Get to Know the Harris Family Foundation's Giving in Chicago

Editor's note: This article was revised and updated on 8/20/2021.

When discussing the philanthropy of the Harris family in Chicago, the Irving Harris Foundation usually comes up. This well-established foundation tends to award $10 million to $15 million in grants per year and has a straightforward grantmaking program familiar to Chicago-area grantees. However, there is another lesser-known Harris family funder in town that grantseekers should know: the Harris Family Foundation (HFF). Here are some details about HFF and how it gives locally in the region.

The Founder

King Harris is the founder of HFF and steers the foundation’s giving alongside his family. He is the nephew of Irving Harris, who co-founded Toni Home Permanent Co. during the World War II era. King’s father/Irving’s brother, Neison Harris, was an entrepreneur who was chairman of Pittway Corp, a Fortune 500 manufacturing company with specialties in packaging and aerosol filling. King Harris became Pittway’s CEO in 1987 and also chairs a private investment firm called Harris Holdings. King is married to Caryn Harris, who is also involved in the family’s philanthropy. Although the foundation has always flown under the radar, HFF has been operating on the local philanthropy scene since 1958, often with substantial giving.

Giving Priorities

Over the years, King and Caryn Harris have focused much of their charitable giving on familiar arts and healthcare institutions. They typically stick to large and well-established art organizations around town, especially museums, including those institutions the Harris couple has served on the boards of. They also support large and well-established hospitals with grants that exceed the million-dollar mark. Other philanthropic interests of HFF are Jewish causes, education efforts, economic development, housing, and programs for youth.

Past Gifts

Through their foundation, the Harris couple has given substantially to the Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Several years ago, the foundation awarded a $10 million grant to a hospital project designed to integrate science and clinical care, called AbilityLab, at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. Jewish giving has extended to the Jewish Fund of Chicago, while youth giving includes the Illinois Math and Science Academy. Additional grantees include the Ounce of Prevention Fund, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, and Mercy Housing Lakefront. In recent years, grants have been as small as a few hundred dollars, while others continue to be several million dollars in size.

Unsolicited Requests Welcome

Chicago-area nonprofits should get to know HFF on a deeper level because this low-key funder accepts unsolicited requests for grants. Overall grantmaking is largely focused on the Windy City, and HFF accepts funding requests by letter mailed to its address on Wacker Drive. According to tax filings, there are no specific application forms to use, no submission deadlines, and no restrictions or limitations on awards.

Read more about HFF in our full profile of this funder, as well as other foundations that prioritize this region in our Chicago and Great Lakes Funding Guide.