SOURCE OF WEALTH: Citadel, The TLP Group
FUNDING AREAS: Health (food allergy research), Education
OVERVIEW: David and Denise Bunning conduct their philanthropy through the Bunning Family Foundation, which primarily funds food allergy research at educational and medical institutions. According to available tax records, the foundation awarded $4.2 million in grants in 2017.
BACKGROUND: Raised in Illinois, David Bunning graduated from Harvard University in 1998 and received an MBA from University of Chicago in 1992. He joined Citadel Investment Group in the early 1990s and has held various roles in global asset management and investments.
ISSUES:
HEALTH: The Bunnings heavily fund food allergy research. The Bunnings have two sons who have been affected by life-threatening food allergies. In 1997, Denise co-founded Mothers of Children Having Allergies (MOCHA), a support group for food-allergic families in the Chicago suburbs. David, meanwhile, left Citadel Investments in 2004 and now also advocates for treatments for life-threatening food allergies.
The couple have directed significant sums to Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE). They have helped fund research like the PRROTECT study, which seeks to develop a safe and effective oral immunotherapy for patients with peanut allergy. Sites involved in the study include Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School.
Boston Children’s Hospital is home to the David and Denise Bunning Chair in Allergy and Immunology, while University of Chicago is the site of the Bunning Food Allergy Professor. Other grantees have included Northwestern University, National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, and Cincinnati Center for Eosinophilic Disorders. One of the couple’s sons suffers from Eosinophilic Esophagitis, a digestive disorder related to food allergies.
EDUCATION: The Bunnings also support education, with an focus on the Midwest. Grantees have included Ames Education Foundation, Waterloo Community School District, Clark School District, Sturgeon Bay School District, Ounce of Prevention Fund. Bunning has given money to Northwestern University and the University of Chicago. He has also supported Harvard’s wrestling team, which he once wrestled for, as well as the National Wrestling Coaches Association.
LOOKING FORWARD: Expect the Bunnings to continue prioritizing food allergy research.
CONTACT:
The Bunning Family Foundation does not provide a clear avenue for getting in touch but below is contact information:
The Bunning Family Foundation
225 E. Deerpath Rd., Ste. 210
Lake Forest, IL 60045
Telephone: 847-615-9560
