Viola Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $15,854,985 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation-only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: $500 - $464,500
• Average Grant: $453,000
• Geographic Focus: National (primary focus New York, South Florida)
• Total Awards (2023): 35 grants

Contact Details

Address: 410 Park Ave, 22nd Floor, New York, NY 10022
Phone: (212) 415-0145
EIN: 46-2542824

Note: The foundation does not have a publicly available email address or website. Pre-application support is not available as they do not accept unsolicited applications.

Overview

The Viola Foundation Inc was established in 2013 by billionaire couple Vincent and Teresa Viola and their family. As a private independent foundation with approximately $4.2 million in assets, the foundation distributed nearly $16 million in grants during 2023 across 35 awards. The foundation's mission centers on supporting educational and religious institutions, the Italian-American community, veterans' services, and select environmental and human services initiatives. Vincent Viola, a West Point graduate who served in the 101st Airborne Division and founder of Virtu Financial, brings a strategic focus to military education, Catholic schooling, and veteran support. The foundation operates with a very low public profile, making grants exclusively to preselected organizations through trustee discretion rather than an open application process.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate distinct grant programs with published guidelines. Instead, it makes grants across several interest areas on an invitation-only basis:

• Education Grants: Range from $500 to $464,500, supporting military academies, Catholic K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and inner-city education programs
• Veterans and Military Support: Substantial funding for military-focused organizations and veteran services
• Religious Institutions: Support for Catholic churches, schools, and religious education
• Community and Human Services: Environmental initiatives, animal welfare, and human services across multiple states

Priority Areas

Education:

• Military academy support (particularly West Point)
• Catholic education (K-12 and higher education)
• Inner-city scholarship programs
• Bilingual education in immigrant communities
• Italian-American educational initiatives

Veterans and Military:

• Veterans' support services and programs
• Military family assistance
• Combating terrorism and military security research
• Recognition programs for military service members

Religious Support:

• Catholic churches and parishes
• Catholic school systems in Brooklyn, Queens, and broader New York
• Religious education programs

Italian-American Community:

• Heritage preservation organizations
• Community support for Italian-American diaspora
• Cultural and educational programs

Health and Special Needs:

• Autism services and support
• Rare disease organizations
• Children's health programs

Environmental and Animal Welfare:

• Environmental conservation initiatives
• Domesticated animal welfare
• Florida panther conservation (through Panthers Foundation connection)

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly published, the foundation's pattern suggests they do not fund:

• Organizations without a connection to the Viola family's personal interests
• Organizations outside their core focus areas
• Unsolicited proposals from unknown organizations
• Projects without demonstrated alignment with military, Catholic, Italian-American, or veterans' causes

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

All trustees serve without compensation:

• Vincent Viola (Founder and Chair): West Point graduate, founder of Virtu Financial, owner of Florida Panthers NHL team, former nominee for U.S. Army Secretary
• Teresa Viola (Co-founder): Co-established the foundation with Vincent
• John Viola (Trustee): Son, member of foundation board
• Michael Viola (Trustee): Son, member of foundation board, also serves on USATF Foundation Board of Directors
• Travis Viola (Trustee): Son, member of foundation board

Leadership Insights

Vincent Viola has been widely recognized for philanthropic endeavors including donating over $10 million to West Point through various gifts. He founded the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point and was its principal funder following the September 11 attacks. He also founded Rowan Technology Solutions to support cadet education in military history, military science, and leadership.

Quote from Vincent Viola:
"I thought the Dulles endowed chair was the most virtuous way to express my gratitude to Fordham for educating my two sons."

This quote reflects the family's approach to philanthropy—supporting institutions that have directly impacted their lives and aligning giving with personal values and experiences.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Viola Foundation has indicated it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. This is common among private family foundations—approximately 71% of private foundations that filed Forms 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 indicated they only fund preselected organizations.

Grants appear to be awarded through:

• Trustee discretion and family decision-making
• Pre-existing relationships with organizations
• Invitations extended to specific organizations
• Strategic initiatives identified by the foundation

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's documented funding patterns, organizations might connect with the Viola Foundation through:

West Point and Military Networks:
Vincent Viola is a devoted West Point alumnus and principal funder of the Combating Terrorism Center. Organizations with connections to West Point, military academies, or the 101st Airborne Division (where Viola served) may find alignment.

Italian-American Community:
Vincent Viola serves as Vice-Chair of the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF). Organizations working with Italian-American heritage, culture, or immigrant communities may find common ground through this network.

Catholic Education Networks in New York:
The foundation has supported Inner-City Scholarship Fund, Futures in Education (Brooklyn & Queens), and multiple Catholic schools. Organizations connected to the Archdiocese of New York or Diocese of Brooklyn may benefit from these existing relationships.

Florida Panthers Community Programs:
The Florida Panthers Foundation, which Viola owns, operates grant programs in South Florida. Organizations that have received Panthers Foundation grants or participate in their Community Champions program may be known to the Viola family.

Financial Services and Trading Industry:
As founder of Virtu Financial, Vincent Viola maintains connections in the financial technology and electronic trading sectors, which may provide networking opportunities.

Veterans' Organizations:
The foundation's strong focus on veterans, exemplified by the Panthers' Heroes Among Us program (honoring veterans since 2013), suggests organizations serving military families and veterans may align with family interests.

Decision Timeline

No public information is available about decision timelines. As an invitation-only foundation operating on trustee discretion, there are no published grant cycles, deadlines, or typical timeframes from initial contact to funding decision.

Success Rates

Not applicable. Because the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional success rate metrics are not relevant. The foundation identifies and invites organizations to receive funding rather than reviewing competitive applications.

Reapplication Policy

No public information available. Given the invitation-only nature of the foundation's grantmaking, formal reapplication processes do not exist.

Application Success Factors

The following insights are specific to the Viola Foundation based on documented giving patterns:

Alignment with Family Values:
The foundation's giving directly reflects the Viola family's personal experiences and values. Organizations that align with:

• Military service and veterans (Vincent's West Point background)
• Catholic education (supported education of Viola sons)
• Italian-American heritage (family's cultural identity)
• Inner-city youth education (documented priority)

Demonstrated Impact in Education:
The foundation has made substantial investments in educational institutions that demonstrate excellence and serve underserved communities. Organizations like Futures in Education that "ensure that the gift of an excellent Catholic education continues to be a viable option for current and future generations of deserving students" exemplify the type of mission statements that resonate.

Geographic Connections:
While national in scope, the foundation shows particular interest in:

• New York (especially Brooklyn and Queens for Catholic education)
• South Florida (through Panthers Foundation connection)
• Communities where the Viola family has personal or business ties

Multi-Year Relationships:
Evidence suggests the foundation maintains ongoing relationships with certain institutions (e.g., sustained West Point support, multiple Catholic education organizations). Organizations positioned for long-term partnerships rather than one-time grants may be preferred.

Veterans and Military Focus:
Vincent Viola's statement that "his dedication to the U.S. military led to his creation of the Florida Panthers' Heroes Among Us program, which has honored hundreds of veterans" demonstrates that veteran-focused initiatives are a personal priority, not just a funding category.

Scale and Significance:
With an average grant of $453,000 and a maximum documented grant of $500,000 (to UNCF), the foundation appears to make fewer, larger, more strategic investments rather than many small grants. Organizations should be prepared to articulate significant, transformative uses for substantial funding.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application: Do not submit unsolicited proposals. This foundation only funds preselected organizations identified by trustees.

• Relationship-Driven: The Viola Foundation operates through pre-existing relationships and family networks. Cold outreach is unlikely to be successful without a meaningful connection.

• Mission Alignment is Critical: Organizations must align with the Viola family's documented interests: military/veterans, Catholic education, Italian-American community, inner-city youth education, or South Florida initiatives.

• Substantial Grant Potential: Average grants of $453,000 indicate the foundation makes significant investments. Organizations seeking smaller grants (under $50,000) may not be the typical funding profile.

• Geographic Sweet Spots: New York (particularly Brooklyn/Queens for Catholic education) and South Florida show concentrated activity. Organizations in these regions with aligned missions may have advantages.

• Network Through Existing Grantees: Organizations with connections to West Point, Catholic education networks in New York, Italian-American community organizations, or Florida Panthers Foundation beneficiaries may find indirect pathways to foundation awareness.

• Long-Term Vision: The foundation appears to support institutions and programs with enduring impact rather than short-term projects. Emphasize sustainability and generational impact in any materials that might reach the foundation.

References

1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Viola Foundation Inc (EIN: 46-2542824). Accessed February 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/462542824

2. Inside Philanthropy. "Viola Foundation." Grants in New York. Accessed February 2026. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/new-york-grants/viola-foundation

3. Inside Philanthropy. "Vincent and Teresa Viola." Wall Street Donors. Accessed February 2026. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/wall-street-donors/vincent-and-teresa-viola

4. Instrumentl. "Viola Foundation Inc - New York, NY - 990 Report." Accessed February 2026. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/viola-foundation-inc

5. Cause IQ. "Viola Foundation - New York, NY." Accessed February 2026. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/viola-foundation,462542824/

6. Grantable. "Viola Foundation Inc - Foundation Profile & Grants." Accessed February 2026. https://www.grantable.co/search/funders/profile/viola-foundation-inc-us-foundation-462542824

7. UNCF. "Christmas Came Early at UNCF Leader's Luncheon in Ft. Lauderdale." December 13, 2019. https://uncf.org/the-latest/christmas-came-early-at-uncf-leaders-luncheon-in-ft-lauderdale

8. Combating Terrorism Center at West Point. "Vincent Viola." Accessed February 2026. https://ctc.westpoint.edu/vincent-viola/

9. Florida Panthers. "Foundation." Community Programs. Accessed February 2026. Referenced in research findings.

10. Grantmakers.io. "Viola Foundation Inc Profile." Accessed February 2026. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/462542824-viola-foundation-inc/