NET WORTH: Unknown
SOURCE OF WEALTH: Citadel, The TLP Group
FUNDING AREAS: Health (food allergy research), Education
OVERVIEW: David and Denise Bunning move their philanthropy through the Bunning Family Foundation, through which the family heavily funds food allergy research at educational and medical institutions.
BACKGROUND: Raised in Illinois, David Bunning graduated from Harvard University in 1998 and received an MBA from University of Chicago in 1992. He joined Citadel Investment Group in the early 1990s and has held various roles in global asset management and investments.
ISSUES:
HEALTH: The Bunnings steadily fund food allergy research, an interest they’ve had for years. The forces here are personal: the Bunnings have two sons who have been affected by life-threatening food allergies. In 1997, Denise co-founded MOCHA (Mothers of Children Having Allergies), a support group for food-allergic families in the Chicago suburbs. David, meanwhile, left Citadel Investments in 2004 and now also advocates for treatments for life-threatening food allergies.
The couple via their foundation has directed significant sums to Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE). They've helped fund research like the PRROTECT study, which seeks to develop a safe and effective oral immunotherapy for patients with peanut allergy. Sites in the study have included Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School.
Boston Children's Hospital is home to the David and Denise Bunning Chair in Allergy and Immunology; University of Chicago is the site of the Bunning Food Allergy Professor. Other grantees have included Northwestern University, National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, and Cincinnati Center for Eosinophilic Disorders. One of the couple’s sons suffers from Eosinophilic Esophagitis, a digestive disorder related to food allergies.
EDUCATION: The Bunnings also support education, with an eye to the Midwest. Grantees have included Ames Education Foundation, Waterloo Community School District, Clark School District, Sturgeon Bay School District, and Ounce of Prevention Fund.
Bunning was on Harvard’s wrestling team, which he’s strongly supported. The Bunnings have also directed funds to National Wrestling Coaches Association.
LOOKING FORWARD: Expect the Bunnings to continue their high-level support of food allergy research.
CONTACT:
The Bunning Family Foundation does not provide a clear avenue for getting in touch but below is contact information:
The Bunning Family Foundation
225 E. Deerpath Rd., Ste. 210
Lake Forest, IL 60045
Telephone: 847-615-9560