Caris Charitable Trust II

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3,015,241 (2024); $2,582,835 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not available (no public application process)
• Decision Time: Not applicable (invitation only / preselected organizations)
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $1,284,154 (based on historical 990 data)
• Geographic Focus: Primarily Arizona and California; also Illinois and Washington DC
• Number of Grants Per Year: 7-9

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Contact Details

• Mailing Address: PO Box 803878, Chicago, IL 60680-3878
• EIN: 82-3380217
• Trustee: Northern Trust Company (administers the trust)
• Website: No public-facing website identified
• Application Portal: None - does not accept unsolicited applications

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Overview

Caris Charitable Trust II (formally "Caris Charitable Trust II Dtd 09162004") is a private non-operating foundation established on September 16, 2004, and granted tax-exempt status by the IRS in May 2019. Based in Chicago, Illinois, and managed through Northern Trust Company as trustee, the Trust holds approximately $28.9 million in total assets (2024) and distributes approximately $2.5 to $3 million annually through 7 to 9 carefully selected grants.

The Trust is part of a broader network of Caris family philanthropic vehicles connected to the late Richard F. Caris, founder of Interface Inc. (a force measurement technology company based in Scottsdale, Arizona), and the late Shirley C. Caris, who founded the Sedona Creative Life Center. The Trust's giving reflects the family's longstanding interest in science, education, arts, and culture, with a particular geographic focus on Arizona and California. It operates alongside related entities including the Shirley C. Caris Family Foundation and the Richard F. Caris Foundation. The Trust is managed by two directors - Catherine Ann Caris and Sherry Cowan (also identified as Sherry Lynn Caris Cowan in other family entities) - who are believed to be daughters of the Caris family.

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Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

This is a discretionary trust with no named grant programs. Grants are made at the directors' discretion to preselected charitable organizations. Based on 990-PF filings and related data aggregators, the Trust has historically made grants ranging from approximately $5,000 to over $1.28 million per award.

• Single Major Grants: Larger awards (six figures and above) to selected institutions, particularly in science, higher education, and astronomy
• Mid-Range Grants: Awards in the $50,000-$250,000 range to arts, cultural, and educational organizations
• Smaller Discretionary Grants: Awards from $5,000 upward to support community and charitable organizations

Priority Areas

Based on 990-PF data and the demonstrated philanthropic history of the Caris family:

• Education: Higher education, university programs, STEM education, and science literacy
• Arts, Culture, and Humanities: Support for cultural organizations, arts centers, and creative programming
• Philanthropy and Voluntarism: Supporting the nonprofit sector and charitable infrastructure
• Science and Astronomy: Consistent with Richard F. Caris's legacy (e.g., funding the University of Arizona's Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab and the Vera C. Rubin Observatory/LSST project)
• Community and Spiritual Programming: Reflecting Shirley Caris's legacy through the Sedona Creative Life Center
• Human Services: Education-adjacent human services organizations, as evidenced in the Shirley C. Caris Family Foundation's giving pattern (same leadership)

Primary Geographic Focus: Arizona and California. Secondary focus includes Illinois and Washington, DC.

What They Don't Fund

Based on the Trust's operational model and related family foundation disclosures:

• Unsolicited grant applications are not accepted
• Cold inquiries and letters of inquiry from unknown organizations
• There is no open or competitive grant program

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Governance and Leadership

Catherine Ann Caris - Director. Catherine appears to be a daughter of Richard F. and/or Shirley C. Caris and serves as director of Caris Charitable Trust II. She is also Co-President of the Richard F. Caris Foundation and President of the Shirley C. Caris Family Foundation. She receives compensation of approximately $127,528 annually from Caris Charitable Trust II.

Sherry Cowan (Sherry Lynn Caris Cowan) - Director. Sherry similarly appears to be a daughter of the Caris family and serves alongside Catherine as director. She also serves as Co-President of the Richard F. Caris Foundation and Secretary/Treasurer of the Shirley C. Caris Family Foundation. She receives approximately $127,528 annually from Caris Charitable Trust II.

Northern Trust Company - Trustee. Northern Trust serves as the institutional trustee and receives approximately $236,133 annually in trustee fees. Northern Trust is a global financial services company headquartered in Chicago and manages trust services for numerous private charitable foundations.

Harold C. Dorenbacker - Serves as Secretary/Treasurer of the related Richard F. Caris Foundation; role at Caris Charitable Trust II not confirmed.

The Trust reflects a family-driven governance structure. The two directors are likely family members who direct giving in line with the Caris family's established philanthropic values and interests in science, education, arts, and community enrichment.

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Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

Caris Charitable Trust II operates exclusively on a preselected basis. Like its related entity the Shirley C. Caris Family Foundation, the Trust "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." There is no grant application portal, no letter of inquiry process, and no published funding cycles.

Grants are determined at the discretion of the Trust's two directors (Catherine Ann Caris and Sherry Cowan), with Northern Trust Company serving as institutional trustee. Grantees are identified through the directors' existing relationships and knowledge of organizations working in their areas of interest.

Getting on Their Radar

The following is based on the documented philanthropic interests and professional networks of the Caris family specifically:

• Arizona Science Center: The Richard F. Caris Charitable Trust is listed as a "Patron" level donor to the Arizona Science Center in Phoenix ($250,000+ annual tier). Organizations embedded in the Arizona Science Center's ecosystem or network may have indirect exposure to Caris family decision-makers.

• University of Arizona: The University of Arizona's Steward Observatory Mirror Lab was renamed the Richard F. Caris Mirror Laboratory after a $20 million gift. Organizations connected to the University of Arizona's astronomy, science, or engineering departments may have proximity to the Caris family's philanthropic interests.

• Northern Trust as Relationship Gateway: Since Northern Trust Company serves as institutional trustee, nonprofit organizations working with Northern Trust's philanthropic services team may have a pathway to awareness, though this is not a confirmed route to funding.

• Sedona, Arizona Arts and Spiritual Community: Shirley C. Caris founded the Sedona Creative Life Center, and her legacy is honored through family giving. Organizations in the Sedona arts and cultural community or organizations aligned with personal growth/creative programming may be in the family's line of sight.

• Eastern Arizona College Connection: The Richard F. Caris Foundation has made grants to Eastern Arizona College's Payson campus for STEM equipment. Community colleges in Arizona with strong STEM programming may align with family interests.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - no public application process. Grants are made at the directors' discretion throughout the year.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the Trust does not accept open applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - grantees are preselected.

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Application Success Factors

Because this is an invitation-only funder, the following insights are based on the documented giving patterns and family philanthropic history rather than a formal application rubric:

1. Science and STEM Legacy: Richard F. Caris's most significant philanthropic commitments were to astronomy and STEM education. He donated $2.3 million to the LSST project and a total of $20 million to the University of Arizona for telescope mirror technology. Organizations working at the intersection of science, technology, and public education are historically well-aligned with the Caris family's values.

2. Arizona-Based Organizations Have an Advantage: The overwhelming majority of Caris family philanthropy has been directed toward Arizona-based institutions, particularly in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Tucson, Sedona, and the Eastern Arizona region. Organizations headquartered in or serving Arizona communities are most likely to be known to the directors.

3. Arts and Personal Growth Alignment: Shirley C. Caris's legacy through the Sedona Creative Life Center - which offered spiritual growth seminars, workshops, concerts, dance, meditation, yoga, art programs, and children's workshops - suggests the Trust may support similar community enrichment organizations.

4. Education at All Levels: Both the Shirley C. Caris Family Foundation and the Trust's own 990 data flag education (including higher education, STEM, and community college programs) as a priority. Demonstrating impact in educational outcomes is important.

5. Grants Are Concentrated and Meaningful: With only 7-9 grants per year averaging over $300,000 each, this is not a funder that distributes many small gifts widely. Organizations that receive grants likely have a significant relationship with the family or align very closely with named institutional priorities.

6. Northern Trust Network: Since Northern Trust administers the trust and works with thousands of nonprofits, organizations known to Northern Trust's philanthropic advisory network in Chicago or Arizona may have an indirect advantage.

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Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No open applications: Caris Charitable Trust II does not accept unsolicited proposals. Cold outreach to the trust is unlikely to result in a grant. Focus on relationship-building strategies.

• Small, concentrated grantmaking: Only 7-9 grants are awarded annually from approximately $2.5-3 million in total giving. Individual grants can be very large (up to seven figures) or modest. Competition is extremely limited given the preselected model.

• Arizona-rooted philanthropy: Despite being formally registered in Chicago (likely for trust administration purposes through Northern Trust), the Caris family's charitable interests are deeply rooted in Arizona - particularly Phoenix/Scottsdale, Tucson, and Sedona.

• STEM and science education are a pillar: Richard F. Caris's passion for astronomy and scientific advancement is a defining theme across all Caris family philanthropic entities. Organizations in STEM education or scientific research in Arizona are historically priority recipients.

• Arts and culture are equally valued: The Instrumentl data confirms "Arts, Culture & Humanities" as one of three core focus areas. Organizations in this space, particularly in Arizona and California, should be aware of this funder.

• Family-directed discretion: With two family members serving as directors and drawing annual compensation, this is an actively managed family foundation. Relationship and trust with Catherine Ann Caris or Sherry Cowan would be the most direct path to consideration.

• Northern Trust is the operational contact: For any formal inquiry, Northern Trust Company in Chicago serves as the institutional trustee and would be the appropriate point of contact for any administrative questions, though this should not be mistaken for an open application channel.

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References

1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Caris Charitable Trust II URL: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/823380217 Accessed: February 17, 2026 Data: Financial highlights (2024), officer names and compensation, tax-exempt status, filing history

2. Instrumentl 990 Report - Caris Charitable Trust II Dtd 09162004 URL: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/caris-charitable-trust-ii Accessed: February 17, 2026 Data: Geographic focus (AZ, CA, DC, IL), focus areas (Education, Philanthropy, Arts/Culture/Humanities), total assets ($28,949,728), total giving 2024 ($3,015,241), award counts by year, grant range ($5,000-$1,284,154)

3. Charity Navigator - Caris Charitable Trust II URL: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/823380217 Accessed: February 17, 2026 Data: EIN, mailing address (PO Box 803878, Chicago IL 60680-3878), IRS ruling year (2019), private non-operating foundation status

4. Instrumentl 990 Report - Shirley C. Caris Family Foundation URL: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/shirley-c-caris-family-foundation Accessed: February 17, 2026 Data: Leadership (Catherine Ann Caris - President; Sherry Lynn Cowan - Secretary/Treasurer), geographic focus (AZ, CA, TX), focus areas, "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds"

5. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Richard F. Caris Foundation URL: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/453734978 Accessed: February 17, 2026 Data: Leadership (Catherine Ann Caris Hart - Co President; Sherry Lynn Caris Cowan - Co President; Harold C. Dorenbacker - Secretary/Treasurer)

6. LSST Discovery Alliance - Remembering Richard Caris URL: https://lsstdiscoveryalliance.org/remembering-richard-caris/ Accessed: February 17, 2026 Data: Richard F. Caris background, $2.3 million LSST gift, Interface Inc. founder, death at age 81 in Scottsdale AZ

7. Tucson.com - UA Mirror Lab to bear name of $20M donor URL: https://tucson.com/news/blogs/scientific-bent/ua-mirror-lab-to-bear-name-of-m-donor/article_3050c18b-faf8-510b-a8e5-cd6876814cd6.html Accessed: February 17, 2026 Data: $20 million gift to University of Arizona; mirror lab renamed Richard F. Caris Mirror Laboratory in fall 2015

8. Arizona Science Center - Corporate & Foundation Giving URL: https://www.azscience.org/support/corporate-foundation-giving/ Accessed: February 17, 2026 Data: Richard F. Caris Charitable Trust listed as "Patron" level donor ($250,000+); listed as funder of Science on Wheels outreach program

9. Legacy.com - Shirley Caris Obituary (Arizona Republic) URL: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/azcentral/name/shirley-caris-obituary?id=28112733 Accessed: February 17, 2026 Data: Shirley C. Caris background, founded Sedona Creative Life Center (2000), moved to Arizona in 1968, passed away January 17, 2003

10. Cause IQ - Caris Charitable Trust I URL: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/caris-charitable-trust-i,823372946/ Accessed: February 17, 2026 Data: EIN 82-3372946, Chicago IL, total assets $14,460,669 (2020), grants paid $2,510,103 (2020)