| Formation | 1953 |
|---|---|
| Founder | John M. Olin |
| Dissolved | November 29, 2005 |
| Type | Conservative grant-making foundation |
| Headquarters | Manhattan, New York City, U.S. |
The John M. Olin Foundation was a conservative American grant-making foundation established in 1953 by John M. Olin, president of the Olin Industries chemical and munitions manufacturing businesses. Unlike most other foundations, it was charged to spend all of its assets within a generation of Olin's death, for fear of mission drift over time and to preserve donor intent. It made its last grant in the summer of 2005 and officially disbanded on November 29, 2005. It had disbursed over $370 million in funding, primarily to conservative think tanks, media outlets, and law programs at influential universities. It is most notable for its early support and funding of the law and economics movement and the Federalist Society. "All in all, the Federalist Society has been one of the best investments the foundation ever made," wrote the Foundation to its trustees in 2003.[1]
- ^ Miller, John J. (Fall 2001). "A Federalist Solution". Philanthropy. Philanthropy Roundtable. Retrieved October 23, 2015.