Paul M. Angell Family Foundation

Supporting Conservation, Performing Arts, Social Impact

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Meet Our New Director of Social Impact, Seung Kim

July 14, 2026

This is an exciting summer for the Paul Angell Foundation’s Social Impact program as we welcome Seung Kim as Director of Social Impact.

A nationally recognized leader in community and economic development, Seung brings deep experience advancing strategies that expand opportunity, strengthen communities, and improve outcomes for individuals and families. She joins our team as we continue our strategic planning process, and her leadership will help shape how the Social Impact program aims to unlock opportunities with and for people and spark change in the places where they live and work.

Throughout her career, Seung has helped design, grow, and scale initiatives spanning workforce development, financial stability, small business, community health, safety and justice, and youth development. Most recently, she served as Senior Vice President at LISC, where she led the organization’s National Programs unit, including the Community Research and Impact team. During her time at LISC, Seung helped expand its Financial Opportunity Centers® network and advance partnerships that connect communities with economic opportunity and resources.

“Seung has a long track record of driving change through partnership. Her expertise will be invaluable as we continue to partner with changemakers across Chicago and beyond to build a future where people and neighborhoods thrive,” said Kim Van Horn, Chief Executive Officer, Paul Angell Foundation.

Prior to joining LISC’s national staff, Seung consulted with LISC Chicago and the national office on financial capability and workforce initiatives. She’s also held positions in fixed-income sales, analytics, and trading and served on advisory and leadership councils, including the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s Advisory Council. Seung currently serves as board Treasurer for Shift Work Forward. She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Northwestern University and an MBA from Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management.

Igniting Possibilities Through Partnership

April 23, 2026

Welcoming Joanna Trotter as Our First Vice President of Programs 

March 23, 2026

The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation is pleased to welcome Joanna Trotter as our new Vice President of Programs starting March 31.  

 

Joanna brings decades of experience using philanthropy as a tool for change in Chicago and beyond. In this newly created role, she will guide and align our grantmaking across Ocean Conservation, Performing Arts, and Social Impact as the foundation continues to grow.  

 

Most recently, Joanna served as Executive Director and Senior Program Officer for Global Philanthropy at JPMorganChase (JPMC). During her time at JPMC, Joanna oversaw the company’s philanthropic priorities in business growth and entrepreneurship, housing access and affordability, financial health, and careers and skills. She also previously led JPMC’s national housing grantmaking strategy, stewarded the firm’s $150 million philanthropic commitment to Chicago, and contributed to its $30 billion national racial equity commitment by coordinating efforts across the organization. 

 

“Joanna, like the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation itself, has strong roots in Chicago and a steadfast commitment to creating a world where all can flourish,” said Kim Van Horn, Chief Executive Officer, Paul M. Angell Family Foundation. “Her leadership will be crucial as we work to support community-led solutions that spark lasting change.” 

 

Before her time at JPMC, Joanna held leadership roles across the Chicago philanthropic community. She spearheaded community-building initiatives with the Metropolitan Planning Council, guided The Chicago Community Trust’s efforts to address the racial and ethnic wealth gap, and managed major investments in the city’s Woodlawn and Washington Park communities through the University of Chicago’s Office of Community Engagement. 

 

“Joining the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation means bringing together my love for my home, Chicago, and my experience across the social sector,” said Joanna. “I couldn’t be more excited to work with the foundation and its partners to ignite possibilities for all.” 

Welcoming Civic and Arts Leader Amina J. Dickerson to Our Board 

December 11, 2025

The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation is delighted to welcome Amina J. Dickerson (she/her) to our Board of Directors.  

 

A respected civic and arts leader, Amina brings decades of experience across theater, museum education, philanthropy, and community development to her role. Throughout her career, she has led major cultural institutions and shaped philanthropic strategies that advance equity, opportunity, and community well-being.  

 

Amina joins our board at a pivotal moment of growth for the foundation. She brings deep sector expertise to our Performing Arts program, while also strengthening the work of our Social Impact and Ocean Conservation programs.  

 

“We are thrilled and honored to welcome Amina to our Board of Directors,” said Kim Van Horn, Chief Executive Officer, Paul M. Angell Family Foundation. “Amina’s partnership will be invaluable as the foundation continues to grow and work toward a future where communities, oceans, and the arts all flourish.” 

 

Amina’s long track record of service in the arts includes leadership roles with the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, the Chicago History Museum, the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, and the Smart Museum of Art at the University of Chicago. Beyond the arts, Amina is a seasoned coach, strategist, and philanthropic leader. At Kraft Foods, she guided major investments to expand access to fresh, nutritious food and to stop domestic violence. As a board member with Woods Fund Chicago and the Women’s Funding Network, she advanced policy, advocacy, and grassroots efforts that strengthened communities and created opportunities for women and girls. 

 

Today, Amina serves as board chair for the Lloyd A. Fry Foundation and the Terra Foundation for American Art. In addition, she has chaired the Cultural Advisory Council for the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and served on the Leadership Advisory Committee of the Art Institute of Chicago. Amina’s contributions have been recognized by organizations such as the League of Chicago Theaters, Center on Halsted Street, Chicago Cultural Alliance, National Museum of Mexican Art, African American Arts Alliance, and Auditorium Theatre, and her accomplishments are preserved in The HistoryMakers archives at the Library of Congress. 

 

“I am honored and excited to join the board of the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation,” said Amina. “I deeply believe in the power of philanthropy to effect necessary change and create possibility. I look forward to working with the foundation’s board and staff in our efforts to address needs and opportunities throughout our communities.”  

2026 Grantmaking Timeline

November 26, 2025

April 2026 Cycle*

Cycle Opens: Monday, December 1, 2025

Performing Arts & Social Impact Applications Due: Friday, January 23, 2026

Conservation Applications Due: Friday, January 30, 2026

Awards Announced: Early May 2026

 

Please note:

All deadlines are at 11:59 PM, Central Time

The following organizations are eligible to apply for the April 2026 cycle:

Conservation:

  • New applicants: Invitation-only
  • Returning grantees: Invitation-only

Performing Arts:

  • New applicants: Invitation-only
  • Returning grantees funded more than two years ago: Invitation-only
  • Returning grantees funded within the past two years: Open 

Social Impact:

  • New applicants: Invitation-only
  • Returning grantees funded more than a year ago: Invitation-only
  • Returning grantees funded in the past year: Open

 

 

November 2026 Cycle

Dates will be listed by January 2026.

 

 

As always, please do not hesitate to contact our Grants Manager, Jess Matta, at jessica@pmaff.org at any time with questions.

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Welcome!

The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation unites partners across ocean conservation, performing arts, and social impact to ignite possibilities for all. We’re updating our website to better reflect this work and our community, and we look forward to sharing it with you later this summer. In the meantime, you can access the grantee portal, explore our funding, or connect with us on LinkedIn for updates.

NOW OPEN | Envisioning the Future: Holistic Resources for New Work Development.

Are you a Chicagoland performing arts organization seeking to create and premiere a new performance within our local community? Our new RFP is for you. This two-year pilot initiative will support nonprofits we have not previously funded to develop and produce new performances across theatre, dance, music, and multidisciplinary live performance art forms. Learn More »

Meet Our New Director of Social Impact, Seung Kim

July 14, 2026

This is an exciting summer for the Paul Angell Foundation’s Social Impact program as we welcome Seung Kim as Director of Social Impact. A nationally recognized leader in community and economic development, Seung brings deep experience advancing strategies that expand opportunity, strengthen communities, and improve outcomes for individuals and … Learn More »


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