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David And Patricia Giuliani Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.1M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.1M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1.13M (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $125,000
  • Geographic Focus: National with priority on Washington, Oregon, and Idaho
  • Total Assets: $36.3M (2024)

Contact Details

Website: https://giuliani.org

Phone: (206) 465-6852 or (206) 621-1900

Address: 5240 Kirkwood Place N, Seattle, WA 98103

Contact for Inquiries: The foundation welcomes contact via their website contact page

Overview

The David and Patricia Giuliani Family Foundation was established in 2011 by the late David Giuliani, co-inventor of the Sonicare toothbrush, and his late wife Patricia Roven Giuliani. David Giuliani (1946-2022) was a pioneering entrepreneur who built Sonicare into the fastest-growing private company in the U.S. in 1997 before selling it to Philips Electronics, and later co-invented the Clarisonic skin care product. He was honored as the "United States Small Business Person of the Year" in 1997. Patricia passed away in 2019 after a courageous battle with mantle cell lymphoma. The foundation, now led by their children Nicole and Daniel Roven Giuliani, has grown to hold approximately $36.3 million in assets and distributed $1.13 million in grants in 2024. The foundation operates with a simple but powerful mission: "We help people live better lives." All grant decisions require unanimous approval from family members, reflecting a deeply collaborative approach to philanthropy.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single discretionary grant program with no fixed deadlines. In 2024, they awarded 37 grants with a median of $20,000 and a range of $10,000 to $125,000. Historical data shows grants have ranged from $5,000 to $125,000. Proposals are accepted by invitation only, though the foundation welcomes initial contact from organizations.

Priority Areas

The foundation is sector-agnostic but focuses on organizations that are "efficient with their funds and maximize impact." Their grantmaking supports:

  • Health: Cancer research (Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center), hospice care (Skagit Hospice Foundation), integrated medicine (Orion Center), cancer support services (Cancer Lifeline), and reproductive health (Planned Parenthood of Hawaii)

  • Racial Justice & Democracy: Civil rights organizations (ACLU of Washington, Southern Poverty Law Center which received their largest 2024 grant at $125,000)

  • Environment: Climate change initiatives, sustainable agriculture (Center for an Agricultural Economy in Vermont), environmental advocacy (Beyond Toxics)

  • Community Development: Services for low-income and vulnerable populations (White Bird Clinic of Eugene, Oregon; Awamaki; San Juan Island Family Rescue)

  • Education: Higher education access (Seattle Colleges Foundation, Field Academy in Denver)

  • Arts & Culture: Public broadcasting (Oregon Public Broadcasting, NPR organizations, Eugene Symphony Association)

What They Don't Fund

The foundation restricts grants to 501(c)(3) organizations with charitable purposes. They appear to focus on established organizations rather than individuals or for-profit entities.

Governance and Leadership

Nicole Roven Giuliani serves as Vice President of the foundation. She is an Associate Professor at the University of Oregon specializing in affective neuroscience, emotion regulation, and self-regulation, with a particular focus on health behaviors. She earned her PhD at Stanford University.

Daniel Roven Giuliani serves as Secretary of the foundation. He is Managing Partner at Giuliani Family Investments with a diverse background in entrepreneurship, athletic development, and media. He holds a Master's degree from Seattle University, served as an Adjunct Professor of Sport Performance at the University of Washington, and co-founded Volt Athletics.

Both serve on a voluntary basis without compensation. The foundation is managed by members of the Giuliani family, and all gifting decisions require unanimous approval, ensuring consensus-based philanthropy that honors both David and Patricia's legacy.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The David and Patricia Giuliani Family Foundation does not have a public application process. Proposals are accepted by invitation only. However, the foundation states they are "always interested in connecting with good people" and welcomes initial contact from grantseekers.

Organizations interested in funding should:

  1. Contact the foundation through their website contact page at giuliani.org
  2. Provide a brief introduction to your organization and its work
  3. Explain how your mission aligns with helping people live better lives
  4. Wait to submit a full proposal until invited to do so

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Given the requirement for unanimous family approval, decisions may take time to allow for thorough review and family consensus.

Success Rates

The foundation awarded 37 grants in 2024 from assets of $36.3 million. Success rates for unsolicited inquiries are not publicly available, as they operate primarily on an invitation basis.

Reapplication Policy

No formal reapplication policy is published. Organizations seeking funding should inquire directly about the foundation's preferences regarding reapplication.

Application Success Factors

The foundation emphasizes the following in their grantmaking approach:

Mission Alignment: The foundation's mission is simple but meaningful—they help people live better lives. Successful applicants demonstrate clear, tangible ways their work improves quality of life for individuals and communities.

Efficiency and Impact: The foundation explicitly states they support "organizations that are efficient with their funds and maximize impact." Applications should clearly demonstrate strong financial stewardship and measurable outcomes.

People-Centric Approach: The foundation describes itself as "sector-agnostic" and "people-centric," meaning they prioritize the human impact over specific program categories. Focus on how your work directly benefits individuals.

Geographic Connection: While the foundation makes national grants, they prioritize Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Organizations in the Pacific Northwest or serving these regions may have a strategic advantage.

Progressive Values: Recent grantmaking shows strong support for progressive causes including reproductive rights, civil rights, environmental protection, and social justice. Organizations aligned with these values appear well-positioned.

Established Track Record: Grant recipients appear to be established 501(c)(3) organizations with proven programs rather than startups or experimental initiatives.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Build relationships first: With invitation-only funding, initial contact through their website is crucial. Be concise, authentic, and clear about your mission alignment.

  • Emphasize efficiency and impact: This is explicitly stated as a priority. Include specific metrics demonstrating cost-effectiveness and measurable outcomes.

  • Connect to founders' legacy: David Giuliani was an innovator who solved health problems (Sonicare) and championed climate action. Patricia battled cancer courageously. Projects touching health innovation, environmental sustainability, or cancer support may resonate.

  • Demonstrate unanimous appeal: Since all decisions require family consensus, your proposal must appeal across different perspectives—scientific rigor (Nicole's academic background) and practical entrepreneurship (Daniel's business focus).

  • Be patient with the process: Unanimous family approval takes time. Don't expect rapid decisions.

  • Geographic strategy matters: While national grants are possible (especially for civil rights/environmental work), Pacific Northwest organizations have clear advantages.

  • Think broadly about "helping people live better lives": This mission encompasses health, justice, environment, education, and culture. Creative connections to quality-of-life improvements can work across sectors.

References

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