Nonprofits/Organizations/81-0585993
Active
501(c)(3)
T20 · Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
Form 990

The Pert Foundation

EIN 81-0585993Chicago, IL 60601Founded 2002WebsiteIRS Tax Year 2023 · Period ending September 30, 2024
Mission Statement

PERT Foundation is organized and operated to foster, support, develop, and maintain charitable activities and vital human and educational services by supporting and carrying out the charitable purposes of The Chicago Community Trust and The Chicago Community Foundation by such means as the board of directors of the organization may determine from time to time.

IRS Tax Year 2023

Period ending September 30, 2024

Tax year 2024 filing not yet available. This is the most recent filing on record.

Total Revenue

$311.7M

+2390760.9%YoY

Total Expenses

$318.1M

+3417778.6%YoY

Net Assets

$224K

-45.2%YoY

Employees

0

Volunteers

4

Grants Paid

$318.0M

Program Expense Ratio

100.0%

This nonprofit profile presents IRS Form 990 tax filing data for The Pert Foundation (EIN: 81-0585993), based on the 2023 tax year annual return filed with the Internal Revenue Service.

Sections below include financial summaries (revenue, expenses, and net assets), program accomplishments, officer and key employee compensation, detailed executive pay breakdowns, governance policies and audit information, related tax-exempt organizations. All figures are reported in USD as filed.

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RoundPaper IndicatorsTax Year 2023

Financial Health

Revenue grew +2390760.9% to $311.7M
Program spending ratio of 100.0% — excellent
0.0 months of operating reserves — limited runway
Expenses increased +3417778.6% year-over-year

Transparency

Conflict of interest policy not adopted
Whistleblower policy not in place
Financial statements independently audited
5-member board, 4 independent

Compensation

Top compensation: $655,609 (President and Director)
Top exec pay is 0.2% of total expenses — very modest
Schedule J filed for 3 individuals — detailed disclosure
No executive perks reported

Program Effectiveness

1 program reported
100.0% of spending goes to programs
No programs generate independent revenue
$318.0M in grants paid to other organizations
4 volunteers engaged

Financial Stability

Debt-to-asset ratio of 99.9% — significant debt load
0.0 months cash runway — tight liquidity
Revenue diversification: concentrated in few sources
Net assets declining over recent filings

Risk Flags

No insider or excess benefit transactions
No material diversion or misuse reported
Family or business relationships among officers/directors

Indicators derived from IRS Form 990 data. Not financial advice.

Organization Summary

The Pert Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Chicago, IL, founded in 2002. It is classified under NTEE code T20 (Private Grantmaking Foundations), within the Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking category. The organization has held tax-exempt status since 2003. In its 2023 filing, the organization reported $311.7M in total revenue, a 2390760.9% increase from the prior year, and $318.1M in total expenses. The organization engaged 4 volunteers. Andrea Saenz, President and Director, is the highest-compensated individual at $655,609. The organization runs 1 program, totaling $318.0M in program expenses. 1 of 6 recommended governance policies are in place.

The Pert Foundation is classified under NTEE code T20 (Private Grantmaking Foundations), which falls within the Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking category. Its foundation type is 17.

Programs(Tax Year 2023)

1 record

Programs Overview

The Pert Foundation operates 1 program, with total program expenses of $318.0M. The Pert Foundation's largest program accounts for 100% of total program spending.

1
Program 1Expenses: $318,024,899

PERT Foundation is organized and operated to foster, support, develop, and maintain charitable activities and vital human and educational services by supporting and carrying out the charitable purposes of The Chicago Community Trust and The Chicago Community Foundation by such means as the board of directors of the organization may determine from time to time.

Financial Overview(Tax Years 2019–2023)

5 records

Financial Highlights

Over the past 5 years, The Pert Foundation's revenue has grown from $-79K to $311.7M, a 396197.0% increase. Program expenses represent 100% of total spending.

Revenue increased 2390760.9% year-over-year, while expenses grew 3417778.6%. net assets fell to $224K, down 45.2% from the prior year.

The Pert Foundation derives 100% from contributions and grants, with 0% from investment income.

Revenue is heavily concentrated: 100% comes from contributions and grants, indicating limited diversification.

The Pert Foundation allocates 100% to programs, 0% to management and general.

Expenses grew by 3417778.6%, outpacing revenue growth of 2390760.9% — a trend to watch if it continues.

The Pert Foundation distributed $318.0M in grants to other organizations and individuals, representing 100% of total expenses.

Over 5 filings from 2019–2023, The Pert Foundation grew revenue from $-79K to $311.7M (+396197.0%) while maintaining a program expense ratio of 100%.

The Pert Foundation holds $317.3M in total assets against $317.1M in liabilities (debt-to-asset ratio of 100%). The organization has 0.0 months of operating reserves. Cash and equivalents of $9K cover approximately 0.0 months of expenses.

Revenue

YearTotal RevenueContributionsGov't GrantsProgram RevenueInvestment
2023$311.7M$311.7M$0$0$67K
2022$13K$0$0$0$13K
2021$791K$0$0$0$790K
2020$887K$0$0$0$887K
2019$-79K$0$0$0$-79K

Expenses

YearTotal ExpensesProgramManagementFundraisingGrants Paid
2023$318.1M$318.0M$77K$0$318.0M
2022$9K$3K$7K$0$0
2021$4.2M$4.1M$39K$0$4.1M
2020$5.7M$5.6M$81K$0$5.5M
2019$960K$886K$74K$0$865K

Program Expense Ratio

100.0%

Admin Expense Ratio

0.0%

Fundraising Efficiency

Operating Reserve

0.0 mo

People & Compensation(Tax Year 2023)

7 records

Compensation Summary

The Pert Foundation reported compensation for 7 officers and key employees. Total officer compensation was $1.3M, representing 0.4% of total expenses. 1 individual received total compensation exceeding $500,000.

The Pert Foundation's highest-compensated individual received $656K in total compensation. Total officer compensation of $1.3M represents 0.4% of total expenses. 1 individual received total compensation exceeding $500,000.

NameTitleTypeHours/wkComp from OrgRelated OrgsTotal
Andrea SaenzPresident and Director
OfficerDirector
1.00$0$596,277$655,609
Jessica StrausbaughTreasurer
Officer
2.00$0$322,265$343,093
Amy PenaSecretary
Officer
2.00$0$231,325$263,216
Elizabeth LiebmanDirector
Director
1.00$0$0$0
Bryan TraubertDirector
Director
1.00$0$0$0
Thomas C LiebmanDirector
Director
1.00$0$0$0
Margaret StinemanDirector
Director
1.00$0$0$0

Compensation Breakdown

Schedule J detail — base, bonus, benefits, and executive perks

Andrea Saenz

Base Salary

Bonus

Other Reportable

Retirement/Deferred

Nontaxable Benefits

Jessica Strausbaugh

Base Salary

Bonus

Other Reportable

Retirement/Deferred

Nontaxable Benefits

Amy Pena

Base Salary

Bonus

Other Reportable

Retirement/Deferred

Nontaxable Benefits

Governance & Compliance(Tax Year 2023)

Governance Snapshot

The Pert Foundation has 1 of 6 recommended governance policies in place. Its board has 5 members, 4 of whom are independent.

The Pert Foundation's financial statements are audited.

The Pert Foundation has family or business relationships among officers, directors, or key employees.

Policies & Oversight

Conflict of interest policy
Whistleblower policy
Document retention policy
CEO compensation review process
Other officer compensation review
990 provided to governing body
Board members5
Independent members4

Audit & Financial Oversight

Financial statements audited
Independent audit
Audit committee
Federal grant audit required

Grants Awarded(Tax Year 2023)

1 record

Grantmaking Summary

The Pert Foundation awarded $318.0M across 1 grant to organizations. Top recipients include The Chicago Community Foundation (Chicago, IL) — $318.0M for general support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes.

Organization Grants

RecipientLocationAmountPurpose
The Chicago Community Foundation363432023Chicago, IL$318.0MGeneral support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

Filing History(Tax Years 2003–2023)

5 records

Showing the 5 Form 990 filings currently in our system.

Tax YearFormPeriodRevenueExpensesNet Assets
2023
990
2023-10-01 – 2024-09-30$311.7M$318.1M$224K
2022
990
2022-10-01 – 2023-09-30$13K$9K$408K
2021
990
2021-10-01 – 2022-09-30$791K$4.2M$365K
2020
990
2020-10-01 – 2021-09-30$887K$5.7M$4.7M
2019
990
2019-10-01 – 2020-09-30$-79K$960K$8.8M
2003–2018No filings acquired yet

Frequently Asked Questions

What does The Pert Foundation do?

PERT Foundation is organized and operated to foster, support, develop, and maintain charitable activities and vital human and educational services by supporting and carrying out the charitable purposes of The Chicago Community Trust and The Chicago Community Foundation by such means as the board of directors of the organization may determine from time to time.

How much revenue does The Pert Foundation have?

The Pert Foundation reported $311,720,445 in total revenue for tax year 2023, up 2390760.9% from the prior year.

Who is the highest-paid executive at The Pert Foundation?

Andrea Saenz, President and Director, received $655,609 in total compensation as of tax year 2023.

Is The Pert Foundation a 501(c)(3)?

Yes, The Pert Foundation is classified as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.

Where is The Pert Foundation located?

The Pert Foundation is headquartered in Chicago, IL 60601.

What type of nonprofit is The Pert Foundation?

The Pert Foundation is classified under NTEE code T20 (Private Grantmaking Foundations), within the Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking category. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.

Is The Pert Foundation audited?

Yes, The Pert Foundation's financial statements are audited.

Does The Pert Foundation give grants?

Yes, The Pert Foundation distributed $318,021,564 in grants to other organizations and individuals in tax year 2023. Top recipients include The Chicago Community Foundation.

Data Source

Prepared by: RSM US LLP, Chicago, IL

IRS Form 990 electronic filings via the IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File. All financial figures are as reported in USD.

Publicly available IRS data
Verified filing records
Updated quarterly
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