Margot And Thomas Pritzker Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $5,267,852 (2024)
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
• Decision Time: N/A (trustee discretion)
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $2,000,000
• Geographic Focus: Chicago/Illinois, Washington DC, New York

Contact Details

• Website: No public website
• Phone: Not publicly available
• Email: Not publicly available
• Note: This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications

Overview

The Margot and Thomas Pritzker Family Foundation is a private foundation established in 1993 with current assets of approximately $65.6 million. The foundation distributes over $5 million annually to preselected charitable organizations, with a strong focus on Chicago-area institutions. Led by Thomas J. Pritzker (CEO of The Pritzker Organization and Executive Chairman of Hyatt Hotels) and Margot Pritzker (Chair of the Aspen Institute Board of Trustees), the foundation supports arts, education, human services, and international affairs. The foundation operates exclusively through invitation and trustee discretion, maintaining no public application process while demonstrating deep personal involvement in the organizations they support.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through trustee discretion with no formal grant programs. Historical giving patterns show:

• Major institutional support: $100,000 - $2,000,000 (multi-year commitments to universities and museums)
• Mid-level grants: $10,000 - $100,000 (educational and cultural organizations)
• Community grants: $1,000 - $10,000 (local human services organizations)

Priority Areas

• Arts and Culture: Major museums, cultural institutions, especially Chicago-based
• Education: Universities, K-12 schools, educational access programs
• Human Services: Food equity, community development, social services
• International Affairs: Global affairs organizations and international causes
• Philanthropy Infrastructure: Support for grantmaking and volunteerism initiatives

What They Don't Fund

As an invitation-only foundation, they do not fund unsolicited requests. No specific exclusions are documented, but giving history shows limited support outside their core geographic areas and focus areas.

Governance and Leadership

Thomas J. Pritzker - President & Director

• CEO of The Pritzker Organization (includes Marmon Inc. and Hyatt Hotels)
• Executive Chairman of Hyatt Hotels Corporation
• Chairman of the Hyatt Foundation (oversees Pritzker Architecture Prize)
• Member of Executive Committee, University of Chicago Board of Trustees

Margot Pritzker - Vice President & Director

• Chair of the Aspen Institute Board of Trustees
• Co-Founder and Executive Chair of Community Food Navigator
• Board member of multiple Chicago organizations focused on food equity and community development
• Co-directs the Pritzker Architecture Prize with Thomas

Additional Officers: Paula McMenamin (VP & Director), Scott Stevens (VP & Treasurer), Joshua S. Abern (VP & Secretary)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. All grants are made to preselected charitable organizations chosen by the trustees. The foundation explicitly does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Decision Timeline

Decisions are made at trustee discretion throughout the year with no public timeline.

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation only

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - invitation only

Application Success Factors

Given the invitation-only nature of this foundation, traditional application strategies do not apply. Organizations that have successfully received funding share these characteristics:

• Strong Chicago presence: The majority of recipients are Chicago-based with demonstrated local impact
• Institutional excellence: Recipients include premier cultural and educational institutions
• Board connections: Both Thomas and Margot serve on boards of organizations they fund
• Alignment with personal interests: Margot's focus on food equity and community development, Thomas's interest in architecture and education
• Track record of impact: Recipients demonstrate measurable outcomes and effective use of previous grants
• Multi-year relationships: The foundation often provides sustained support rather than one-time grants

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is an invitation-only foundation - do not submit unsolicited proposals
• Focus on building institutional excellence and demonstrable impact in Chicago
• Board service and personal relationships with the Pritzkers are primary pathways to consideration
• The foundation favors established institutions but also supports emerging organizations in food equity and community development
• Multi-year, transformational gifts are possible for aligned organizations (e.g., $10 million to University of Chicago)
• Consider connections through broader Pritzker family philanthropy network
• Strongest opportunities are in arts/culture, education, and Chicago-focused human services

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Margot And Thomas Pritzker Family Foundation tax filings (Accessed February 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory - Organization profile and grant data (Accessed February 2026)
• University of Chicago News - "$10 million gift to Inclusive Economy Lab" (2024)
• Forbes Billionaires List - Thomas Pritzker profile (Accessed February 2026)
• Aspen Institute - Board of Trustees listing for Margot Pritzker (Accessed February 2026)
• Chicago Council on Global Affairs - Board member profile for Margot Pritzker (Accessed February 2026)
• Community Food Navigator - Leadership profile (Accessed February 2026)
• IRS Form 990-PF filings for tax years 2021-2023 (Accessed via ProPublica)