J Gallagher Fo…Dr Scholl Foundation
The Chicago Community TrustIL32.6× affinity30 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: The Chicago Community Trust · United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc · John D and Catherine T Macarthur Foundation · Polk Bros Foundation Inc · AbbVie Foundation · Lloyd a Fry Foundation · Circle of Service Foundation · George M Eisenberg Foundation for Charities · Arie and Ida Crown Memorial · Fifth Third Chicagoland Foundation · Arthur J Gallagher Foundation · Dr Scholl Foundation

Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. A research starting point: overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

03Through Plinth

Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

How do I get to The Northern Trust Company Charitable Trust?

Find your warmest path to The Northern Trust Company Charitable Trust through trustees and officers whose names appear on both boards. Search for your organization and Plinth traces the shortest route it can evidence.

Each link is a name appearing on two organizations’ public IRS 990 filings, matched on that name and, where the filings support it, on location. A same-state match has geographic support, which is a second matching feature rather than confirmation that the two are one person; a cross-state one is the likeliest to be two people who share a name. Every hop shows its tier, low-confidence and distant paths are held back rather than guessed, and it is worth confirming the person before you use the introduction.

On method. Every financial figure here is read directly from IRS e-file XML — your own 990/990-PF and the multi-year returns of the 238 grantees we resolved across every year we hold, several hundred filings in all (a different count from the grant rows on the cover, which are one fiscal year)— each linked to its source. Grantee achievements and outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III); we read these as association with sustained funding — the foundation is one of several forces — suppress low-confidence name matches rather than guess, and say so where a figure rests on a single grant or filing. Not everything on this page is a filed figure, and the difference matters. Filed is what you reported on your return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears. How we build these →

Generated from your IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2020, released 2020. Filings run roughly 12–24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Source object · view filing

More from the funding graph

The unnamed billions
grants reported with no recipient in the public record
The regranting layer
51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
The DAF merry-go-round
$9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
The endowment market
who holds foundation money, and what just moved
The camps
funders cluster by geography, not ideology
By state
where grant money is based, and what stays home