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Frank E. Payne and Seba B. Payne Foundation

Annual Giving
$6.9M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.5M

Frank E. Payne and Seba B. Payne Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $6,900,000 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $500,000 (grants have reached as high as $3 million)
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Chicago/Illinois, with some grants outside Illinois
  • Total Assets: $164.4 million (2024)

Contact Details

Address: 225 W Wacker Dr Ste 2150, Chicago, IL 60606-1254

Phone: (312) 621-0590

Website: None

Note: No pre-application support available; foundation does not accept unsolicited applications

Overview

Established in 1962, the Frank E. Payne and Seba B. Payne Foundation is a private family foundation based in Chicago, Illinois. With total assets of $164.4 million and annual charitable disbursements of $6.9 million (2024), the foundation supports education, hospitals, arts and culture, and religious programs, with particular focus on community improvement, healthcare, and basic needs for Chicago-area residents. Originally managed by Bank of America as trustee, the foundation is now controlled by William Harris Investors. Described as a "low-key funder," it does not maintain a website and shows consistent support patterns, often funding the same organizations year after year. The foundation distributed 47 grants in 2023, demonstrating steady commitment to its funding priorities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with specific application cycles. Instead, it makes discretionary grants to pre-selected organizations on an ongoing basis.

  • General Operating and Project Support: $5,000 - $500,000 (typical range; grants have reached $3 million)
  • Application Method: Invitation only; no public application process

Priority Areas

Community Development & Social Services:

  • Homelessness prevention and services
  • Housing support and development
  • Child welfare and protection
  • Services for elderly populations
  • Community improvement initiatives

Healthcare:

  • Hospital support
  • Health services for underserved communities
  • Medical facilities and programs

Arts, Culture & Education:

  • Museums and cultural institutions
  • Public broadcasting
  • Literacy and educational programs
  • Arts education and access

Environmental Conservation:

  • Botanical gardens
  • Environmental policy and advocacy
  • Conservation initiatives

Religious Organizations:

  • Faith-based community programs

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. However, as the foundation only supports pre-selected organizations, unsolicited applications from any organization are not accepted.

Governance and Leadership

Key Officers (as of 2024):

  • Lauren Macdonald - President, Executive Director, and Secretary
  • Michael McQuinn - Treasurer
  • L. Scott - Vice President/Director
  • T. Scott - Vice President/Director
  • A. Greene - Vice President/Director
  • M. Cumings - Vice President/Director

The foundation is managed by a professional investment firm (William Harris Investors) and maintains a board structure with multiple vice presidents who receive modest compensation for their service, suggesting active trustee involvement in grantmaking decisions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Frank E. Payne and Seba B. Payne Foundation makes contributions only to pre-selected organizations and does not accept unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits.

Grants are awarded at the discretion of the foundation's trustees, who identify and select recipients based on the foundation's priorities and existing relationships. The foundation shows a pattern of supporting the same organizations year after year, indicating preference for ongoing relationships with trusted grantees.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Grantmaking appears to occur throughout the year based on trustee discretion rather than fixed deadlines or cycles.

Success Rates

Not applicable due to invitation-only grantmaking approach.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable; no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Given that this foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations that have historically received support from the foundation share these characteristics:

Established Track Record: The foundation demonstrates loyalty to existing grantees, often funding the same organizations repeatedly. Past recipients include well-established organizations such as:

  • Shriners Hospitals for Children
  • Chicago Coalition for the Homeless
  • Field Museum of Natural History
  • WTTW (public broadcasting)
  • Chicago Botanic Garden
  • Environmental Law and Policy Center of the Midwest
  • Hull House Association
  • The Children's Place Association

Chicago/Illinois Connection: While the foundation has made grants outside Illinois, there is a strong preference for Chicago-area organizations addressing local needs.

Focus Areas Alignment: Organizations working in the foundation's core areas—education, healthcare, arts and culture, community improvement, and religious programs—are most likely to receive consideration.

Institutional Stability: Grantees tend to be established institutions and organizations with proven impact and professional operations, rather than newer or grassroots organizations.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process exists - This foundation operates exclusively through trustee discretion and invitation-only grantmaking
  • Relationship-based grantmaking - The foundation shows strong loyalty to existing grantees and typically supports the same organizations year after year
  • Substantial assets with moderate annual giving - With $164.4 million in assets and $6.9 million in annual distributions, the foundation has significant resources but selective grantmaking
  • Wide grant range - Awards typically span $5,000 to $500,000, with some grants reaching as high as $3 million, allowing flexibility for different project sizes
  • Chicago/Illinois focus - While geographically broad in theory, the foundation shows clear preference for Chicago-area organizations
  • Diverse portfolio - Supports a range of causes from healthcare and social services to arts and environment, with emphasis on established institutions
  • Low public profile - No website, limited public information, and professional management suggest a deliberate preference for operating quietly without public solicitation

References

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