The Foundation concentrates on a core set of primary program areas to target its grantmaking. The three primary funding initiatives are:

• Education - predominantly to unique educational institutions with a strong emphasis on entrepreneurship awareness and education.
• Cancer Care - which includes treatment program development, capital facilites support, community outreach programs, psycho-social support and a small number of translational research programs.
• Services for Developmentally Disabled - with a strong emphasis on programs that encourage independence and self-development for individuals with developmental disabilities, and targeted support for habilitative services and conductive education programming.

The Foundation also supports some secondary programs areas in human services and public affairs.

The Foundation maintains a regional geographic focus, which includes metropolitan Chicago and select parts of the Midwest.