J. Christopher and Anne N. Reyes Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $10,891,297 (2023)
• Number of Grants: 47 awards (2023)
• Grant Range: $500 - $5,000,000+
• Geographic Focus: Primarily Chicago area, with some national giving
• Application Process: No public application process - invitation only

Contact Details

Address: 777 S Flagler Dr Ste 1500, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone: 561-469-5600
EIN: 207532299
Note: The foundation does not have a website and does not accept unsolicited grant applications.

Overview

Established in 2007 as a private family foundation by J. Christopher Reyes and Anne N. Reyes, the foundation distributed $10,891,297 in grants during 2023 across 47 awards. While based in West Palm Beach, Florida, the foundation maintains deep roots in the Chicago area dating back to the late 1970s when the Reyes family established their beverage distribution business. The foundation focuses on three primary areas: health, arts and culture, and education. J. Christopher Reyes co-chairs Reyes Holdings with his brother Jude, a food and beverage production and distribution company ranked by Forbes in 2023 as the 6th largest privately held company in the U.S. The foundation's giving patterns closely mirror Mr. Reyes's extensive board service, with major support going to institutions where he serves as trustee or director, particularly the University of Notre Dame, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, and various Chicago cultural institutions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through trustee-directed grantmaking rather than structured grant programs. Grants are made on a rolling basis to pre-selected organizations.

Grant Size Range:

• Typical grants: $500 - $100,000
• Major institutional grants: $1,000,000 - $5,000,000+
• Total distributed in 2023: $10,891,297 across 47 awards

Priority Areas

Healthcare:

• Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (multi-million dollar support)
• Northwestern Memorial Foundation
• Other Chicago-area hospitals and medical centers

Arts & Culture:

• Lyric Opera of Chicago (millions in support)
• Art Institute of Chicago ($900,000+)
• Field Museum
• Museum of Science and Industry
• University of Notre Dame's Chris and Anne Reyes Organ and Choral Hall

Education:

• Higher Education: University of Notre Dame (largest recipient), University of Chicago, University of Georgia, University of Maryland
• K-12 Education: Lake Forest Academy, Lake Forest Country Day School, Reading Power, Accelerate Institute

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals and exclusively supports organizations within their established network. No funding for organizations outside their geographic focus areas or institutional connections.

Governance and Leadership

J. Christopher Reyes (Co-Founder)

• Co-Chairman, Reyes Holdings
• Board of Trustees, University of Notre Dame
• Distinguished Lifetime Director, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital
• Director, Northwestern Memorial Healthcare
• Trustee, Ronald McDonald House Charities
• Board Member, Museum of Science and Industry of Chicago
• Board Member, Lyric Opera of Chicago
• Board Member, United Way of Metropolitan Chicago
• Director, Lake Forest Academy

Anne N. Reyes (Co-Founder)

The Reyes family built their wealth through beverage distribution, starting with a Schlitz beer distributorship in South Carolina and expanding to Chicago in 1979. Reyes Holdings is now the largest beer distributor in the U.S.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Getting on Their Radar

Organizations can potentially connect through J. Christopher Reyes's extensive institutional affiliations:

• University of Notre Dame network
• Chicago healthcare institutions (Lurie Children's Hospital, Northwestern Memorial)
• Chicago cultural institutions (Lyric Opera, Museum of Science and Industry, Art Institute)
• United Way of Metropolitan Chicago
• Lake Forest area educational institutions
• Ronald McDonald House Charities network

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Decisions made at trustee discretion without fixed grant cycles.

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation only foundation.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no unsolicited applications accepted.

Application Success Factors

Since this is an invitation-only foundation, traditional application factors don't apply. However, their grantmaking patterns reveal clear priorities:

Institutional Excellence: Focus on well-established, prestigious institutions with strong reputations

Chicago Connection: Despite Florida headquarters, vast majority of funding goes to Chicago-area organizations

Board Service Alignment: Nearly every major grantee connects to J. Christopher Reyes's board positions

Transformational Giving: Willing to make multi-million dollar commitments for capital projects and naming opportunities

Long-term Partnerships: Repeat support for core institutions like Notre Dame, Lurie Children's, and Chicago cultural organizations

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process - exclusively funds pre-selected organizations through trustee discretion
• Board connections essential - grantmaking directly follows J. Christopher Reyes's institutional affiliations
• Chicago focus paramount - majority of funding goes to Chicago-area organizations despite Florida base
• Major gifts available - willing to make transformational gifts in the millions
• Three core areas - health (children's healthcare), arts/culture (performing arts and museums), and education (K-12 and higher ed)
• Relationship building critical - organizations need existing connections to Reyes family or board service
• Sustained partnerships valued - foundation prefers long-term relationships with core institutions

References

• Inside Philanthropy. "J. Christopher and Anne N. Reyes Foundation." Accessed March 3, 2026
• Grantmakers.io. "J Christopher and Anne N Reyes Foundation Profile." Accessed March 3, 2026
• Cause IQ. "J Christopher and Anne N Reyes Foundation." Accessed March 3, 2026
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Form 990 Data. Accessed March 3, 2026
• University of Notre Dame News. "Chicago-area businessman elected to Board of Trustees." Accessed March 3, 2026
• Candid Foundation Directory. "J. Christopher and Anne N. Reyes Foundation." Accessed March 3, 2026