IMC Chicago Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $17,690,081 (2023)
Total Assets: $43.7M (2024)
Number of Grants: 85 (2023)
Average Grant Size: ~$208,000
Geographic Focus: Chicago Public Schools and communities
Classification: Private Grantmaking Foundation
Established: 2008

Contact Details

Address: 233 S Wacker Dr Ste 4300, Chicago, IL 60606-6377

Phone: 312-244-3300

Website: https://www.imc.com/us/positive-impact/giving-back/Chicago-charitable-foundation

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals. Organizations are selected through strategic partnerships and employee nominations.

Overview

The IMC Chicago Charitable Foundation was established in 2008 when IMC Trading expanded to Chicago, inspired by the IMC Weekend School in Amsterdam that supports over 1,000 students in the Netherlands. With total assets of $43.7 million and annual giving exceeding $17.6 million in 2023, the foundation has donated more than $68 million since inception to improve public schools, promote life skills, and prevent violence. The foundation's mission is to provide young people with opportunities that help them reach their full potential, with a particular focus on enhancing educational opportunities within Chicago's public school system. Funded by 2% of IMC Trading's annual profits from their Chicago office, the foundation operates through a unique model that combines strategic philanthropic priorities with employee-driven giving. The foundation has received recognition for its innovative partnerships, including a landmark $30 million commitment to Room to Read in 2024.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through three main funding streams:

Strategic Partnerships (Multi-year commitments, typically $100,000+)

Four-year grant commitments to programs like Embarc's experiential learning at Englewood STEM High School
Three-year commitments such as the Northwestern Settlement outdoor education program
Major institutional partnerships with Chicago Public Schools

Community Grants (Variable amounts)

Support for established nonprofits addressing food insecurity, gun violence prevention, and youth development
Grants to organizations like New Life Centers and University of Chicago Urban Education Labs

Employee Engagement Program ("Make Your Mark" Initiative)

Employee-nominated charities voted on by staff
Matching gifts up to $1,000 per employee annually
Volunteer rewards: $20 per volunteer hour (up to $2,000 per employee per year)

Special Initiatives

Trading and Gaming Day for Charity (annual event generating $6M+ for Room to Read)
COVID-19 response: $10 million special allocation beyond regular grantmaking

Priority Areas

Education (Primary Focus)

College readiness programs
STEM education initiatives
Experiential learning opportunities
Early childhood development
After-school programs and classroom technology
Sports-based youth development

Schools and Systems

Direct partnerships with Chicago Public Schools
School infrastructure and technology upgrades
Teacher professional development
Multi-year school partnerships

Community Issues

Food insecurity programs
Gun violence prevention
Nonprofit sector strengthening
Youth leadership development

International Focus

Room to Read literacy programs in Tanzania, South Africa, and India (benefiting 3.2 million children to date)

What They Don't Fund

Unsolicited grant proposals (application by invitation only)
Organizations outside Chicago (except for Room to Read international partnership)
Projects not aligned with education, early childhood, or community priorities
Religious or political organizations
Individual scholarships or direct student aid

Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team

Lisa Wiersma, Executive Director (Since 2011)

Previously Director of Partnerships at Chicago Public Schools
Also served in Corporate Development at Tribune Company
Oversees grantmaking in three priority areas: experiential learning, schools and systems, and early childhood
Directs IMC's long-term partnership with Room to Read
Quoted: "We know that a long-term approach to philanthropy that includes multi-year funding is critical in order to create lasting impact. At IMC, we're deeply committed to having a positive impact on the world, with a particular focus on education."

Adam Arents, Vice President/Director of Charities (Since 2016)

Program Officer responsible for grant management
2024 Compensation: $118,799 plus $39,563 other compensation

Andrea Brewster, Community Engagement Manager

Connects IMC Chicago employees to local nonprofits through giving and volunteer opportunities
2024 Compensation: $110,000 plus $13,219 other compensation

Decision-Making Structure

Local Charity Committee: Reviews employee nominations and makes recommendations for community grants

Global Charity Board: Reviews and approves larger grant proposals and strategic partnerships

Employee Vote: IMC staff vote on charities nominated through the "Make Your Mark" program to determine allocation of employee-driven funds

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The IMC Chicago Charitable Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals.

Grant recipients are identified through three primary channels:

Strategic Partnerships: The foundation proactively identifies and approaches organizations aligned with their mission. Executive Director Lisa Wiersma and her team conduct extensive research to understand community needs and select partner organizations for multi-year commitments.
Employee Nominations: IMC employees are encouraged to "make their mark" by nominating charities they feel deserve support. Employees provide explanations for their nominations, and the local charity committee and office colleagues vote on the most deserving programs.
Established Relationships: The foundation builds on existing connections, including through Lisa Wiersma's previous role at Chicago Public Schools and through IMC employees' volunteer activities.

Getting on Their Radar

While the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, organizations working in Chicago public education may increase visibility through specific approaches:

Build Relationships with IMC Employees: Since employee nominations drive significant funding, connecting with IMC Trading employees who volunteer or have personal interests in education could lead to nominations through the "Make Your Mark" program. IMC provides employees one full day off annually to volunteer.

Participate in Chicago Public Schools Networks: Given Lisa Wiersma's background as Director of Partnerships at Chicago Public Schools and the foundation's focus on CPS institutions, active participation in CPS collaborative networks and education forums may create opportunities for visibility.

Focus on Technology and STEM: IMC Trading's core business involves technology and quantitative analysis. As Lisa Wiersma noted when selecting Brooks College Preparatory Academy: "Over half the people there are computer programmers; most of them have degrees in computer science. So we were looking for a school that had an interest in building their computer program and using technology." Organizations with strong technology or STEM components align with IMC's expertise.

Demonstrate Multi-Year Impact Potential: The foundation strongly favors multi-year commitments and partnerships that can demonstrate sustainable impact. Organizations should be prepared to articulate long-term goals and measurable outcomes.

Target South Side Chicago: When explaining their selection criteria, Wiersma stated: "We were looking for a high school and we were looking for a school in the south side of the city," indicating geographic priorities within Chicago.

Decision Timeline

Strategic Partnerships: Multi-year commitments are typically reviewed and approved by the Global Charity Board on a rolling basis, with decisions taking several months from initial discussion to approval.

Employee Nominations: The annual "Make Your Mark" program operates on a yearly cycle, with employees nominating charities and voting occurring during designated periods throughout the year.

Notification: Organizations selected for funding are typically contacted directly by foundation staff. Grant agreements for multi-year commitments involve formal contracting processes.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as the foundation does not accept applications. However, existing grantees may be considered for renewed or expanded support based on performance and alignment with foundation priorities. The foundation demonstrates strong commitment to existing partners, as evidenced by four-year commitments to programs like Embarc at Englewood STEM High School.

Application Success Factors

Since the IMC Chicago Charitable Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, the following factors appear to influence their selection of grantees:

Alignment with Technology and STEM: IMC Trading's core expertise is in quantitative trading and technology. Organizations that can leverage IMC's technical expertise or focus on STEM education are particularly attractive. As Lisa Wiersma explained: "Our firm has a lot of technology...we were looking for a school that had an interest in building their computer program and using technology."

Focus on Chicago Public Schools: The foundation was "founded...focused on enhancing educational opportunities within the public school system to help students thrive." Direct partnerships with CPS schools or organizations serving CPS students align with core mission.

Capacity for Multi-Year Engagement: The foundation makes four-year commitments (Embarc/Englewood STEM), three-year commitments (Northwestern Settlement), and decade-long partnerships (Room to Read since 2016). Organizations must demonstrate capacity to sustain long-term partnerships.

Measurable Outcomes in Priority Areas: The foundation oversees grantmaking in three specific priority areas: (1) experiential learning, (2) schools and systems, and (3) early childhood. Projects should clearly fit within these categories with measurable outcomes.

Geographic Targeting: When selecting schools, the foundation has shown interest in underserved areas, particularly the South Side of Chicago, indicating commitment to equity and serving high-need communities.

Employee Connection: The "Make Your Mark" program suggests that organizations where IMC employees volunteer or have personal connections have pathways to funding. Organizations should consider how to engage potential employee champions.

Demonstration of Community Need: The foundation develops "a deep understanding of each local community's needs" before making decisions. Organizations should be prepared to articulate specific community gaps they address.

Scalability and Replicability: Major grantees like Chicago Public Schools, University of Chicago Urban Education Labs, and Room to Read suggest preference for partners working at scale or conducting research that can inform broader educational practice.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

No Public Application Process: This foundation operates entirely through strategic selection and employee nominations - do not submit unsolicited proposals
Employee Connections Are Key: With significant funding driven by the "Make Your Mark" program, connecting with IMC Trading employees who might nominate your organization is the most accessible pathway
Think Multi-Year: Single-year projects are less attractive; the foundation consistently makes 3-5 year commitments to partners demonstrating sustained impact potential
Leverage Technology Expertise: Organizations that can benefit from IMC's deep technology and quantitative expertise, or focus on STEM education, align naturally with the funder's competencies
Chicago Public Schools Focus: Direct service to CPS students and schools represents the core mission; the Executive Director's CPS background creates natural alignment
Patient Capital Approach: With 2% of IMC's annual profits allocated to the foundation, this is a substantial and stable funding source committed to long-term educational transformation
Demonstrate Educational Innovation: Recent grants to Embarc (experiential learning) and partnerships emphasizing outdoor education and technology suggest interest in innovative educational approaches beyond traditional classroom models

References

IMC Trading - IMC Chicago Charitable Foundation page. https://www.imc.com/us/positive-impact/giving-back/Chicago-charitable-foundation (Accessed January 15, 2026)
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - IMC Chicago Charitable Foundation (EIN: 26-1416954). https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/261416954 (Accessed January 15, 2026)
Candid/Foundation Directory Online - IMC Chicago Charitable Foundation Profile. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?collection=grantmakers&key=IMCC001 (Accessed January 15, 2026)
Cause IQ - IMC Chicago Charitable Foundation organizational data. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/imc-chicago-charitable-foundation,261416954/ (Accessed January 15, 2026)
Chicago Public Education Fund - Lisa Wiersma Leadership Profile. https://thefundchicago.org/who-we-are/leadership/lisa-wiersma/ (Accessed January 15, 2026)
Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy - "Brooks Gets Donation for Technology from IMC." http://brookscollegeprep.org/news/brooks-gets-donation-technology-imc (Accessed January 15, 2026)
PR Newswire - "IMC Commits to Donate $30 Million to Room to Read in 2024-2028" (July 9, 2024). https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/imc-commits-to-donate-30-million-to-room-to-read-in-2024-2028-302182452.html (Accessed January 15, 2026)
IMC Trading - Trading for Charity US page. https://www.imc.com/us/positive-impact/giving-back/Trading-for-charity (Accessed January 15, 2026)
Double the Donation - IMC Financial Markets Matching Gifts & Volunteer Info. https://doublethedonation.com/matching-gifts/imc (Accessed January 15, 2026)
Built In Chicago - "What's the Company Culture Like at IMC Trading?" https://www.builtinchicago.org/articles/trading-and-gaming-charity-inside-look-imc-tradings-culture-giving-back (Accessed January 15, 2026)