Although the J. Christopher and Anne N. Reyes Foundation is headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida, this funder focuses a significant part of its grantmaking on the city of Chicago. That’s because the Reyes family has deep roots in the Chicago area dating back to the late 1970s. The family company, Reyes Holdings, is a global producer and distributor of food and beverage products based in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont, Illinois. The Reyes Foundation does not have a website to guide Chicago grantseekers, but there are a few things we know about this funder and how it gives locally.
Top areas of interest
Past tax records indicate that the Reyes Foundation prioritizes giving for health, education, and arts and culture. The Reyes family has also supported major hospital systems in Chicago, and members have been on their boards at times. This is where foundation gifts of $1 million or more have been going in recent years. For example, the foundation gave at least $5 million to the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.
Education is another major interest, especially independent boarding schools and private schools serving preschool through middle school students. The foundation has also provided support for education-related awards and fellowships. Meanwhile, grantmaking for arts and culture typically goes to well-known arts institutions in Chicago. The funder has religious interests as well and typically supports a few Catholic churches each year.
Types of grantees supported
The Reyes Foundation frequently awards grants between $10,000 and $200,000. These grants can be for a variety of purposes, such as annual giving campaigns, one-off donations, scholarships and galas.
Here’s a sampling of recent Chicago grantees to give you a sense of what Reyes supports:
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Old St. Patrick’s Church
Museum of Science and Industry
Northwestern Kellogg School of Management
Lyric Opera of Chicago
Catholic Extension
Lurie Children’s Foundation
Broader than just Chicago
The Reyes family has interests beyond just Chicago, which is no surprise considering the geographic breadth of its business across 46 U.S. states and 18 countries. Aside from grantmaking in Chicago and its suburbs, the Reyes Foundation also supports organizations in Colorado, California, Indiana and Florida. Organizations outside Chicago usually have strong connections to the Reyes family, such as the University of Notre Dame and Aspen Music Festival and School.
Applying for a grant
Even grantseekers based in Chicago may find it challenging to get Reyes Foundation support. Tax records indicate that the foundation does not accept unsolicited grant requests and only funds preselected organizations. This is a foundation that usually sticks to grantees it’s already familiar with, which are also typically large and well-established in the city.
Contact information for general inquires can be found in IP’s full profile of the Reyes Foundation. Check out our Chicago and Great Lakes Funding Guide to learn about other Chicago-focused funders that are more accessible to grantseekers and have open application processes.