Julie and Brian Simmons Foundation
The Julie and Brian Simmons Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2001, based in Palm Beach, Florida, with an additional office in Chicago, Illinois. The foundation is the philanthropic vehicle of financier Brian Simmons and his wife, Julie. It operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization exempt from federal income tax.
Key facts about Julie and Brian Simmons Foundation
- EIN
- 36-4382077
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $884,255
- Grants made (2024)
- 43
- Average grant
- $20,564
- Median grant
- $10,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 28% first-time grantees (12 of 43, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Florida (60% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The foundation does not maintain a website to guide grantseekers. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Julie and Brian Simmons Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Julie and Brian Simmons Foundation's 43 itemized 2024 grants were Florida (60%), Illinois (22%) and Massachusetts (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were West Palm Beach, FL (10 grants), Chicago, IL (8 grants), Palm Beach, FL (4 grants) and Nantucket, MA (4 grants). 100% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Is Julie and Brian Simmons Foundation open to new grantees?
28%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 12 of 43 grantees (28%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $11K; repeat grants $24K. How we count
Medians: $8K first-time, $10K repeat.
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Julie and Brian Simmons Foundation
- How to evaluate Julie and Brian Simmons Foundation as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$884K
+40.9% YoY
Grant Count
43
+19.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$21K
+18.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's grantmaking areas of interest include:
- Education
- Youth
- Arts and culture
- Health and human services
- Historic preservation
- Community development
- Philanthropy and voluntarism
Grantmaking
How to Apply
** The foundation does not maintain a website to guide grantseekers. However, according to available information, the foundation appears to accept applications for funding, though prospective applicants are encouraged to reach out first before submitting a proposal.
Ready to take the next step with Julie and Brian Simmons Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in:
- Florida
- Illinois
- Massachusetts
The foundation has demonstrated particular interest in Chicago-area organizations and institutions.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 43 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Total Assets: $3,219,319
Total Annual Giving: $884,255
Federal Tax Status: Exempt from federal income tax under 501(c)(3)
State of Incorporation: Delaware
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
182 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Cox Science Center and Aquarium ($255,000), Chicago Public Education Fund ($100,000), Preservation of Palm Beach ($75,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| COX SCIENCE CENTER AND AQUARIUM West Palm Beach, FL | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND | $255,000 |
| CHICAGO PUBLIC EDUCATION FUND Chicago, IL | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND | $100,000 |
| PRESERVATION OF PALM BEACH Palm Beach, FL | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND | $75,000 |
| US SKI & SNOWBOARD ASSOCIATION Park City, UT | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND | $55,500 |
| RANSOM EVERGLADES SCHOOL Coconut Grove, FL | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND | $50,000 |
| GLADES ACADEMY FOUNDATION West Palm Beach, FL | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND | $25,000 |
| NORTON MUSEUM OF ART West Palm Beach, FL | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND | $25,000 |
| NANTUCKET COMMUNITY SAILING INC Nantucket, MA | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND | $25,000 |
| EVERGLADES FOUNDATION Palmetto Bay, FL | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND | $25,000 |
| SOCIETY OF THE FOUR ARTS Palm Beach, FL | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Brian P. Simmons is a graduate of Cornell University who founded CHS Capital in 1988. He is currently Managing Partner and founder of Shorehill Capital LLC, a Chicago-based private equity firm. He serves as a Trustee of Deerfield Academy.
Julie Simmons is co-founder of the foundation alongside her husband, Brian.
Compensation Overview
No officer or director reported compensation in the available filings.
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brian P Simmons | President | 1 | — |
| Julie D Simmons | V.P/ Secretary | 1 | — |
| Paige P Walsh | Asst. Treasurer | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation maintains a low profile and keeps limited public information about its grantmaking practices. The foundation steadily supports Cornell University, Brian Simmons' alma mater. It has also provided support to Deerfield Academy, where Brian Simmons serves as a trustee, and has supported the Chicago Public Education Fund.
Founding faculty member Brian Simmons establishes scholarship awardSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Julie and Brian Simmons Foundation fund?
The foundation's grantmaking areas of interest include: • Education • Youth • Arts and culture • Health and human services • Historic preservation • Community development • Philanthropy and voluntarism
How do I apply for a grant from Julie and Brian Simmons Foundation?
The foundation does not maintain a website to guide grantseekers. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
Where does Julie and Brian Simmons Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in: • Florida • Illinois • Massachusetts The foundation has demonstrated particular interest in Chicago-area organizations and institutions.
What size grants does Julie and Brian Simmons Foundation award?
In 2024, Julie and Brian Simmons Foundation awarded 43 grants totaling $884K — an average of about $21K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Julie and Brian Simmons Foundation's EIN?
Julie and Brian Simmons Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-4382077. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.