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Sunshine Charitable Foundation

Annual Giving
$7.3M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $7,272,365 (2023)
  • Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: N/A (invitation only)
  • Grant Range: Varies by program area
  • Total Assets: $114.9 million (2024)
  • Geographic Focus: National (U.S.)
  • Awards Made: 66 grants (2023)

Contact Details

Address: 111 Lake St, Libertyville, IL 60048-1811
Phone: 847-615-9560
EIN: 20-1919538

Note: This foundation does not maintain a public website and does not accept unsolicited applications.

Overview

The Sunshine Charitable Foundation was established in 2005 as a private family foundation operated by David G. Bunning and Denise A. Bunning. With assets exceeding $114 million and annual giving of over $7 million, the foundation serves as the philanthropic vehicle for the Bunning family's charitable interests. The foundation primarily supports education and medical research, with particular emphasis on food allergy and eosinophilic esophagitis research. The Bunnings' personal experience raising two sons with multiple life-threatening food allergies has shaped the foundation's mission. Beyond health research, the foundation has also supported environmental conservation initiatives. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, making contributions exclusively to preselected charitable organizations.

Funding Priorities

Primary Focus Areas

  • Food Allergy and Eosinophilic Esophagitis Research: Major support for research institutions studying allergic diseases
  • Education: Support for educational institutions and programs
  • Environmental Conservation: Selective support for wildlife and environmental research projects

Recent Grant Recipients

The foundation has provided substantial support to:

  • Harvard University: Among the foundation's grantees for research and education
  • Northwestern University: Major multi-year support for the Center for Food Allergy and Asthma Research (CFAAR), including funding for research programs, faculty recruitment, and the Bunning Fellowship
  • Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center: Support for eosinophilic esophagitis research through National Institutes of Health-funded grants
  • Ducks Unlimited: $1 million contribution toward a $2.1 million international study on Great Lakes algal blooms and mallard population recovery

What They Fund

  • Medical research at leading universities and hospitals
  • Food allergy and immunology research programs
  • Educational initiatives at major institutions
  • Environmental and wildlife conservation research
  • Programs aligned with the Bunnings' personal philanthropic interests

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Organizations not pre-identified by the trustees are not eligible for funding.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

David G. Bunning - President & Director
David Bunning is CEO and Chief Investment Officer of The TLP Group, LLC, which he founded in 2004 as the principal investing arm of the Bunning Family Office. Prior to TLP, he spent 13 years at Citadel Investment Group LLC, joining in 1991 when assets under management were less than $20 million and leaving in 2004 as a Principal, Head of Global Credit Trading, and member of the Management Committee when assets exceeded $10 billion. He holds a B.A. from Harvard College and an MBA from the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago. From 2004-2013, Bunning devoted substantial time to developing effective treatments for life-threatening food allergies. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE).

Denise A. Bunning - Vice President & Director
Denise Bunning is a nationally recognized food allergy advocate who co-founded MOCHA (Mothers of Children Having Allergies) in 1997 after placing flyers in local pediatricians' and allergists' offices seeking to connect with other parents of food-allergic children. She co-authored The Food Allergy Experience with Dr. Ruchi Gupta and served on the 2010 Illinois State Board of Education and Illinois Department of Public Health committee that authored statewide guidelines for managing students with life-threatening food allergies. She currently serves on the Board of Governors for Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), the Founders' Board of Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago, and the Women's Board of Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital. She was named Northern Illinois University College of Education's first Educator in Residence in 2019.

Nathan Ballard - Secretary & Director
Information about Nathan Ballard's background and role with the foundation is not publicly available.

Key Quotes

"If we all work together…we can create a better life for food-allergic children and their families." - Denise and David Bunning

The Bunnings describe Northwestern University as an "ideal place" to advance food allergy research, reflecting their collaborative approach to selecting grant recipients.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Sunshine Charitable Foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Grant decisions are made at the discretion of the trustees based on the foundation's strategic interests and the family's philanthropic priorities.

How Grants Are Awarded

The foundation identifies grant recipients through:

  • The trustees' extensive involvement in the food allergy research community
  • David Bunning's role as Chairman of the Board at FARE
  • Denise Bunning's leadership positions in food allergy advocacy organizations
  • Relationships with leading research institutions and medical centers
  • Strategic alignment with the foundation's core mission areas

Organizations that receive support typically have pre-existing relationships with the Bunning family through their advocacy work, board service, or connections in the food allergy research field.

Decision Timeline

Decisions are made on the trustees' schedule. No public timelines or grant cycles are available.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications.

Application Success Factors

While the foundation does not accept applications, the following factors characterize organizations that have received support:

Established Track Record in Priority Areas

The foundation supports institutions with proven expertise in food allergy research, eosinophilic disorders, and related immunological conditions. Recipients include Harvard University, Northwestern University, and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center - all recognized leaders in allergy research.

Alignment with Personal Mission

The Bunnings' lived experience raising sons with multiple life-threatening food allergies drives their giving strategy. They seek to support research that will "create a better life for food-allergic children and their families." Organizations working toward practical solutions, improved treatments, and better quality of life for affected families align with their goals.

Collaborative Research Approach

The foundation values institutions that take a data-driven, collaborative approach to research. Their support for Northwestern's Center for Food Allergy and Asthma Research included funding for faculty recruitment and fellowship programs, indicating interest in building long-term research capacity.

Strategic Impact

The foundation makes substantial, strategic investments rather than small grants. Examples include a $1 million contribution to the Ducks Unlimited Great Lakes study and multi-year support for Northwestern's research center, ensuring "resources to grow and innovate in perpetuity."

Leadership in the Field

Grant recipients tend to be institutions at the forefront of their respective fields, whether in medical research, education, or environmental conservation.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This foundation operates exclusively through trustee-identified opportunities. Unsolicited proposals will not be reviewed.
  • Relationship-Driven: The Bunnings identify recipients through their extensive networks in food allergy research, advocacy, and board service. Relationship building in these circles is the only path to consideration.
  • Deep Expertise Required: Recipients are leading institutions with established research programs and proven track records in the foundation's priority areas.
  • Strategic, Substantial Grants: The foundation makes significant investments ($1 million+) in select organizations rather than distributing many small grants. They funded 66 awards in 2023 from $7.2 million in total giving.
  • Personal Connection to Mission: The Bunnings' personal experience with food allergies drives their philanthropy. Organizations working on solutions that directly impact affected families are most aligned with their mission.
  • Long-term Partnerships: Evidence suggests the foundation builds ongoing relationships with key institutions rather than one-time grants, supporting infrastructure, fellowships, and sustained research programs.
  • Board Service Connections: Organizations where the Bunnings hold board positions (FARE, Lurie Children's Hospital, Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital) may have closer relationships with the foundation.

References

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