Steans Family Foundation (SFF) is a Chicago-based private grantmaking foundation established by the Steans family. The Foundation has provided funding towards education, criminal justice policy, and community development within the Chicago area. ¹

As of 2025, Steans Family Foundation trustee Jennifer Steans was also a director and the former chair of left-of-center philanthropic consulting firm Arabella Advisors. ^{2 3}

Background

The Steans Family Foundation (SFF) is a Chicago-based private grantmaking foundation established by the Steans family. Harrison Steans was the founder of Financial Investments Corporation (FIC), a Chicago-based wealth asset management firm which was led by his daughter Jennifer Steans as of 2025. FIC previously acquired Hyde Bank and Trust Company, First National Bank of Highland Park, Marina Bank, Bank of Elk Grove, Woodfield Bank, Citizens Bank and Trust Company, and First National Bank of Skokie. These institutions were later collected under a holding company named Citizens Financial Corp., which was renamed USAmeribancs in 1986 and sold to NBD Bancorp in 1987. ^{4 2}

SFF was founded in 1987 as a scholarship fund for Chicago high school students. From this experience, the Steans family grew interested in anti-poverty efforts and other forms of community development. The foundation continued to pursue philanthropic efforts with an eye toward addressing “issues facing individuals and families who don’t earn living wages, and the communities in which they live.” ⁵

Financials

In 2023, Steans Family Foundation (SFF) reported total revenue of $19,229,441, total expenses of $31,911,191, and total year-end net assets of $270,820,272. ⁶

In 2023, the Steans Family Foundation (SFF) received financial contributions from Jeannifer Steans DAF ($659,098), Robin M. Steans DAF ($419,663), Heather A. Steans DAF ($75,294), and Philip Louden ($1,300). ⁷

Grantmaking

Steans Family Foundation (SFF) does not accept grant proposals and will only solicit grantees on invitation-only basis. It also claims to partner with multiple organizations, community groups, and similar foundations while not disclosing its full grantee list on its tax returns. ⁸

In 2023, it disbursed a total of $25,563,771 in grants. Several grantees included the City of North Chicago’s summer opportunities program and the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center. ^{9 10}

On its webpage, several partners under its  “Policy & Ecosystem” program includes New America, Urban Education Institute, UChicago Urban Labs, Civic Consulting Alliance, Heartland Alliance, and Arabella Advisors-managed nonprofit Hopewell Fund. ¹¹

Leadership

Patricia “Pat” Ford is the executive director of the Steans Family Foundation (SFF) as of 2025. Ford previously worked as executive director of the Chicago High School Redesign Initiative, a donor-advised fund housed by the Chicago Community Trust, and was formerly the program director of the Chicago Annenberg Challenge. ^{12 13}

As of 2025, SFF’s board of trustees included board chair Heather Steans, Jennifer Steans, Robin Steans, Lenny Gail, James Kastenholz, and Leo Smith. ¹⁴

Board chair Heather Steans was previously an Illinois state legislator, serving as a Democrat. She is married to fellow Steans trustee Leo Smith. ^{15 16}

As of 2025, SFF trustee Jennifer Steans was also a director and the former chair of left-of-center philanthropic consulting firm Arabella Advisors. Steans is also the president and CEO of Financial Investments Corporation (FIC) and is an advisory board member of 5th Century Partners, Massey and Gail, Prairie Capital, and Siena Capital Partners. ^{2 3}

1. “About.” Steans Family Foundation. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://steansfamilyfoundation.org/about/.
2. “Jennifer Steans.” Steans Family Foundation. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://steansfamilyfoundation.org/jennifer-steans/.
3. Advisors, Arabella. “Arabella Advisors Appoints Rick Cruz as President and CEO.” Associated Press, August 11, 2022. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://apnews.com/press-release/globe-newswire/26d0294565fa4f5a2768cb407ca940d3
4. “Company Founder.” Concentric Equity Partners – FIC. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://www.ficcep.com/company-founder/.
5. “About Us.” Steans Family Foundation. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://steansfamilyfoundation.org/about/.
6. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (990). Steans Family Foundation. 2023. Part I, lines 12, 26, and 29.
7. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (990). Steans Family Foundation. 2023. Schedule B. Part I – Contributors.
8. “Grants.” Steans Family Foundation. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://steansfamilyfoundation.org/grants/.
9. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Steans Family Foundation. 2023. Part XIV. 3 – Grants and Contributions Paid During the Year or Approved for Future Payment.
10. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Steans Family Foundation. 2023. Additional Data.
11. “Policy & Ecosystems.” Steans Family Foundation. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://steansfamilyfoundation.org/policy-and-ecosystem/.
12. “Our Staff.” Steans Family Foundation. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://steansfamilyfoundation.org/our-staff/.
13. “Patricia (Pat) Ford.” Steans Family Foundation. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://steansfamilyfoundation.org/staff/pat-ford/.  
14. “Board of Trustees.” Steans Family Foundation. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://steansfamilyfoundation.org/board-trustees/.
15. “Heather Steans.” Steans Family Foundation. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://steansfamilyfoundation.org/heather-steans/.  
16. “Heather Steans.” Ballotpedia. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://ballotpedia.org/Heather_Steans.