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Rice Foundation

Annual Giving
$4.5M
Grant Range
$25K - $0.6M

Rice Foundation

Quick Stats

  • EIN: 36-6043160
  • Assets: $86 million (2024)
  • Annual Giving: $4.5 million
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Illinois (93% of 2024 grants) with focus on Honduras
  • Number of Grants: 59 grants in 2024
  • Grant Range: $25,000 (median) - $600,000 (maximum)
  • Application Process: Invitation only - no unsolicited applications accepted

Contact Details

Address: 8600 Gross Point Road, Skokie, IL 60077
Phone: (847) 581-9999
Website: https://ricefoundation.us/
Tax Status: 501(c)(3) private foundation, tax-exempt since May 1949

Overview

The Rice Foundation is a well-established private foundation based in Skokie, Illinois, with $86 million in assets and annual grantmaking of approximately $4.5 million. Founded in 1949 and receiving its tax-exempt status that same year, the foundation has a dual mission: supporting charitable organizations primarily in Illinois across education, health, arts, and conservation sectors, while also conducting direct humanitarian work in Honduras since 2008. The foundation has made 587 grants over its documented history, with a strong focus on preselected charitable organizations. The foundation operates medical mission trips to Copan, Honduras, organizing 8-15 one-week missions annually, where volunteer medical professionals provide surgical care, including specialized cleft palate and lip surgeries, alongside educational programs including the Fuente de Poder High School, which has graduated over 130 students. The foundation is led by President Peter Nolan and Vice President Christine Nolan, with a board of five trustees guiding its philanthropic strategy.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Rice Foundation operates as a private foundation making grants to preselected 501(c)(3) organizations. In 2024, the foundation made 59 grants with a median grant size of $25,000 and a maximum grant of $600,000.

Geographic Focus:

  • Illinois: 55 of 59 grants in 2024 (93%)
  • Honduras: Direct programming through medical missions and education initiatives
  • Other U.S. locations: Limited grants to select organizations

Priority Areas

Based on recent grantmaking patterns, the foundation supports:

  • Museums and Cultural Institutions: Major grants to institutions like the Field Museum ($600,000 in 2024)
  • Health and Medical Services: Support for organizations like Gigi's Playhouse ($500,000 in 2024)
  • Education: Both U.S.-based institutions and direct education programs in Honduras (Fuente de Poder High School)
  • Military Education: Grants to institutions like Marine Military Academy ($350,000 in 2024)
  • Conservation and Environmental Organizations
  • Social Services: Focus on children, health, and social services
  • International Development: Medical missions and community development in Copan, Honduras

Honduras Programs (Direct Programming)

  • Medical mission trips (8-15 annually)
  • Surgical care specializing in cleft palate and lip procedures
  • Fuente de Poder High School (130+ graduates)
  • Nutrition programs
  • Student scholarships
  • Dental care
  • Water projects
  • Leadership workshops

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals: The foundation does not award grants to individuals
  • Private Foundations: Generally limits grants to public charities classified as non-private foundations under Section 501(c)(3)
  • Unsolicited Applications: Does not accept funding requests from organizations not already known to the foundation

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

  • Peter Nolan, President (60 hours/week, $290,010 compensation)
  • Christine Nolan, Vice President (40 hours/week, $111,395 compensation)
  • Richard T. Schroeder, Treasurer
  • Barbara Whitney Carr, Trustee
  • Marshall Field V, Trustee
  • Robin Nolan, Trustee
  • David J. Winchester, MD, Trustee

The foundation's leadership includes members of prominent Chicago-area families (Field family) and medical professionals, reflecting their dual focus on local Illinois philanthropy and healthcare initiatives in Honduras.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Rice Foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and explicitly does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

For organizations that are invited to apply, the foundation requires:

  • A statement describing the applicant organization and its activities
  • The specific purpose of the grant being requested
  • The amount of the grant being requested
  • A copy of the IRS determination letter confirming 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status

Getting on Their Radar

The Rice Foundation operates through trustee selection and pre-existing relationships. Organizations seeking to develop a relationship with the foundation should note:

  • The foundation's board includes members with deep ties to Chicago-area cultural, educational, and healthcare institutions
  • The foundation has demonstrated long-term commitment to certain organizations, suggesting they value sustained relationships over one-time grants
  • Their dual focus on Illinois-based nonprofits and Honduras medical/educational work indicates these are deeply held priorities established through direct trustee involvement
  • Given Peter Nolan's full-time commitment to the foundation (60 hours/week) and the family's involvement, the foundation appears to take a hands-on approach to their philanthropic work

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. As a private foundation making grants to preselected organizations, decisions are made at the discretion of the board of trustees throughout the year rather than following fixed grant cycles.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the invitation-only nature of the foundation's grantmaking.

Application Success Factors

Since the Rice Foundation only works with preselected charitable organizations, the traditional concept of "application success factors" does not apply. However, analysis of their grantmaking patterns reveals what the foundation values:

Alignment with Core Interests:

  • Organizations in Illinois, particularly the Chicago area, receive the vast majority of grants
  • Healthcare, education, cultural institutions, and conservation appear to be enduring priorities
  • The foundation makes significant major gifts ($350,000-$600,000) to select institutions alongside numerous smaller grants

Scale of Support:

  • The median grant of $25,000 suggests the foundation supports many organizations at a moderate level
  • Major grants in the six-figure range go to established institutions (Field Museum, Gigi's Playhouse, Marine Military Academy)
  • This tiered approach suggests the foundation differentiates between core partnerships and broader charitable support

Long-term Commitment:

  • The foundation's 16-year commitment to Honduras programming (since 2008) demonstrates they invest in sustained impact rather than shifting priorities frequently
  • The establishment and continued support of the Fuente de Poder High School shows commitment to building institutions

Board Connection:

  • With Marshall Field V on the board, the $600,000 grant to the Field Museum illustrates how board connections and family legacies influence grantmaking
  • The foundation's structure suggests personal knowledge and trustee relationships are central to their selection process

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Not Open to Cold Applications: This foundation explicitly does not accept unsolicited applications, making it unsuitable for organizations without existing relationships
  • Illinois-Focused: 93% of grants go to Illinois organizations, making geographic location a critical factor
  • Relationship-Driven: The foundation's invitation-only approach means trustee connections and board relationships are essential
  • Wide Grant Range: From $25,000 median to $600,000 maximum, indicating both broad charitable support and major institutional partnerships
  • Dual Mission: Understanding both their U.S. grantmaking (education, health, arts, conservation) and Honduras programming provides insight into trustee values
  • Established Institution: With 75+ years of operation and $86 million in assets, this is a stable, well-resourced foundation with clear priorities
  • Family Foundation: The Nolan family's significant involvement suggests this foundation reflects personal philanthropic values and hands-on engagement

References

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