Anthony & Jeanne Pritzker Family Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Anthony & Jeanne Pritzker Family Foundation is based in Los Angeles and provides funding in the areas of education, environment, medicine, community, and foster care.

IP TAKE: The Anthony & Jeanne Pritzker Family Foundation supports many important institutions and causes located in Southern California. However, 990s show that ensuring children touched by foster care succeed is a priority interest for Pritzker.

While this funder does provide several methods of contact in the footer of its webpage and is fairly accessible, it could be more transparent. AJPFF provides information about select grantees, but it does not give much detail about where the bulk of its funding goes. It does not accept unsolicited proposals or requests for funding. 

PROFILE: The Anthony & Jeanne Pritzker Family Foundation (AJPFF) is one of many foundations run by members of the Pritzker family. It seeks to strengthen “many of the unique institutions that define Los Angeles” and support the local “community not just for the present, but for generations to come, with particular focus on medicine, higher education, the environment and the arts.”

Anthony (Donald Pritzker’s middle son) is Chairman and CEO of Pritzker Private Capital. He graduated from Dartmouth College and received his M.B.A. from University of Chicago. Pritzker runs The Pritzker Group, a private equity firm. He is one of 11 billionaire heirs to the Chicago-based Pritzker family fortune, which includes Hyatt Hotels. This Pritzker’s philanthropy stands out because it is not centered on Chicago, like that of many of the other family members.

Grants for Higher Education and Medical Research

For education, AJPFF mostly supports UCLA to help the public university excel in academics, athletics, research, and diversity. The foundation made a $30 million commitment to support a major renovation of the Psychology Tower on the UCLA campus, creating Pritzker Hall. Through the years, the foundation has directed some $100 million to UCLA. Other grantees are Los Angeles Unified School District, Cornell University, University of Southern California, Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, and Mattel Children’s Hospital.

Grants for Environment

Environmental support is broadly centered on preservation of the natural environment; medical grants promote research, patient care, and scholarships. The environment has been one of the funder's main causes: Anthony has chaired the board of Heal the Bay, an environmental group in Santa Monica as well as UCLA Institute on Environment & Sustainability, which houses the Pritzker Emerging Environmental Genius Award, a $100,000 annual award that goes to a “scientist, entrepreneur, engineer, activist or artist […] who stands poised to make a game-changing difference.”

In the past, this Pritzker foundation has been interested in urban sustainability, as well.

Grants for Jewish Causes

Community grants from AJPFF often have a Jewish angle, helping children and families access Jewish institutions. L.A. arts groups, colleges, private schools, and local Jewish organizations also see AJPFF’s support. Grantees include Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, Jewish Free Loan Association, and Wilshire Boulevard Temple.

Grants for Community Development

The foundation launched Pritzker Foster Care Initiative in 2014 to support transition-age foster youth and the families that provide them with homes. Grants made as part of this initiative include improving access to and success in higher education, accessing medical and behavioral health services, and, and achieving financial independence. Five years ago, the foundation launched UCLA Pritzker Center for Strengthening Children & Families, a transdisciplinary initiative focused on research and policy aimed at reducing the likelihood of children entering foster care.

In addition to the UCLA Foundation, past support has gone to the Alliance for Children’s Rights, Foster Care Counts, Think of Us, and Foster Nation.

Important Grant Details

The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant requests. Direct general questions to the staff at 310-575-9400 x1161 or info@ajpff.org. The foundation’s mailing address is 11150 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 1500, Los Angeles, California 90025.

Check out the funder’s website and scroll to its Recent Grants or Research and Press section to see recent interests.

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