← Back to US Funders Directory

Harry T. Mangurian Jr. Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$10.9M
Grant Range
Up to $20.0M00
00

Harry T. Mangurian Jr. Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $10.9 million (2024)
  • Total Assets: $69.7 million (2024)
  • Grant Range: Varies widely from smaller grants to multi-million dollar commitments
  • Number of Awards: 57 grants (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: National, with emphasis on Florida and major research institutions
  • Application Method: No public application process (invitation only/trustee discretion)

Contact Details

Address: 3696 N Federal Hwy, Suite 300, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308-6263

Phone: 954-491-1722

EIN: 16-1578255

Note: The foundation does not have a public website or email listed for grant inquiries.

Overview

The Harry T. Mangurian Jr. Foundation Inc was established in 1999 by Harry T. Mangurian Jr. and his wife Dorothy "Dottie" Mangurian. With total assets of $69.7 million and annual charitable disbursements of approximately $10.9 million, the foundation is a significant private funder dedicated to advancing medical research, education, humanitarian causes, and arts and culture. The foundation's focus on cancer research and brain diseases, particularly leukemia and Lewy body dementia, stems directly from the founders' personal experiences—Harry passed away in 2008 from leukemia (AML) after being diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome, and Dorothy was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia in 2001 and lived with the disease until her passing in 2015. Harry Mangurian Jr. was a successful businessman who built a national furniture retail chain, served as chairman of First National Bank of Rochester, operated a jet charter company for 30 years, and owned the Boston Celtics during their 1981 NBA Championship season. He was also a prominent thoroughbred horse breeder and owner who received the Eclipse Award of Merit in 2002.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with published guidelines. Instead, grants are awarded based on trustee discretion and the foundation's strategic priorities. Based on available data:

Major Transformational Gifts ($5-$20 million): Large-scale commitments to major medical institutions for research centers, building projects, and endowed programs

Significant Institutional Grants ($2-$5 million): Support for specific research programs, equipment, and infrastructure at universities and healthcare systems

Standard Grants (amounts vary): Support for a range of organizations aligned with foundation priorities

Priority Areas

Medical Research (Primary Focus):

  • Cancer research, with particular emphasis on leukemia and AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia)
  • Brain disease research, especially Lewy body dementia and Parkinson's disease dementia
  • Neurological diseases and neuroimaging research
  • Cardiovascular care and surgical advancements

Educational Institutions:

  • Grants to universities for specific research purposes
  • Student-athlete health and wellness programs
  • Business scholarships

Humanitarian Projects:

  • Crisis situations and emergency response
  • Organizations supporting at-risk children and families in South Florida

Arts and Culture:

  • Support for cultural organizations (limited public information available)

Geographic Emphasis

While the foundation makes grants nationally, there is a strong emphasis on:

  • South Florida organizations: Holy Cross Health, Broward Health, Baptist Health South Florida
  • Major research institutions: Mayo Clinic (Florida), Ohio State University, University of Florida
  • National organizations: Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Oregon Health and Science University

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, but based on grant history, the foundation appears to focus exclusively on established institutions with significant research capacity rather than small grassroots organizations or general operating support.

Governance and Leadership

Foundation Officers

Stephen G. Mehallis - President/Director (Compensation: $145,000)

Gordon W. Latz - Vice President Grants/Secretary/Director (Compensation: $145,000)

  • Latz has been quoted regarding the foundation's commitment to Lewy body dementia research: "We at the Harry T. Mangurian Jr. Foundation are dedicated to supporting research seeking a cure to this disease and are proud of partnering with Mayo Clinic in this ongoing effort."

Beth P. Piana - Vice President Finance/Treasurer (Compensation: $135,080)

Board Members

  • Charles Glenn Leonard (Director, $5,000 compensation)
  • Nora Gillary (Director, $5,000 compensation)
  • Paul C. Jameson Jr. (Director, $5,000 compensation)

Leadership Perspective

Stephen G. Mehallis stated regarding the foundation's $20 million gift to Mayo Clinic: "We are pleased to provide this support to the Mayo Clinic as it not only indicates our continuing confidence in their overall mission, but also endorses the specific medical areas which will be served by the expansion project. The naming of the building is a fitting tribute to the legacy of Mr. and Mrs. Mangurian."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Harry T. Mangurian Jr. Foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, with grants awarded at the discretion of the board of trustees. Organizations cannot submit unsolicited proposals through a formal application portal or process.

Based on the foundation's grant history, awards appear to be made to:

  • Organizations with which the foundation has established relationships
  • Major research institutions identified by trustees as aligned with foundation priorities
  • Organizations that trustees have specifically invited to submit proposals

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available. Decision-making appears to occur throughout the year rather than following fixed cycles, as the foundation does not operate formal grant rounds.

Success Rates

With 57 grants awarded in 2023 from what appears to be a limited pool of invited organizations, traditional success rate metrics are not applicable. Organizations that are invited to apply or with which the foundation has existing relationships appear to have strong success rates.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the invitation-only nature of the foundation's grantmaking.

Notable Recent Grants

The foundation has made several transformational gifts to major institutions:

Mayo Clinic:

  • $20 million (2018) to name the Dorothy J. and Harry T. Mangurian Jr. Building for cancer, neurology and neurosurgical services
  • $5.75 million (2015) to establish the Mayo Clinic Lewy Body Dementia Program
  • Dr. Gianrico Farrugia, CEO of Mayo Clinic in Florida, stated: "It will have a lasting impact on Mayo Clinic's efforts to deliver unparalleled care to patients who come to us with some very complex health issues. We are extremely grateful to the Mangurian Foundation and are honored that the legacy of the Mangurians will continue to make a difference in the lives of our patients for many years to come."

Holy Cross Health (Fort Lauderdale):

  • $5 million gift funded renovation of seven operating rooms, storage room, and sterilization area
  • The foundation sponsors the annual Holy Cross Health Golf Classic, which over 14 years has raised nearly $1.6 million for the Partners in Breast Health program

Broward Health Foundation:

  • $2 million to elevate and expand cardiovascular program at Broward Health Medical Center, supporting state-of-the-art equipment and enhancements to cardiac catheterization, electrophysiology, and hybrid catheterization labs

Baptist Health Foundation (South Florida):

  • $2 million to establish an endowed chair for Baptist Health Medical Group (the foundation's second $2 million donation to this organization)

Ohio State University:

  • $10 million (largest-ever gift) to support dementia and leukemia research, cancer drug development, health and wellness for student-athletes, and business scholarships

University of Florida Health:

  • $5 million to build comprehensive brain imaging facility at Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases for Lewy body dementia and Parkinson's disease dementia research

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Oregon Health and Science University:

  • $4 million commitment to support the Beat AML initiative

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's invitation-only approach, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations that have successfully received funding share these characteristics:

Strong Institutional Reputation: All major grant recipients are well-established institutions with significant research infrastructure and national or regional prominence in their fields.

Alignment with Personal Legacy: The most significant grants support research into leukemia/AML and Lewy body dementia—the diseases that affected Harry and Dorothy Mangurian. Organizations advancing research in these areas appear to be priority recipients.

Florida Connection: While the foundation supports national institutions, there is clear preference for South Florida healthcare systems and universities, particularly those in the Fort Lauderdale/Broward County area.

Research Excellence: Recipients demonstrate cutting-edge research capabilities, particularly in cancer, neurology, and brain diseases. The foundation supports organizations that can make transformational advances.

Capacity for Major Projects: The foundation appears to favor large-scale, transformational projects—building dedications, research center establishment, major equipment purchases—rather than general operating support or small program grants.

Existing Relationships: Grant patterns suggest the foundation builds long-term relationships with select institutions, making multiple grants over time to the same organizations (e.g., Mayo Clinic, Baptist Health, Holy Cross Health).

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. There is no public application process, and attempting to submit proposals without an invitation will not be successful.

  • Personal mission drives funding. The Mangurians' experiences with leukemia and Lewy body dementia directly shape funding priorities. Organizations working in these disease areas are most likely to receive support.

  • South Florida healthcare institutions receive significant support. If your organization is a healthcare system, research institution, or university in the Fort Lauderdale/Broward County area working in the foundation's priority disease areas, relationship-building with foundation leadership may be worthwhile.

  • Think transformational, not incremental. The foundation's largest grants support major projects—building dedications, research center launches, significant equipment acquisitions—rather than program expansion or operating support.

  • Building long-term relationships is essential. Multiple organizations have received repeated grants, suggesting the foundation values ongoing partnerships with proven institutions.

  • Major research institutions are the primary beneficiaries. Small and mid-sized nonprofits are unlikely to receive funding unless they have exceptional research capabilities or direct connections to foundation trustees.

  • National reach with Florida roots. While the foundation supports institutions across the country (Mayo Clinic Florida, Ohio State, Oregon Health and Science University), Florida organizations—particularly in South Florida—represent a significant portion of the grant portfolio.

References

← Back to US Funders Directory