The Coleman Foundation
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
21
-16.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$11K
+13.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
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 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
States
Cities
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.
| 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
No grants recorded for .
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
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 GrantmakingRelated Funders
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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