← Back to US Funders Directory

Eunice Joyce Gardiner Charitable Foundation

Annual Giving
$6.3M
Grant Range
$76K - $2.9M
Success Rate
12%

Eunice Joyce Gardiner Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $6.3 - $7.7 million (2023-2024)
  • Total Assets: $139 million (2024)
  • Success Rate: ~12% of new applicants receive funding
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $75,540 - $2,854,277
  • Geographic Focus: Florida and New York (primarily Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach, Miami, New Rochelle)
  • Number of Awards: 5 grants per year (consistent 2020-2024)

Contact Details

  • Address: 151 Royal Palm Way, Palm Beach, FL 33480-4249
  • Phone: 561-650-0771
  • Trustee Contact: Daniel A. Hanley, Gunster Law Firm

Overview

The Eunice Joyce Gardiner Charitable Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in Palm Beach, Florida, that became tax-exempt in September 2011. The foundation was created as part of the estate of Eunice Joyce Gardiner (1928-2011), a British-born former Christian Dior model who was married to Robert David Lion Gardiner, heir to Gardiner's Island—the longest privately-owned island in the United States, granted to the Gardiner family by King Charles I in 1639.

With assets of approximately $139 million, the foundation distributes between $6-8 million annually through approximately 5 large grants. The foundation focuses on philanthropy and charitable organizations in Florida and New York, with particular emphasis on animal welfare, religious missions, public broadcasting, and social services. The foundation is managed by Arden Trust Company and Daniel A. Hanley, a shareholder at Gunster law firm who specializes in estate planning and has served as trustee since the foundation's establishment.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation makes a small number of substantial grants each year, typically ranging from approximately $75,000 to nearly $3 million per award:

  • Animal Welfare: Major ongoing support (~$1.88 million annually to Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League)
  • Religious/Missionary Work: Large grants to organizations like Salesian Missions Inc. (~$1.88 million)
  • Social Services: Significant support for organizations like The Salvation Army
  • Public Broadcasting: Grants to South Florida PBS ($550,000) and Friends of WLRN (~$75,540)

Priority Areas

  • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
  • Arts, Culture & Humanities
  • Religion-Related initiatives
  • Animal welfare and rescue
  • Public media and broadcasting
  • Social services

Geographic Focus

  • Florida: West Palm Beach, Boynton Beach, Miami, Palm Beach County
  • New York: New Rochelle

What They Don't Fund

Based on the foundation's giving patterns, it does not appear to fund:

  • Organizations outside Florida and New York
  • Individuals
  • Political organizations
  • New or unestablished organizations (grants appear to go to well-known, established charities)

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

  • Daniel A. Hanley (Trustee) - Compensation: $389,225 - $472,515 annually

    • Shareholder at Gunster Law Firm since 1974
    • Chair of Gunster's Private Wealth Services practice since 1990
    • Florida board certified specialist in wills, trusts, and estates law
    • J.D., University of Miami School of Law (1973)
    • Board member of The Salvation Army, Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League, and Palm Beach Atlantic University

  • Arden Trust Company (Trustee) - Compensation: ~$46,000-$48,000 annually

    • National trust company providing fiduciary and trust administration services
    • Florida office located in Palm Beach Gardens

Founder

Eunice Joyce Bailey Gardiner (1928-2011)

  • Born September 6, 1928, in London, England
  • Former Christian Dior model in France
  • First married to William Pitt Oakes (1952-1958), son of Sir Harry Oakes
  • Second married to Robert David Lion Gardiner (1961-2004), heir to Gardiner's Island
  • Died July 26, 2011, in Palm Beach, Florida
  • Known for her love of animals, which inspired the perpetual trust benefiting animal welfare

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a formal public application process. The Eunice Joyce Gardiner Charitable Foundation operates as a private grantmaking foundation where grants appear to be made at trustee discretion to a consistent set of established beneficiary organizations.

The foundation has been providing ongoing support to the same 5 core organizations for multiple years, suggesting grants are made based on:

  • Pre-existing relationships established by the donor
  • Trustee discretion and personal connections
  • Organizations aligned with the founder's documented interests (particularly animal welfare)

Instrumentl indicates the foundation has "0 live grant opportunities" publicly listed.

Potential Pathways to Funding

Organizations seeking funding may consider:

  1. Contact the Trustee: Daniel A. Hanley at Gunster Law Firm may respond to inquiries from qualified organizations

  2. Letter of Inquiry: A formal letter of inquiry addressed to the foundation at 151 Royal Palm Way, Palm Beach, FL 33480 may be considered

  3. Alignment with Existing Grantees: Organizations with missions similar to current recipients (animal rescue, religious missions, public broadcasting, social services) may have stronger consideration

Success Rate

Approximately 12% of new applicants receive funding, according to Grantable's analysis. However, given the foundation's pattern of supporting the same 5 organizations consistently, this figure may reflect a very selective approach to new relationships.

Grant Distribution Pattern

  • Consistently makes 5 awards per year (2020-2024)
  • Awards range from approximately $75,540 to $2,854,277
  • Total annual distribution: $6-8 million
  • Grants appear to be renewed annually to the same recipients

Application Success Factors

What This Funder Values

Based on documented giving patterns:

  1. Animal Welfare Commitment: Eunice Gardiner was "inspired by her love of animals" and created a perpetual trust for animal welfare. Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League's campus was named the "Eunice J. Gardiner Campus" in 2021 in recognition of her support.

  2. Established Track Record: All current grantees are well-established organizations with decades of operation (Peggy Adams founded 1925, Salesian Missions since 1859, Salvation Army founded 1865).

  3. Florida/New York Connection: Organizations must serve communities in Florida or New York, particularly Palm Beach County and the surrounding area.

  4. Religious or Charitable Mission: Strong support for faith-based organizations (Salesian Missions, Salvation Army) and public service media.

  5. Trustee Board Connections: Daniel A. Hanley serves on the boards of at least two current grantees (Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League and The Salvation Army), suggesting personal relationships influence grant decisions.

Types of Projects Funded

Recent grants have supported:

  • Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League: Spay/neuter programs, shelter operations, animal care
  • South Florida PBS: Programming including "Kid Stew" children's show, health programming, veterans initiatives
  • Salesian Missions: Youth and family programs worldwide
  • The Salvation Army: Social services in West Palm Beach

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Limited Opportunities: With only 5 grants per year to the same established organizations, this foundation has very limited capacity for new grantees.

  2. Relationship-Driven: Trustee Daniel A. Hanley's board positions at current grantees suggest personal relationships are crucial to receiving funding.

  3. Animal Welfare Priority: The founder's documented love of animals makes this a strong alignment factor for animal welfare organizations.

  4. Large Grants Only: The foundation does not appear to make small grants; typical awards exceed $75,000 with most in the $500,000-$2 million range.

  5. Long-Term Partnerships: Current grantees have received consistent annual support for multiple years, suggesting the foundation values ongoing relationships over one-time project funding.

  6. Geographic Requirement: Strong preference for organizations serving Palm Beach County, South Florida, or New York.

  7. No Public Application Process: Direct contact with the trustee or a letter of inquiry may be the only pathway, but expectations should be modest given the foundation's established giving pattern.

References

Research conducted December 2025. Grant amounts and financial figures based on 2023-2024 Form 990-PF filings.

← Back to US Funders Directory