Bernard A. Egan Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $6,473,350 (2024)
Total Assets: $121.9 million (May 2024)
Number of Grants: 165 awards (2024)
Grant Range: $120,000 - $372,000 (based on recent examples)
Geographic Focus: Primarily St. Lucie and Indian River Counties, Florida
Application Process: Pre-selected organizations (no public application process)

Contact Details

Address: 1900 N Old Dixie Highway, Fort Pierce, FL 34946
Phone: 772-465-7555
EIN: 65-0501660

Note: Email information is not publicly available.

Overview

The Bernard A. Egan Foundation Inc was established in 1994 as a private independent foundation in Fort Pierce, Florida. With total assets of approximately $121.9 million and annual giving of over $6.4 million, the foundation honors the legacy of Bernard A. Egan, a prominent Florida citrus industry leader and philanthropist who was inducted into both the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame and Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame. The foundation makes grants to pre-selected charitable organizations with a focus on religious, educational, medical, and community service causes. Bernard Egan was known as a hard-nosed businessman who was also a tireless supporter of charities, especially favoring those related to church, education, and Native American causes. The foundation reflects this commitment through consistent annual grantmaking to organizations serving the Treasure Coast region, awarding approximately 165 grants annually.

Funding Priorities

Focus Areas by Giving Percentage

Social & Human Services: 36% of total giving
Religion: 23% of total giving
Education: 16% of total giving
Medical/Healthcare: Additional focus area
Community Services: Additional focus area

Recent Grant Examples

Based on publicly available information, recent grants have included:

Source: $372,000
United Against Poverty: $365,000
Samaritan Center (homeless shelter in Vero Beach): $248,550
Arc of Indian River County: $205,000
John Carroll Catholic High School: $217,000
Legionaries of Christ Seminary: $150,000
Adorer Missionary Sisters of the Poor: $155,000
Holy Family Church: $120,000
St. Anastasia Catholic School: $120,000

Geographic Focus

The foundation demonstrates a strong commitment to St. Lucie and Indian River Counties, reflecting Bernard Egan's business operations and community involvement in the Treasure Coast region. The founder was a sustaining sponsor of United Way in these counties and founding co-chair of the Samaritan Center in Vero Beach.

Priority Causes

Religious organizations and Catholic institutions
Educational institutions, particularly Catholic schools
Organizations serving the homeless and vulnerable populations
Social service agencies supporting low-income communities
Medical and healthcare initiatives
Native American causes (historical focus)

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by a board of five officers, all serving without compensation:

Bernadette M. Emerick, President
Jean Jacques Gilet, Vice President
Gregory P. Nelson, Secretary/Treasurer
Mary R. Shinn, Assistant Secretary
Catherine M. Rohm, Assistant Treasurer

The foundation operates with charitable disbursements representing approximately 90.8% of total expenses, demonstrating a strong commitment to its grantmaking mission.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation primarily supports pre-selected charitable organizations, meaning grants are awarded at the discretion of the board of trustees rather than through an open application process.

Organizations interested in funding should note that the foundation appears to focus on established relationships with organizations already known to the trustees, particularly those serving St. Lucie and Indian River Counties in Florida.

Decision Timeline

Given the foundation's pre-selection approach, there is no standard application timeline. The foundation made 165 awards in 2024 and 168 awards in 2023, suggesting consistent year-round grantmaking activity.

Application Success Factors

Since the Bernard A. Egan Foundation works with pre-selected organizations rather than accepting unsolicited applications, success in receiving funding is heavily dependent on alignment with the founder's values and geographic focus:

Alignment with Founder's Values: Bernard Egan was known to particularly favor causes related to church, education, and Native American communities. Organizations working in these areas, especially Catholic institutions, have historically received significant support.

Geographic Connection: The foundation shows strong preference for organizations serving St. Lucie and Indian River Counties, where Bernard Egan built his citrus business and established deep community ties.

Focus on Vulnerable Populations: The founder was a founding co-chair of the Samaritan Center, a homeless shelter in Vero Beach, indicating strong commitment to organizations serving homeless, low-income, and vulnerable populations.

Established Track Record: With grants ranging from $120,000 to $372,000 in recent examples, the foundation appears to support established organizations capable of managing substantial awards.

Mission-Driven Work: Bernard Egan was described as a "tireless supporter of charities" who balanced business acumen with philanthropic commitment. Organizations with clear, mission-driven work in education, healthcare, and social services align with the foundation's priorities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

No public application process exists - the foundation awards grants to pre-selected organizations at trustee discretion
Geographic focus is critical - strong preference for organizations serving St. Lucie and Indian River Counties in Florida
Catholic and religious institutions receive significant support - 23% of giving goes to religious causes
Social services are a major priority - 36% of giving supports social and human services, particularly for homeless and vulnerable populations
Grant sizes are substantial - recent examples range from $120,000 to $372,000, suggesting the foundation supports established organizations
Consistent grantmaking - approximately 165 grants awarded annually, indicating ongoing charitable activity
Foundation values reflect founder's legacy - organizations aligned with education, church, and service to vulnerable populations are most likely to receive support

References

Bernard A. Egan Foundation - Cause IQ - Accessed December 27, 2025
Bernard A. Egan Foundation - ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Accessed December 27, 2025
Bernard A. Egan Foundation - Instrumentl 990 Report - Accessed December 27, 2025
Bernard A. Egan Foundation - Here-4-You Consulting Directory - Accessed December 27, 2025
Bernard A. Egan - Florida Citrus Hall of Fame - Accessed December 27, 2025
Bernard Egan - Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame - Accessed December 27, 2025
Bernard and Betty Egan - American Cancer Society Philanthropist Stories - Accessed December 27, 2025
Preserving a family's storied legacy - Treasure Coast Business - Accessed December 27, 2025