Roessner Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $650,000 (2024)
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation-only)
• Decision Time: N/A (preselected organizations)
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $50,000 (estimated)
• Geographic Focus: New England, Southwest Florida

Contact Details

• Website: https://www.roessnerfamilyfoundation.org/
• Mailing Address: P.O. Box 234, Harwich Port, MA 02646
• Phone: Not publicly available
• Email: Not publicly available
• Application Process: Does not accept unsolicited applications

Overview

The Roessner Family Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1996 to honor the memory of Ellen Roessner, wife of founder John K. Roessner III. With current assets of $13.3 million and annual charitable disbursements of $650,000, the foundation focuses exclusively on supporting nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping children and adolescents achieve academic success and social, emotional, and physical well-being. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, making grants only to preselected charitable organizations. Over its 28-year history, it has supported more than 72 organizations, primarily in New England and Southwest Florida.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not maintain specific grant programs but makes discretionary grants to preselected organizations aligned with their mission. Based on 2024 disbursements of $650,000 and historical patterns:

• Estimated grant range: $5,000 - $50,000
• Most common range: $10,000 - $25,000
• All grants are by invitation only

Priority Areas

• Academic success and educational programs
• Social and emotional well-being support services
• Physical well-being and health programs
• Early childhood education and learning centers
• STEM and educational enrichment
• Arts and music education
• Therapeutic and respite care services
• Animal-assisted therapy programs
• Farm-to-school initiatives
• Support for children with disabilities

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation exclusively funds youth-focused organizations and does not appear to support:

• Adult services
• General operating support outside youth programs
• Individual requests
• Organizations outside their geographic focus areas

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is led entirely by the Roessner family, with all officers serving without compensation:

• John K. Roessner III - President and Treasurer (Founder)
• John K. Roessner IV - Vice President
• Nancy Roessner King - Secretary
• Susan Roessner Domski - Executive Director

The founding philosophy, as stated by Jack Roessner: "If you help a child in the beginning, he or she will have a better chance later on in life."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Roessner Family Foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Grants are made entirely at the discretion of the trustees, who proactively identify and select organizations that align with their mission of supporting children and youth.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's documented grant recipients and patterns, organizations may come to their attention through:

• Existing relationships with the 72+ organizations they've previously funded, which could lead to introductions
• Strong presence in the Massachusetts Cape Cod area where the foundation is based
• Excellence in serving children in Southwest Florida, their secondary geographic focus
• Board member connections through the Roessner family's philanthropic networks
• Outstanding work that gains recognition in the New England youth services sector

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - organizations are selected proactively by the foundation

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - invitation-only funding model

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, traditional application success factors don't apply. However, analysis of their documented grant recipients reveals clear patterns:

• Geographic concentration: Strong preference for organizations in Massachusetts (particularly Cape Cod area) and Southwest Florida
• Mission alignment: Exclusive focus on organizations directly serving children and youth from early childhood through adolescence
• Holistic approach valued: Many funded organizations address multiple aspects of child well-being (academic, social, emotional, physical)
• Innovation appreciated: Support for unique programs like animal-assisted therapy, farm-to-school initiatives, and maritime STEM education
• Track record matters: Funded organizations typically have established reputations in their communities
• Size diversity: Supports both small local organizations and larger established institutions

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is an invitation-only funder - do not submit unsolicited proposals or inquiries
• Focus on excellence in your work serving children rather than pursuing direct contact
• Geographic location matters significantly - strongest chances if based in New England or Southwest Florida
• Building relationships with their existing grantees may lead to future introductions
• The foundation has grown significantly (assets increased 10-fold since 2011), suggesting expanding capacity
• All leadership positions are held by family members, maintaining tight control over grant decisions
• The foundation's commitment to children's well-being has remained consistent for 28+ years

References

• IRS Form 990-PF Filings (2024, 2022, 2021, and earlier years) - ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/223496673 (Accessed February 11, 2026)
• Roessner Family Foundation Official Website: https://www.roessnerfamilyfoundation.org/ (Accessed February 11, 2026)
• Foundation History Page: https://www.roessnerfamilyfoundation.org/roessner-family-foundation-history (Accessed February 11, 2026)
• Grant Recipients List: https://www.roessnerfamilyfoundation.org/roessner-family-foundation-grant-recipients (Accessed February 11, 2026)
• Cause IQ Database: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/the-roessner-family-foundation,223496673/ (Accessed February 11, 2026)
• GuideStar/Candid Profile: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/22-3496673 (Accessed February 11, 2026)