Gateway Foundation Inc - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

Grant Program: Beacon House Community Funding
Total Available: $2,000,000 (from property sale)
Grant Range: $100,000 - $500,000
Decision Time: Approximately 2-3 months from LOI to notification
Geographic Focus: Monterey County, California
Application Method: Two-stage process (LOI then full application by invitation)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.gatewayfoundation.org/beaconhouse/

Grant Program Contact:
Ave Costa, Chief Development Officer
Email: acosta@gatewayfoundation.org

Organization Headquarters:
Gateway Foundation Inc
55 E. Jackson Blvd., Suite 1500
Chicago, IL 60604
EIN: 36-2670036

Overview

Gateway Foundation Inc is a national nonprofit organization founded in 1968 that primarily operates substance use disorder and mental health treatment facilities across eight states (Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, Texas, and Wyoming). With annual revenue of approximately $110 million and over 55 years of service to more than 1 million patients, Gateway Foundation is one of the largest nonprofit substance abuse treatment providers in the United States.

In a departure from their direct service model, Gateway Foundation established the Beacon House Community Funding grant program in 2024 following the sale of their historic Beacon House treatment facility in Pacific Grove, California. The program was created to honor Beacon House's legacy by distributing $2 million to nonprofit organizations continuing similar work in Monterey County. This is a time-limited grant program funded by asset proceeds rather than an ongoing endowment-based grantmaking operation.

The organization earned a 3/4 star rating from Charity Navigator with a score of 84%. Gateway Foundation is led by President & CEO Jeremy Klemanski, who brings over 27 years of behavioral health experience.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Beacon House Community Funding

Grant Range: $100,000 - $500,000 per award
Total Available: $2 million
Number of Grants: Up to 10 grants available
Application Method: Two-stage process - Letter of Intent followed by invitation to submit full application
Geographic Restriction: Must serve Monterey County, California

Priority Areas

The Beacon House grant program prioritizes initiatives focused on:

Substance use disorder treatment services (primary priority)
Co-occurring mental health treatment
Education and advocacy related to substance abuse and mental health
Outreach to underserved populations in Monterey County
Evidence-based behavioral health services

Eligible uses of grant funds include:

Staff development and training
Equipment purchases
Repairs and maintenance
Expansion of services or access to services
Start-up operational costs (not to exceed 50% of total funding request)

Eligibility Requirements

Organizations must meet ALL of the following criteria:

501(c)(3) nonprofit status
Licensed by the state of California to provide services (when applicable)
Currently providing behavioral health services in Monterey County
Can provide audited financials and income/expense budgets for the last two fiscal years
Programs utilize evidence-based services
At least 50% of clients from the last two fiscal years are residents of Monterey County

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the program parameters suggest exclusions for:

Organizations outside Monterey County, California
For-profit entities
Operational costs exceeding 50% of the grant request
Services unrelated to substance use disorder, mental health, or wellness

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Jeremy Klemanski, MBA – President & CEO
"My life's mission is to build behavioral health systems that foster improved access to quality services." Klemanski brings over 27 years of frontline behavioral health experience, most recently serving as CEO of Helio Health in Syracuse, New York.

Dr. Roueen Rafeyan, MD – Chief Medical Officer
Over 20 years of experience in psychiatric and substance use program leadership.

Ave Costa – Chief Development Officer
Oversees the Beacon House grant program with over 30 years of fundraising expertise and partnership building.

Dennis James – Chief Financial Officer
25+ years of leadership in healthcare and nonprofit financial management.

Board of Directors

Larry Singer (Chair) – Professor, Loyola Law School
Arla Lach (Immediate Past Chair) – Partner, Grant Thornton
Ivy Walker (Vice Chair) – Founder, AskCoda
Elio Montenegro (Secretary) – Senior Director, Genesis at Home
Julie Brady (Treasurer) – Partner, Grant Thornton
Melanie Barnes – Partner, Sikich
John Drevs – Director of Web Services, Loyola University
Paula Elliott – Vice President, Impact Advisors
Simone Jones, J.D., M.P.H. – Partner, Sidley Austin
France Pitera – Retired Business Executive
Jennifer Vidis – Deputy Commissioner, Chicago Department of Public Health
Ben Younger – Managing Director, Riveron Consulting

The board comprises visionary leaders from corporate, government, and social service sectors, providing diverse expertise to guide Gateway Foundation's mission.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Beacon House grant program uses a two-stage application process:

Stage 1: Letter of Intent (LOI)

Applications accepted starting in May each grant cycle
LOI deadline: July 15 (7:00 pm CST)
Submit via email per instructions at gatewayfoundation.org/beaconhouse

Stage 2: Full Application (by invitation only)

Invitation notifications sent by: August 15
Full application deadline: September 30
Only organizations invited after LOI review may submit full applications

Decision Timeline

LOI submission: July 15
Invitation to full application: By August 15 (approximately 1 month)
Full application due: September 30
Final award decisions: Estimated October-November
Total timeline: Approximately 4-5 months from initial LOI to award announcement

Success Rates

Based on the first grant cycle:

Number of recipients announced: 3 organizations
Total applicants: Not publicly disclosed
Success rate: Not available

The program planned for up to 10 grants with a $2 million pool, suggesting they may have been conservative in the first round or are planning additional award cycles.

Reapplication Policy

As this is a time-limited grant program funded by a one-time asset sale ($2 million from the Beacon House property), information about reapplication for future cycles is unclear. The program may continue in subsequent years until funds are exhausted, but this has not been explicitly confirmed. Contact Ave Costa at acosta@gatewayfoundation.org for clarification on future grant cycles and reapplication opportunities.

Confirmed Grant Recipients

The first round of Beacon House Community Funding grants was awarded to three organizations:

Community Human Services – Genesis House Bathrooms Improvement Project
A Door to Hope – Women's Residential Program & Youth Outpatient Program
Monterey Sober Living for Women – Matching contribution for permanent housing

Specific funding amounts for individual awards were not publicly disclosed.

Application Success Factors

Since this is a newly established grant program with limited public information about evaluation criteria, the following factors are based on the stated priorities and eligibility requirements:

Alignment with Beacon House Legacy
The program was created to honor the historic Beacon House treatment center. Applications that demonstrate direct alignment with substance use disorder treatment, particularly serving vulnerable and underserved populations in Monterey County, are prioritized.

Evidence-Based Approaches
Gateway Foundation explicitly requires that applicant programs "utilize evidence-based services." Applications should clearly articulate the evidence base supporting proposed interventions and reference relevant research or best practices in substance use and mental health treatment.

Geographic Focus and Community Impact
Organizations must demonstrate that at least 50% of their clients are Monterey County residents. Stronger applications likely show deep community roots, understanding of local needs, and measurable impact on the Monterey County population.

Financial Sustainability and Capacity
The requirement for audited financials from the past two fiscal years suggests the funder values financial stability and accountability. Applications should demonstrate sound financial management and organizational capacity to successfully execute the proposed project.

Operational vs. Programmatic Balance
While start-up operational costs are allowed, they cannot exceed 50% of the total funding request. This indicates a preference for funding that directly expands or enhances services rather than covering basic operational expenses.

CEO Quote on Grant Purpose
Jeremy Klemanski stated: "We are pleased to announce that some funds from the sale of the Beacon House property will be used to support nonprofit organizations dedicated to promoting health and wellness from substance use disorders." This emphasizes the funder's commitment to continuing Beacon House's mission through partnership with community organizations.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Limited opportunity with specific geography: This grant is exclusively for organizations serving Monterey County, California—don't apply if you don't meet this requirement.
Two-stage process requires strong LOI: Since only invited organizations can submit full applications, your Letter of Intent must compellingly demonstrate alignment with substance use disorder treatment priorities and evidence-based practice.
Larger grant sizes available: With grants ranging from $100,000-$500,000, this program offers substantial funding compared to many local funders—prepare comprehensive proposals that justify larger investment.
Emphasize evidence-based practice: Gateway Foundation explicitly prioritizes evidence-based services, so clearly articulate the research and best practices supporting your approach.
Not a recurring opportunity: This is a time-limited grant program funded by a one-time property sale. While multiple cycles may occur, don't count on this as an ongoing annual funding source.
Direct contact encouraged: With Ave Costa identified as the primary contact, don't hesitate to reach out with questions about eligibility or application requirements before investing time in the LOI.
Financial documentation required: Ensure your audited financials and budgets from the past two years are current and readily available before beginning the application process.

References

All sources accessed December 2025.

Gateway Foundation Inc - Beacon House Community Funding