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The Duchossois Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$19.2M
Grant Range
$3K - $1.0M

The Duchossois Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $19,226,337 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $176 million+ (2021)
  • Grant Range: $2,500 - $1,000,000 (occasionally higher)
  • Number of Grants: 87 awards (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: Chicago and Illinois (primarily Chicago suburbs)
  • Application Process: Invitation only
  • Accepts Unsolicited Applications: No

Contact Details

Address: 444 West Lake Street, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (312) 586-2010
Email: info@thedff.org
Website: https://thedff.org/
EIN: 36-3327987

Primary Contact: Mary Ann Roeser, President

Overview

Founded in 1984 in memory of Beverly Thrall Duchossois, The Duchossois Family Foundation is a private family foundation that has provided over $330 million in support to more than 740 partner organizations over four decades. Led by first- and second-generation members of the Duchossois family, the foundation strives to empower individuals to enhance their quality of life through wellness and economic opportunity. Initially focused on cancer research and patient services in honor of their matriarch who died of cancer in 1980, the foundation underwent a strategic reorganization in 2015 to broaden its mission. The foundation is guided by the late patriarch Richard L. Duchossois's principles: innovation, passion, integrity, respect, and unbounded thinking. Major achievements include establishing the $100 million Duchossois Family Institute at the University of Chicago in 2017 and providing $5 million in rapid COVID-19 pandemic response in 2020. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, working with organizations that have close connections with the Duchossois family and board.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Strategic Initiatives (Veterans Community Initiative)

  • Multi-year grants supporting veteran-led organizations
  • Focus on transitioning service members and military families
  • Grant amounts: Varies widely (e.g., $935,000 over 3 years to Veteran Business Project)
  • By invitation only
  • Partner organizations include: The Headstrong Project, Illinois Joining Forces, Team Red, White & Blue, Warrior-Scholar Project, Veteran Business Project

2. Community Grants

  • Annual budget: $750,000+ (2024)
  • Provides core support for human services organizations
  • Supports organizations reflecting board and family values
  • By invitation only
  • Grants to: After School Matters, Chicago Children's Advocacy Center, Greater Chicago Food Depository, Junior Achievement Chicago, Metropolitan Family Services, Special Olympics Illinois, Skills for Chicagoland's Future, Museum of Contemporary Art, Cradles to Crayons, College Possible

3. Duchossois Family Institute

  • Major research initiative at University of Chicago
  • $100 million founding gift (2017)
  • Focus: Microbiome and immunity research for human health
  • Ongoing support for clinical trials and research facilities

4. Family Special Interest Gifts

  • Annual giving: $365,000 (2024)
  • Matches personal giving of family and board members

Priority Areas

  • Veterans Wellness and Economic Opportunity: Job services, career opportunities, continuing education, mental health resources, reducing veteran suicide, addressing food and housing insecurity
  • Human Services: Youth education, social services, food security, skills training, community development
  • Health and Medical Research: Cancer research, patient services, microbiome research, immunity studies
  • Education: Scholarships, educational programs for youth, workforce development

What They Don't Fund

The foundation has not published specific exclusions. However, they:

  • Do not accept unsolicited applications
  • Only make contributions to preselected charitable organizations
  • Focus primarily on Chicago and Illinois (occasional national grants)
  • Prefer organizations with connections to the Duchossois family and board

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

  • Ashley D. Joyce - Chairman (3rd generation; formerly President; holds MSW from University of Chicago; background as therapist; joined full-time in 2015; also Vice Chair of Duchossois Capital Management)
  • Mary Ann Roeser - President (first non-family president; appointed 2022; served as Executive Director since 2008; BA from Eastern Illinois University)
  • Craig J. Duchossois - Treasurer (2nd generation; Executive Chair of Duchossois Capital Management; Marine Corps veteran 1968-1971 including Vietnam service)
  • Janet J. Duchossois - Secretary (co-donor of $100M to Duchossois Family Institute)
  • Ilaria A. Fusina - Investment Chair
  • Suzy Buckley Woodward - Director

Staff

  • Ashley D. Joyce - Chairman
  • Mary Ann Roeser - President
  • Nicole Yainne - Program Associate
  • Lisa Fikejs - Executive Assistant

Foundation Legacy

Founded by Richard L. Duchossois (1921-2022), a decorated WWII veteran and Chairman of The Duchossois Group, Inc. His guiding philosophy: "In the spirit of our patriarch Richard L. Duchossois, the family was determined to make no small impact – we gave to transform." Craig J. Duchossois has stated: "As a result of good fortune, the family, the company, and the Foundation have had a greater impact together than we might have ever imagined."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Duchossois Family Foundation operates exclusively on an invitation-only basis and only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations. Grants are awarded through two channels:

  1. Strategic Initiatives: By invitation only to veteran-focused organizations and strategic partners
  2. Community Grants: By invitation only to organizations reflecting board and family values

Getting on Their Radar

While the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, they do provide contact information for organizations wishing to introduce themselves:

Contact Mary Ann Roeser, President

The foundation notes that "grantees tend to have close connections with the Duchossois family and foundation board," suggesting that relationship-building and alignment with family values are critical factors.

Strategic Partnerships: In 2024, the foundation partnered with the Milken Institute on the Veterans Community Initiative, demonstrating their openness to collaborative philanthropic ventures with aligned partners.

Decision Timeline

No specific timeline is published, as grants are made by invitation rather than through application cycles. The foundation appears to make grants throughout the year rather than following fixed deadlines.

Success Rates

Not applicable due to invitation-only model. In 2023, the foundation made 87 grants totaling over $19.2 million.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable. The foundation emphasizes multi-year grants and avoids "one-off" situations, preferring sustained commitment to drive measurable results.

Application Success Factors

Since The Duchossois Family Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, traditional application success factors don't apply. However, organizations that have received funding share common characteristics:

Alignment with Foundation Values

The foundation seeks organizations whose missions reflect "the values, attitudes, interests, and goals of the Board and family." These values, rooted in Richard L. Duchossois's principles, include:

  • Innovation to solve big challenges
  • Passion to unleash forces that can change the world
  • Integrity as a fundamental element
  • Respect for everyone as essential for personal growth
  • Unbounded thinking to develop fresh ideas for elevating the neediest of society

Focus on Transformational Impact

Mary Ann Roeser, President, emphasizes that the foundation is "determined to make no small impact – we gave to transform." This suggests the foundation favors:

  • Organizations creating systemic change rather than temporary solutions
  • Programs with measurable, long-term outcomes
  • Initiatives addressing root causes, not just symptoms

Veteran-Focused Organizations

For veteran initiatives, President Mary Ann Roeser has stated: "Veterans need coordinated support systems that respond to their range of unique needs." Successful veteran-focused grantees demonstrate:

  • Veteran-led leadership and governance
  • Comprehensive services addressing multiple needs (employment, mental health, housing, education)
  • Emerging organizations with growth potential
  • Programs reducing veteran suicide and improving economic security

Chicago/Illinois Connection

The foundation prioritizes organizations serving Chicago and surrounding suburbs, with occasional national grants. Successful grantees typically demonstrate:

  • Deep roots in Chicago communities
  • Service to populations where the Duchossois family "live and work"
  • Impact on Illinois veterans and their families

Multi-Year Partnership Potential

The foundation "emphasizes multi-year grants and avoids 'one-off' situations," indicating they seek:

  • Organizations ready for sustained partnership
  • Programs requiring time to achieve meaningful results
  • Recipients who can demonstrate long-term strategic planning

Core Support Philosophy

The foundation provides "core support for human services," suggesting openness to general operating support rather than requiring program-specific funding.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-Only Model: This is not a funder you can apply to directly. Focus on relationship-building and getting on their radar through introductions and networking within Chicago philanthropy circles.

  • Family-Driven Philanthropy: First- through third-generation family members actively govern the foundation. Understanding the Duchossois family legacy, particularly Richard L. Duchossois's principles (innovation, passion, integrity, respect, unbounded thinking), is essential.

  • Transformational Over Incremental: The foundation seeks to "transform" rather than make small impacts. Present your work as creating systemic, lasting change rather than temporary solutions.

  • Multi-Year Commitment: They actively avoid one-off grants. If you do get on their radar, be prepared to discuss multi-year partnership opportunities and long-term strategic goals.

  • Veterans Are Priority: If your organization serves veterans, particularly in the Chicago/Illinois area, and can demonstrate coordinated support systems addressing multiple needs (employment, mental health, housing), you align with a top priority. Veteran-led organizations are especially favored.

  • Chicago/Suburbs Geographic Priority: While occasional national grants are made, the foundation concentrates on Chicago and surrounding suburbs. Demonstrate deep local impact and community connections.

  • Contact Strategically: While they don't accept unsolicited applications, they do provide contact information (info@thedff.org, 312-586-2010). A brief, professional introduction of your organization emphasizing alignment with their values may be worthwhile, but don't expect a funding opportunity immediately.

References

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