King Harris: A Lifetime of Supporting Chicago

For more than 50 years, business and civic leader King Harris has brought vision, energy, and a hands-on approach to philanthropy in Chicago. From housing to the arts, higher education to community development, his work has touched a wide range of issues that contribute to the region’s well-being.

Among his many civic roles, Harris has served on the Trust’s Executive Committee, as a senior fellow of the Metropolitan Planning Council, and on the boards of the University of Chicago, World Sport Chicago, and the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, where his tenure spanned an extraordinary 46 years. He is currently completing his tenth year as chairman of the Illinois Housing Development Authority, whose work expanding affordable housing in the Chicago suburbs is a particular passion for Harris.

During Harris’s 10 years on the Executive Committee, the Trust benefited from his wide lens on the region. In turn, Harris says the experience gave him an even broader perspective by introducing him to people, organizations and initiatives he might not otherwise have known. One example is the Trust’s Nuestro Futuro affinity fund. A supporter since its inception, Harris is now helping grow the fund’s endowment.

Harris continues to actively support a range of philanthropic causes through his family foundation and his Trust donor advised fund, giving to organizations such as the Greater Chicago Food Depository and WTTW. His approach can be traced in part to his early experience as a community development worker with the Peace Corps in Chile. “I was trained to look at all aspects of a community that make it succeed,” he notes.

Reflecting on a half-century of civic contributions, Harris says he is most proud of bringing on new board leaders to continue the vital work of the organizations he has served. He also takes pride in the places where his family’s philanthropy has made a significant impact – from the Harris School of Public Policy to the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab.

He recalls the advice of his uncle, philanthropist Irving Harris: “Move the dial. If you really want to change something, give significant gifts.” King Harris has taken that to heart, creating a legacy of meaningful impact across Chicago.

“The Trust gave me a window into the leading organizations serving the region. That’s been very helpful to my civic and philanthropic work.”

KING HARRIS
Trust Donor and Former Executive Committee Member