Harris Family Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Harris Family Foundation’s grantmaking includes support for the arts, health and education in and around Chicago.

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

PROFILE:  Founded in 1958, the Harris Family Foundation is currently steered by King Harris and his family. King Harris’ father, Neison, and uncle Irving started Toni Home Permanent Co. during World War II and sold it to Gillette for $20 million in 1947. Later, they create what became Pittway Corp., a maker of fire and burglar alarms, which sold for $2.2 billion to Honeywell International in 2000.  Harris joined Pittway in 1971 and became CEO in 1987. He now chairs Harris Holdings Inc., a private investment firm.

A large portion of Harris’s grants are given to arts organizations in Chicago. King and Caryn Harris are benefactors of the Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum of Contemporary Art, where King has served on the board of directors. Caryn is a trustee of both the Art Institute and the Field Museum. The foundation has also given to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Music and Dance Theater Chicago and the Chicago Botanic Gardens. Health funding includes a $10 million gift to the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago for AbilityLab, a project that integrates science and clinical care. And in education, the foundation gave $12.5 million to the University of Chicago for its Harris School of Public Policy. Other grantees have included Chicago Community Trust, Illinois Math and Science Academy, Jewish Fund of Chicago and Teach for America Chicago.

In a recent fiscal year, the foundation gave away around $11.2 million. Grants ranged from $35 to $3,070,000 to Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago— now Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. Review the funder's recent tax records to learn more about past grantees. Grantmaking is largely focused on Chicago. 

The foundation may consider unsolicited grant letters of inquiry. The funder's phone number to get in touch is 312-831-4130.

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CONTACT:

Harris Family Foundation

311 S. Wacker Drive, 925

Chicago, IL 60606-6775

(312) 831-4130