Code Family Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Code Family Foundation's Chicagoland grantmaking focuses strongly on religious organizations. The foundation also support youth and human services organizations, among other efforts. 

IP TAKE: This foundation keeps a low profile but appears to accept unsolicited proposals. A recent tax return for the foundation lists contact information. 

PROFILE: The Code Family Foundation is the philanthropic vehicle of Chicago area financier Andrew Code, his wife Susan, and their family. The foundation keeps a low profile and has a minimal web presence. Andrew and Susan both graduated from University of Iowa, which is a major recipient of Code’s funding. Grantmaking areas of interest include religious causes, youth, human services, health and education.

What immediately stands out about this Chicago funder's grantmaking is its strong support of religious organizations. Andrew Code is among the founders of Chicago Fellowship, one of whose goals is to help "men find relationship with other men for the purposes of accountability and support in pursuing and living Biblical truth."  Apart from supporting Chicago Fellowship, the family, via their foundation, supports outfits like Breakthrough Urban Ministries, Soul City Church, and International Teams, a nondenominational Christian, evangelical ministry based in Elgin, Illinois, that builds and sends missionary teams on summer, two-year, and career commitments.

The Codes also support youth organizations in the Chicago area like By the Hand Club for Kids, "helping kids in critical need of intervention have new and abundant life," Grip Outreach for Youth and Inner-City Impact. In terms of human services and health, they've funded places like Bridge Communities, which helps " transition homeless families to self-sufficiency by working with partners to provide mentoring, housing, and supportive services," and Giant Steps, which works with those with autism. 

In a recent tax year, the Code Family Foundation did around $2.9 million in grantmaking, with most grants under $50,000. Review the funder’s tax records to learn more about its giving. Although funding does not appear to be restricted to Chicago, much of the foundation’s giving takes place here. A component of the family's philanthropy also involves organizations that work on a global level. Criteria for giving include Christ-centered programs, having a relationship with the Code family, and supporting the ministry over the long-term.

Most of the foundation's grantmaking activity is gleaned from recent tax returns, which do indicate that the foundation may accept unsolicited proposals. Interested organizations should provide a description of their project and the funding they request. The foundation’s phone number is 312-876-3945 and its address is 30 S. Wacker Dr., Ste. 1600, Chicago, IL 60606.

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