OVERVIEW: The Topfer Family Foundation is committed to supporting community development, work and economic opportunity, and public health and access in Austin, Texas and Chicago, Illinois.
IP TAKE: This is an accessible funder with clear guidelines and an open application system. It takes its geographic restrictions seriously, so grantseekers outside Austin and Chicago should look elsewhere for funding.
OVERVIEW: Established in 2000, the Topfer Family Foundation established by tech executive Mort Topfer and his late wife Angela. Mort held several key leadership positions with Motorola for more than two decades, before being recruited by Dell in 1994 to serve as the company’s vice chairman until the early 2000s. The Topfer Family Foundation seeks to help “people connect to the tools and resources needed to build self-sufficient and fulfilling lives.” It makes grants in the greater Austin, Texas and the greater Chicago, Illinois metropolitan areas, and supports community development, work and economic opportunity, and public health and access.
Grants for Community Development, Work and Economic Opportunity, and Public Health and Access
The foundation gives grants across several program areas: Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment awards programs that promote positive parenting, strengthen families, and provide early intervention; Youth Enrichment funds initiatives that help youth develop practical life skills, promote education, build self-confidence, and provide positive development and enrichment opportunities; Job Training and Support Services grants support an interest in vocational training, remedial education and life skills training; Children’s Health awards work to provide access to critical healthcare for low-income children and those with chronic and terminal illnesses; and lastly, Aging in Place funds supporting those that offer home modification, home repair, food and nutrition services, and affordable housing alternatives.
Important Grant Details
Contributions are limited to the communities in which the family resides: the greater Austin, Texas and the greater Chicago, Illinois metropolitan areas. In Illinois, preference is given to organizations serving DuPage and Cook counties. Grants range from $25 to $300,000. In a recent fiscal year, the foundation gave away around $2.8 million. It has given away the most money within its Child Abuse and Treatment grantmaking, with over $17 million in grants through the years.
Requests should be submitted online at the link located on the application page. It does not fund more than 20 percent of an organization’s operating budget or any one program more than once a calendar year.
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