OVERVIEW: The Julie and Brian Simmons Foundation is the philanthropic vehicle of financier Brian Simmons and his wife, Julie. This funder works in the areas of education, health and human services.
IP TAKE: The Julie and Brian Simmons Foundation, according to IP’s deep dive into the family foundation “is a Chicago funder worth learning about.” It supports Chicago schools and organizations with modest grants. The foundation keeps a low profile, and little is known about the specifics of its grantmaking practices, although, per recent 990s, it appears to accept applications for funding, although you might want to reach out first before submitting a proposal.
PROFILE: Established in 2001, Julie and Brian Simmons Foundation (previously known as the Brian & Julie Simmons Foundation) is a family foundation based in Palm Beach, Florida. Brian P. Simmons is a graduate of Cornell University. He founded CHS Capital in 1988, and he is currently Managing Partner and a founder of Shorehill Capital LLC, a Chicago-based private equity firm. The foundation’s grantmaking areas of interest include education, youth, arts and culture, health and human services.
Grants for Community Development
The foundation does not have a website to guide grantseekers. However, one area of interest for the Simmons couple in Chicago is education.
- The foundation’s grantmaking has supported the Chicago Public Education Fund, where Simmons has served on the board of directors, as well as Urban Alliance, KIPP Chicago, Latin School of Chicago and Golden Apple.
- The foundation steadily supports Simmons’ alma mater, Cornell University.
- He is a Trustee of Deerfield Academy, which the foundation also supports.
Grants for Arts and Culture
The couple also supports arts and culture organizations including the Lincoln Park Zoo, where Simmons is a life trustee, and the Chicago Botanic Garden.
Grants for Health
Another interest is health and human services. Julie Simmons is a member of the women’s board of University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center, which the couple supported.
- Other past grantees include the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and the Greater Chicago Food Depository, where Simmons once served as Board Chair and Capital Campaign Chair.
Important Grant Details
Grants typically range between $500 and $200,000. Individual grants rarely exceed $25,000 and in many instances are much lower. In a recent fiscal year, the foundation gave away a little under $350,000. It holds more than $3.9 million in assets.
- The foundation has relocated from Illinois to Palm Beach, FL; however, the Chicago area is still an important site of giving, and this is where much of the couple’s giving takes place.
- The foundation has a minimal web presence, but it appears to possibly accept unsolicited proposals, per recent tax records.
- Review the funder’s recent tax records to learn more about past grantees.
The foundation’s phone number is 312-207-1040.
PEOPLE:
Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).
CONTACT:
Julie and Brian Simmons Foundation
303 Maddock Way
Palm Beach, FL 33480-3506
312-207-1040
