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The McCormick Tribune Foundation

The Robert R. McCormick Tribune Foundation (MTF) was originally established as a charitable trust upon the death, in 1955, of Colonel Robert R. McCormick, the longtime editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune. McCormick played a major role in American journalism in the first half of the 20th century and built the Tribune Company from a single newspaper into a major media organization of newspapers, radio and TV stations, and newsprint manufactories.

McCormick provided considerable latitude in determining how his bequest would be distributed, specifying only that his monies be used for "religious, scientific, literary or educational purposes or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals." Since 1955, MTF’s board of directors has periodically updated the foundation’s giving guidelines to reflect a changing society, while following what they believe to be the wishes of the founder.

When Colonel McCormick established his charitable trust, he endowed it principally with Tribune Company stock, and those shares still compose the majority of the foundation’s assets.  While the amount of Tribune stock held by the foundation is significant, the foundation is structured as a separate nonprofit organization, independent from Tribune Company.

The foundation currently supports grant making in four areas, promoting local philanthropy through its communities program; working to improve early childhood education in the Chicago area; supporting journalism and a free press in the Americas; encouraging active citizenship and volunteerism; and supporting special initiatives at institutions generally within the Chicago metropolitan region.

Learn more about our board of directors, staff members, and how to contact us.

Guidelines differ for each of our grant making programs. Read more about how to apply for funding in citizenship, communities, education, journalism and special initiatives.

Our 2004 grants list has been updated to reflect our most recent board meeting. We invite you to review our program grants lists.

Our publication list includes numerous titles related to our program work. Find out which titles are currently available and how to request them.


Click here to go to the Foundation Web Site