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Farley Family Charitable Foundation

Annual Giving
$2.6M
Grant Range
$3K - $2.0M

Farley Family Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,618,197 (2024); $3,935,500 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $3,000 - $2,000,000
  • Average Grant: $218,639
  • Total Assets: $33.9 million (2024)
  • Geographic Focus: Multi-state (Arizona, California, Illinois, Ohio, Vermont, Wisconsin)

Contact Details

Address: C/O Chapman and Cutler LLP, P.O. Box 2593, Chicago, IL 60690-2593

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and does not maintain a public-facing website or application portal.

Overview

The Farley Family Charitable Foundation was established in September 2012 as a private family foundation to continue the philanthropic legacy of James N. and Nancy J. Farley. With assets of approximately $33.9 million and annual charitable disbursements of $2.6 million, the foundation focuses on arts and culture, education, and health. The foundation is managed by five family trustees (Barbara Jean Carre, James C. Farley, Sarah F. Huskey, Stuart M. Farley, and Timothy P. Farley) and one independent trustee (Rebecca Wallenfelsz). According to Stuart Farley, "My parents wanted their children to have the opportunity to experience the pleasure and good feeling that comes from supporting the community." The foundation has strong ties to Chicago, Scottsdale, and other communities across six states, making 18 grants in 2023 and demonstrating a continued commitment to the causes their parents championed, particularly in healthcare and cultural preservation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through trustee-selected grants rather than formal application programs. Recent grants (2023) include:

  • American Precision Museum (Windsor, VT): $285,000 for general charitable purposes
  • Audubon Canyon Ranch (Santa Rosa, CA): $340,000 for general charitable purposes
  • Catholic Charities of Santa Rosa (Santa Rosa, CA): $125,000 for general charitable purposes
  • Fearless Kitty Rescue (Fountain Hills, AZ): $18,000 for general charitable purposes
  • Anova Education (Santa Rosa, CA): $13,000 for general charitable purposes

The foundation has also made significant gifts to HonorHealth Foundation, including a $6 million gift to standardize high-tech cardiodiagnostic equipment and support expansion of heart care services.

Priority Areas

Based on documented grant activity, the foundation prioritizes:

  • Arts and Culture: Museums, cultural preservation organizations
  • Education: Educational institutions and programs
  • Health: Healthcare facilities, cardiac care, medical equipment
  • Animal Welfare: Rescue organizations
  • Social Services: Catholic Charities and similar organizations

Geographic focus includes Chicago (IL), Scottsdale (AZ), Santa Rosa (CA), Cincinnati (OH), Windsor (VT), and communities across Wisconsin.

What They Don't Fund

As the foundation only funds preselected organizations, they do not fund:

  • Unsolicited applications from any organizations
  • Organizations outside their established relationships and geographic areas of interest

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees:

Family Trustees (each compensated at $30,000 annually):

  • Barbara Jean Carre
  • James C. Farley
  • Sarah F. Huskey
  • Stuart M. Farley
  • Timothy P. Farley

Independent Trustee:

  • Rebecca Wallenfelsz (compensated at $156,160 annually)

The foundation was created by the children of James "Jim" Farley (Northwestern University Engineering alumnus, class of 1950) and his late wife Nancy Jo Farley (1930-2017) to perpetuate their parents' philanthropic values. The Farley family has a history of major philanthropic contributions, including the endowment of the Farley Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Northwestern University in 2008.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

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

All grants are awarded at the discretion of the board of trustees to organizations with which they have established relationships. Organizations cannot submit applications directly to the foundation.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Grant decisions are made internally by the board of trustees based on their philanthropic priorities and existing relationships.

Success Rates

Not applicable. The foundation made 18 awards in 2023 and 17 awards in 2022, all to preselected organizations.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as there is no public application process.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, examining their grant patterns reveals:

Documented Giving Patterns:

  • The foundation supports organizations across multiple states where the Farley family has personal connections
  • Healthcare, particularly cardiac care, appears to be a priority area reflecting the parents' legacy
  • Grant sizes vary significantly ($3,000 to $2,000,000), suggesting flexible funding based on project needs and organizational relationships
  • Cultural preservation (museums) and educational institutions receive substantial support
  • Both large institutional recipients and smaller community organizations are supported

Family Philanthropic Values: The foundation reflects the values of James and Nancy Farley, who believed in giving their children "the opportunity to experience the pleasure and good feeling that comes from supporting the community." Their documented philanthropic interests included:

  • Healthcare advancement (evidenced by HonorHealth gifts)
  • Higher education (Northwestern University endowment)
  • Arts and cultural preservation
  • Community-based social services

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. Organizations cannot apply directly for funding.
  • Relationship-Based Grantmaking: All grants are made to preselected organizations chosen by the board of trustees.
  • Significant Grant Range: Awards range from $3,000 to $2,000,000, with an average of approximately $218,639, demonstrating flexibility in funding levels.
  • Multi-State Focus: While based in Chicago, the foundation supports organizations in Arizona, California, Illinois, Ohio, Vermont, and Wisconsin—likely reflecting family connections.
  • Core Focus Areas: Healthcare (especially cardiac care), arts and culture (museums and preservation), education, and social services are primary interests.
  • Legacy-Driven: The foundation continues the philanthropic legacy of James and Nancy Farley, with their children serving as trustees and maintaining their parents' values.
  • Family Foundation Structure: Decisions are made by five family trustees and one independent trustee, all compensated for their service.

References

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