The Coleman Foundation

RYE BROOK, NY EIN: 13-6126040 Website

The Coleman Foundation is a private, independent grantmaking foundation headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1951, the Foundation is the legacy of entrepreneurs Dorothy W. Coleman and her husband J.D. Stetson Coleman, former owners of Fannie May Candy Company. The Foundation invests in community-based organizations and local institutions to preserve and strengthen the physical health and economic and emotional well-being of people in the greater Chicago region.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$3.9M

+14.1% YoY

Annual Giving

$237K

-4.9% YoY

Grant Count

-16.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$11K

+13.3% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Coleman Foundation reported a distributable amount of $182K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

For 2025-2027, the Foundation's program strategies focus on three primary areas:

Entrepreneurship — The Foundation leverages its leadership position to transform the entrepreneurship ecosystem in the greater Chicago region into one that thrives, is sustainable, and works for all entrepreneurs. The Foundation invests in developing a well-connected network of organizations to remove barriers to entrepreneurship success, including access to education, capital, and business support services.

Health — The Foundation aspires to reduce health disparities and promote well-being for everyone in the Greater Chicago region by investing in accessible, equitable, and preventive health initiatives.

Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD) — The Foundation invests in systems-wide solutions so that Illinois residents with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, their families, and the agencies who serve them will have access to support, resources, and information to improve their quality of life.

Grantmaking

Review Cycle

. Current grantees may contact the program team at the Foundation's email address with questions.

Invitation Only

** Proposals are by invitation only. Potential grantees should review the Frequently Asked Questions section on the Foundation's website for information regarding open cycles and deadlines. Current grantees may contact the program team at the Foundation's email address with questions.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The Foundation focuses its grantmaking on the greater Chicago region and Illinois.

Grant Distribution by State

California $385K (39%)

New York $290K (29%)

Florida $221K (22%)

Arizona $44K (4%)

Rhode Island $15K (2%)

Massachusetts $10K (1%)

New Mexico $10K (1%)

Pennsylvania $10K (1%)

+2 more states

States

Arizona California District of Columbia Florida Massachusetts New Mexico New York Pennsylvania Rhode Island Texas

Cities

Beverly HillsCoral GablesDallasFort LauderdaleLos AngelesMiamiMission HillsNew YorkNewportNorthhamptonOceansidePalm BeachPalm Beach GardensPittsburghSan FranciscoSanta FeSouthamptonTequestaTucsonWashington

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

As of November 2024:

Total Assets: $3,863,854
Total Revenues: $236,167
Total Expenses: $285,845
Investment Income and Dividends: $79,793
Net Gain from Sale of Non-Inventory Assets: $152,659

The Foundation has 9 employees and an annual revenue of approximately $10.0 million.

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2021
Total Assets	$3,863,854	$3,387,708	$3,955,707
Revenue	$236,167	$127,126	$210,546
Expenses	$285,845	$296,327	$331,044
Qualifying Distributions	$253,746	$263,883	—
Net Investment Income	$200,428	$94,807	$156,152
Distributable Amount	$181,867	$171,085	$193,482

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

101 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Cedars Sinai Medical Center ($66,500), Raymond F Kravis Center Performing Arts ($30,000), The Jewish National Fund ($20,000).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
CEDARS SINAI MEDICAL CENTER LOS ANGELES, CA	GENERAL SUPPORT	$66,500
CHARLES R DREW UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE AND SCIENCE LOS ANGELES, CA	GENERAL SUPPORT	$15,000
CONGREGATION EMANU-EL SAN FRANCISCO, CA	GENERAL SUPPORT	$9,000
CONNECTIONS CENTER FOR AUTISM NORTHHAMPTON, MA	GENERAL SUPPORT	$5,000
CREATIVE ART WORKS NEW YORK, NY	GENERAL SUPPORT	$2,500
THE DAVID FOSTER FOUNDATION LOS ANGELES, CA	GENERAL SUPPORT	$10,300
EL NIDO FAMILY CENTERS MISSION HILLS, CA	GENERAL SUPPORT	$2,500
GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE LOS ANGELES, CA	GENERAL SUPPORT	$5,000
THE JEWISH NATIONAL FUND NEW YORK, NY	GENERAL SUPPORT	$20,000
LIGHTHOUSE ART CENTER INC TEQUESTA, FL	GENERAL SUPPORT	$5,000

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Executive Director: Nora Garcia

Board Members:

Esther Barron (Co-Chair)
Alison Fitzgerald (Co-Chair, Treasurer)
Michael Furlong (Director)
Pat Yuzawa-Rubin (Director)
Laura Lane Taylor (Director)
Walter Abrego (Secretary)

Staff:

Thomas D. Trinley (CFO/COO)
Nathan Stevens (Senior Program Officer)
Alisha Garcia Flores (Data and Grants Manager)

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
JOHN COLEMAN	TRUSTEE	10	—

Recent News & Activity

Recent developments and announcements

2025

The Coleman Foundation announced new leadership and updated grantmaking strategies, launching its 2025-2027 program focus areas in entrepreneurship, health, and intellectual and developmental disabilities services.

The Coleman Foundation Announces New Director, Launches Updated Grantmaking

Frequently Asked Questions

What does The Coleman Foundation fund?

The Coleman Foundation was created to improve opportunity and quality of life. Today, the Foundation continues to foster change through programs that are practical, financially sustainable, and results-oriented. For 2025-2027, the Foundation's program strategies focus on three primary areas: **Entrepreneurship** — The Foundation leverages its leadership position to transform the entrepreneurship ecosystem in the greater Chicago region into one that thrives, is sustainable, and works for all ent…

How do I apply for a grant from The Coleman Foundation?

**Application Process:** Proposals are by invitation only. Potential grantees should review the Frequently Asked Questions section on the Foundation's website for information regarding open cycles and deadlines. Current grantees may contact the program team at the Foundation's email address with questions. **Recent Grant Activity:** In 2024, the Foundation made 31 grants. Notable recent grants include: • Women's Guild Cedars-Sinai Medical Center: $66,500 (General Support) • Kravis Center: $30,0…

Where does The Coleman Foundation make grants?

The Foundation focuses its grantmaking on the greater Chicago region and Illinois.

What size grants does The Coleman Foundation award?

In 2024, The Coleman Foundation awarded 21 grants totaling $237K — an average of about $11K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is The Coleman Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Coleman Foundation reported a distributable amount of $182K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.