SOURCE OF WEALTH: CHS Capital
FUNDING AREAS: Education & Youth, Arts & Culture, Health & Human Services, Environment
OVERVIEW: Brian and Julie Simmons conduct their philanthropy through the Brian and Julie Simmons Foundation, which available tax filings show, gave away $616,000 in grants in 2017. Chicago is an important region of giving for the couple, where they fund select schools, health organizations, and more. Simmons also steadily supports his alma mater, Cornell.
BACKGROUND: Born in Pittsburgh, Brian P. Simmons graduated from Cornell University. Simmons is a founder of CHS Capital, a private equity investment firm based in Chicago.
ISSUES:
EDUCATION & YOUTH: Simmons steadily supports his alma mater Cornell, including a scholarship fund there. The couple has also supported Deerfield Academy (Simmons is a trustee), University of Virginia (the couple are UVA parents), and Teach for America. Much of the family’s philanthropy in this area centers around the Chicago area. The foundation’s grantmaking has supported Chicago Public Education Fund, Urban Alliance in Chicago, KIPP Chicago, Latin School of Chicago, and Golden Apple, an organization that “works to inspire, develop and support teacher excellence in Illinois, especially in schools-of-need.”
ARTS & CULTURE: The couple have supported Lincoln Park Zoo (where Simmons is a life trustee), Aspen Music Festival, Chicago Botanic Gardens, and Nantucket Historical Society.
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES: Julie is a member of the women’s board of University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center, which the couple has helped fund. Other grantees have included Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Lupus Foundation of America, and Greater Chicago Food Depository, where Simmons once served as board chair.
ENVIRONMENT: Grantees have included Max McGraw Wildlife Fund, Cape Eleuthera Foundation, and ‘Sconset Trust, an outfit that works to preserve the “unique character of the east end of Nantucket Island.”
LOOKING FORWARD: Expect the couple to continue to focus on their select interest areas, with an eye towards Chicago especially.
CONTACT:
The Brian and Julie Simmons Foundation accepts applications that include the recipient’s name and address, tax exempt status, and amount requested. Applications should be addressed to:
Brian P. Simmons
10 S. Wacker Dr., No. 3175
Chicago, IL 60606
Telephone: (312) 876-1840
