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Cushing Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.1M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.4M

Cushing Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,068,000 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available (invitation-only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $400,000
  • Median Grant: $25,000
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Illinois, with grants in New York, Washington DC, California, Tennessee, and Iowa
  • Total Assets: $178 million (2024)

Contact Details

Address: 333 W Wacker Dr 1700, Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (312) 332-1111
EIN: 46-1636778

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications or inquiries.

Overview

The Cushing Family Foundation, also known as the Michael J. Cushing Family Foundation, was established in 2013 as a private family foundation based in Chicago. With assets of approximately $178 million and annual distributions of $1.1 million, the foundation operates as a lean grantmaking entity with no full-time employees. The foundation focuses its charitable giving on education, human services, philanthropy and voluntarism, supporting organizations primarily in Illinois with selective grants to organizations in other states. The foundation makes general purpose grants ranging from small gifts of $1,000 to larger awards of $400,000, with a median grant size of $25,000. The foundation operates exclusively on an invitation-only basis, making contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not have formal grant programs or categories. All grants are designated for "general purposes," giving recipient organizations flexibility in how funds are used. The foundation made 18 grants in 2024 and 17 grants in 2023.

Grant Range: $1,000 - $400,000
Median Grant: $25,000
Application Method: Invitation only / No public application process

Priority Areas

Based on recent grantmaking activity, the foundation supports:

  • Education: Schools, educational institutions, and educational access programs
  • Human Services: Homelessness services, community support organizations, and social service agencies
  • International Development: Health and humanitarian organizations working in developing countries
  • Environmental Conservation: Botanical gardens and environmental education
  • Spiritual and Philosophical Organizations: Organizations promoting spiritual growth and philosophical inquiry
  • Community Development: Local community-serving organizations addressing various social needs

Geographic Focus

  • Primary: Illinois, particularly the Chicago metropolitan area
  • Secondary: Organizations in New York, Washington DC, California, Tennessee, and Iowa
  • International: Select international development organizations with U.S. bases

Recent Grant Recipients (2024)

  • Theosophical Society in America - $250,000
  • AMREF Health Africa in the USA - $200,000
  • Bridge Communities Inc - $100,000
  • DuPage PADS - $100,000
  • St. Francis High School - $100,000

Recent Grant Recipients (2023)

  • Shine Global - $400,000
  • Bridge Communities - $100,000
  • The Morton Arboretum - $50,000

Governance and Leadership

Michael J. Cushing serves as Trustee of the foundation. According to public filings, he dedicates minimal time to foundation operations (0.5 hours per week) and receives no compensation for his service. The foundation operates with no full-time staff, suggesting that grantmaking decisions are made directly by the trustee(s) and that grants flow primarily to organizations with which the family has existing relationships or connections.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Cushing Family Foundation does not have a public application process.

The foundation has explicitly stated that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." This means:

  • Organizations cannot submit grant applications to the foundation
  • The foundation proactively identifies and selects grant recipients
  • Grants are made based on trustee discretion and existing relationships
  • Unsolicited inquiries and proposals will not be reviewed

This is a common structure for private family foundations where the trustees maintain direct control over all grantmaking decisions and support causes and organizations of personal interest to the family.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As an invitation-only funder, the foundation operates on its own internal timeline and does not publish information about when grantmaking decisions are made.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, so there are no public success rate statistics.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - organizations cannot apply or reapply as the foundation does not accept applications.

Application Success Factors

For Organizations Already Known to the Foundation

While this foundation does not accept applications, organizations that have an existing relationship or connection to the foundation may benefit from understanding their grantmaking patterns:

Funding Patterns:

  • The foundation shows loyalty to repeat grantees (e.g., Bridge Communities received grants in both 2023 and 2024)
  • Grants are made for "general purposes" rather than restricted to specific projects, suggesting the foundation trusts recipients' judgment on fund allocation
  • Grant amounts vary significantly ($1,000 to $400,000), indicating the foundation may adjust support based on organization size and need
  • The foundation supports both local community organizations and international development work

Organizational Characteristics of Recipients:

  • Mix of small local nonprofits and larger established organizations
  • Organizations addressing basic human needs (homelessness, education, health)
  • Organizations with clear missions and measurable community impact
  • Both direct service providers and capacity-building organizations

Geographic Pattern:

  • Strong preference for Illinois-based organizations, particularly in the Chicago area
  • Some support extends to national organizations with work in developing countries
  • Limited but present support for organizations in other U.S. states

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications - do not submit proposals or inquiries
  • Invitation-only structure means grants flow only to preselected organizations identified by the trustee
  • General purpose grants ranging from $1,000 to $400,000, with median around $25,000
  • Repeat grantees suggest the foundation builds ongoing relationships with supported organizations
  • Illinois focus with approximately $1.1 million distributed annually across 18 grants
  • Lean operation with no staff means personal trustee knowledge and connections drive all decisions
  • Diverse portfolio includes education, human services, international development, and spiritual organizations

References

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