The Robert E Gallagher Charitable Trust concentrates its giving in the Chicago area with very large, general-purpose gifts to institutional beneficiaries. The Trust shows a clear focus on supporting Catholic education networks (via Big Shoulders/Archdiocese of Chicago) and major pediatric healthcare philanthropy (Children's Hospital Foundation). Its grants are unrestricted in purpose, suggesting a preference for flexible support to well-established local institutions.
Highly concentrated: very few, very large grants; repeat funding to Big Shoulders (two grants) and single major gift to a children's hospital foundation, favoring unrestricted general support over many small or project-specific awards.
The Robert E Gallagher Charitable Trust shows a strong pattern of large, flexible gifts to a small set of Chicago-area institutions, led by a $3,270,000 grant to Big Shoulders Archdiocese of Chicago in 2025. That award sits within a broader stream of support for Catholic education and local nonprofits, including repeated funding for St Therese Catholic School and St Pius V Church and School. The trust also backs pediatric health and related charitable work, with a $500,000 grant to Childrens Hospital Foundation in Pittsburgh and six-figure support for St Jude Childrens Research Hospital and St Jude Hospital. Beyond these headline grants, the trust has written substantial checks to food assistance, emergency relief, higher education, and Catholic charities, often at the $100,000 level. The grant list suggests a preference for established institutions that can absorb general-purpose support rather than narrowly scoped project grants. Chicago remains the center of gravity, but the recipient list also reaches national health, relief, and service organizations.
Catholic education is a clear priority. In 2025, the trust gave $200,000 to St Therese Catholic School for education, and it also backed St Pius V Church and School with $150,000 for general support in the same year. A related 2023 grant of $125,000 went to St Pius V School for general support, showing continued attention to the same school community. Pediatric health and hospital philanthropy is another visible thread. The trust awarded $500,000 to Childrens Hospital Foundation for general support in 2025, and it also made $100,000 gifts in 2025 to St Jude Childrens Research Hospital Inc and in 2023 to St Jude Hospital. The pattern points to support for large medical institutions rather than a single local facility. The trust also funds broader charitable infrastructure. It gave $150,000 to Global Giving Foundation Inc in 2025, $100,000 to World Central Kitchen Incorporated in 2025, and $100,000 to Doctors Without Borders in 2025.
Typical gifts are sizable: the grant-size distribution sits at $10,500 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $60,000 at the 75th percentile, even though several awards are much larger. The trust appears to revisit select recipients across years, including Big Shoulders Archdiocese of Chicago, St Therese Catholic School, St Pius V, Greater Chicago Food Depository, Global Giving, Doctors Without Borders, World Central Kitchen, American Red Cross, and City of Hope - Leukemia Research. It is a regular funder rather than a donor-advised fund, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. The recent grant list shows general-purpose giving as a common mode.
$6.8M
$28.6M
$9.3M
$7.1M
Most grants fall between $11K and $60K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$11K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$60K
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Notable grantees: Big Shoulders (Archdiocese of Chicago school network), Children's Hospital Foundation, Chicago Catholic elementary and secondary schools (via Big Shoulders)
Grantmaking is concentrated in Illinois, which accounts for 51% of grants and is the top state by grant count. Chicago is the main recipient city, with awards to Big Shoulders Archdiocese of Chicago, St Therese Catholic School, St Pius V Church and School, Loyola University Chicago, Greater Chicago Food Depository, and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Outside Illinois, the trust gives to organizations in Pittsburgh, Washington, DC, Memphis, New York, Baltimore, Duarte, Rochester, and Boone. The recipient-country distribution is entirely US-based.
The trust supports Catholic education, pediatric health, food assistance, emergency relief, and other established nonprofits. Recent grants include $3,270,000 to Big Shoulders Archdiocese of Chicago, $500,000 to Childrens Hospital Foundation, and $100,000 gifts to organizations such as Greater Chicago Food Depository, World Central Kitchen Incorporated, and Doctors Without Borders.
Yes. The recent grant list shows repeat support for several recipients across 2023 and 2025, including Big Shoulders Archdiocese of Chicago, St Therese Catholic School, St Pius V, Greater Chicago Food Depository, Global Giving, Doctors Without Borders, World Central Kitchen, American Red Cross, and City of Hope - Leukemia Research.
The grant-size distribution is $10,500 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $60,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent list also includes larger awards such as $3,270,000 to Big Shoulders Archdiocese of Chicago and $500,000 to Childrens Hospital Foundation.
Illinois is the top state by grant count, with 51% of grants going to recipients in the state. Chicago is the most visible city in the recipient list, with awards to Catholic schools, universities, food charities, and Catholic charities there.
The recent grants are labeled mostly as GENERAL, with some EDUCATION grants as well. That points to flexible support for established organizations, including large awards to Big Shoulders Archdiocese of Chicago, Childrens Hospital Foundation, and several Chicago-based institutions.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIG SHOULDERS ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $3,270,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| CHILDRENS HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | PITTSBURGH, PA | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| ST THERESE CATHOLIC SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $200,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| GLOBAL GIVING FOUNDATION INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| ST PIUS V CHURCH AND SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| NAMI - NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS | ARLINGTON, VA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | BOONE, IA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| NORTHERN ILLINOIS FOOD BANK | GENEVA, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| ST JUDE CHILDRENS RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC | MEMPHIS, TN | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| JOHN HOPKINS UNIVERSITY | BALTIMORE, MD | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN INCORPORATED | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| MAYO CLINIC | ROCHESTER, MN | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| CITY OF HOPE - LEUKEMIA RESEARCH | DUARTE, CA | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| JUVENILE DIABETES RESEARCH FOUNDATION | NORTHFIELD, IL | $70,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION | NEW YORK, NY | $70,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| THE LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY INC | WHITE PLAINS, NY | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| FOUNDATION FOR WOMEN | SAN DIEGO, CA | $55,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| FISHER CENTER FOR ALZHEIMERS RESEARCH | NEW YORK, NY | $55,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| LEGAL AID CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| COME TO BELIEVE FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE | BOSTON, MA | $50,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| CRISTO REY HIGH SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| JESUIT REFUGEE SERVICE USA | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| SCHOLARSHIPS INC | HAYWARD, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY | EVANSTON, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| NATIONAL BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION INC | FRISCO, TX | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| CHICAGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY | CHICAGO, IL | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| HOUSE OF GOOD SHEPARD | CHICAGO, IL | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE | CHICAGO, IL | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| MISERICORDIA FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| CLEARBROOK | ROLLING MEADOWS, IL | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| BOYS HOPE GIRLS HOPE | BRIDGETON, MO | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| WASHINGTON JESUIT ACADEMY | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| ALS THERAPY DEVELOPMENT | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| CHRIST CHILD SOCIETY | BETHESDA, MD | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| PUBLIC INTEREST LAW INITIATIVE | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| LOYOLA ACADEMY | WILMETTE, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| WOODLANDS ACADEMY | LAKE FOREST, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| AMERICAN BRAIN TUMOR ASSOCIATION | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| SISTERS OF PROVIDENCE OF ST MARY OF THE WOODS | SAINT MARY OF THE WOOD, IN | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| ALEXIAN BROTHERS HEALTH SYSTEMS | ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| MOBILE CARE FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| OLD IRVING PARK COMMUNITY CLINIC | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| AMVETS NATIONAL SERVICE FOUNDATION | LANHAM, MD | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & INDUSTRY | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| WINDOW TO THE WORLD COMMUNICATIONS INC | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
BIG SHOULDERS ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO
$3,270,000GENERAL
CHILDRENS HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
$500,000GENERAL
ST THERESE CATHOLIC SCHOOL
$200,000EDUCATION
GLOBAL GIVING FOUNDATION INC
$150,000GENERAL
ST PIUS V CHURCH AND SCHOOL
$150,000GENERAL
GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY
$100,000GENERAL
NAMI - NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS
GENERAL
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS
$100,000GENERAL
AMERICAN RED CROSS
$100,000GENERAL
NORTHERN ILLINOIS FOOD BANK
$100,000GENERAL
ST JUDE CHILDRENS RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC
$100,000GENERAL
JOHN HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
$100,000GENERAL
WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN INCORPORATED
$100,000GENERAL
LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO
$100,000EDUCATION
CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO
$100,000GENERAL
MAYO CLINIC
$75,000GENERAL
CITY OF HOPE - LEUKEMIA RESEARCH
$75,000GENERAL
JUVENILE DIABETES RESEARCH FOUNDATION
$70,000GENERAL
AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION
$70,000GENERAL
THE LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY INC
$60,000GENERAL
FOUNDATION FOR WOMEN
$55,000GENERAL
FISHER CENTER FOR ALZHEIMERS RESEARCH
$55,000GENERAL
LEGAL AID CHICAGO
$50,000GENERAL
COME TO BELIEVE FOUNDATION
$50,000GENERAL
DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE
$50,000EDUCATION
CRISTO REY HIGH SCHOOL
$50,000GENERAL
JESUIT REFUGEE SERVICE USA
$50,000GENERAL
SCHOLARSHIPS INC
$50,000GENERAL
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
$50,000EDUCATION
NATIONAL BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION INC
$50,000GENERAL
CHICAGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$30,000GENERAL
HOUSE OF GOOD SHEPARD
$30,000GENERAL
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE
$30,000GENERAL
MISERICORDIA FOUNDATION
$30,000GENERAL
CLEARBROOK
$30,000GENERAL
BOYS HOPE GIRLS HOPE
$25,000GENERAL
WASHINGTON JESUIT ACADEMY
$25,000GENERAL
ALS THERAPY DEVELOPMENT
$25,000GENERAL
CHRIST CHILD SOCIETY
$25,000GENERAL
PUBLIC INTEREST LAW INITIATIVE
$25,000GENERAL
LOYOLA ACADEMY
$20,000EDUCATION
WOODLANDS ACADEMY
$20,000GENERAL
AMERICAN BRAIN TUMOR ASSOCIATION
$20,000GENERAL
SISTERS OF PROVIDENCE OF ST MARY OF THE WOODS
$20,000GENERAL
ALEXIAN BROTHERS HEALTH SYSTEMS
$20,000GENERAL
MOBILE CARE FOUNDATION
$20,000GENERAL
OLD IRVING PARK COMMUNITY CLINIC
$20,000GENERAL
AMVETS NATIONAL SERVICE FOUNDATION
$20,000GENERAL
MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & INDUSTRY
$20,000GENERAL
WINDOW TO THE WORLD COMMUNICATIONS INC
$20,000GENERAL