Dr. Herbert and Nicole Wertheim Family Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $1,047,705 (2023)
Success Rate: Not publicly available
Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
Grant Range: Varies from scholarship support to multi-million dollar institutional gifts
Geographic Focus: Primarily Florida and California, with emphasis on public universities nationwide

Contact Details

Address: 4470 SW 74th Ave, Miami, FL 33155-4408

Phone: 305-264-4465

Note: The foundation does not have a public application process.

Overview

The Dr. Herbert and Nicole Wertheim Family Foundation was established in 1977 in Florida as a family foundation with the mission statement: "Making Life on Earth Better." For nearly 50 years, the foundation has been one of the most significant philanthropic forces in American higher education, contributing over $100 million to Florida higher education alone. In 2016, Herbert and Nicole Wertheim joined The Giving Pledge, committing to dedicate the majority of their wealth to philanthropy. The foundation made 7 grants totaling $1,047,705 in 2023, though this figure does not include the foundation's major multi-million dollar commitments which are often structured as multi-year pledges. Most recently, in December 2024, Dr. Wertheim announced a $65 million gift to Florida State University's College of Business, marking the largest philanthropic endowment gift in FSU's history.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation focuses primarily on major institutional gifts to higher education, particularly public universities. Recent major commitments include:

$100 million to University of Florida - The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology (2022)
$65 million to Florida State University - College of Business endowment (December 2024)
$50 million to UC Berkeley - Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science (2022)
$50 million to University of Florida - Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering (2015)
$25 million to UC San Diego - Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science (2018)
Major gifts to Florida International University - Including the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine and Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences

The foundation also supports scholarship programs, including the Dr. Herbert and Nicole Wertheim Family Foundation Scholarship, which provides four-year full tuition coverage for medical students. The family dedicates substantial time annually to support the foundation's awarding and fundraising efforts for more than a hundred scholarships, professorships, and financial aid programs.

Priority Areas

Education (Primary Focus)

Engineering education
Medical education and preventive healthcare
Nursing and health sciences
Public health
Optometry and vision science
Business education

Healthcare

Preventive medicine initiatives
Biomedical research and innovation
Community health care advancement

Arts & Culture

Music, theater, and dance programs
Community cultural institutions

Scholarship Support

Horatio Alger scholarships
Full-tuition medical school scholarships
Support for disadvantaged students

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. The foundation appears to focus exclusively on higher education institutions and related scholarship programs rather than small community organizations, direct service providers, or other typical nonprofit grant recipients.

Governance and Leadership

Dr. Herbert Wertheim serves as chairman of the foundation. A self-made billionaire, Dr. Wertheim is a 9th grade high school dropout with dyslexia from a disadvantaged home who later earned three doctorates and became a successful optometric physician, inventor, and entrepreneur. His personal story deeply influences the foundation's philanthropic priorities.

Nicole Wertheim co-leads the foundation alongside Herbert. Together with their two daughters, the family is actively involved in the foundation's scholarship awarding and fundraising efforts.

Leadership Philosophy & Quotes

From Dr. Wertheim's Giving Pledge letter:

On Technology and Medicine: "I believe in the power of technology and preventive medicine to improve the quality of our lives and will continue to work to promote those ideas."

On Public Universities: "Many of America's private universities have more than 20 times the endowments of most public institutions of higher learning, and our state legislators are decreasing funding to these public institutions that needs to be made up by private funding."

On the American Dream: "The invitation to join the Giving Pledge would have been unimaginable many years ago as a young man seeking his future, a true testament to the opportunities that only America can offer."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Dr. Herbert and Nicole Wertheim Family Foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation makes grants through trustee discretion, typically in response to cultivation relationships with major institutions rather than unsolicited proposals.

The foundation's giving pattern indicates that grants are primarily initiated through:

Direct relationships with university leadership
Board member connections and institutional affiliations
Strategic institutional partnerships developed over time

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed, as the foundation does not operate on a standard grant cycle or application schedule.

Success Rates

Success rates for unsolicited applications are not applicable, as the foundation does not accept public applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to the invitation-only nature of the foundation's grantmaking.

Application Success Factors

While the foundation does not accept public applications, understanding what attracts the Wertheim family's support is valuable for institutions seeking to cultivate relationships:

Focus on Public Higher Education: Dr. Wertheim has explicitly stated his commitment to supporting public universities, which he views as underfunded compared to private institutions. Institutions that can demonstrate how additional private funding will address gaps left by declining state support align with his philosophy.

Preventive Medicine and Technology: The foundation strongly prioritizes initiatives that combine technology with preventive medicine to improve quality of life. Programs that advance these goals, particularly in biomedical innovation, public health, and vision science, are clear priorities.

Support for Disadvantaged Students: Given Dr. Wertheim's personal background as a high school dropout with dyslexia who overcame significant obstacles, the foundation places particular emphasis on scholarship programs that provide opportunities for disadvantaged students, including Horatio Alger scholarships.

Institutional Naming Opportunities: The foundation's major gifts have consistently resulted in naming rights for schools, colleges, and institutes. Major institutional commitments that recognize the Wertheim family's legacy appear to be part of the foundation's giving strategy.

Long-term Relationship Building: The foundation's giving pattern suggests that major gifts emerge from sustained relationships with institutions rather than one-time proposals. Universities that have received multiple gifts over time (like FIU and University of Florida) demonstrate the importance of ongoing engagement.

Florida Connection: While the foundation has supported institutions in California, the overwhelming majority of their giving has gone to Florida institutions, reflecting the family's deep ties to the state.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

This foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals - traditional grant writing approaches will not be successful
Focus on institutional cultivation - Building relationships with the foundation requires senior leadership engagement at the institutional level
Public universities are the primary beneficiaries - Private institutions are unlikely to receive support given Dr. Wertheim's explicit focus on supporting underfunded public universities
Think big and long-term - The foundation makes transformational gifts ($25M-$100M+) rather than small grants, with 2023 showing just 7 grants totaling approximately $1M (likely ongoing scholarship commitments)
Preventive medicine and technology - Programs that combine these elements are most likely to attract interest
Florida institutions have a significant advantage - Geographic proximity and Dr. Wertheim's commitment to Florida higher education create natural alignment
Personal narrative matters - Dr. Wertheim's story of overcoming disadvantage informs the foundation's values; programs supporting similar populations may resonate
Demonstrate impact on access - Scholarship programs and initiatives that expand access to education for disadvantaged students align with the family's values

References

Accessed December 2024