Foundation Beginnings
The Coleman Foundation, Inc. is a private, independent foundation established in Illinois in 1951 by Dorothy W. and J.D. Stetson Coleman. The Colemans were successful entrepreneurs who were best known in the Chicagoland area as owners of the Fannie May Candies company. The Colemans established the Foundation and used their financial resources to create opportunities that improve quality of life.
The Foundation became fully endowed in 1981 following the Colemans deaths. The vision of the Foundation was developed by the Board of Directors to include support for entrepreneurship education, select local educational programs, cancer treatment, and services for individuals with developmental disabilities. The Board's objective has been to foster change through programs that are practical, financially sustainable, and results-oriented.
