Steans Family Foundation

What Steans Family Foundation does

The Steans Family Foundation (SFF) is a private family foundation established in 1987 by Harrison and Lois Steans and their three daughters Jennifer, Heather, and Robin. Headquartered at 50 E Washington Street in Chicago with a second office in North Chicago, SFF operates a place-based philanthropy model focused on two underserved Illinois communities: North Lawndale on Chicago's west side (since 1996) and North Chicago (since 2016). A Policy & Ecosystem pillar added in 2018 extends the foundation's work into statewide advocacy on education, employment, and justice reform. SFF does not develop technology products; its core 'platform' consists of community relationships, a research and evaluation function, and direct investment capacity through grants, loans, joint ventures, and real estate. Active initiatives include the Fillmore Center development (169,000 sq ft economic hub with Community Benefit Trust planning) and the North Lawndale Catalyst Initiative (NLCI), a wholly-owned subsidiary established in 2023.

SFF's grantmaking spans early childhood development, K-12 education, college completion, workforce development, economic opportunity, community safety, and policy/ecosystem work. The foundation runs an invitation-only grantmaking process and does not accept unsolicited proposals; it supports approximately 106 grantee organizations across the three program areas (56 in North Lawndale, 30 in North Chicago, 20 in Policy & Ecosystem per the 2021 Annual Report). Notable partner categories include charter schools (LEARN, Noble, North Lawndale College Prep), universities (UIC, Northwestern, University of Chicago Urban Labs), workforce intermediaries (Skills for Chicagoland's Future, North Lawndale Employment Network), and community-based service providers (Carole Robertson Center, Lawndale Christian Health Center). SFF tracks measurable outcomes including the Freshman On Track rate at North Chicago Community High School improving from 56% to over 90% between 2018-2022.

The foundation's business model relies on family endowment contributions from the Steans family and related entities, most notably Financial Investments Corporation (FIC), the Steans family office founded in 1994 by Harrison and Jennifer Steans. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed. The foundation operates with approximately 27 staff across two offices, supported by a Board of Trustees chaired by Heather Steans with Jennifer and Robin Steans as Trustees, and led by Executive Director Patricia Ford (previously of the Chicago High School Redesign Initiative). Grantmaking is supervised by two Managing Directors for North Lawndale and two Co-Managing Directors for North Chicago, plus Directors of Policy, Early Childhood, K-12, Postsecondary, Research & Evaluation, and Operations.

Name

Steans Family Foundation

Legal name

The Steans Family Foundation, Inc.

Website

https://steansfamilyfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Steans Family Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1987 that operates a place-based philanthropy model in North Lawndale (Chicago) and North Chicago, funding ~106 grantee nonprofits across education, workforce development, early childhood, and community safety, plus a Policy & Ecosystem pillar addressing systemic reform statewide in Illinois.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Family Foundation Grantmaking

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK), Social Justice & Human Rights Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAN)

Keywords

• Place-based philanthropy
• Family foundation grantmaking
• Community development grants
• Education grantmaking
• Workforce development funding

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Family Foundation Endowment: The Steans Family Foundation was established in 1987 by Harrison and Lois Steans and their daughters Jennifer, Heather and Robin. The foundation receives its funding from the Steans family and related entities including Financial Investments Corporation (FIC), founded by Harrison and Jennifer Steans in 1994. The foundation uses these resources to make grants to nonprofit organizations serving North Lawndale and North Chicago communities.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

The Steans Family Foundation is a private family foundation that conducts place-based philanthropy in two specific communities — North Lawndale on Chicago's west side and North Chicago, a city 40 miles north of downtown Chicago. Established in 1987 by Harrison and Lois Steans and their daughters, the Foundation provides grants, thought partnership, and capacity-building support to nonprofit organizations working in early childhood development, K-12 education, college completion, workforce development, job creation, economic opportunity, and policy/ecosystem reform. Grants are awarded through an invitation-only application process based on priorities set by the Foundation's Trustees.

Product overview

The Steans Family Foundation is a philanthropy organization, not a technology product company. The website (steansfamilyfoundation.org) is an informational resource describing the foundation's grantmaking programs, place-based initiatives, and community partnerships. The organization does not offer technology products or software services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• North Lawndale Place-Based Grantmaking Program Long-term grantmaking program providing grants, thought partnership, and capacity-building support to nonprofit organizations serving the North Lawndale community in early childhood, K-12, postsecondary, workforce, and economic development.
• North Chicago Place-Based Grantmaking Program Grantmaking and capacity-building program supporting nonprofit organizations in North Chicago across early childhood education, K-12 education, postsecondary pathways, workforce development, and out-of-school time initiatives.
• Policy & Ecosystem Grantmaking Program Grantmaking portfolio funding policy advocacy, research, and ecosystem organizations working on systemic issues in education, employment, community safety, criminal justice, and economic opportunity across Illinois.
• North Lawndale Catalyst Initiative (NLCI) Investment initiative under the Foundation that leverages thought-partnership and direct investments to promote economic growth, workforce development, and community vitality in North Lawndale, including the Fillmore Center anchor development and Roosevelt Road corridor revitalization.

Quantifiable outcome

• North Chicago's Freshman On Track rate rose from 56% to over 90% between 2018-2022, and graduation rate improved from 56% to 82%
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• North Lawndale Employment NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSFF helped launch the North Lawndale Employment Network in 1999 to help residents with criminal records find employment. The organization has helped thousands of people returning from incarceration find jobs, continue education, and build financial skills. Programs include Sweet Beginnings LLC, a transitional jobs program using beekeeping and honey production.
• Carole Robertson Center for LearningcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA community-based organization serving children from birth through age 18 through early learning and youth development programs in Chicago's west side.
• LEARN Charter School NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharter school network serving students in Chicago area.
• Noble Network of Charter SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the largest charter school networks in Chicago serving underserved communities.
• North Lawndale College Prep Charter High SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharter high school founded with SFF support in North Lawndale.
• Lawndale Christian Health CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederally Qualified Health Center providing comprehensive healthcare services to the Lawndale community.
• Chicago Botanic Garden's Farm On OgdencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUrban farm and agricultural education facility in North Lawndale.
• United Way of Metropolitan ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional nonprofit federation working to improve communities through partnerships with organizations like SFF.
• UIC (University of Illinois at Chicago)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic research university partner in education and workforce initiatives.
• North Chicago Community PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization supporting North Chicago residents and initiatives.
• North Chicago School District 187coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic school district in North Chicago. SFF partners with District 187 on teacher recruitment and retention efforts, tutoring programs, and supporting high school seniors.
• Cristo Rey St. Martin College PrepcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCatholic college-preparatory high school serving students in Waukegan/North Chicago area.
• College of Lake County FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity college foundation creating apprenticeship opportunities for North Chicago residents.
• Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and SciencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical university in North Chicago with community outreach programs.
• Bernie's Book BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization providing books to children in need throughout Chicagoland.
• Kohl Children's Museum of Greater ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChildren's museum providing educational programming for North Chicago families.
• City of North ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal government partner offering summer internships and community programs.
• Lake County Community FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity foundation supporting Lake County nonprofits.
• Advance IllinoiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent policy and advocacy organization working toward equitable public education in Illinois.
• Chicago Community TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity foundation and philanthropic partner in Chicago.
• Civic Consulting AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPro bono consulting organization serving Chicago area nonprofits and public sector.
• Heartland AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHuman rights organization providing services to vulnerable populations.
• LISC ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Initiatives Support Corporation supporting community development.
• Partnership for College CompletioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvocacy nonprofit fighting for equity in higher education in Illinois, in its fifth year of operation.
• University of Chicago Urban LabscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch organization providing evidence-based policy solutions.
• Northwestern UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch university partner through N3 (Northwestern Neighborhood & Network Initiative).

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Chicago Community Trust: Regional community foundation serving the Chicago region through place-based and equity-focused grantmaking. Directly comparable as a community-rooted grantmaker working across education, economic opportunity, and policy in the same geography as SFF.
• Joyce Foundation: Chicago-based private foundation focused on education, workforce, economic development, and policy — closely aligned with SFF's strategy and city footprint. Senior SFF staff have previously worked at Joyce, indicating overlapping talent and approaches.
• Crown Family Philanthropies: Chicago-based family foundation with deep commitments to education, economic opportunity, and Jewish community causes. Comparable to SFF as a multi-generational family foundation in Chicago with place-based and policy orientation.
• Polk Brothers Foundation: Chicago-based private family foundation focused on education, economic opportunity, and community development, with strong ties to underserved Chicago neighborhoods. Closely comparable to SFF in family-foundation governance and place-based methodology.
• Lloyd A. Fry Foundation: Chicago-based family foundation focused on education and economic opportunity, with a strong grantmaking emphasis on Chicago's underserved communities. Managing Director Yolanda Knight previously worked there, signaling direct overlap in approach and network.
• Pritzker Foundation: Chicago-based family foundation supporting early childhood, education, and community development. Comparable to SFF as a multi-generational family foundation with overlapping programmatic priorities in education and equity.

Broad incumbents

• Spencer Foundation: Chicago-based foundation focused on education research and practice. Comparable to SFF in its education-focused grantmaking and Chicago footprint, but with a national research orientation rather than place-based approach.
• Robert R. McCormick Foundation: Chicago-based foundation with major education and community development programs in the Chicago region. Comparable as a long-standing Chicago-area foundation with overlapping education equity focus, though operating at a larger scale.
• John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation: One of the largest U.S. private foundations, headquartered in Chicago, with major commitments to place-based Chicago work and national policy. Comparable as a long-tenured Chicago grantmaker with overlapping educational equity portfolio, but operates at much larger scale.

Others

• Advance Illinois: Independent policy and advocacy organization focused on equitable public education in Illinois, chaired by Robin Steans and funded by SFF. While not a peer, it is an ecosystem partner that amplifies SFF's policy impact and is closely intertwined with the foundation's strategy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/steans-family-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Steans Family Foundation