Margot & Thomas Pritzker Family
The Margot and Thomas Pritzker Family Foundation is a private foundation established in Illinois and based in Chicago. Founded in the name of Thomas and Margot Pritzker, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with tax-exempt status since March 1993. Thomas J. Pritzker serves as President and CEO of The Pritzker Organization, a conglomerate that includes Marmon Inc. and the Hyatt Hotel chain.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$5.3M
-20.1% YoY
Grant Count
30
-33.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$175K
+19.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation does not maintain a publicly stated mission statement. However, its grantmaking focuses on:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
- Social Science & Humanities
- Local Government
- Social Science Research
- Community & Civic Engagement
- Leadership Development
Grantmaking
The foundation also sponsors the Margot and Tom Pritzker Prize for AI in Scientific Research, which recognizes excellence in artificial intelligence applications within scientific research.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking is concentrated primarily in:
- Illinois
- Colorado
- New York
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2024):
- Total assets: $65,556,810
- Total revenue: $6,995,328
- Total expenses: $6,094,128
- Net income: $901,200
- Total liabilities: $0
Revenue Composition:
- Tax-exempt interest: $701
- Non-taxable income: $58
- Federal refund received: $53,108
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
213 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Center for Strategic and International Studies ($2,000,000), The Aspen Institute Inc ($1,235,000), The University of Chicago ($400,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A BETTER CHICAGO CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| ADVOCATES FOR URBAN AGRICULTURE CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $160,000 |
| ALEPH SOCIETY INC NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $2,500 |
| AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ARTS & SCIENCES CAMBRIDGE, MA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| ASPEN CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES ASPEN, CO | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $68,500 |
| ASPEN MUSIC FESTIVAL & SCHOOL ASPEN, CO | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $2,000,000 |
| CHICAGO CARES INC CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| CHICAGO COUNCIL ON GLOBAL AFFAIRS CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $200,000 |
| CIA OFFICERS MEMORIAL FOUNDATION HERNDON, VA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board Members:
- Thomas J. Pritzker — President & Director
- Margot Pritzker — Vice President & Director
- Paula McMenamin — Vice President & Director
- Scott Stevens — Vice President & Treasurer
- Joshua S. Abern — Vice President & Secretary
All board members serve on a part-time basis (0.25 hours per week) and receive no compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| THOMAS J PRITZKER | PRESIDENT & DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| MARGOT PRITZKER | VICE PRESIDENT & DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| PAULA MCMENAMIN | VICE PRESIDENT & DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| SCOTT STEVENS | VICE PRESIDENT & TREASURER | 0.25 | — |
| JOSHUA S ABERN | VICE PRESIDENT & SECRETARY | 0.25 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has established the Margot and Tom Pritzker Prize for AI in Scientific Research, which recognizes outstanding contributions to artificial intelligence applications in scientific research. The inaugural prize was announced with winners unveiled at a conference, demonstrating the foundation's emerging focus on technology and scientific innovation.
Margot and Tom Pritzker Prize for AI in Scientific Research Unveils WinnersSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Margot & Thomas Pritzker Family fund?
The foundation does not maintain a publicly stated mission statement. However, its grantmaking focuses on: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services • Social Science & Humanities • Local Government • Social Science Research • Community & Civic Engagement • Leadership Development
How do I apply for a grant from Margot & Thomas Pritzker Family?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving: $5,258,583 (2024) • Number of grants: 30 (2024) • Median grant amount: $25,000 • Maximum grant amount: $2,000,000 • Typical award range: $1,000–$2,000,000 **Recent Grants (2024):** • Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS): $2,000,000 (General Operating Support) • The Aspen Institute: $1,235,000 (General Operating Support) • The University of Chicago: $400,000 (General Operating Support) • Urban Growers Collective: (amount not specified) The fou…
Where does Margot & Thomas Pritzker Family make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking is concentrated primarily in: • Illinois • Colorado • New York
What size grants does Margot & Thomas Pritzker Family award?
In 2024, Margot & Thomas Pritzker Family awarded 30 grants totaling $5.3M — an average of about $175K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Margot & Thomas Pritzker Family's EIN?
Margot & Thomas Pritzker Family's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3852559. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Margot & Thomas Pritzker Family's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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