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Charles M. Pugliese and Thelma M. Pugliese Charitable Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.6M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.1M
Decision Time
3mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $600,000-$650,000
  • Success Rate: Not publicly reported (approximately 25 applications reviewed annually)
  • Decision Time: 2-3 months (March 31 deadline, May/June announcement)
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $1,000,000
  • Maximum Single Grant: $50,000 (typical); exceptions for major capital projects
  • Geographic Focus: 30-mile radius from Fourth and Market Streets, downtown Steubenville, OH
  • Total Distributed: Over $10 million to 770+ grantees since 1999

Contact Details

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2620, Wintersville, OH 43953-2620

Phone: (740) 264-5429 (answering machine - speak slowly and clearly)

Application Request: Must be requested in writing by mail or by leaving a phone message

Note: The foundation does not have a website or email contact. Applications must be requested and submitted by traditional mail.

Overview

The Charles M. and Thelma M. Pugliese Charitable Foundation was established in 1999 by Charles M. Pugliese, a local hotel operator who created the foundation in his 80s following his wife Thelma's death. Starting with $12 million in assets, the foundation has remarkably maintained its asset base while distributing over $10 million to more than 770 grantees over its 25-year history. The foundation currently holds approximately $13.7 million in assets and distributes $600,000-$650,000 annually to governmental subdivisions, schools, and nonprofit organizations within a 30-mile radius of downtown Steubenville. The foundation is partial to education, annually sending scholarship money to 11 schools and having awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars to area school districts. The trustees emphasize fairness and careful review of each application, with a strong preference for brick-and-mortar projects over operational expenses.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Grantmaking Program: Grants range from $1,000 to $50,000 (typical maximum), with rare exceptions for transformational capital projects (e.g., $1 million for school construction)

Application Method: Fixed annual deadline (March 31), with decisions announced in May or June

Annual Scholarships: $1,000 scholarships to 11 area high schools annually (over $460,000 in total annual scholarship funding)

Priority Areas

  • Education: Elementary, secondary, and higher education institutions (strongest priority)

    • School construction and renovations
    • STEM programs
    • Educational equipment and technology
    • Up to $500,000 to higher education institutions

  • Capital Projects: Brick-and-mortar undertakings, facility improvements, equipment purchases

    • Community facilities (parks, senior centers)
    • Police and fire department equipment
    • Healthcare facilities and equipment
    • Historic preservation projects

  • Community Services: Local nonprofit organizations serving the region

    • Youth programs
    • Health and human services
    • Cultural institutions (theaters, arts organizations)
    • Faith-based community service organizations

What They Don't Fund

  • Operational Expenses: The foundation explicitly does not consider awards for operational expenses; favors brick-and-mortar undertakings
  • Organizations Outside Service Area: Must be within 30-mile radius of Fourth and Market Streets, Steubenville
  • For-Profit Entities: Applicants must be governmental subdivisions, schools, or hold current 501(c)(3) designation

Geographic Boundaries: The 30-mile radius extends from East Liverpool in the north to St. Clairsville/Wheeling in the south, Robinson Township to the east, and Carrollton to the west.

Governance and Leadership

Current Trustees (as of 2023)

H. Lee Kinney - Longstanding trustee who has been with the foundation since its inception. Kinney noted: "We started with $12 million dollars, we still have $12 million, and we've given away $8 million" (2019), and "I think Mr. and Mrs. Pugliese probably would be astonished really at what their money has done over 23 years" (2022).

Thomas P. Timmons - Longstanding trustee ($13,000 annual compensation as of 2024)

G. Daniel Spahn - Joined as trustee in 2023, replacing William W. "Bill" McElwain who passed away on Christmas Day 2022 ($13,000 annual compensation as of 2024)

Former Trustee

William W. "Bill" McElwain - Served from the foundation's inception until his death in 2022. McElwain stated: "I think that 600 and some organizations have benefited from Mr. Pugliese's generosity."

Founder

Charles M. Pugliese (deceased) - Hotel operator, one of 12 children raised during the Depression, established the foundation in his 80s after his wife Thelma's death with a vision of supporting his local community.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Application Window: January 1 - March 31 annually

Requesting an Application:

  1. By Mail: Send written request to Pugliese Charitable Foundation, P.O. Box 2620, Wintersville, OH 43953-2620
  2. By Phone: Call (740) 264-5429 and leave a clear message on the answering machine, speaking slowly and clearly

Application Requirements:

  • The application is described as "not difficult" but requires basic information
  • Must include an explanation of the project proposed to be funded
  • Organizations must provide proof of current 501(c)(3) designation (for nonprofits)
  • Must demonstrate location within the 30-mile radius

Submission Deadline: Applications must be postmarked by midnight March 31 for consideration

Decision Timeline

Review Process:

  • Each trustee independently reviews all applications
  • Trustees may conduct site visits for clarification on projects
  • Trustees meet together to discuss applications and select recipients
  • Approximately 25 applications are typically under review each year

Notification: May or June following the March 31 deadline

  • Trustees either write or call recipients to notify them of awards

Contract and Reporting:

  • Awardees must sign a contract
  • Recipients are given a timeframe to accomplish their project
  • Organizations must report back with a letter verifying the money was spent for its intended use

Success Rates

Approximately 25 applications are reviewed annually, with 39-42 grants awarded per year (based on 2021-2023 data). This suggests the foundation may receive fewer formal applications than grants awarded, indicating some grants may go to repeat or known recipients, or the foundation may proactively identify worthy projects.

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated in available sources. Given the foundation's history of supporting the same schools annually with scholarships and having 770+ total grantees over 25 years with 40+ grants per year, it appears repeat applications are welcomed and successful.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's documented history and trustee guidance, successful applications demonstrate:

1. Geographic Eligibility: Clear demonstration that the organization falls within the 30-mile radius requirement. Verify your location meets this criterion before applying.

2. Capital Project Focus: The foundation explicitly favors "brick-and-mortar undertakings" over operational expenses. Strongest applications include:

  • Building construction or renovation
  • Equipment purchases (e.g., fitness equipment for police departments, hospital beds)
  • Facility improvements and upgrades
  • Technology and infrastructure investments

3. Educational Impact: The foundation is "partial to education." Recent successful grants include:

  • $1 million to Steubenville City Schools for Pugliese West Elementary School construction (largest grant in foundation history)
  • $230,000 to Steubenville High School for STEM program
  • Annual $1,000 scholarships to 11 area high schools
  • Hundreds of thousands to area school districts

4. Community Benefit: Projects that serve the broader Steubenville-area community demonstrate measurable local impact. Recent successful grants include:

  • $25,000 to Grand Theater for historic restoration
  • $50,000 to Urban Mission for plaza acquisition
  • Grants to police and fire departments for equipment
  • $25,000 to Mother of Mercy Maternity Home for renovations

5. Clear Project Scope: Applications should clearly explain:

  • What specifically will be purchased or built
  • Why the project is needed
  • How it will benefit the community
  • Timeline for completion

6. Fairness and Thoroughness: Trustee Kinney noted that "fairness was a hallmark" of the review process. Applications receive individual attention from each trustee, with site visits conducted when needed for clarification.

7. Realistic Budget: While the typical maximum is $50,000, truly transformational projects have received significantly more. Most grants appear to fall in the $5,000-$50,000 range based on the annual distribution of $600,000-$650,000 across 40+ grants.

8. Accountability: The foundation requires signed contracts and follow-up reporting on fund usage, demonstrating they value responsible stewardship.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Capital projects strongly preferred: Do not apply for general operating support; focus on specific building, renovation, or equipment projects with tangible deliverables

  • Education gets priority: If your project has an educational component or serves schools, emphasize this connection prominently in your application

  • Geography is non-negotiable: Ensure you can clearly demonstrate location within the 30-mile radius from Fourth and Market Streets, Steubenville before investing time in an application

  • Traditional communication required: This foundation operates without a website or email; expect to interact via postal mail and phone messages, and plan accordingly for the application timeline

  • Site visits may occur: Be prepared for trustees to visit your organization or proposed project site as part of their due diligence process

  • May/June announcement timing: Plan your project timeline knowing that funding decisions won't be communicated until 2-3 months after the March 31 deadline

  • Modest but meaningful grants: Most grants fall well below the $50,000 maximum; the foundation makes its impact through numerous smaller grants rather than a few large awards (40+ grants from $600,000 annual distribution)

References

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