George P. Hanley Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1.4M - $2.2M
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
• Decision Time: N/A (trustee discretion)
• Grant Range: $100 - $1,009,714
• Geographic Focus: National, with concentration in Illinois, Florida, and Ohio

Contact Details

• Website: hanleyfdn.org
• Email: admin@hanleyfdn.org
• Phone: (312) 399-5099
• Address: 5120 Lakeview Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33140

Overview

The George P. Hanley Foundation is a private independent foundation established in 1997 by financial entrepreneur George P. Hanley. With assets of approximately $21.3 million, the foundation has distributed over $20 million since its founding. Based operationally in Chicago while registered in Miami Beach, the foundation focuses on creating a better future through targeted support for education, environmental sustainability, clean energy, social justice, and democracy.

The foundation's strategic approach combines major named gifts to university academic centers with grants to leading national advocacy organizations. Annual disbursements range between $1.4 million and $2.2 million, distributed across 6-26 awards annually. Recent major initiatives include the Hanley Sustainability Institute at University of Dayton and the George P. Hanley Democracy Center at University of Miami.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• University Partnerships: Multi-million dollar investments in academic centers at universities where George Hanley maintains board relationships
• Advocacy Organization Support: $1,000 - $500,000+ grants to established nonprofits in environmental and social justice sectors

Priority Areas

• Environmental advocacy and climate policy (Midwest-focused)
• Clean energy transition and sustainability
• Education and experiential learning for underserved communities
• Entrepreneurship education
• Social justice and human rights
• Democracy and civic engagement
• International development (clean energy access)

What They Don't Fund

• Unsolicited requests
• Healthcare
• Arts and culture
• Faith-based programs
• Individual scholarships (except through university partnerships)

Governance and Leadership

George P. Hanley - President and Founder

• Principal of Normandy Island LLC, Left Bank Capital, and R2 Companies
• University of Dayton Board of Trustees member
• University of Miami Dean's Committee member
• Started philanthropic work in 1980s sponsoring tuition for underserved communities

Marc Schwartz - Director

• Managing partner at Harrison & Held, LLP (Chicago)
• Chair of Loyola University Medical Center Board
• Extensive nonprofit governance experience

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly states it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." All grants are awarded at trustee discretion based on existing relationships.

Getting on Their Radar

• University of Dayton Network: Organizations connected to UD's Sustainability Institute, ESG Investment Center, or ETHOS program are in natural alignment
• University of Miami Network: Groups working with UM on democracy, civic engagement, or sustainability have exposure through Hanley's Dean's Committee role
• Chicago Business/Legal Circles: Connections through Director Marc Schwartz's firm Harrison & Held or Chicago entrepreneurship networks
• Environmental Law & Policy Center Connection: The foundation is a sustained ELPC supporter; collaborating organizations may gain indirect exposure

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants made on ongoing basis at trustee discretion

Success Rates

Not published - foundation makes 6-26 awards annually

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - though sustained multi-year relationships with core grantees are common

Application Success Factors

• Mission alignment with George Hanley's personal convictions is essential - University of Dayton connections, Chicago business roots, clean energy, democracy, and social entrepreneurship
• University and academic credibility matters significantly - Major gifts have been channeled through universities for naming academic initiatives
• Environmental organizations with Midwest policy focus are strong fits - Regional groups working on clean energy and climate policy in Illinois, Ohio, Indiana align well
• Market-based approaches preferred - Solutions engaging entrepreneurship and market mechanisms resonate more than pure advocacy
• Long-term relationship thinking required - With preselected model, foundation rewards sustained relationship development over years
• Grant amounts vary dramatically ($100 to $1M+) suggesting highly customized approach based on relationship and project scope

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process exists - only preselected organizations receive funding
• University of Dayton and University of Miami networks offer the most documented pathways
• Environmental giving is strongly Midwest-oriented
• Annual giving ranges $1.4M-$2.2M with flexible grant sizes
• Largest investments have been named academic centers aligned with Hanley's legacy interests
• Once in portfolio, organizations tend to receive sustained multi-year support
• Contact via admin@hanleyfdn.org for relationship inquiries only, not formal applications

References

1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Hanley Foundation (EIN: 02-0631312) https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/20631312 Accessed: February 2026

2. George P. Hanley Foundation Official Website https://hanleyfdn.org/ Accessed: February 2026

3. Grantmakers.io Profile - Hanley Foundation https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/020631312-hanley-foundation/ Accessed: February 2026

4. Instrumentl 990 Report - Hanley Foundation https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/hanley-foundation Accessed: February 2026

5. InfluenceWatch - Hanley Foundation https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/hanley-foundation/ Accessed: February 2026

6. GeorgeHanley.org - Foundation Page https://www.georgehanley.org/foundation Accessed: February 2026