John M. Olin Foundation

The John M. Olin Foundation was a private grantmaking foundation established by industrialist and philanthropist John Merrill Olin in 1953 that supported right-of-center advocacy groups and intellectuals. 1 The Foundation shut down in 2005 after distributing more than $370 million in grant funding. 2

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At-A-Glance

Type: Non-profit, 501(c)(3), Private Foundation
Ideological Alignment: Right of Center
Formation:

1953

Status:

Defunct (shut down in 2005)

Executive Director:

James Piereson

Location: New York, NY View on map

Contents

    According to an article by the Wall Street Journal, the Foundation provided the initial donations which formed the Federalist Society while supporting intellectuals such as Allan Bloom, Milton Friedman, and Richard John Neuhaus. 2

    History and Background

    The John M. Olin Foundation, Inc was started in 1953 by American industrialist and philanthropist John Merrill Olin in 1953. Following its development, the Foundation focused on grantmaking towards institutions and causes that supported “principles of political and economic liberty.” 3

    Following the death of then-foundation president William E. Simon in 2000, the Foundation focused on spending its assets out according to Olin’s wishes. It engaged in grantmaking until it spent all its assets out in 2005. 3

    Funding

    During its operations, the John M. Olin Foundation focused its grantmaking on public policy research, international studies, and the legal system. Specific policy focuses included fiscal policies, Constitutional study, government structure, public interest law, national security affairs, and U.S foreign policy. 4

    The Foundation also provided support through funding fellowships and research grants, scholar seminars, educational conferences, and media programs. 4

    Leadership

    William E. Simon was the president of the John M. Olin Foundation, holding the role after his appointment by John Merrill Olin in 1977 until his death in 2000. Prior to this, Simon was the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury during the Nixon and Ford administrations from 1974 until 1977. In addition, he was a co-founder of the Wesray Corporation and founder of the WSGP International as well as William E. Simon & Sons. Simon was also a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee, working as president and later the chair of the U.S. Olympic Foundation. Simon was a trustee of the Heritage Foundation and the Hoover Institution. 5 3

    James Piereson was the executive director of the John M. Olin Foundation from 1985 until its closing in 2005. Piereson is a senior fellow of the Manhattan Institute and sits on the boards of the Pinkerton Foundation, the Thomas W. Smith Foundation, the Center for Individual Rights, Philanthropy Roundtable, the Foundation for Cultural Review, the American Spectator Foundation, the Hoover Institution, and DonorsTrust. 6

    Other trustees of the Foundation included George J. Gillespie III, Peter M. Flanigan, Richard M. Furlaud, Charles F. Knight, and Eugene F. Williams, Jr. 7

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    References

    1. [1] “History & General Purposes.” John M. Olin Foundation. Archived from the original February 20, 1999. Accessed March 12, 2026. https://web.archive.org/web/19990220031633/https://jmof.org/history_purposes.html.
    2. Miller, John J. “Close the Book on the Gospel of Wealth.” The Wall Street Journal, December 16, 2025. Accessed March 12, 2026. https://www.wsj.com/opinion/free-expression/close-the-book-on-the-gospel-of-wealth-f99824d8?st=9JaJo5.
    3. “History & General Purposes.” John M. Olin Foundation. Archived from the original March 8, 2004. Accessed March 12, 2026. https://web.archive.org/web/20040308195514/http://www.jmof.org/history_purposes.html.
    4. “Grant Programs.” John M. Olin Foundation. Archived from the original April 23, 1999. Accessed March 12, 2026. https://web.archive.org/web/19990423184202/http://www.jmof.org/grant_programs.html.
    5. [1] “William E. Simon Biography,” William E. Simon Foundation. Accessed March 24, 2026. https://wesimonfoundation.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1&Itemid=117.
    6. “James Piereson.” Manhattan Institute. Accessed March 24, 2026. https://manhattan.institute/person/james-piereson
    7. “Board of Trustees.” John M. Olin Foundation. Archived from the original April 23, 1999. Accessed March 12, 2026.  https://web.archive.org/web/19990423180408/http://www.jmof.org/board.html