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The Pizzagalli Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.5M
Grant Range
$5K - $3.0M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,520,000 (2024 charitable disbursements)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available - Private family foundation
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: Varies widely - Recent grants from $5,000 to $3,000,000
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Vermont, with occasional out-of-state grants

Contact Details

Address: 462 Shelburne Rd Suite 101, Burlington, VT 05401-6947 Phone: (802) 660-6800 Website: No public website Email: Not publicly available

Note: This is a private family foundation that does not appear to accept unsolicited proposals. Direct contact is advisable only for organizations with existing relationships or connections to the Pizzagalli family.

Overview

The Pizzagalli Foundation was established in 1988 by brothers James, Remo, and Angelo Pizzagalli, the founders of PC Construction (formerly Pizzagalli Construction Company). With total assets of $15,034,157 as of 2024, the foundation has grown significantly from its initial $4.3 million in assets in 2011. The foundation distributed approximately $1.52 million in charitable disbursements in 2024, primarily supporting education, community development, and Vermont-based initiatives.

The foundation operates as a traditional private family foundation with no paid staff and three trustees (the founding brothers) who serve without compensation. The Pizzagalli family has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to Vermont institutions, particularly the University of Vermont where both James and Angelo served as Board of Trustees members and past chairmen. Their strategic approach emphasizes STEM education, free enterprise education, and support for Vermont communities, reflecting their business background and values. The foundation has also supported cultural initiatives such as providing copies of the Vermont Sports Hall of Fame book to all libraries and schools statewide.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Pizzagalli Foundation does not operate formal grant programs with set application cycles. As a private family foundation, grants appear to be pre-selected based on the trustees' interests and relationships. Recent documented grants include:

  • Major Capital/Endowment Gifts: $1,000,000 - $3,000,000 (multi-year commitments to institutions like UVM)
  • Project-Specific Grants: $200,000 (documented 2024 grant to UNC Health Foundation)
  • Community/Cultural Initiatives: Variable amounts for Vermont-focused projects

Application Method: No formal application process. The foundation appears to identify and approach potential grantees rather than accepting applications.

Priority Areas

Based on documented grants and family statements, the foundation prioritizes:

  • Higher Education: Particularly STEM education and free enterprise programs at the University of Vermont
  • Vermont Community Organizations: Educational institutions, cultural organizations, and community development initiatives within Vermont
  • Free Enterprise Education: Endowed chairs and programs promoting capitalism, free enterprise, and limited government perspectives
  • Cultural and Athletic Heritage: Support for Vermont's cultural identity and sports history
  • Catholic Community: The Pizzagalli family also supports Catholic ministries through the separate Vermont Catholic Community Foundation

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not publicly documented, based on the foundation's focus:

  • Organizations outside their pre-selected circle of grantees
  • Unsolicited proposals from organizations without existing relationships
  • Organizations outside Vermont (with rare exceptions for specific family interests)
  • General operating support for organizations outside their priority areas
  • Projects that conflict with their free enterprise and limited government philosophy

Governance and Leadership

Trustees (All Serving Without Compensation)

  • Angelo P. Pizzagalli: Co-founder, past chairman of UVM Board of Trustees. Born 1934, Angelo led Pizzagalli Construction Company as president before transitioning to employee ownership. He has stated his giving aims to promote "capitalism, free enterprise, and limited government."

  • James C. Pizzagalli: Co-founder, UVM alumnus and former trustee chairman. James has emphasized support for "real-world skills that graduates need to compete in our increasingly technological world."

  • Remo R. Pizzagalli: Co-founder, alongside his brothers built one of Vermont's leading construction companies.

Next Generation Involvement

  • Jon Pizzagalli: Serves as board chairman of the Vermont Catholic Community Foundation, indicating continued family commitment to Vermont philanthropy.

Leadership Philosophy

Angelo Pizzagalli stated regarding their major UVM gift: "The educational concentrations of study being offered by the university's STEM faculties, and which will be enhanced by this building, are just the kind of real-world skills that graduates need to compete in our increasingly technological world." This reflects the family's emphasis on practical education that supports economic development.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Important: The Pizzagalli Foundation does not maintain a public website or formal application process. As a private family foundation, it operates by pre-selecting grantees based on trustee interests and relationships.

Recommended Approach:

  • Build relationships with organizations already funded by the foundation
  • Develop connections within the Burlington, VT community
  • Engage with University of Vermont if your project aligns with their STEM or business education priorities
  • Contact the foundation directly by phone only if you have a strong connection or introduction

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available. Major gifts appear to be negotiated over extended periods through direct relationships with the trustees.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. The foundation's 2024 990-PF indicates they "primarily fund general support and made one grant last year," suggesting extremely selective grantmaking with very low acceptance rates for any unsolicited inquiries.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as the foundation does not have a formal application process.

Application Success Factors

Given the private nature of this foundation, traditional "application success" strategies do not apply. However, the following factors appear important:

Relationship-Based Giving

The foundation's grants reflect the trustees' personal connections and interests. Organizations that have received support typically have:

  • Long-standing relationships with the Pizzagalli family or their business interests
  • Connections to the University of Vermont
  • Deep roots in the Vermont community, particularly Burlington
  • Missions aligned with the family's values around education, free enterprise, and community development

Projects Recently Funded

  • University of Vermont STEM Complex: $1 million commitment for the largest capital project in UVM's history
  • Pizzagalli Chair of Free Enterprise at UVM: $3 million endowment (2017) for business education
  • Vermont Sports Hall of Fame Book Distribution: Funding to place books in all Vermont libraries and schools
  • UNC Health Foundation: $200,000 for Hand and Heart Sculpture project (2024)

Values Alignment

The Pizzagalli family has explicitly stated support for:

  • Free enterprise and capitalism education
  • Limited government perspectives
  • Practical, career-focused STEM education
  • Vermont community development
  • Projects with lasting impact (endowments, capital projects)

Common Barriers

  • No existing relationship with the foundation or Pizzagalli family
  • Organizations outside Vermont seeking funding
  • Unsolicited proposals without introduction or connection
  • Projects that don't align with their stated values
  • Operating support requests rather than transformational initiatives

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Private Family Foundation: This is not a traditional grantmaker accepting applications. The foundation pre-selects its grantees based on family interests and relationships. Cold applications are unlikely to succeed.

  • Vermont-Centric: With rare exceptions, the foundation focuses exclusively on Vermont organizations, particularly those in the Burlington area where the family built its business.

  • Relationship Required: Success depends on having an existing relationship with the Pizzagalli family, their business interests (PC Construction, Pizzagalli Properties), or through UVM connections.

  • Large, Transformational Gifts: The foundation tends to make significant, multi-million dollar commitments to major projects rather than numerous smaller grants, focusing on endowments and capital projects with lasting impact.

  • Values-Driven: The trustees have clear philosophical preferences for free enterprise education and limited government. Projects should align with these values or focus on non-political areas like STEM education or Vermont community development.

  • Business Perspective: The family's construction and real estate background means they appreciate practical, results-oriented projects that demonstrate clear impact and sustainability.

  • Multi-Year Planning: Major gifts appear to be negotiated over time with significant planning and relationship development. This is not a quick funding source.

References

All sources accessed November 2025.

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