← Back to US Funders Directory

The Brinson Foundation

Annual Giving
$105.7M
Grant Range
$25K - $0.6M
Decision Time
4mo

The Brinson Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $105.7 million (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 3-6 months (depending on spring/fall cycle)
  • Grant Range: $25,000 - $600,000 (typical education/research grants); major initiatives up to $100 million
  • Average Grant: $50,000
  • Total Grants Annually: ~125 grants
  • Geographic Focus: Greater Chicago area (education); national (scientific research)
  • Assets: $198.2 million (2023)

Contact Details

The Brinson Foundation 737 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1850 Chicago, Illinois 60611

Phone: 312.799.4500 Email: mail@brinsonfoundation.org Website: https://brinsonfoundation.org

Overview

Established in 2001 by Gary P. Brinson, founder of Chicago-based investment firm Brinson Partners, The Brinson Foundation has grown to become one of Chicago's significant philanthropic institutions. With $198.2 million in assets and annual giving exceeding $105 million, the foundation focuses on education and scientific research. The foundation's mission emphasizes "encouraging personal initiative, advancing individual freedoms and liberties, and positively contributing to society." Founded on nine core principles including integrity, collaborative relationships with grantees, community-driven problem-solving, and belief in free enterprise incentives, the foundation operates with notable transparency for a family foundation. In 2023, the foundation made headlines with a $100 million gift to Caltech for the Brinson Exploration Hub, representing one of the largest single grants in the foundation's history. Under President Christy Uchida's leadership since 2020, the foundation has emphasized flexibility through general operating support and multi-year grants, demonstrating a commitment to being "flexible and responsive" to grantee needs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates four distinct grant categories:

Education Grants (rolling applications accepted)

  • Grant Range: $25,000 - $75,000 typical; up to $600,000 possible
  • Average: ~$50,000
  • Application: Open to inquiries; two cycles annually (spring/fall)
  • Geographic Focus: Greater Chicago area priority

Scientific Research Grants (invitation only)

  • Grant Range: $50,000 - $115,000 typical fellowships; major initiatives significantly higher
  • Application: Invitation only; no unsolicited inquiries accepted
  • Geographic Focus: Leading U.S. research institutions nationwide

Endorsement Grants (no public application)

  • Grant Range: $40,000 - $80,000 for core institutional support
  • Application: Board-selected organizations only
  • Examples: Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Museum of Science and Industry

Board Special Interest & Other Grants (no public application)

  • Grant Range: $1,400 - $35,000
  • Application: Special family interests; one-time grants outside core priorities

Priority Areas

Education (Six Focus Areas):

  1. Health Care Career Development – Programs encouraging high school and college students toward healthcare careers or offering professional development for existing practitioners

  2. High School, College, and Career Success – Initiatives providing academically motivated but economically disadvantaged students with tutoring, soft skills training, and monetary support

  3. Liberty, Citizenship, and Free Enterprise – Educational programming on these principles for students from elementary through graduate levels and adult learners (reflecting founder's libertarian philosophy)

  4. Literacy – Programs building reading/writing proficiency, enhancing teacher effectiveness, and empowering lifelong literacy advocates

  5. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) – Youth and adult STEM education, career promotion, educator training, and public science communication

  6. Student Health – Initiatives promoting wellness for pre-K through high school students to improve school attendance and academic performance

Scientific Research (Four Focus Areas):

  1. Astrophysics/Cosmology – Study of behavior, physical properties, and dynamic processes of celestial objects and phenomena; includes the Brinson Prize Fellowship Program for early-career observational cosmologists

  2. Evolutionary Developmental Biology – Synthesis of embryology, molecular genetics, and comparative morphology to understand biodiversity evolution

  3. Geosciences – Physical processes shaping Earth and other planets, including geology, seismology, and volcanology

  4. Medical Research – Early-career scientists developing innovative treatments for chronic conditions impacting population productivity

The foundation emphasizes support for "cutting-edge research in specific areas of interest that are underfunded or at a stage in which they are unlikely to receive government funding," with grants typically supporting graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, staff scientists, or faculty at early career stages at top research institutions.

What They Don't Fund

Prohibited:

  • Organizations that discriminate based on race, gender, religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation
  • Political activity, lobbying efforts, voter registration, or attempts to influence public elections
  • Programs that promote religious faith, include religious content, or are based on religious or spiritual values
  • Programs limited to members of a specific race, gender, religion, or ethnic group (except medical research where appropriate)

Discouraged:

  • Capital improvements
  • Endowments
  • Fundraising events
  • International organizations (limited exceptions only; must work through U.S. 501(c)(3) intermediaries)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

  • Gary P. Brinson – Founder and Board Chair (unpaid); investment management pioneer and advocate of libertarian/Ayn Rand objectivist philosophy; believes excessive inheritance "diminish[es] individual initiative and self-esteem"
  • Suzann A. Brinson – Co-founder
  • Monique B. Demery & Thomas R. Demery – Family trustees
  • Tally S. Melone – Trustee

Staff Leadership:

  • Christy Uchida – President (since 2020; with foundation since 2012); compensation: $245,735 (2023); serves on MacKenzie Scott's Yield Giving open call evaluation panel
  • Michael S. Barber – Senior Program Officer
  • Jamie B. Bender – Senior Program Officer
  • Maricruz Gallardo – Grants Manager

President's Philosophy (Christy Uchida): "We believe a strong and healthy civic culture is one in which nonprofits that do effective work are able to thrive" and "Universities and other high capacity institutions that conduct independent research are essential to advancing knowledge." The foundation strives to be "flexible and responsive by providing general operating support, awarding multi-year grants" and emphasizes "listening to grantees and peers" while prioritizing "science, data, and evidence-driven decision making."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For Education Grants (Greater Chicago Area):

The foundation accepts inquiries year-round through their online Grantseeker Information Form (GIF), available on their website. Organizations are encouraged to contact the foundation directly with questions about eligibility before submitting.

For Scientific Research Grants:

Consideration for funding is by invitation only. The foundation does not accept unsolicited grantseeker inquiries in scientific research. Research grants are directed to leading institutions that provide quality assurance oversight and accountability.

For Endorsement and Board Special Interest Grants:

No public application process. These categories are selected by the Board of Directors.

Application Process Steps (Education Grants)

  1. Initial Inquiry – Submit Grantseeker Information Form (GIF) at any time
  2. Initial Review – Program officers assess organizational alignment with foundation priorities
  3. Due Diligence Discussion – Promising organizations invited to participate in conversations with staff to explore program details
  4. Formal Application – Selected organizations receive invitation to submit complete application
  5. Board Review – All applications evaluated; recommendations presented to Board of Directors who have "sole authority to approve grant requests"
  6. Decision & Disbursement – Applicants notified of Board decision; approved grants receive agreements within two weeks of Board meeting; disbursement follows signed agreement return

Current Grantees: Returning applicants use a simplified application process combining evaluation questionnaire and renewal request, typically following same timeline with due diligence occurring after application submission.

Decision Timeline

Spring Cycle:

  • Due Diligence: January – March
  • Application Deadline: Mid-to-late February
  • Board Meeting: Mid-to-late May
  • Disbursement: May – June

Fall Cycle:

  • Due Diligence: July – September
  • Application Deadline: Mid-to-late August
  • Board Meeting: Late October – early November
  • Disbursement: November – December

Total Timeline: Approximately 3-6 months from initial inquiry to decision, depending on cycle timing.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. In 2023, the foundation awarded 125 grants totaling $105.7 million. In 2020, the foundation awarded 147 grants totaling $4.8 million, suggesting significant growth in grantmaking capacity. The foundation notes that "new funding currently phases in as established grantees transition out," indicating they prioritize multi-year relationships with existing grantees.

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated on website. Organizations should contact foundation staff directly for guidance on reapplication after an unsuccessful attempt.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Core Philosophy: The foundation operates from nine foundational principles emphasizing personal initiative, free enterprise, preventative approaches, and community-driven solutions. Applications should demonstrate how programs empower individuals rather than create dependency, particularly for education grants reflecting the founder's libertarian philosophy.

Evidence-Based Approaches: President Christy Uchida emphasizes the foundation's commitment to "science, data, and evidence-driven decision making." Applications should include robust evaluation plans and demonstrate program effectiveness through data.

Chicago Connection for Education: The foundation explicitly prioritizes organizations "based in or whose work emphasizes Chicago" for education grants and states they "do not accept grantseeker inquiries for education projects, programs, or partnerships outside of the greater Chicago area." Geographic fit is critical.

Focus on Early-Career Support: For scientific research, the foundation targets "graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, staff scientists, or faculty who are at the early stages of their careers" rather than established researchers. This focus on emerging talent is a distinguishing characteristic.

Institutional Capacity: The foundation values "top research institutions, which provide quality assurance oversight and accountability" and seeks to support "nonprofits with evidence-based expertise." Organizational capacity and track record matter.

Multi-Year Vision: The foundation emphasizes providing "general operating support, awarding multi-year grants" with "many grantees receiving multi-year support that approaches $1 million over the duration of the project." Applications should articulate long-term sustainability and impact.

Personal Initiative and Accessibility: The foundation's education philosophy emphasizes they are "especially interested in programs that make quality education accessible to those who are personally committed," reflecting belief in individual motivation and initiative.

Recent Grant Examples:

  • California Institute of Technology: $100 million for Brinson Exploration Hub (2023) – major initiative bridging academia, industry, and government for expedited scientific instrumentation development
  • University of Chicago Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics: $117,000 for Brinson Fellowship Program and Brinson Lecture expenses (2023)
  • Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy National Solar Observatory: $115,000 for Brinson Prize Fellowship in Solar Physics (2023)
  • Chicago Public Education Fund: $75,000 (2020)
  • After School Matters: $25,000 (2020)

Language and Terminology: The foundation uses language emphasizing "personal initiative," "individual freedoms and liberties," "free enterprise," "preventative approaches," and "personal commitment." Applications should mirror this vocabulary, particularly avoiding language suggesting government dependency or passive receipt of services.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic eligibility is non-negotiable: Education grants must serve greater Chicago area; scientific research grants are invitation-only at leading U.S. institutions. Do not apply for education funding if outside Chicago.

  • Philosophy matters: The foundation's libertarian orientation emphasizing personal initiative, free enterprise, and individual responsibility should be reflected in program design and language. Programs should empower rather than create dependency.

  • Build the relationship first: With two cycles annually and a deliberate due diligence process, success requires patience and relationship-building with program officers. The GIF is just the first step in an extended conversation.

  • Multi-year thinking wins: The foundation favors sustained partnerships with general operating support rather than restricted project grants. Articulate how initial funding leads to long-term impact and sustainability.

  • Data drives decisions: President Uchida's emphasis on "science, data, and evidence-driven decision making" means applications must include robust evaluation plans and demonstrate program effectiveness through quantifiable outcomes.

  • Early-career focus for research: Scientific research funding targets emerging researchers, not established faculty. If pursuing research funding (by invitation), emphasize support for next-generation scientists.

  • Timing is strategic: With spring applications due mid-to-late February and fall applications due mid-to-late August, begin relationship-building 6-9 months before desired funding start date to allow for full cycle completion.

References

← Back to US Funders Directory