Manne Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $540,000 (2024)
• Total Assets: $19.6 million (2024)
• Foundation Type: Private Family Foundation
• Geographic Focus: Primarily Chicago, IL area with some support in Florida and nationally
• Founded: 1997
• Grant Range: $40,000+ (based on available examples)

Contact Details

Address: 4100 Island Blvd Unit 2102, Aventura, FL 33160-5294

Phone: 312-726-4738 (Chicago number) / 847-769-5752 (alternate)

Website: No public website

Foundation Manager: Fern Lentini

Note: This is a private family foundation that does not have a public website or formal application portal.

Overview

The Manne Family Foundation was established in 1997 by Stanley Manne, a retired business executive and former president of Brawny Plastics. A first-generation college graduate from the Bronx High School of Science (1952), Columbia University (Chemical Engineering), and University of Chicago (MBA), Manne created the foundation to provide educational support, foster self-sufficiency and success, and ensure access to healthcare through innovative care and research. With assets of $19.6 million as of 2024, the foundation has made transformative gifts to institutions including Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago and the Bronx High School of Science, which received the largest gift to a New York City public school in history ($22 million for the Stanley Manne '52 Research Institute). The foundation is guided by Manne's philosophy: "I have always wanted to give something back to individuals who wish to rise above their challenges."

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on three main pillars:

Education

• Science education and research opportunities for students
• Support for public schools and science institutes
• Scholarships and financial assistance for students with high financial need
• Example: $22 million gift established the Stanley Manne '52 Research Institute at Bronx High School of Science
• Example: $40,000 established the Stanley Manne Last Dollar Fund at Shepherd University to help undergraduate students with tuition, books, and room and board

Healthcare and Medical Research

• Pediatric medical research and children's health
• Support for organizations serving people with disabilities
• Transformative gift to Lurie Children's Hospital established the Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute in 2014 (amount confidential at donor's request)
• Support for Misericordia, a Chicago nonprofit helping those with disabilities reach their greatest potential

Self-Sufficiency and Success

• Programs helping individuals overcome challenges
• Support for vulnerable populations including those with disabilities
• Initiatives that create pathways to independence

What They Don't Fund

As a private family foundation, the Manne Family Foundation does not appear to make grants outside its core focus areas of education, healthcare research, and disability support. The foundation appears to support organizations with which the family has established relationships.

Governance and Leadership

Founder and Chairman: Stanley Manne - Retired business executive, former president of Brawny Plastics, and philanthropist

Foundation Manager: Fern Lentini (compensation: $100,000 in 2024)

Board Members:

• Stanley Manne
• Sharon Manne
• Liliana Soukup
• Patricia Soukup

The foundation is structured as a private independent foundation under IRS classification 501(c)(3) and files Form 990-PF annually. The foundation's primary revenue comes from investment income (dividends and sales of assets), which totaled $1.1 million in 2024.

Stanley Manne's Philanthropic Philosophy: "I have always wanted to give something back to individuals who wish to rise above their challenges." His approach focuses on creating lasting impact through major institutional gifts rather than numerous small grants.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Manne Family Foundation is a private family foundation that appears to make grants based on trustee discretion and the founder's established relationships with institutions and causes.

As a private family foundation without a public website or application portal, grants are typically initiated by the foundation's board rather than through unsolicited applications. The foundation has made significant grants to institutions with which Stanley Manne has personal connections, including his alma mater (Bronx Science) and Chicago-area institutions.

Organizations interested in the foundation's support would need to be on the foundation's radar through personal connections, previous relationships, or alignment with the founder's specific philanthropic interests in education, pediatric healthcare, and disability services.

Getting on Their Radar

Personal Connection to Founder's Mission: Stanley Manne has focused his philanthropy on three specific areas - education (particularly science education), children's health research, and disability services. Organizations working in these areas that can demonstrate transformative impact may align with the foundation's priorities.

Chicago and New York Connections: The foundation has shown particular interest in Chicago-area institutions (Lurie Children's Hospital, Misericordia) and maintains connections to New York through the Bronx Science gift. Organizations based in these regions with strong reputations in the foundation's focus areas may be more likely to be considered.

Track Record of Major Impact: The foundation's documented grants suggest a preference for established institutions capable of creating significant, lasting impact rather than smaller experimental programs. Major gifts to Shepherd University, Bronx Science, and Lurie Children's demonstrate this pattern.

Relationship with William Blair: Stanley Manne has a long-term relationship with William Blair (financial services firm), which manages his private client account. Professional networks in Chicago's philanthropic community may provide connection points.

Contact for Exploratory Discussion: Organizations with a strong alignment to the foundation's mission might consider a brief, respectful introductory letter to Fern Lentini, Foundation Manager, at the Aventura address or via the Chicago phone number (312-726-4738). Such correspondence should be highly targeted and demonstrate clear alignment with the foundation's established priorities.

Application Success Factors

Given that this is a private family foundation without a formal application process, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, analysis of the foundation's giving patterns reveals several key characteristics of successful grantees:

Alignment with Founder's Personal Values: Stanley Manne's philanthropy is deeply rooted in his personal story as a first-generation college graduate who succeeded in business. Organizations that help others "rise above their challenges" and create pathways to self-sufficiency align with his stated mission.

Capacity for Transformative Impact: The foundation has made several major gifts ($22 million to Bronx Science, transformative gift to Lurie Children's, $40,000 to Shepherd University) rather than many small grants. Organizations should be able to demonstrate how funding would create significant, lasting change.

Focus on STEM Education: Multiple gifts support science education and research, from the research institute at Bronx Science to the children's research institute at Lurie. Science education programs, particularly those serving underserved populations, appear to be a priority.

Pediatric Healthcare and Research: The naming gift for Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute demonstrates a strong commitment to advancing pediatric medicine and improving child health outcomes.

Support for Vulnerable Populations: The foundation has supported organizations serving people with disabilities (Misericordia) and students facing financial challenges (Last Dollar Fund). Programs demonstrating clear impact for vulnerable populations align with the foundation's mission.

Connection to Chicago Area: Many of the foundation's major grants have benefited Chicago-area institutions, suggesting a preference for local impact despite the Florida mailing address.

Institutional Credibility: Recipients have included major institutions (Lurie Children's Hospital, Shepherd University, Bronx High School of Science) with established track records rather than newer or experimental organizations.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications - grants appear to be made at the discretion of Stanley Manne and the board based on personal relationships and established interests
• The foundation focuses on three core areas: science education, pediatric healthcare research, and support for people with disabilities
• Grants tend to be significant institutional gifts ($40,000-$22 million range) rather than small program grants
• Organizations with Chicago connections, strong institutional reputations, and alignment with the founder's personal mission of helping people "rise above their challenges" have received support
• The foundation values transformative impact and sustainable programs over short-term initiatives
• Personal connection to the founder's values as a first-generation college graduate who succeeded through education appears to be important
• Organizations should not submit unsolicited applications but may consider targeted, relationship-based approaches through professional networks in Chicago's philanthropic community

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Manne Family Foundation (EIN 36-4131393): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/364131393 (Accessed February 13, 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory - The Manne Family Foundation: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=MANN053 (Accessed February 13, 2026)
• Shepherd University Foundation - "$40K donation from Manne Family Foundation establishes Stanley Manne Last Dollar Fund": https://shepherduniversityfoundation.org/40k-donation-from-manne-family-foundation-establishes-stanley-manne-last-dollar-fund/ (Accessed February 13, 2026)
• William Blair - "Bronx Science Alum Stanley Manne Invests in Next Generation": https://www.williamblair.com/Insights/Bronx-Science-Alum-Stanley-Manne-Invests-in-Next-Generation (Accessed February 13, 2026)
• Bronx Science Alumni Foundation - "Stanley Manne '52 Bio": https://alumni.bxscience.edu/stanley-manne-52-bio-b (Accessed February 13, 2026)
• Lurie Children's Hospital - Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute "About Us": https://research.luriechildrens.org/en/about-us/ (Accessed February 13, 2026)
• Cause IQ - The Manne Family Foundation profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/the-manne-family-foundation,364131393/ (Accessed February 13, 2026)
• The Science Survey - "Stanley Manne '52 Research Institute Finishes Construction" (March 14, 2023): https://thesciencesurvey.com/news/2023/03/14/stanley-manne-52-research-institute-finishes-construction/ (Accessed February 13, 2026)