Getting to Know Chicago Philanthropists Patrick and Shirley Ryan
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Among Chicago’s prominent philanthropic power couples are Patrick and Shirley Ryan, who gained substantial wealth through the insurance industry and made the single largest gift in Northwestern University’s history. The Ryans launched their charitable foundation, the Patrick G. & Shirley W. Ryan Foundation, in 1984, and have been steadily giving for the arts, education, Catholic churches, and schools and services for children and youth since then.
Patrick Ryan is the founder and retired CEO and chairman of Aon Corporation and is known for being a successful entrepreneur and civic leader. Shirley Ryan has been steadily involved in the Chicago nonprofit world and has strong connections to groups working in pediatric health, physical rehabilitation and early childhood development.
Since the Ryan Foundation does not have a website to guide grantseekers, here are some facts to know about this funder and how to approach it as a Chicago-area grantseeker.
The Ryans’ geographic focus
The Ryan Foundation is based in Chicago and centers most of its grantmaking in and around the city. Almost all grantees have a local presence in Chicago, with the only exceptions being national organizations like the American Academy of Arts & Sciences. A few other grantees are based in Wisconsin, Florida and New York. Regardless of location, most grants are for general operations rather than specific programs.
Top grantmaking interests
Education is a top interest area for the Ryan Foundation, with grants often going to higher education institutions, research programs and athletics groups. The Ryans have supported education reform organizations, athletic departments and charter schools.
The arts are also an interest for the Ryans, as they have funded the Art Institute of Chicago and Lyric Opera of Chicago in the past. The Chicago Shakespeare Theater and Chicago Historical Society have also received funding. The family identifies with the Catholic religion and occasionally supports Catholic schools and churches in Chicago. Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts organizations, outdoor recreation, children with special needs and museums are other foundation interests.
Support for Northwestern University
Northwestern University, located in suburban Evanston, Illinois, is Patrick Ryan’s alma mater and a major recipient of Ryan Foundation funding. In 2021, the foundation made a $480 million gift to the university, which was the largest gift it had ever received. That money is being used to advance research, educational initiatives and athletic programs at the school. More specifically, the fields of microeconomics, business, digital medicine, neuroscience, and global health and translational research have benefited from the Ryans’ gift.
Applying for a Ryan Foundation grant
The Ryan Foundation maintains a low public profile and does not employ staff. Shirley Ryan is the foundation’s president and treasurer, while Patrick Ryan is the chairman and vice president. Patrick Ryan, Jr., Robert Ryan, Corbett Ryan and Mary Ignell are also directors at the foundation.
Tax records indicate that the foundation does not accept unsolicited requests and only funds preselected organizations. Therefore, this can be a challenging funder to get in touch with and secure support from unless an organization has personal connections to the family.
Find additional details about this funder in IP’s full profile of the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation, which is part of our Chicago and Illinois funding guide.
