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Martin And Patricia Jahn Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.1M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,077,653 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed (24 grants awarded in 2023)
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Illinois and Michigan, with additional grants in New York and Virginia
  • Assets: $38.9 million (2023)

Contact Details

Address: 134 Dragonfly, Burr Ridge, IL 60527-5049

Phone: 630-655-2793

Website: No public website

Note: The foundation does not respond to unsolicited applications for funding.

Overview

The Martin and Patricia Jahn Foundation was established in 2007 by Martin Dale Jahn, a Chicago-based entrepreneur, inventor, and key leader at Chicago Metallic Corporation, and his wife Patricia Catherine Jahn. Following Martin's passing in October 2020 at age 91, the foundation continues its mission under the leadership of Patricia Jahn and trustee Eric Emmerick (the Jahns' son). With assets of approximately $38.9 million, the foundation awarded 24 grants totaling $1,077,653 in 2023. The foundation is a private grantmaking organization focused on empowering individuals through education, workforce development, and community support, with particular emphasis on smaller communities. The foundation has been recognized for major philanthropic contributions including the lead gift for North Central Michigan College's Martin Jahn Technology Center and the establishment of the Martin and Patricia Jahn Workforce Development Fund at the DuPage Foundation in 2025.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through trustee-discretion grants without a public application process. Recent major initiatives include:

  • Martin Jahn Technology Center - Lead gift to North Central Michigan College for an 11,500-square-foot technology and skilled trades education facility (opening Fall 2026)
  • Martin and Patricia Jahn Workforce Development Fund - Established in 2025 at the DuPage Foundation to support organizations serving DuPage County, IL in workforce development
  • Bridge Communities Support - Multiple funds established to support transitional housing for families experiencing homelessness in DuPage County

Priority Areas

Based on documented grants and the founders' stated interests:

  • Education & Workforce Development: Technology education, skilled trades training, career development programs
  • Housing & Human Services: Transitional housing support, homelessness prevention
  • Arts & Culture: Support for local artists, symphony, opera, and theater (reflecting Martin Jahn's personal commitment as an arts patron)
  • Geographic Focus: Strong emphasis on DuPage County, Illinois, and Northern Michigan (particularly the Straits of Mackinac area)

What They Don't Fund

As a private foundation that does not accept unsolicited applications, the foundation does not publicly disclose exclusions. Grants appear to be made at the discretion of the trustees based on their philanthropic priorities.

Governance and Leadership

Patricia Catherine Jahn - Trustee (serves without compensation) Co-founder of the foundation and widow of Martin Jahn. She continues to guide the foundation's mission of empowering individuals through education and opportunity.

Quote from Patricia Jahn: "Through our contribution, we aim to provide the tools and resources deserving individuals need to create lasting change in their lives and communities."

Eric Emmerick - Trustee (serves without compensation) Son of Martin and Patricia Jahn, Eric serves as trustee and helps guide the foundation's strategic direction.

Quote from Eric Emmerick: "Our foundation is rooted in the belief that true philanthropy is about empowering individuals with the tools and opportunities to create a better future for themselves and their neighbors."

Martin Dale Jahn (1929-2020) - Founder An entrepreneur, inventor, and US Army veteran who held several product patents and was a key leader at Chicago Metallic Corporation. Born and raised in Chicago, he attended Morgan Park High School and Northwestern University. He was an active member of the Union League Club of Chicago and a longtime philanthropist focused on education and the arts. He valued self-sufficiency and had a passion for supporting smaller communities, particularly in the Straits of Mackinac area of Michigan.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly does not respond to unsolicited applications for funding.

Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees based on their philanthropic priorities and identified community needs. The foundation appears to take a proactive approach to identifying organizations and causes that align with their mission, rather than responding to incoming requests.

Getting on Their Radar

DuPage Foundation Partnership: Organizations working on workforce development in DuPage County, Illinois may be able to access funding through the Martin and Patricia Jahn Workforce Development Fund established at the DuPage Foundation in 2025. Contact the DuPage Foundation for information about their grantmaking process for this fund.

Geographic Connections: The foundation has demonstrated strong ties to:

  • DuPage County, Illinois (particularly the Burr Ridge area)
  • Northern Michigan (especially the Straits of Mackinac region)
  • Educational institutions in these areas

Organizations in these geographic areas working in the foundation's priority areas (education, workforce development, housing, arts) may have higher visibility with the trustees.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As a private foundation operating through trustee discretion, decision timelines are not standardized or published.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, so there is no public application success rate.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications or unsolicited inquiries.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation does not accept public applications, traditional success factors do not apply. However, the foundation's documented grants and leadership statements reveal key priorities:

Mission Alignment with Foundation Values:

  • Empowerment Focus: Both Patricia Jahn and Eric Emmerick emphasize providing "tools and resources" and "opportunities" rather than simply financial assistance. Projects should demonstrate how they enable individuals to create lasting change.
  • Self-Sufficiency: Martin Jahn valued self-sufficiency and building capacity. Programs that teach skills and create independence align with this philosophy.
  • Community Impact: The foundation emphasizes creating "a better future for themselves and their neighbors," suggesting preference for programs with community-wide benefits.

Geographic Preferences:

  • Strong demonstrated commitment to DuPage County, Illinois
  • Significant interest in Northern Michigan, particularly the Straits of Mackinac area
  • Smaller communities appear to be a priority over major metropolitan areas

Substantive Investments:

  • The foundation makes major, transformational gifts (e.g., naming-level gift for the Martin Jahn Technology Center)
  • Rather than spreading resources widely, they appear to make substantial investments in causes they believe in
  • Multi-year or endowment-style giving (e.g., establishing permanent funds at the DuPage Foundation)

Areas of Demonstrated Interest:

  • Technology and skilled trades education
  • Workforce development and career training
  • Transitional housing and support for families experiencing homelessness
  • Arts and culture (though less prominently featured in recent giving)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process: This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant application methods. They do not respond to unsolicited inquiries.
  • Trustee-driven grantmaking: Grants are made based on the trustees' identification of community needs and alignment with their philanthropic vision, not in response to proposals.
  • Geographic focus: Strong preference for DuPage County, IL and Northern Michigan, particularly smaller communities in these regions.
  • Transformational giving model: The foundation makes substantial, often naming-level gifts rather than numerous small grants (24 grants totaling over $1 million suggests average grant size of approximately $45,000).
  • Empowerment philosophy: Leadership consistently emphasizes providing tools, resources, and opportunities for individuals to create lasting change, not just financial support.
  • Workforce development priority: The 2025 establishment of a dedicated workforce development fund signals this as a growing area of focus.
  • Partnership approach: The foundation works through established community foundations (e.g., DuPage Foundation) to create lasting impact, suggesting they value institutional partnerships.

References

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