Pattis Family Foundation

The Pattis Family Foundation is a preselected-only funder, meaning it does not accept unsolicited proposals. This is the single most important fact for any prospective grantseeker to understand: cold applications will not be reviewed. However, the foundation's grantmaking patterns reveal clear pathways for organizations that align with its priorities.

The foundation's identity is rooted in the written word. Mark Pattis built his career in book and magazine publishing — leading NTC/Contemporary Publication Company, then Tribune Education — and the foundation's two flagship programs (the Chicago Book Award with the Newberry Library and the Creative Arts Book Award with Interlochen) reflect that heritage directly. Organizations whose work intersects with literary culture, arts education, or intellectual inquiry occupy the foundation's sweet spot.

To enter the foundation's orbit, pursue relationship-based strategies rather than formal applications. The Pattis family is active in Chicago's North Shore philanthropic community (Highland Park) and maintains visible partnerships with major cultural institutions. Board cultivation through shared networks — Swarthmore College alumni circles, Newberry Library events, Ravinia Festival donor communities, or Interlochen programming — represents the most realistic path to consideration.

Organizations working in education access and opportunity — particularly programs that bridge resource gaps for talented students — should note the foundation's explicit commitment to this area. The Pattis family's connections to elite educational institutions (Swarthmore, Carleton, University of Chicago) suggest an appreciation for academic excellence combined with social mobility.

Finally, recognize the family governance structure. All five officers are family members serving without compensation: Mark and Lisa Pattis plus their adult children Madeleine Pattis and Rebecca and Samuel Reategui. Grant decisions likely reflect personal philanthropic interests across the family, which explains the breadth of giving from literary awards to food banks to reproductive rights organizations.

The Pattis Family Foundation distributes approximately $500K-$2.7M annually, with significant year-to-year variation. In FY2025, total charitable disbursements were $502,998; in the prior year, giving reached $2,723,910 supporting 50 organizations. Over the 2020-2024 period, the foundation awarded 103 grants totaling $3,184,810.

Grant sizes range from $250 to $83,750, with the foundation's two named book awards each carrying $25,000 prizes. The distribution pattern suggests a mix of smaller community-level gifts and mid-five-figure anchor grants to priority institutions.

The foundation's asset base has grown substantially — from $4.2M in 2011 to $16.3M in 2025 — driven by a combination of new contributions ($1.085M in FY2025), investment returns, and asset sales ($663K in FY2025). Annual charitable giving consistently represents 85-99% of total expenses, with minimal administrative overhead (all officers serve without compensation).

Revenue composition in FY2025 was: contributions (56.2%), sales of assets (34.4%), other income (5.6%), dividends (3.1%), and interest (0.7%). The contribution-heavy revenue stream suggests the family continues to actively fund the foundation rather than relying solely on endowment returns.

Grantee geography spans multiple states — Illinois, New York, Massachusetts, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Vermont — indicating national scope despite the Highland Park, IL base. Known recipients cluster in three categories: (1) cultural and literary institutions (Newberry Library, Interlochen, Ravinia Festival), (2) selective colleges (Carleton, Swarthmore), and (3) human services organizations (Greater Chicago Food Depository, Planned Parenthood).

The Pattis Family Foundation occupies a distinctive position among North Shore Chicago family foundations: it combines a publishing-industry heritage with literary arts programming that few peer funders replicate. The table below compares the foundation against regional peers of similar scale.

Key differentiators: The Pattis Family Foundation is the only peer funder with signature named literary award programs (two $25K book prizes annually). Its publishing-industry roots give it a distinctive identity within the North Shore philanthropic community. While most peer foundations in this asset range are strictly local or regional in focus, the Pattis Foundation funds nationally — supporting institutions from Michigan (Interlochen) to Pennsylvania (Swarthmore) to Minnesota (Carleton). The foundation's year-to-year giving fluctuation ($503K to $2.7M) is notably wider than peers, suggesting discretionary giving driven by family priorities rather than a fixed payout formula.

The Pattis Family Foundation's most visible recent activity centers on its two book award programs, both of which have gained increasing public profile since their launches.

The Chicago Book Award, partnered with the Newberry Library and established in 2021, has become a recognized fixture in Chicago's literary calendar. The 2025 award went to Scott W. Berg for his work on the Great Chicago Fire. Previous recipients include Thomas Leslie (2024, on Chicago skyscrapers) and Toya Wolfe (2023). The award ceremony takes place at the Newberry Library and includes a public lecture and private reception.

The Creative Arts Book Award, partnered with Interlochen Center for the Arts, is newer and recognizes fiction or nonfiction that exemplifies the creative process across disciplines including writing, dance, film, music, theatre, and visual arts. The prize includes a $25,000 award and a 2-3 day residency at Interlochen Arts Academy, with a public event through the National Writers Series in Traverse City, Michigan. The inaugural award went to Parul Kapur.

Financially, the foundation received $1.085M in new contributions in FY2025 and realized $663K in asset sales, indicating active portfolio management alongside continued family funding. Total assets reached $16.3M, the foundation's highest recorded level, reflecting sustained growth over the past decade.

The foundation's FY2025 giving of $503K was notably lower than the prior year's $2.7M, which may reflect timing of multi-year commitments or a recalibration year. The 103 grants over the 2020-2024 period averaging roughly 20-50 grants annually suggests steady grantmaking activity alongside the headline book awards.

Because the Pattis Family Foundation is preselected-only, traditional application advice does not apply. Instead, consider these strategies for organizations seeking to enter the foundation's consideration:

1. Build relationships through shared institutional networks. The Pattis family has deep ties to the Newberry Library, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Ravinia Festival, Swarthmore College, and Carleton College. Engagement through these organizations' events, boards, and programs creates natural connection points.

2. Align with the literary and intellectual mission. The foundation's strongest programmatic commitments involve the written word, creative arts, and intellectual inquiry. Organizations whose work advances literacy, literary culture, or arts education are best positioned.

3. Demonstrate commitment to the opportunity gap. The foundation explicitly supports programs that bridge resource gaps for talented students with limited means. Evidence of measurable impact in educational access and equity strengthens alignment.

4. Engage in the Chicago and North Shore philanthropic community. The foundation is based in Highland Park and its officers are active in the greater Chicago area. Participation in North Shore community events and philanthropic networks increases visibility.

5. Do not submit unsolicited proposals. The foundation has clearly stated it does not accept uninvited requests. Attempting to circumvent this policy is counterproductive. Focus on relationship cultivation over formal outreach.

6. Note the family governance. With five family members (two generations) serving as officers, grantmaking reflects personal values and relationships. Understanding the family's evolving interests — from publishing roots to current priorities — matters more than proposal formatting.