Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust
The Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust is a private foundation practicing values-based grantmaking to public charities serving Chicago/Cook County residents. The site publishes funding parameters, application procedures, example grantees, and contact information; the trust is administered c/o JPMorgan Private Bank.
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A Chicago- or Cook County-based public charity working in arts and culture, education, youth development, or human services that requests program or operating support at mid-size grant levels and can submit a concise LOI.
Good Fit
- • Organization serves Chicago/Cook County residents or programs located in Chicago.
- • Proposed request is in the typical mid-size range (roughly $10K–$250K, with median near $45K).
- • Project or operating support aligns with arts, education, youth, or community service priorities.
- • Ability to prepare a 3-page LOI and provide local impact data.
- • Willingness to engage through the published JPMorgan c/o submission route and named program contact.
Geography
Giving is strongly concentrated in Illinois and Chicago; in the latest year about 99% of dollars stayed in Illinois despite grants to three states in total.
Recipient Variety
In the latest observed year the trust funded 40 distinct recipients across 41 grants, with all 40 recorded as first-time recipients that year, indicating a broad and diverse recipient set despite some dollar concentration among the top five.
New Applicants
Behavioral evidence shows 40 new recipients in the latest year and the foundation publishes LOI guidelines and contact details, so unfamiliar local applicants appear likely to have an entry path; the two-year history is limited but the 2023 pattern demonstrates clear openness.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
