Hale Family Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $359,050 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation-only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: $1,000 - Major capital gifts
• Geographic Focus: Illinois and Indiana (Midwest regional)

Contact Details

Mailing Address: 461 N Clinton St, Chicago IL 60654-8876
Care of: David Jackson
Website: None
Email: Not publicly available
Phone: Not publicly available

Overview

The Hale Family Foundation Inc is a private independent foundation established in 2017 by Dave and Judy Hale, successful entrepreneurs and Purdue University alumni. Dave Hale (BS '59, Electrical Engineering) co-founded Scale-Tronix, a hospital scales manufacturing company, while Judy Hale (BS '61, Pharmacy) worked as a pharmacist. With total assets of approximately $7.1 million and annual giving of $359,050 in 2023, the foundation has steadily increased its grantmaking activity from 46 awards in 2021 to 56 awards in 2023. The foundation operates without a public application process, making grants primarily through trustee discretion to organizations with established relationships to the Hale family, particularly their alma mater Purdue University.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs but makes discretionary grants averaging $6,400 per award. Known grants include:

• Student Scholarships: $1,000 (DePaul Sustainability Competition participants)
• Fellowship Support: Undisclosed amounts (Purdue Medication Safety Fellow)
• Major Capital Gifts: Leadership-level gifts (Chaney-Hale Hall of Science at Purdue, joint $64 million facility)

Priority Areas

• Higher education, particularly STEM education
• Pharmacy and medication safety initiatives
• Sustainability and environmental programs
• Student career development and workforce preparation

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, research indicates the foundation does not fund:

• Organizations without established relationships to the Hale family
• Programs outside the Midwest region (Illinois/Indiana focus)
• General operating support for organizations unrelated to their core interests

Governance and Leadership

Founders/Supporters:

• Dave Hale - Purdue alumnus (BS '59, Electrical Engineering), co-founder of Scale-Tronix
• Judy Hale - Purdue alumnus (BS '61, Pharmacy), pharmacist and business partner

Administrative Contact:

• David Jackson - Listed as foundation contact

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded through trustee discretion based on pre-existing relationships and alignment with the founders' philanthropic interests.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on confirmed grant recipients, organizations that successfully receive funding typically share these characteristics:

• Strong ties to Purdue University where both founders are alumni and long-time supporters
• Located in Illinois (particularly Chicago/Schaumburg area) or Indiana (West Lafayette/Purdue region)
• Focus on STEM education, pharmacy/medication safety, or sustainability initiatives that align with the founders' professional backgrounds
• Institutional relationships where the Hales may have board involvement or advisory roles

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed - grants appear to be made on an ongoing basis rather than through formal cycles

Success Rates

Not applicable as the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to invitation-only grant process

Application Success Factors

Based on analysis of confirmed grant recipients:

• Purdue University connection is crucial - The foundation has made multiple significant gifts to Purdue including naming rights for Chaney-Hale Hall of Science and ongoing support for the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Alignment with founders' backgrounds - Dave's engineering/business background and Judy's pharmacy expertise directly correlate with funded initiatives
• Sustainability focus emerging - Recent sponsorship of DePaul University's Hale Sustainability Conference indicates growing interest in environmental programs
• Student-focused initiatives preferred - Scholarships, fellowships, and career development programs receive consistent support
• Partnership opportunities valued - The Chaney-Hale Hall demonstrates willingness to collaborate with other donors on major initiatives

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a relationship-based funder without a public application process - cold outreach is unlikely to succeed
• Focus on building institutional relationships, particularly through Purdue University connections
• The foundation's giving has increased 22% from 2021 to 2023 (46 to 56 awards), indicating growing capacity
• Average grant size of $6,400 suggests focus on programmatic rather than general operating support
• Strong preference for education and career development initiatives in STEM and pharmacy fields
• Geographic proximity to Chicago/Schaumburg or West Lafayette increases likelihood of consideration
• Consider partnership opportunities that align with the Hales' established philanthropic relationships

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Hale Family Foundation Inc (EIN 82-0865495), accessed March 2026
• Charity Navigator Profile - Hale Family Foundation Inc, accessed March 2026
• DePaul University - Hale Sustainability Conference sponsorship information, accessed March 2026
• Purdue University - Various donor recognition and naming announcements for Dave and Judy Hale
• Instrumentl 990 Report Database - Hale Family Foundation Inc filings, accessed March 2026
• Cause IQ - Hale Family Foundation Inc organizational profile, accessed March 2026