Pritzker Traubert Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $23.8 million (2022)
Total Assets: $381.8 million (2022)
Success Rate: ~7.5% (finalists) for Chicago Prize; ~1.25% (overall winner)
Decision Time: Varies by program cycle
Grant Range: $100 - $10,000,000
Median Grant: $30,000
Geographic Focus: Chicago, IL (primarily South and West sides)

Contact Details

Address: 444 West Lake Street, Suite 3400, Chicago, IL 60606

Email: info@ptfound.org

Website: www.ptfound.org

Social Media:

Instagram: @ptfound_
Twitter: @PTFound_
LinkedIn: Pritzker Traubert Foundation
Facebook: Pritzker Traubert Foundation

Overview

Founded in 2000 by Penny Pritzker and Bryan Traubert, the Pritzker Traubert Foundation is a Chicago-based private foundation dedicated to increasing economic opportunity for Chicagoans. With total assets of $381.8 million and annual giving of approximately $23.8 million (2022), the foundation focuses on addressing Chicago's widening opportunity gap through strategic investments in community-led initiatives. In 2016, after Penny Pritzker's service as U.S. Secretary of Commerce and Bryan Traubert's fellowship at Stanford University, the foundation refocused its mission to concentrate on economic mobility. The foundation has committed $100 million over ten years to make economic opportunity possible for more individuals and communities, with a particular emphasis on addressing systemic disinvestment in Black and Brown neighborhoods on Chicago's South and West sides.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Chicago Prize - $10 million (flagship program)

Awards $10 million to a single transformative initiative on Chicago's South and/or West sides
Uses physical development and revitalization to create civic infrastructure that catalyzes economic opportunities
Finalists receive $100,000 grants to continue their work
Since 2019: Over $30 million awarded to community-led initiatives
Application process: Open competition through online portal when announced
Past winners: Always Growing, Auburn Gresham (2020); Sankofa Wellness Village, West Garfield Park (2023); Reclaiming Chicago (2025)

Chicago Talent Challenge - $5 million

Supports workforce training programs connecting Chicagoans to careers and employers to talent
First cycle focuses on healthcare and support careers
Open to nonprofits, workforce training programs, and employer coalitions
Application deadline: September 15, 2025
Seeks proposals that scale effective approaches to training, hiring, or career advancement

General Grantmaking - $100 - $4 million (median: $30,000)

Community Development: Supports local leaders and catalytic development projects
Workforce: Invests in removing systemic barriers and connecting people to high-growth industries
Strengthening Democracy: Promotes civic participation, local journalism, civil rights protection, and broadband access
Total annual grants: Approximately $13.2 million in general grants plus major prize awards

Priority Areas

Community Development

Community-led economic empowerment initiatives
Physical development projects that strengthen civic infrastructure
Catalytic projects that benefit current residents
Neighborhood-based initiatives for economic opportunity
Projects that activate existing community plans

Workforce Development

Employer-driven solutions for inclusive workforce development
Programs connecting BIPOC Chicagoans to high-growth industries
Career pathway development and advancement opportunities
Job placement and career stability initiatives
Notable grantees: P33, Skills for Chicagoland's Future (placing 1,500+ Chicagoans annually), Elevate's Clean Energy Contractor Program

Strengthening Democracy

Voter engagement and civic participation
Local journalism support (e.g., WBEZ Chicago Public Media)
Civil rights protection (e.g., ACLU of Chicago)
Broadband internet access expansion (e.g., Broadband Connected)
Cross-sector civic collaborations (e.g., Civic Consulting Alliance for pro bono support)

What They Don't Fund

While the foundation does not explicitly list exclusions, their focus is limited to:

Chicago-based organizations only
Projects addressing economic opportunity, workforce development, or civic engagement
Initiatives on Chicago's South and West sides receive priority consideration

Governance and Leadership

Founders:

Penny Pritzker - Director and Co-founder; former U.S. Secretary of Commerce (2013-2017)
Bryan Traubert - Chairman; "We believe that this opportunity will benefit the students, their families and the region for generations"

Leadership Team:

Cindy Moelis - President; former Director of the President's Commission on White House Fellowships under President Barack Obama
- On the foundation's approach: "The Chicago Prize is designed to meet communities where they are; provide access to networks, grants and feedback to advance their vision that is customized to their needs; and infuse initiatives with significant resources"
- On selection criteria: "Each Chicago Prize finalist team was chosen because they understand their community and have the skills and vision required to make a difference"
- On what they seek: "We are seeking community plans that feature bold ideas about how changing a place can change residents' lives"
Andrew Beideman - Chief Strategy Officer
Kevin Poorman - Vice President; also Chairman of Pritzker Realty Group
Kareeshma Ali - Director of Community Investment
Rose Traubert - Trustee

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For Chicago Prize:

Applications submitted through online portal at chicagoprize.carrot.net when competition is open
Requires organization's EIN
Application evaluates four criteria: impact, feasibility, community-led collaboration, and leverage
Application User Guide available on foundation website
Process identifies four finalists before selecting one award recipient

For Chicago Talent Challenge:

Applications accepted from nonprofits, workforce training programs, and employer coalitions
Deadline: September 15, 2025
Application guidelines linked on foundation website
Focus on scaling effective approaches to training, hiring, or career advancement

For General Grantmaking:

No public application process - The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals except for Chicago Talent Challenge
Grants awarded through trustee discretion and existing relationships
Foundation partners with visionary leaders who share their values and mission

Decision Timeline

Chicago Prize:

Application period: Varies by cycle (typically several months)
Example from 2024 cycle: Applications closed December 18, 2024
Finalist announcement: Several months after deadline
Winner announcement: Subsequent months after finalists selected
Total process: Approximately 6-12 months from application to final award

General Timeline Pattern:

Chicago Prize awarded in cycles (2020, 2023, 2025 pattern suggests non-annual)
Chicago Talent Challenge operates on announced cycles
General grants made throughout the year

Success Rates

Chicago Prize (2019-2020 cycle):

Applications received: ~80
Finalists selected: 6 (later cycles use 4 finalists)
Finalist success rate: 7.5%
Overall winner success rate: 1.25%
Additional support: $2.5 million in development funds for non-winning finalists

General Insights:

Foundation made approximately $13.2 million in grants with median grant of $30,000
Competitive process with emphasis on community leadership and deep partnerships
Resilience valued - significant portion of later applicants are reapplications from previous cycles

Reapplication Policy

The foundation actively encourages reapplication. President Cindy Moelis noted that "a big chunk of applicants were repeats of 2020, showing that the program is rooted in bringing innovative projects to the forefront and supports resiliency."

Application Success Factors

Community-Led Collaboration The foundation prioritizes initiatives led by teams with deep community partnerships and roots. As Moelis states, they look for teams that "understand their community and have the skills and vision required to make a difference." Applications are scored specifically on community-led collaboration as one of four key criteria.

Bold, Catalytic Ideas The foundation seeks "bold ideas about how changing a place can change residents' lives." They look for projects that use physical development and revitalization to strengthen civic infrastructure and catalyze economic opportunities. The focus is on catalytic change rather than incremental improvements.

Meeting Communities Where They Are The foundation designs its programs to "meet communities where they are" and provides customized support based on community needs. Successful applicants demonstrate understanding of their specific community context and how their vision addresses local challenges.

Feasibility and Implementation Capacity One of the four scoring criteria is feasibility. The foundation looks for teams with "the expertise to leverage the grant, implement the initiative, and create impact." They want to see realistic implementation plans and demonstrated capacity to execute ambitious projects.

Leverage and Impact Applications are evaluated on their ability to leverage the foundation's investment and create measurable impact. The foundation seeks initiatives that can activate existing community plans and benefit current residents, particularly in addressing systemic disinvestment.

Employer-Driven Solutions (for Workforce Programs) For workforce initiatives, the foundation prioritizes employer-driven solutions that connect qualified job seekers with actual employer needs. Programs like Skills for Chicagoland's Future exemplify this approach by matching unemployed and underemployed Chicagoans with current hiring needs.

Resilience in Challenging Times The foundation values persistence and resilience. Moelis emphasized during COVID-19 that "philanthropy can provide the immediate, flexible and impactful risk capital that is needed in this moment." Applicants should demonstrate adaptability and resilience in their approach.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Geographic specificity matters: The foundation is exclusively focused on Chicago, with particular emphasis on South and West side neighborhoods experiencing systemic disinvestment. Projects must demonstrate deep understanding of and roots in these specific communities.
Go big or focus small: The foundation operates at two scales - transformative $5-10 million prizes for catalytic community development and workforce programs, and smaller grants (median $30,000) for targeted initiatives. Position your project accordingly.
Community leadership is non-negotiable: Applications scored on community-led collaboration. Demonstrate that community members and leaders are driving the vision, not outside organizations imposing solutions.
Reapplication is encouraged: With "a big chunk" of applicants being repeats, don't be discouraged by initial rejection. Use feedback to strengthen proposals and reapply in future cycles.
Plan for the Chicago Talent Challenge: With the next deadline of September 15, 2025, workforce-focused organizations should begin preparing proposals now, emphasizing employer partnerships and scalable models.
Limited general grantmaking: Outside of prize competitions, the foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. Organizations should focus on participating in announced competitions like Chicago Prize and Chicago Talent Challenge rather than cold outreach.
10-year commitment provides stability: The foundation's $100 million, 10-year commitment signals sustained investment in Chicago. Long-term partnerships and multi-year thinking align with their strategic approach.

References

All sources accessed December 2024.