Just because a foundation has no significant public presence, that doesn’t mean it isn’t accessible to local grantseekers. A good example of this is the Brian and Julie Simmons Foundation, which does not have a website but may be open to receiving unsolicited funding requests from local nonprofits in Chicago.
This article reviews the basics of the Simmons Foundation and why this is a Chicago funder worth learning about.
Who are Brian and Julie Simmons?
Brian Simmons founded a Chicago-based private equity investment firm called CHS Capital in 1988, and this company has managed more than $2.5 billion through five limited partnerships. Since then, he founded Shorehill Capital, LLC, which focuses on investments in manufacturing, service and distribution companies valued at between $25 million and $150 million.
Less is publicly known about Brian’s wife, Julie Simmons, but the couple has residences in Chicago and Palm Beach, Florida. They launched their own philanthropic foundation in 2001.
Topics of interest
The Simmons Foundation has broad interests and focuses on education, health, human services, arts and culture. For education funding, Brian Simmons steadily supports his alma mater, Cornell University, and has a scholarship fund there. Other education grantees include the Chicago Public Education Fund, Latin School of Chicago and Golden Apple.
The Simmons’ arts and culture grants have a local focus and include the Chicago Botanical Gardens and Lincoln Park Zoo. Many Simmons grants go toward health and human services causes, including the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center.
A focus on Chicago
Although Brian Simmons is originally from Pittsburgh, the couple and their two children have primarily called Chicago their home, and that’s where their giving is centered. Brian Simmons has served in board and trustee roles for the Lincoln Park Zoo, Economic Club of Chicago, Greater Chicago Food Depository and Deerfield Academy. Although the Simmons family’s grantmaking is not exclusively restricted to Chicago, this is where most foundation grants go. But the foundation has also recently awarded other grants in the following cities: Palm Beach, Florida; Nantucket, Massachusetts; Snowmass Village, Colorado; Charlotte, North Carolina and New York City.
Applying for a Simmons grant
According to the most recent tax records available, the Simmons Foundation may be willing to accept unsolicited grant applications. Grantseekers should submit information about their organizations, tax-exempt status and amount requested to Brian Simmons directly at his Palm Beach address. However, it may be worth making a phone call to the foundation before taking the time to compile application materials. Most Simmons grants are less than $25,000, and many of them are in the $5,000 to $10,000 range. There are no submission deadlines, restrictions or limitations on awards.
Learn more about this funder in IP’s complete profile of the Brian and Julie Simmons Foundation and our Wall Street Donors Guide detailing Brian and Julie Simmons’ giving.
