The Julie and Brian Simmons Foundation concentrates its giving on a small number of substantial, unrestricted gifts to cultural and civic institutions, with a strong local focus in Palm Beach alongside select investments in public education and athlete development elsewhere. Grants are typically labeled as annual/general support, indicating preference for flexible funding to sustain operations and programs. The mix of recipients suggests interest in preserving local heritage and science education, while also supporting public school improvement in Chicago and competitive sports development at the national level.
Concentrated, high-dollar annual gifts to a handful of repeat grantees; primarily unrestricted general operating support; mix of strong local Palm Beach giving with a few targeted out-of-area commitments.
The Julie and Brian Simmons Foundation’s giving is defined by recurring annual general-support grants to a small set of institutions, with Cox Science Center and Aquarium, Preservation of Palm Beach, and Chicago Public Education Fund appearing year after year. The pattern points to a funder that prefers unrestricted support rather than project-based awards, and it uses those grants to back cultural, civic, and education organizations in Palm Beach, Chicago, and selected national programs. Recent records also show support for Ransom Everglades School, the Society of the Four Arts, Norton Museum of Art, and Glades Academy Foundation, which broadens the picture beyond one sector while still staying close to institutions with clear community roles. In the science and culture space, the foundation has repeatedly supported West Palm Beach and Palm Beach organizations through annual gifts, including a six-figure grant to Cox Science Center and Aquarium in 2025 and continuing support for Preservation of Palm Beach. Its portfolio also reaches into public education and athlete development through Chicago-based education intermediaries and U.S. Ski & Snowboard. The result is a grantmaking profile centered on flexible, recurring institutional support rather than one-off project grants.
In science and public-facing education, the foundation gave $255,000 to Cox Science Center and Aquarium for annual general support and $100,000 to Chicago Public Education Fund for the same purpose. Those gifts sit alongside support for Lincoln Park Zoo, which received $20,000 in 2024 and $18,500 in 2025, showing interest in institutions that serve broad audiences. In historic preservation and cultural life, Preservation of Palm Beach received $175,000 in 2024 and $75,000 in 2025, while the Society of the Four Arts received $25,000 in each of 2023, 2024, and 2025. The foundation also backed schooling and youth development through Ransom Everglades School, Glades Academy Foundation, and Teach for America. Athletic development appears through U.S. Ski & Snowboard Association, which received $55,500 in 2025 and $30,000 in 2024.
The foundation’s recent grants cluster around a median size of $7,500, with the middle half of grants falling between $2,500 and $15,000. That said, the distribution includes several much larger annual gifts to recurring recipients, including six-figure awards. The same organizations often appear across multiple years, especially in Palm Beach, Chicago, and select national sports and education groups, which suggests an ongoing relationship model rather than one-time support. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. The recurring grant labels in the data are consistently framed as annual or general fund support.
$884K
$3.2M
$171K
$911K
Most grants fall between $3K and $15K, with a median of $8K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$8K
75th Percentile
$15K
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Notable grantees: Cox Science Center and Aquarium, Preservation of Palm Beach, Chicago Public Education Fund, U.S. Ski & Snowboard Association
Grants are national in scope, but the giving is concentrated in a few places. Florida recipients account for 25% of grants, and Palm Beach-area organizations appear repeatedly, including Palm Beach and West Palm Beach. Chicago is another visible hub, with multiple grants to Chicago-based education and civic organizations. Massachusetts recipients also appear often, especially Deerfield and Nantucket, which helps explain why Massachusetts is the top state by grant count. All recorded recipient grants in the dataset are in the United States.
It backs cultural, civic, education, and athletics organizations. Recent grants went to institutions such as Cox Science Center and Aquarium for annual general support, Chicago Public Education Fund for annual general support, Preservation of Palm Beach, Society of the Four Arts, U.S. Ski & Snowboard Association, and Teach for America.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Chicago Public Education Fund in 2024 and 2025, Preservation of Palm Beach in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and Society of the Four Arts in 2023, 2024, and 2025. The grant labels also repeatedly use annual gift and general fund language.
The typical grant size is $2,500 at the 25th percentile, $7,500 at the median, and $15,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grant list also includes larger annual gifts, such as $255,000 to Cox Science Center and Aquarium and $175,000 to Preservation of Palm Beach.
Massachusetts is the top state by grant count, while Florida recipients make up 25% of grants. Recent recipient cities include Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, Chicago, Park City, Deerfield, and Nantucket.
No. The foundation does not fund individuals and it does not make program-related investments. The data identifies it as a regular funder.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COX SCIENCE CENTER AND AQUARIUM | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $255,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| CHICAGO PUBLIC EDUCATION FUND | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| PRESERVATION OF PALM BEACH | PALM BEACH, FL | $75,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| US SKI & SNOWBOARD ASSOCIATION | PARK CITY, UT | $55,500 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| RANSOM EVERGLADES SCHOOL | COCONUT GROVE, FL | $50,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| SOCIETY OF THE FOUR ARTS | PALM BEACH, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| EVERGLADES FOUNDATION | PALMETTO BAY, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| NORTON MUSEUM OF ART | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| TEACH FOR AMERICA | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| GLADES ACADEMY FOUNDATION | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| NANTUCKET COMMUNITY SAILING INC | NANTUCKET, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| LINCOLN PARK ZOO | CHICAGO, IL | $18,500 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| GREENHOUSE SPORTS | NEW YORK, NY | $10,257 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| LEEDS ENDOWMENT | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| CITY YEAR CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| PAN MASS CHALLENGE | NEEDHAM, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| KIEVE WAVUS EDUCATIONAL FUND | NOBLEBORO, ME | $10,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| PREP FOR PREP | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| START EARLY | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| THE LORDS PLACE | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| NANTUCKET GOLF CLUB FOUNDATION | NANTUCKET, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| WEST PALM GOLF COMM TRUST | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| SEWICKLEY ACADEMY | SEWICKLEY, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| CHICAGO CARES | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| ST CHRYSOSTOMS DAY SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| SCONSET TRUST | SIASCONSET, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| FIRST SERVE FOUNDATION | KEY BISCAYNE, FL | $5,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| PROMISE FUND | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $5,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| NANTUCKET CONSERVATION FOUNDATION INC | NANTUCKET, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| USSGA MEMORIAL FUND | ELMSFORD, NY | $2,500 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| BATH & TENNIS CLUB HISTORIC BUILDING PRESERVATION FOUNDATION | PALM BEACH, FL | $2,500 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF PALM BEACH | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $2,500 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| MAX MCGRAW WILDLIFE FOUNDATION | DUNDEE, IL | $2,500 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| PALM BEACH CIVIC ASSOCIATION | PALM BEACH, FL | $2,500 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| COALITION FOR FAIRNESS IN SOHO | NEW YORK, NY | $1,700 | 2025 | ANUUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| ANIMALS ASIA | TOPEKA, KS | $1,298 | 2025 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| NANTUCKET YACHT CLUB FOUNDATION | NANTUCKET, MA | $1,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| CHI PSI EDUCATIONAL TRUST | NASHVILLE, TN | $1,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| PEGGY ADAMS ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $1,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR EATING DISORDERS | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $500 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| THE CHRIS LONG FOUNDATION | CLAYTON, MO | $500 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| ON THE ISLE | SIASCONSET, MA | $500 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| PRESERVATION OF PALM BEACH | PALM BEACH, FL | $175,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| CHICAGO PUBLIC EDUCATION FUND | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| COX SCIENCE CENTER AND AQUARIUM | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $55,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| US SKI & SNOWBOARD ASSOCIATION | PARK CITY, UT | $30,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| NANTUCKET COMMUNITY SAILING INC | NANTUCKET, MA | $25,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| SOCIETY OF THE FOUR ARTS | PALM BEACH, FL | $25,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
| TEACH FOR AMERICA | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND |
PRESERVATION OF PALM BEACH
$75,000ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND
US SKI & SNOWBOARD ASSOCIATION
$55,500ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND
ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND
NANTUCKET COMMUNITY SAILING INC
$25,000ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND
LINCOLN PARK ZOO
$18,500ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND
GREENHOUSE SPORTS
$10,257ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND
LEEDS ENDOWMENT
$10,000ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND
CITY YEAR CHICAGO
$10,000ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND
KIEVE WAVUS EDUCATIONAL FUND
$10,000ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND
START EARLY
$10,000ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND
ST CHRYSOSTOMS DAY SCHOOL
$10,000ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND
FIRST SERVE FOUNDATION
$5,000ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND
PROMISE FUND
$5,000ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND
USSGA MEMORIAL FUND
$2,500ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND
BATH & TENNIS CLUB HISTORIC BUILDING PRESERVATION FOUNDATION
$2,500ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND
MAX MCGRAW WILDLIFE FOUNDATION
$2,500ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND
COALITION FOR FAIRNESS IN SOHO
$1,700ANUUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND
ANIMALS ASIA
$1,298GENERAL CONTRIBUTION
NANTUCKET YACHT CLUB FOUNDATION
$1,000ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND
CHI PSI EDUCATIONAL TRUST
$1,000ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND
THE CHRIS LONG FOUNDATION
$500ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND
ON THE ISLE
$500ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND
PRESERVATION OF PALM BEACH
$175,000ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND
NANTUCKET COMMUNITY SAILING INC
$25,000ANNUAL GIFT - GENERAL FUND