The Brunetti Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,995,150 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Not applicable
• Grant Range: $10,000 (median) to $2.5 million
• Geographic Focus: Florida, New Jersey, New York

Contact Details

Mailing Address:
2200 E 4th Avenue
Hialeah, FL 33013

EIN: 237346205

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications or proposals.

Overview

Established in 1974, The Brunetti Foundation is a private family foundation with approximately $16.5 million in assets. Founded by the Brunetti family, owners of Hialeah Park Racing & Casino since 1977, the foundation distributed nearly $2 million across 49 organizations in 2023. While historically focused on supporting military academies, higher education, medical research, hospitals, and Roman Catholic churches, the foundation has recently expanded to include human rights and anti-trafficking initiatives. The foundation made a landmark $2.5 million gift to St. Thomas University's Human Trafficking Academy in 2017, demonstrating their commitment to addressing contemporary social issues. All funding decisions are made at the discretion of the family-led board of directors.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs. All funding is distributed through trustee discretion to preselected organizations:

• Median Grant: $10,000
• Average Grant: $40,717
• Major Transformational Gifts: Up to $2.5 million for strategic initiatives

Priority Areas

• Education: Military academies, higher education institutions (particularly University of Miami and St. Thomas University)
• Healthcare: Medical research, hospitals, disease-specific research
• Religion: Roman Catholic churches and faith-based charitable organizations
• Human Rights: Anti-human trafficking initiatives (major recent focus)
• Veterans: Wounded Warrior programs and veteran support services

What They Don't Fund

• Individual requests
• Organizations outside their preselected network
• Primary geographic areas outside FL, NJ, and NY

Governance and Leadership

Officers:

• John J. Brunetti, Jr. - President & CEO; also serves as President & CEO of Hialeah Park Racing & Casino and director of Amboy Bank in New Jersey. Led the foundation's expansion into human rights causes including the $2.5 million gift to St. Thomas University.
• F. Richard Brunetti - Vice President
• Courtney McKnight - Secretary
• Marc Weinberg - Treasurer
• Stephen P. Brunetti, Jr. - Director

The foundation represents a multi-generational commitment to philanthropy, with board members serving without compensation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. According to their IRS Form 990 filings, The Brunetti Foundation "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited applications for funds."

Getting on Their Radar

While there is no application process, organizations within the foundation's geographic and programmatic focus areas may become known through:

• Geographic Presence: Strong operations in South Florida (especially Hialeah/Miami area), Old Bridge, NJ, or New York
• Sector Alignment: Catholic institutions, veteran organizations, universities in South Florida, anti-trafficking initiatives
• Community Networks: Connections through South Florida business community, particularly around Hialeah Park Racing & Casino operations

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - funding decisions made at trustee meetings based on board recommendations.

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation-only foundation.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Organizations that have received funding demonstrate:

• Transformational Impact: The foundation makes both modest operational grants and large transformational gifts for significant initiatives
• Values Alignment: Strong support for Catholic institutions, military/veteran causes, and education reflects family values
• Geographic Connection: Concentration in South Florida, particularly Miami/Hialeah area where Hialeah Park is located
• Contemporary Relevance: Support for human trafficking initiatives shows willingness to address emerging social issues
• Institutional Stability: Recipients are typically established institutions rather than startup organizations

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Do not send unsolicited proposals - the foundation explicitly does not accept them
• Focus on authentic relationship building within South Florida and New Jersey communities where the Brunetti family is active
• Geographic concentration in South Florida (Hialeah/Miami), Old Bridge, NJ area, and New York
• Multi-generational family foundation reflecting personal values of the Brunetti family, particularly John J. Brunetti Jr.
• Flexible giving range from $10,000 operational grants to $2.5 million transformational gifts
• Strong Catholic and veteran focus could provide entry points for aligned organizations
• Evolution in priorities shown through support for contemporary issues like human trafficking

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Brunetti Foundation IRS Form 990 filings 2021-2023: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/237346205
• Charity Navigator - The Brunetti Foundation Profile (EIN: 237346205): https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/237346205
• Candid Foundation Directory - The Brunetti Foundation Inc: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=BRUN011
• St. Thomas University Human Trafficking Academy - John J. Brunetti Jr. biography and $2.5M gift: https://humantraffickingacademy.org/john-j-brunetti-jr-bio/
• Cause IQ - The Brunetti Foundation organizational profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/the-brunetti-foundation,237346205/
• Thoroughbred Daily News - "John J. Brunetti Sr., Owner of Hialeah Park, Dies" (2018): https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/john-j-brunetti-sr-owner-of-hialeah-park-dies/