The Margot & Thomas Pritzker Family Foundation concentrates its giving on high-profile national and international policy organizations, funding elite think tanks and leadership/convening institutions. Grants are large and strategic, aimed at supporting policy research, foreign affairs and leadership programs rather than many small local projects. The foundation shows repeat support for a small set of national partners, signaling a preference for influence through established policy platforms.
Concentrated giving with a very small number of large grants; repeat funding to the same premier policy organizations rather than broad, distributed grants.
A striking feature of the Margot & Thomas Pritzker Family Foundation is the scale of its unrestricted support for policy and convening institutions: recent grants include $2 million to the Center for Strategic and International Studies and $1.235 million to The Aspen Institute Inc, both for general operating support. The foundation’s giving pattern points to established organizations rather than project-by-project experimentation, with repeated support for the same national partners across multiple years. That includes CSIS, which appears with grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and The Aspen Institute, which also receives recurring operating support. Alongside those national policy groups, the foundation backs Chicago-based institutions such as the University of Chicago and Urban Growers Collective, showing that its portfolio is not limited to Washington, DC. The recent record also includes support for organizations tied to foreign affairs, leadership development, community organizing, and urban agriculture. Overall, the foundation’s grantmaking is organized around core funding for nonprofit organizations with existing platforms, especially those positioned to shape policy discourse, convene leaders, or sustain long-running institutional work.
In U.S. national security and foreign policy research, the foundation gave $2 million to the Center for Strategic and International Studies for general operating support. In leadership development and policy convenings, it provided $1.235 million to The Aspen Institute Inc for general operating support. Chicago-based institutions also appear in the recent record: the University of Chicago received $400,000 for general operating support, and Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School received $100,000. The foundation also funded civic and community-oriented work, including $334,000 to Movement Strategy Center and $200,000 to Advocates for Urban Agriculture, both for general operating support. Those grants suggest a mix of policy, higher education, and community capacity-building support, all delivered through core operating grants.
Typical grant size clusters around a $15,000 p25, $50,000 median, and $100,000 p75. The recent grants list shows much larger awards at the top end, including multiple seven-figure grants, alongside a long tail of smaller operating grants. Recipients appear across multiple years, especially major partners such as the Center for Strategic and International Studies, The Aspen Institute, Movement Strategy Center, Urban Growers Collective, and Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, which points to recurring support rather than one-time gifts. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Its grants are framed primarily as general operating support, unrestricted support, or core support.
$5.3M
$65.6M
$7M
$6.1M
Most grants fall between $15K and $100K, with a median of $50K.
25th Percentile
$15K
Median
$50K
75th Percentile
$100K
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for Margot & Thomas Pritzker Family Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 128 | $17.1M | 99.2% |
| 2 | United Kingdom |
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Notable grantees: Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), The Aspen Institute, National policy research and convening organizations (representative category)
Giving is national, but the strongest concentration is in Illinois, which accounts for 45% of grants. Chicago appears often among recipients, including the University of Chicago, Urban Growers Collective, Advocates for Urban Agriculture, Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School, Planned Parenthood, and A Better Chicago. Washington, DC is another major landing place through several policy institutions. Outside the United States, the recipient country distribution includes 1 grant to the UK, alongside 128 U.S. grants.
The foundation backs nonprofit organizations and charitable organizations, with recent grants concentrated in policy research, leadership convenings, higher education, and community-facing organizations. Examples in the record include the Center for Strategic and International Studies, The Aspen Institute Inc, the University of Chicago, and Urban Growers Collective, mostly through general operating support.
Typical grants are $15,000 at the 25th percentile, $50,000 at the median, and $100,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list also includes much larger awards, including $2 million to the Center for Strategic and International Studies and $1.235 million to The Aspen Institute Inc.
Yes. Several grantees appear across multiple years, including the Center for Strategic and International Studies in 2023, 2024, and 2025; The Aspen Institute in 2023, 2024, and 2025; and repeated support for Movement Strategy Center, Urban Growers Collective, and Aspen Center for Environmental Studies.
The foundation gives nationally, with 45% of grants going to recipients in Illinois. Chicago is especially prominent among recipient cities, while Washington, DC is another major location in the recent grant list. The country distribution is overwhelmingly U.S.-based, with one grant to the UK.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
| 1 |
| $25K |
0.8% |
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES | WASHINGTON, DC | $2,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE ASPEN INSTITUTE INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,235,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $400,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MOVEMENT STRATEGY CENTER | OAKLAND, CA | $333,333 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| URBAN GROWERS COLLECTIVE | CHICAGO, IL | $333,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHICAGO COUNCIL ON GLOBAL AFFAIRS | CHICAGO, IL | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ADVOCATES FOR URBAN AGRICULTURE | CHICAGO, IL | $160,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ASPEN MUSIC FESTIVAL & SCHOOL | ASPEN, CO | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ASPEN CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES | ASPEN, CO | $68,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WINDWARD FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $52,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHICAGO CARES INC | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CIA OFFICERS MEMORIAL FOUNDATION | HERNDON, VA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| INGENUITY | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| IMPACTASSETS INC | BETHESDA, MD | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ARTS & SCIENCES | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LINCOLN PARK CONSERVANCY | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| VALLEY VIEW FOUNDATION | GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| OPENLANDS | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THIRD OPTION FOUNDATION | RESTON, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| JAPAN SOCIETY | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| DUNELM USA | DENVER, CO | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WOODLAWN FOOD SECURITY | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| A BETTER CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ALEPH SOCIETY INC | NEW YORK, NY | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WINDOW TO THE WORLD | CHICAGO, IL | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| STAR FARM CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GRANT PARK ORCHESTRAL | CHICAGO, IL | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GROWING HOME INC | CHCIAGO, IL | $1,750 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CENTER FOR STRATEGIC & INTERNATIONAL STUDIES | WASHINGTON, DC | $2,000,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE ASPEN INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,000,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF ISRAEL NAVY SEALS | NEW YORK, NY | $400,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $345,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| URBAN GROWERS COLLECTIVE | CHICAGO, IL | $334,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ASPEN CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES | ASPEN, CO | $333,334 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MOVEMENT STRATEGY CENTER | OAKLAND, CA | $333,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GROUNDSWELL FUND | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $200,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE ASPEN INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $125,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ADVOCATES FOR URBAN AGRICULTURE | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE ASPEN INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHICAGO PARKS FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHICAGO FOOD POLICY ACTION COUNCIL | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ASHESI UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | SEATTLE, WA | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OF PEMBROKE HOPKINS PARK | HOPKINS PARK, IL | $75,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ASPEN CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES | ASPEN, CO | $65,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ADVOCATES FOR URBAN AGRICULTURE | CHICAGO, IL | $58,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WOODLANW FOOD SECURITY HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES PROJECT | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE ASPEN INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
$2,000,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
$400,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ASPEN MUSIC FESTIVAL & SCHOOL
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
INGENUITY
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
VALLEY VIEW FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
DUNELM USA
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
WOODLAWN FOOD SECURITY
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
WINDOW TO THE WORLD
$2,500GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
GRANT PARK ORCHESTRAL
$2,500GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CENTER FOR STRATEGIC & INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
$2,000,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CHICAGO FOOD POLICY ACTION COUNCIL
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OF PEMBROKE HOPKINS PARK
$75,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
WOODLANW FOOD SECURITY HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES PROJECT
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT