OVERVIEW: The Gies Foundation’s grantmaking includes support of educational and health causes. More than half of this foundation’s grantmaking stays in Chicago.
IP TAKE: The foundation keeps a low public profile, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities.
PROFILE: Founded in 2004, the Gies Foundation was established by Madison Industries CEO Larry Gies and his wife, Beth. Larry Gies founded what became Madison Industries in 1994, which is now regarded as one of the largest and most successful privately held companies in the world. While the foundation is not transparent about its grantmaking areas of interst, tax filings suggest that the Gies Foundation’s supports education and health causes.
The foundation does not outline specific aims for its education or health programs, preferring to fund them more broadly. Larry and Beth Gies recently gave a $150 million gift to Larry’s alma mater, the University of Illinois, to focus on expanding the business school's programming and scholarships. The Gies Foundation was also instrumental in establishing the Gies Campus of Chicago Jesuit Academy, a full scholarship school for boys on Chicago's West Side.
In a recent year the foundation gave away around $1.1 million. Past grantees also include Huntington Disease Society, Glenwood School for Boys, Holy Trinity High School, Northwestern University (Gies has a degree from the school), Sarcoidosis Foundation and Boys & Girls Club. Grantmaking is largely centered on the Chicago area. Review the funder''s recent tax records to learn more about past grantees.
The foundation does not appear to accept unsolicited grant requests. However, the foundation phone number to get in touch is 312-277-0159.
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CONTACT:
500 W. Madison St., Ste. 3890
Chicago, IL 60661-4593
(312) 277-0159