Our History
Richard and Margaret Romano were born and raised in the Chicago area, both by first generation American parents. They came from very modest households where it was not customary to attain degrees beyond a high school diploma. Richard and Margaret believed in the value of education and hard work and continued to support one another’s professional ambitions while raising their three children. Margaret became a teacher in Chicago Public Schools and Richard, despite earning a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, partnered with his brother to start their own investment firm in 1962.
Funding Guidelines
The Richard & Margaret Romano Charitable Trust does not accept unsolicited grant proposals. The Trust's grantmaking is conducted through an established process and in alignment with our philanthropic priorities.
We appreciate the interest of organizations working to strengthen their communities and advance meaningful change. We encourage visitors to learn more about the Trust's mission and areas of giving through this website.
Our Grantees
The Richard and Margaret Romano Trust proudly supports individuals and organizations dedicated to creating meaningful, positive change. Our grantees are driven by purpose, compassion, and a commitment to inspiring others through their work. By investing in their vision and impact, we aim to strengthen communities, encourage innovation, and help transformative ideas grow into lasting change.
LEARN
Founded in 2001, LEARN is an innovative network of tuition-free, high performing college prep public elementary schools open to all students.
