Boye Foundation Inc
Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: $1,200,000 - $1,340,000
- Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
- Decision Time: N/A (trustee discretion)
- Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
- Geographic Focus: National, with emphasis on New Jersey
Contact Details
- Website: None identified
- Phone: Not publicly available
- Email: Not publicly available
- Mailing Address: PO Box 1932, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
Overview
The Boye Foundation Inc is a private family foundation established by the late William Ernest Boye Jr., a former specialist on the New York Stock Exchange who passed away from ALS in 2004. With total assets of approximately $26-27 million, the foundation distributes $1.2-1.3 million annually in charitable grants. Since 2004, the foundation has been administered by Mr. Boye's widow, brother, and four children, operating as a volunteer-led organization with no paid staff. The foundation's most visible commitment has been to the University of Arizona's Wyant College of Optical Sciences, where they have contributed nearly $1 million since 2003 and established a permanent endowment, reflecting the family's commitment to STEM education and optical sciences.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
The foundation makes annual charitable disbursements of $1.2-1.3 million, though specific grant programs are not publicly advertised. Their most documented program is:
- The Boye Family Graduate Student Scholarship in Optical Sciences: $20,000 stipend plus tuition waiver for first-year graduate students at University of Arizona
Priority Areas
- Higher education, particularly STEM and optical sciences
- Academic excellence and scholarship
- Community service and support
What They Don't Fund
Not publicly documented; as a private foundation, exclusions are determined at trustee discretion.
Governance and Leadership
Current Officers (all serving without compensation):
- Jeffrey A. Boye - President
- Alex Boye - Vice President
- Kathryn Mancini - Secretary
- Brett A. Boye - Trustee
- William D. Boye - Trustee
- Maria Boye - Trustee
The foundation is operated entirely by family members of the late founder William Ernest Boye Jr. His son Robert R. Boye (Ph.D. in Optical Sciences, University of Arizona 2000) served as a trustee and was instrumental in the foundation's support of optical sciences education until his passing from ALS in 2018.
Application Process & Timeline
How to Apply
This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the family trustees based on pre-existing relationships and alignment with foundation interests.
Decision Timeline
Not applicable - grants are made on a discretionary basis without public timelines.
Success Rates
Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.
Reapplication Policy
Not applicable - invitation-only foundation.
Application Success Factors
As this is an invitation-only foundation, traditional application strategies do not apply. The foundation's giving pattern suggests they support:
- Organizations with established track records in STEM education
- Institutions where family members have personal connections or alumni relationships
- Programs that demonstrate academic excellence combined with broader community impact
- Multi-year commitments to build lasting impact rather than one-time gifts
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- This is a private family foundation without a public application process - do not submit unsolicited proposals
- The foundation makes substantial annual grants ($1.2-1.3 million) but recipients are selected by trustees
- Strong focus on higher education and STEM, particularly optical sciences
- Values long-term partnerships as evidenced by 20+ year support of University of Arizona
- All leadership positions are held by family members serving without compensation
- Geographic ties to New Jersey may influence giving decisions
- Foundation honors the legacy of both the founder and his son, both of whom died from ALS
References
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Boye Foundation Inc (EIN: 22-3769157), accessed January 1, 2026
- Cause IQ - The Boye Foundation profile, accessed January 1, 2026
- University of Arizona Wyant College of Optical Sciences - "Boye Family Graduate Student Scholarship in Optical Sciences", accessed January 1, 2026
- University of Arizona Wyant College of Optical Sciences - "UA to Honor Robert R. Boye Ph.D. as 2016 Alumnus of the Year", accessed January 1, 2026
- French Funerals & Cremations - Robert Russell Boye Obituary (2018), accessed January 1, 2026
- Tax Exempt World - Boye Foundation Inc organizational profile, accessed January 1, 2026