About The Christopher Family Foundation
The Christopher Family Foundation was established in 1997 by Jay W. and Doris K. Christopher as an extension of The Pampered Chef, the business they founded in their home in 1980.
Based in Westmont, Illinois, the Foundation conducts philanthropic outreach aligned with its mission and is governed by the Christopher Family Foundation Distribution Committee, which includes multiple generations of the Christopher family.
The majority of the Foundation’s funding is directed toward the Chicagoland area, with particular focus on the West Side of Chicago and the Austin neighborhood.
The mission of the Christopher Family Foundation is to support family well-being. The Foundation approaches its work through two primary lenses: the Christian values of its founders and principals, and a commitment to access and equity.
History
The Christopher Family Foundation (CFF) was established in 1997 by Jay W. and Doris K. Christopher as an extension of The Pampered Chef, a business they originally founded in their home in 1980.
Over the past twenty-seven years, the Foundation has demonstrated its generosity primarily through responsive giving, addressing the needs of community-based nonprofits and faith-based organizations.
Shaping a Framework for Future Giving
In 2018, the Christopher Family Foundation initiated a strategic planning process that enabled the Christopher family and Foundation leadership to review its grantmaking history, identify opportunities for growth and learning, and articulate the shared values guiding its future philanthropy. Family members played an active role in this process, helping to shape a strategic framework for future giving. This framework includes a clearly defined mission statement, focused areas of interest, and specific strategies to address those priorities.
Moving Forward
In 2023, anticipating growth in assets and a decision to strengthen its commitment to the Austin neighborhood, the Foundation’s leadership undertook a strategic planning process to guide its evolution over the next five years. Current initiatives include streamlined application guidelines, partnerships with other funders, and efforts to measure impact.
Vision: Strengthening Communities & Families
The Christopher Family Foundation’s vision centers on strengthening communities and families. Its mission is to support family well-being. The Foundation approaches its work through two key lenses: the Christian perspective of its founders and principals, and a strong emphasis on access and equity.
The Foundation supports family well-being by fostering access to:
