The Brinson Foundation is a privately funded philanthropic organization based in Chicago, Illinois. Established in 2007, it operates as a 501(c)(3) private grantmaking foundation focused on encouraging personal initiative, advancing individual freedoms and liberties, and contributing positively to society through education and scientific research.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$193.3M
-2.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$8.5M
-92.0% YoY
Grant Count
138
+7.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$61K
-92.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Brinson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $11.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: The Brinson Foundation provides an opportunity to focus the family's common interests in encouraging personal initiative, advancing individual freedoms and liberties, and positively contributing to society in the areas of education and scientific research.
Vision: The foundation envisions a society that cares for all of its members and endeavors to enhance individual self-worth and dignity. It seeks a world where every individual is a valued and productive member of society, where all people are committed to improving their lives and the quality of their environments.
Primary Funding Areas:
- Education
- Scientific Research
- Philanthropy and Grantmaking
Grantmaking
The foundation made grants totaling approximately $8.48 million in 2024. Notable 2024 grants include:
Grant Range
s:** Typical awards range from $250 to $100,000,000, with significant variation depending on program type.
Grant Types
Ready to take the next step with The Brinson Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in:
- Illinois (particularly the Chicago metropolitan area)
- California
- District of Columbia
- Wyoming
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2024):
- Total Assets: $193,251,101
- Total Revenue: $11,774,224
- Total Expenses: $11,263,940
- Total Liabilities: $467
Assets & Revenue (2023):
- Total Assets: $198,225,050
- Total Revenues: $183,594,091
- Total Expenses: $108,392,447
Annual Giving: The foundation made approximately $4.6 million in annual grants in 2023 and $8.48 million in 2024.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $193,251,101 | $198,225,050 | $104,471,491 |
| Revenue | $11,774,224 | $183,594,091 | $4,173,974 |
| Expenses | $11,263,940 | $108,392,447 | $8,343,917 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $9,778,595 | $107,310,911 | $7,068,769 |
| Net Investment Income | $9,916,555 | $3,096,013 | $2,766,594 |
| Distributable Amount | $11,412,881 | $6,559,260 | $6,519,352 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from The Brinson Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Chicago Community Foundation Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities ($200,000), Carnegie Institution for Science Carnegie Observatories Instrumentation Pro ($120,000), Carnegie Institution for Science Carnegie Observatories Instrumentation Pro ($115,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1871 CHICAGOLAND ENTREPRENEURIAL CENTER CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $35,000 |
| 826CHI CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| A BETTER CHICAGO CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $30,000 |
| ACCION CAMBRIDGE, MA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND PTDA | $38,000 |
| ADLER PLANETARIUM CHICAGO, IL | COSMOLOGY AND ASTROPHYSICS RESEARCH AND PDTA | $88,000 |
| ADVANCE ILLINOIS CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND PDTA | $38,000 |
| AFTER SCHOOL MATTERS CHICAGO, IL | STEM OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME PROGRAMMING AND PDTA | $33,000 |
| AMERICA NEEDS YOU CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT - ILLINOIS | $35,000 |
| AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT AND SCILINE SCIENCE COMMUNICATION TRAINING FOR BRINSON FELLOWS | $12,500 |
| AMERICAN ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is supported by Gary P. Brinson. The organization operates with a staff of 5 employees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| GARY P BRINSON | DIRECTOR/BOARD CHAIR | 2.5 | — |
| SUZANN A BRINSON | DIRECTOR | 1.5 | — |
| MONIQUE DEMERY | DIRECTOR | 1.5 | — |
| TALINA SUE MELONE | DIRECTOR/SECRETARY | 1.5 | — |
| AMERI CHRISTY UCHIDA | PRESIDENT | 40 | $298,679 |
| THOMAS R DEMERY | DIRECTOR | 1.5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Brinson Foundation launched the **Brinson Exploration Hub at the California Institute of Technology**, representing a significant commitment to advancing theoretical gravitational wave research and exploration science. This initiative reflects the foundation's emphasis on basic scientific research and its potential to deepen understanding of the universe.
The Science Philanthropy Alliance Congratulates The Brinson Foundation onThe foundation has maintained long-term support for educational initiatives, including ongoing partnership with Teach For America since 2005, supporting 125 corps members teaching in the Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana region.
Contact Information
Address: 737 North Michigan Avenue Suite 1850 Chicago, Illinois 60611
Phone: 312.799.4500
Email: mail@brinsonfoundation.org
Website: brinsonfoundation.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Brinson Foundation fund?
**Mission:** The Brinson Foundation provides an opportunity to focus the family's common interests in encouraging personal initiative, advancing individual freedoms and liberties, and positively contributing to society in the areas of education and scientific research. **Vision:** The foundation envisions a society that cares for all of its members and endeavors to enhance individual self-worth and dignity. It seeks a world where every individual is a valued and productive member of society, wh…
How do I apply for a grant from The Brinson Foundation?
**Grant Types & Programs:** • Programmatic grants in education and scientific research • Brinson Prize Fellowships • Endorsement grants to established institutions • Board special interest grants **Grant Sizes:** Typical awards range from $250 to $100,000,000, with significant variation depending on program type. **Recent Grant Activity (2024):** The foundation made grants totaling approximately $8.48 million in 2024. Notable 2024 grants include: *Education:* • University of Chicago: $665,000 •…
Where does The Brinson Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in: • Illinois (particularly the Chicago metropolitan area) • California • District of Columbia • Wyoming
What size grants does The Brinson Foundation award?
In 2024, The Brinson Foundation awarded 138 grants totaling $8.5M — an average of about $61K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Brinson Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Brinson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $11.4M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Brinson Foundation's EIN?
The Brinson Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 68-0656415. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Brinson Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Chicago Community Trust
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
$6.0B
Grants
3,976
Total Given
$1.4B
National Philanthropic Trust
JENKINTOWN, PA
Assets
$42.2B
Grants
18,583
Total Given
$5.1B
Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program
SOUTHEASTERN, PA
Assets
$22.2B
Grants
24,269
Total Given
$3.0B
Jpmorgan Chase Foundation
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
10,334
Total Given
$202.5M
Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$12.7B
Grants
7,424
Total Given
$3.0B
Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc
INDIANAPOLIS, IN
Assets
$9.1B
Grants
19,253
Total Given
$1.2B
Charities Aid Foundation America
ALEXANDRIA, VA
Assets
$444.9M
Grants
10,157
Total Given
$466.3M
The Blackbaud Giving Fund
CHARLESTON SC, SC
Assets
$52.7M
Grants
1,860
Total Given
$41.4M
John D and Catherine T Macarthur
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
$9.3B
Grants
1,086
Total Given
$356.1M
Arie and Ida Crown Memorial
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
—
Grants
897
Total Given
$115.2M
The Ayco Charitable Foundation
COHOES, NY
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
4,719
Total Given
$287.7M
Circle of Service Foundation
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
—
Grants
637
Total Given
$37.0M
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Brinson Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching The Brinson Foundation to a real strategy.