The Canning Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Canning Foundation’s Chicago giving focuses on a range of causes including the arts, education, health, human services, community development and animals.

IP TAKE: The Canning Foundation keeps a low profile and does not accept unsolicited proposals.

PROFILE: Established in 1993 in Illinois, the Canning Foundation is steered by Chicago area couple John and Rita Canning. John Canning, Jr. is the co-founder and chairman of Madison Dearborn Partners, an investment firm in Chicago. His wife, Rita, has a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce and Business Administration from the University of Illinois and is a long-time volunteer to local causes including Northwestern University and the Field Museum. Grantmaking supports arts and culture, education and youth, health, human services, animals and the greater Chicago community.

The foundation does not have a website to guide grantseekers. However, past Chicago area grantees include the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center, Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago Dancing Company, Art Institute of Chicago, WINGS, Big Shoulders Fund, DePaul University, Marian Catholic High School, the Brain Research Foundation and PAWS Chicago. The Cannings fund scholarships each year to send inner-city children to high-performing parochial schools. They also support undergraduate and community college scholarships for lower-income students. 

Canning grants tend to range from $5,000 to $100,000. Of late, annual grantmaking has been in the $2 million range. View the funder's recent tax records to learn more about past grantees.

It appears that the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, and it prefers to maintain a low public profile with a minimal web presence. The phone number to get in touch with the foundation is 312-895-1100.

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CONTACT:

Canning Foundation

1650 W. Dublin Ct.

Inverness, IL 60067-4726

(312) 895-1100