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Francis P Chiaramonte MD Family Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$2.4M
Grant Range
Up to $1.0M

Francis P Chiaramonte MD Family Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1.4 - $3.5 million
  • Total Assets: $38.8 million (2024)
  • Average Grant Size: ~$47,000
  • Number of Grants: 66-87 annually
  • Geographic Focus: National (21+ states, with emphasis on VA/MD region)
  • Application Process: Invitation only - does not accept unsolicited applications
  • EIN: 46-4423662

Contact Details

Address: Alexandria, VA 22314

Note: This is a private family foundation that does not maintain public contact information or accept unsolicited grant applications. They only make contributions to preselected charitable organizations.

Overview

The Francis P Chiaramonte MD Family Foundation Inc was established in 2016 as a private family foundation honoring the legacy of Dr. Francis P. Chiaramonte, a urological surgeon who founded Southern Maryland Hospital Center and was a pioneering advocate for community healthcare access. Dr. Chiaramonte, who passed away in 2013, received numerous honors including the American Medical Association Physician Recognition Award, the Governor's Salute to Excellence Award, and the National Italian American Foundation's Man of the Year Award. He was inducted into the Community Foundation of Southern Maryland's Philanthropy Hall of Fame in 2009.

The foundation manages assets of approximately $38.8 million and distributes between $1.4-$3.5 million annually to support charitable causes aligned with Dr. Chiaramonte's values: education (particularly healthcare and STEM), healthcare access, housing and shelter, religion-related initiatives, and conservation of natural resources. The foundation is entirely run by family members who serve without compensation, ensuring efficient use of resources for charitable purposes.

The foundation made its largest single gift of $1 million to the College of Southern Maryland - the largest private cash donation in the college's 50-year history. This contribution funded the Francis P. Chiaramonte, M.D. Center for Science and Technology, demonstrating the family's commitment to advancing educational opportunities in healthcare and STEM fields.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with specific application cycles or deadlines. All grants are made to organizations preselected by the foundation's board of directors.

Average Grant Size: Approximately $47,000 (based on 2023 data: $3,456,000 distributed across 73 awards)

Geographic Distribution: While based in Alexandria, Virginia, the foundation makes grants nationally across 21+ states including Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. Primary focus appears to be Virginia and Maryland region.

Priority Areas

Based on documented giving patterns and the founder's legacy, the foundation focuses on:

Education

  • Healthcare education and training
  • STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) programs
  • Scholarship support for students experiencing financial hardship
  • Educational facilities and infrastructure

Healthcare

  • Community healthcare access
  • Medical facilities and services
  • Healthcare innovation and advancement
  • Support for underserved populations

Housing & Shelter

  • Programs addressing housing needs
  • Shelter services for vulnerable populations

Religion-Related Causes

  • Religious education
  • Faith-based community services
  • Religious institutions

Conservation

  • Natural resource conservation
  • Environmental protection initiatives

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not publicly documented, the foundation:

  • Does not accept unsolicited applications from unknown organizations
  • Does not fund organizations outside their preselected network
  • Operates primarily through invitation and existing relationships

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed entirely by members of the Chiaramonte family, all of whom serve without compensation:

Francis P Chiaramonte III - President
Dr. Chiaramonte's son, carrying forward the family's philanthropic legacy

Claire Chiaramonte Wagner - Treasurer
Oversees financial management and grant distribution

Cathe Chiaramonte - Secretary
Manages foundation records and documentation

Mark S Chiaramonte - Vice President
Assists in strategic direction and grantmaking decisions

Michael J Chiaramonte - Director
Also serves as a Trustee for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and was CEO of Southern Maryland Hospital Center; active in healthcare and environmental causes

Dorothy A Chiaramonte - Director
Contributes to grantmaking decisions and foundation governance

The family's continued stewardship reflects Dr. Francis P. Chiaramonte's belief that "the advancement of education and the conservation of natural resources were the major focus of his giving."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The Francis P Chiaramonte MD Family Foundation has explicitly indicated that it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. This is a common practice among private family foundations, particularly those established to honor a family legacy and support causes close to the family's values.

Organizations seeking funding from this foundation will not be successful submitting unsolicited grant proposals. The foundation identifies and selects grant recipients through:

  • Existing relationships with organizations
  • Board member connections and knowledge of community needs
  • Strategic initiatives identified by the family
  • Continuation of Dr. Chiaramonte's historic giving patterns

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made at the discretion of the board to preselected organizations on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Success Rates

Not applicable for unsolicited applications, as none are accepted.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - organizations are selected by invitation only.

Application Success Factors

For organizations that have been invited to apply or are considering relationship-building:

Alignment with Dr. Chiaramonte's Legacy
The foundation honors the memory and values of Dr. Francis P. Chiaramonte, who was deeply committed to community healthcare access, education, and service to underserved populations. Organizations whose missions reflect these values - particularly those working to expand healthcare access, support STEM and healthcare education, or serve communities with limited resources - align best with the foundation's priorities.

Demonstrated Impact in Priority Areas
Given the foundation's focus on education, healthcare, housing, religion, and conservation, organizations should demonstrate measurable outcomes in these areas. The foundation's largest gift ($1 million to College of Southern Maryland) went to educational infrastructure with long-term community impact.

Connection to Virginia/Maryland Region
While the foundation makes grants nationally, there appears to be special emphasis on the Virginia and Maryland area where Dr. Chiaramonte practiced medicine and built his legacy. The Southern Maryland community was particularly close to his heart through his founding of Southern Maryland Hospital Center.

Support for Healthcare and STEM Education
The establishment of scholarships for students in "Health Care or STEM fields who are experiencing hardships" and the major gift for the Center for Science and Technology indicate strong preference for programs that advance these educational pathways, especially for students facing barriers to access.

Efficient Use of Resources
As a family foundation where all board members serve without compensation, the foundation demonstrates commitment to maximizing charitable impact. Organizations that demonstrate strong stewardship, low overhead, and efficient program delivery likely appeal to this value orientation.

Long-Term Community Benefit
Dr. Chiaramonte's approach to philanthropy focused on building lasting infrastructure and systems (hospitals, clinics, educational buildings, mobile health screening). The foundation appears to favor initiatives with sustained community benefit rather than short-term projects.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Do not submit unsolicited proposals to this foundation - they will not be reviewed. The foundation only funds organizations selected by the board.
  • Focus on building relationships within the healthcare and education sectors in Virginia and Maryland if you hope to eventually get on the foundation's radar, though there are no guarantees.
  • Understand the founder's legacy: Dr. Chiaramonte was passionate about expanding healthcare access to underserved communities, advancing education (especially in healthcare and STEM), and community service. Projects aligned with these values have the best theoretical fit.
  • Average grant size is approximately $47,000, though this varies significantly - from scholarship support to million-dollar capital gifts.
  • The foundation makes 70-90 grants per year across a broad geographic area, suggesting diverse charitable interests.
  • All board members are family members who knew Dr. Chiaramonte personally, meaning personal connection to his values and mission drives grantmaking decisions.
  • Major gifts are possible: The foundation is capable of transformational gifts, as evidenced by the $1 million contribution to CSM, but these appear reserved for projects closely aligned with the founder's core passions.

References

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