Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: $863,500 (2023)
- Success Rate: Not publicly available
- Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
- Grant Range: $3,000 - $75,000
- Total Assets: $22.5 million (2024)
- Geographic Focus: National (with Broward County, FL preference for general aid)
Contact Details
Address: 4747 N Ocean Drive, Suite 204/208, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
Phone: 954-781-8634
For Scholarship Applications: Write to Scholarship Coordinator at the address above between April 16 and October 15
Note: No website or email publicly available
Overview
The Gore Family Memorial Foundation Trust 3298-4 was established in July 1973 as a private family foundation based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. With total assets of approximately $22.5 million and annual giving of $863,500 (2023), the foundation focuses on improving the quality of life for individuals with extraordinary limitations, particularly those with severe physical disabilities. The foundation is managed by the Gore family, with Laurence D. Gore serving as Chairman and Diane Fiore as Trust Administrator. The foundation made 30 grants in 2023 to organizations across multiple states including California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Montana, Ohio, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Virginia. Their strategic approach emphasizes supporting economically disadvantaged individuals, people with disabilities, and educational opportunities.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
Organizational Grants: $3,000 - $75,000
- Support for qualifying organizations working to improve quality of life for those least able to help themselves
- Focus on human services, education, and disability services
- Awards made through trustee discretion
Scholarship Program: Varying amounts
- Awarded to undergraduate or graduate students with severe physical disabilities
- Open to Broward County residents, but severely handicapped applicants from any U.S. location may apply
- Applications accepted April 16 - October 15 annually
Priority Areas
- Individuals with Disabilities: Organizations and programs serving people with severe physical disabilities and extraordinary limitations
- Economically Disadvantaged: Support for low-income individuals and families, with aid to the needy restricted to Broward County, FL
- Education: Higher education initiatives, particularly scholarship support for students with disabilities
- Human Services: Multipurpose human services organizations
- Personal Development: Programs that promote personal development and quality of life improvements
What They Don't Fund
Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, though the foundation's narrow focus on disabilities and disadvantaged populations suggests limited scope outside these areas.
Governance and Leadership
Key Personnel:
- Laurence D. Gore, Chairman (Compensation: $13,203)
- Diane Fiore, Trust Administrator (Compensation: $87,792)
- Christine Gore, Trustee (Compensation: $13,203)
- Michael Palmer, Trustee
- Paul Anthony Gore Jr., Board Member
The foundation is governed by multiple Gore family members who serve as trustees. As a private family foundation, the board exercises discretion in grantmaking decisions.
Application Process & Timeline
How to Apply
For Scholarship Applicants: The foundation accepts scholarship applications from undergraduate or graduate students with severe physical disabilities. Applications must be requested in writing between April 16 and October 15. Send written requests to: Scholarship Coordinator, Gore Family Memorial Foundation, 4747 Ocean Drive, #204, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308.
For Nonprofit Organizations: The foundation does not appear to have a formal public application process for organizational grants. As a private foundation, grants to organizations are typically made at the discretion of the trustees. The foundation's Form 990-PF tax filings show they make approximately 30 grants annually to organizations across multiple states.
Getting on Their Radar
The foundation's giving patterns suggest grants are made through trustee discretion rather than through an open application process. Review of their 990-PF filings shows they fund organizations across multiple states, suggesting they identify potential grantees through board member connections and knowledge of organizations serving their priority populations. For organizations seeking funding, written inquiries describing your work with individuals with disabilities or economically disadvantaged populations in alignment with their mission may be directed to Diane Fiore, Trust Administrator, at the foundation's Fort Lauderdale address.
Decision Timeline
Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. The scholarship application window runs from April 16 to October 15, though notification timelines are not specified.
Success Rates
Not publicly available. The foundation made 30 awards in 2023, 31 in 2022, and 31 in 2021, showing consistent grantmaking activity.
Reapplication Policy
No public information available regarding reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants.
Application Success Factors
Based on the foundation's documented giving patterns and priorities:
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Alignment with disability services: The foundation's core mission is "to promote personal development and improve the quality of life for those with extraordinary limitations." Organizations serving individuals with severe physical disabilities align most closely with their mission.
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Broward County connection: While the foundation makes grants nationally, aid to the needy is specifically restricted to Broward County, FL. Local organizations may have an advantage for certain program types.
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Educational focus: The foundation maintains a significant scholarship program, suggesting strong interest in educational opportunities and initiatives, particularly those serving students with disabilities.
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Clear impact on vulnerable populations: The foundation prioritizes supporting "those least able to help themselves," including economically disadvantaged individuals, low-income populations, and people with disabilities.
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Financial sustainability: With consistent annual grantmaking of approximately $863,500 across 30 awards, the foundation appears to favor mid-sized grants in the $3,000-$75,000 range rather than very small or very large awards.
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- Private family foundation with approximately 30 annual grants averaging $3,000-$75,000
- Core focus on individuals with severe disabilities and extraordinary limitations
- No formal public application process for organizational grants; trustee discretion drives grantmaking
- Scholarship program specifically serves students with severe physical disabilities nationwide (Broward County residents for other scholarships)
- Geographic reach extends beyond Florida to at least 11 states, despite local Broward County restrictions for aid to the needy
- Contact Diane Fiore (Trust Administrator) with written inquiries at their Fort Lauderdale address
- Review their annual Form 990-PF filings to understand recent grantees and giving patterns
References
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Gore Fam Memorial Foundation Tr 3298 4 (EIN 59-6497544): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/596497544 (Accessed January 2026)
- Instrumentl 990 Report - Gore Family Foundation: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/gore-fam-memorial-foundation-tr-3298-4 (Accessed January 2026)
- GuideStar Profile - Gore Family Memorial Foundation Trust 3298-4: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/59-6497544 (Accessed January 2026)
- Candid Foundation Directory - Gore Fam Memorial Foundation Tr 3298-4: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=GORE001 (Accessed January 2026)
- Cause IQ - Gore Family Memorial Foundation: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/gore-family-memorial-foundation-tr-3298-4,596497544/ (Accessed January 2026)
- College Scholarships - Gore Family Memorial Foundation Scholarships: https://www.collegescholarships.com/scholarships/detail/110464 (Accessed January 2026)