Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation: Grants for Chicago

OVERVIEW:  The Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation’s grantmaking prioritizes the arts and cultural institutions but also supports higher education, health and policy work.

IP TAKE: The foundation keeps a low public profile, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities.

PROFILE: Founded in 1986, the Carl and Marilynn Thoma Foundation was established by Chicago private equity veteran Carl Thoma and his wife, Marilynn. The Thomas are avid art collectors, and this is reflected in their funding of arts organizations. The Thoma Foundation’s grantmaking focuses on arts and cultural institutions but also supports higher education, health and policy development. About half of their grantmaking takes place in Chicago, where their foundation is based.

The Carl and Marilynn Thoma Foundation maintains a low profile, and little is known about its specific funding practices. The foundation prioritizes arts and culture organizations and events in Chicago, but has also supported policy development, higher education and rehabilitation. Recent Chicago area grantees include Chicago Shakespeare Theater, the Illinois Policy Institute, Lyric Opera Chicago, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. In 2014, the Thomas started a second foundation the Carl & Marilynn Thoma Art Foundation to work more specifically in the area of visual arts.

In a recent fiscal year, grants ranged from $25 to $1,000,000. Review the funder's recent tax records to learn more about past grantees.

The foundation does not appear to accept unsolicited grant requests. The funder's phone number is 312-254-3361.

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CONTACT:

Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation

875 North Michigan Avenue, 1310

Chicago, IL 60611

(312) 234-3361