Make the greatest possible contribution to society. ~ Owen L. Coon
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The Foundation’s mission is to promote public benefit through its contributions in order to continue Owen L. Coon’s vision of “giving people better opportunities so they can be of greater value to society.”
"Owen Coon was the prototype of the successful twentieth century American Businessman."
Owen L. Coon’s legacy includes an enduring wellspring of values passed down through generation after generation of Coon family descendants. These cornerstone beliefs are guideposts for life decisions and help shape everyday actions. They have been preserved through oral traditions and are shared by all branches of the family tree.
These values also have guided the Foundation’s work since its inception. They are reflected in the grants awarded through the decades and in the Foundation’s ongoing support of the community.
Today, the Foundation Board of Directors have institutionalized these guiding tenets into a formal statement of values. The words draw substantially on Owen L. Coon’s words recorded in early Foundation documents.
The Board will continue to use them to guide Foundation operations. They are evident in the Foundation’s goals, in the way in which the Board members work together, in what we look for in funding proposals, in how we assess our grant-making impact, and in what we hope to promote in Evanston and the Chicago metropolitan area.
“The only thing that lasts is what one does for others.”
Support “high minded individuals” who show innovation and creativity in their fields.
Always think of others first and take on the responsibility to make an impact in the community.
Any problem can be solved if one has sufficient determination, commitment to integrity, and “straight thinking.”
Recognize social service, not individual honor. Public acknowledgement should be given to those who have paved the way for others to reach their potential.
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