Offield Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $5,550,000 (2023)
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
• Decision Time: N/A (pre-selected organizations)
• Grant Range: $25,000 - $100,000+ (based on known grants)
• Total Assets: $78.58 million (2024)
• Geographic Focus: National (Chicago headquarters, with support in California and other locations)
• Number of Awards: 107 (2022)

Contact Details

Address: PO Box 1105, Chicago, IL 60690-1105

Phone: 312-210-1531

EIN: 36-6066240

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Overview

The Offield Family Foundation is a Chicago-based private family foundation established in 1940. With assets exceeding $78 million and annual giving of approximately $5.5 million, the foundation focuses on three core areas: hospitals and healthcare, education, and cultural programs. The foundation was led by the late Paxson "Packy" Offield, a renowned conservationist who received numerous awards for his environmental work, including The Billfish Foundation's Rybovich Lifetime Achievement Award and induction into the International Game Fish Association Hall of Fame. Following his passing in 2015, the foundation continues under family leadership, including President and Treasurer James S. Offield, Vice President Calen Offield, and Secretary Meighan Offield. While the foundation's stated focus emphasizes traditional philanthropic areas, it has also demonstrated commitment to environmental conservation, marine wildlife protection, cancer support programs, and community safety initiatives.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Offield Family Foundation operates through trustee-selected grantmaking without formal application cycles. All grants are made to pre-selected charitable organizations.

Typical Grant Range: Based on publicly documented grants, awards range from $25,000 to $100,000+, with an average calculated grant size of approximately $52,000 (based on 107 awards totaling $5.5 million).

Priority Areas

Core Focus Areas (as stated in foundation materials):

• Hospitals and Healthcare: Medical facilities and healthcare institutions
• Education: Educational institutions and programs
• Cultural Programs: Arts organizations and cultural institutions

Additional Documented Funding Areas:

• Environmental Conservation: Marine wildlife protection, billfish studies, endangered species
• Therapeutic Programs: Organizations providing therapeutic riding and outdoor adventures for individuals with medical conditions
• Community Safety: Police and community foundations, emergency assistance funds
• Historic Preservation: Landmark restoration and conservation

Known Recent Recipients

• The Shea Center for Therapeutic Riding: $50,000 matching grant (2023) for therapeutic programs; foundation also sponsors two therapy horses
• Catalina Chimes Tower Foundation: $100,000 (2024) for restoration of historic landmark
• Laguna Beach Police & Community Foundation: $25,000 for scholarships and emergency benefits assistance fund
• First Descents: Support for outdoor adventure programs for young adults impacted by cancer
• The Peregrine Fund: Environmental conservation (Calen Offield serves as board member)

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. However, the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications from organizations with which they do not have existing relationships.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

• James S. Offield: President, Treasurer, and Director (no compensation reported)
• Calen Offield: Vice President and Director (also serves on The Peregrine Fund board)
• Meighan Offield: Secretary and Director
• Amber Offield: Family member active in philanthropic activities (serves on boards of organizations supported by the foundation, including The Shea Center and Laguna Beach Police & Community Foundation)

Foundation History

The foundation was previously led by Paxson "Packy" H. Offield (1951-2015), who served as president and co-chair. Born in Chicago to Wrigley and Edna Offield, Packy was a passionate conservationist whose environmental legacy shaped the foundation's broader interests beyond its stated focus areas.

Quote from Calen Offield (regarding the Catalina Chimes Tower grant): "I really want to see it up and running for another 100 years! It's one of my favorite landmarks in Avalon."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Offield Family Foundation only makes contributions to pre-selected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. All grantmaking decisions are made at the discretion of the foundation's board of trustees.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation does not operate on an application cycle. Grants are awarded to organizations selected by trustees throughout the year.

Success Rates

Not applicable for unsolicited applications. The foundation made 107 awards in 2022 from a total giving pool of approximately $5.5 million.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, success in securing funding depends on:

Relationship Building

• Family connections: Several known recipients have direct connections to Offield family members who serve on the boards of supported organizations (e.g., Amber Offield serves on The Shea Center board)
• Shared values: Organizations aligned with the family's interests in healthcare, education, cultural preservation, environmental conservation, and community support
• Geographic ties: While based in Chicago, the foundation supports organizations in locations significant to the family, including California (particularly Catalina Island and Laguna Beach areas)

Organizational Characteristics That Align With Foundation Interests

• Established organizations with strong governance and track records
• Healthcare institutions and therapeutic programs
• Educational institutions
• Cultural and historic preservation projects
• Environmental and marine conservation initiatives
• Community safety and support programs
• Programs serving individuals facing medical challenges

Evidence From Known Grants

• The foundation supports both large institutional grants (e.g., $100,000 to Catalina Chimes Tower) and ongoing program support (e.g., $50,000 matching grants, sponsorship of therapy horses)
• Multi-year relationships appear valued (The Shea Center connection spans 17+ years through Amber Offield's involvement)
• The foundation responds to landmark anniversaries and preservation needs (Catalina Chimes Tower's 100th anniversary)
• Personal passion from family members influences grantmaking (Calen Offield's expressed love for the Chimes Tower landmark)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No unsolicited applications accepted: Organizations cannot apply directly to this foundation. All grants are trustee-initiated to pre-selected organizations.
• Relationship-driven grantmaking: Personal connections between family members and recipient organizations appear to be a primary pathway to support.
• Broader interests than stated priorities: While the foundation emphasizes hospitals, education, and cultural programs, documented grants show support for conservation, therapeutic programs, community safety, and historic preservation.
• Family legacy continues: The foundation's interests reflect both traditional philanthropic priorities and the late Paxson Offield's conservation legacy.
• California connections: Despite Chicago headquarters, significant grantmaking occurs in Southern California, particularly areas connected to the family (Catalina Island, Laguna Beach).
• Board service as indicator: Offield family members serving on boards of organizations may signal foundation interest or support.
• Multi-year partnerships valued: Evidence suggests the foundation maintains long-term relationships with supported organizations rather than one-time grants.

References

1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Offield Family Foundation profile and Form 990 data (Accessed January 2026): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/366066240

2. The Catalina Islander - "Offield Family Foundation awards grant to Chimes Tower Foundation" (Accessed January 2026): https://thecatalinaislander.com/offield-family-foundation-awards-grant-to-chimes-tower-foundation/

3. The Shea Center for Therapeutic Riding - "The Offield Family Foundation" donor profile (Accessed January 2026): https://sheacenter.org/the-offield-family-foundation/

4. Laguna Beach Police & Community Foundation - "Offield Family Foundation Donates $25,000" (Accessed January 2026): https://www.lbpcf.org/news/offield-donation

5. Cause IQ - Offield Family Foundation profile (Accessed January 2026): https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/offield-family-foundation,366066240/

6. The Catalina Islander - "Paxson 'Packy' H. Offield, local icon" obituary (Accessed January 2026): https://thecatalinaislander.com/paxson-packy-h-offield-local-icon/

7. The Billfish Foundation - "Paxson 'Packy' Offield Tribute: Continuing His Conservation Legacy" (Accessed January 2026): https://billfish.org/advocacy/paxson-packy-offield-lets-continue-his-legacy/

8. First Descents - Program donors page listing Offield Family Foundation (Accessed January 2026): https://firstdescents.org/program_donors/offield-family-foundation/

9. Multiple nonprofit database sources (GuideStar, Instrumentl, Candid Foundation Directory) confirming foundation details, EIN 36-6066240 (Accessed January 2026)