← Back to US Funders Directory

Paul J. DiMare Foundation

Annual Giving
$3.1M
Grant Range
Up to $35.0M00
00

Paul J. DiMare Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3,110,900 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $107 million (2024)
  • Grant Range: Varies widely from smaller grants to multi-million dollar commitments
  • Number of Awards: 16 grants in 2023
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Florida, with some national giving
  • Application Method: Invitation only - does not accept unsolicited applications

Contact Details

Address: 258 NW First Avenue, Florida City, FL 33034
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 900460, Homestead, FL 33090-0460
EIN: 65-0537843

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Contact information is provided for reference only.

Overview

The Paul J. DiMare Foundation was established in April 1996 as a private independent foundation based in Homestead, Florida. Founded by Paul J. DiMare, a prominent South Florida agricultural leader and philanthropist who passed away in December 2022 at age 81, the foundation continues his legacy of supporting medical research, education, arts, and social services. With total assets of $107 million and annual charitable disbursements of approximately $3.5 million, the foundation focuses its grantmaking on causes that were close to Paul DiMare's heart, particularly neurodegenerative disease research, medical education, and community development in South Florida. The foundation is governed by DiMare family members who continue Paul's vision to "cure the incurables" and support transformative initiatives in healthcare, education, and the arts. In recent years, the foundation has gained national recognition for major gifts including a $35 million commitment to UMass Chan Medical School for neurodegenerative disease research.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate structured grant programs with published guidelines. Instead, grants are awarded through trustee discretion to preselected organizations. Notable funding commitments include:

  • Major Medical Research Gifts: Multi-million dollar commitments (e.g., $35 million to UMass Chan Medical School, $5 million to The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis)
  • Educational Scholarships: $6 million for medical school scholarships at University of Miami's Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine
  • Capital Projects: $2 million for facilities (e.g., Frost School of Music recital hall)
  • Program Support: $1 million to specialized research programs (e.g., Buoniconti Fund for ALS clinical trials, sports medicine research)
  • Community Organizations: Smaller grants to local nonprofits and social service agencies

Priority Areas

Based on documented giving patterns, the foundation prioritizes:

  • Medical Research and Healthcare: Particularly neurodegenerative diseases (ALS, Parkinson's), genetic diseases, spinal cord injury research, and paralysis research
  • Medical Education: Scholarships for medical students, particularly at University of Miami's Miller School of Medicine
  • Higher Education: Support for universities, particularly music education and arts programs
  • Arts and Culture: Support for performing arts venues, music education facilities
  • Social Services: Organizations serving vulnerable populations, children and youth services
  • Farmworker Support: Affordable housing initiatives for agricultural workers in Florida
  • Community Development: Local nonprofits in South Florida, particularly Homestead and Miami-Dade County areas

The foundation has demonstrated a long-term commitment to institutions rather than one-time grants, with sustained multi-year support for favored organizations such as the University of Miami, The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, and UMass Chan Medical School.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation's 990-PF filings indicate they only make contributions to preselected charitable organizations. They do not fund:

  • Unsolicited grant applications
  • Organizations without a prior relationship to the foundation or its trustees
  • Individuals (though they fund scholarship programs administered by institutions)

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by members of the DiMare family following the passing of founder Paul J. DiMare in December 2022:

  • Paul J. DiMare Jr. - Trustee
  • Anthony DiMare - President, Director, Secretary
  • Gino DiMare - Trustee
  • Scott DiMare - Trustee, Director, Vice President

According to the foundation's 990-PF filings, none of the trustees receive compensation for their service to the foundation.

About the Founder: Paul J. DiMare was the patriarch of the DiMare farming family and founder of DiMare Fresh, one of the largest fresh-market tomato growers and distributors in the United States. He was inducted into the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2005 and named Florida Farmer of the Year in 2016. His philanthropic vision emphasized "curing the incurables," particularly devastating diseases with no current treatment. He received numerous awards for his philanthropy including the Ellis Island Award (2014), American Red Cross Humanitarian of the Year, and the United Way Tocqueville Society Outstanding Philanthropy Award (2020). He served as a University of Miami trustee and was a longtime member of The Buoniconti Fund Board.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis and only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations. According to their Form 990-PF filings, they do not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Grants appear to be awarded at the discretion of the trustees based on their personal knowledge of organizations, board relationships, and alignment with the DiMare family's philanthropic interests.

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation's giving history suggests grants are awarded to:

  • Organizations with existing relationships: Many grants go to institutions where DiMare family members serve or have served on boards (e.g., University of Miami, where Paul J. DiMare was a trustee)
  • South Florida institutions: Strong preference for organizations in Miami-Dade County, particularly Homestead, Florida City, and Coral Gables
  • Agricultural community connections: Organizations serving farmworkers and the agricultural sector in South Florida
  • Medical research institutions: Universities and medical centers conducting research on neurodegenerative diseases, particularly those focused on ALS, paralysis, and genetic diseases
  • Referrals through the DiMare family network: The DiMare family's extensive business and civic connections in South Florida agriculture and philanthropy

The foundation has supported multiple causes championed by the late Paul J. DiMare and his wife Swanee, including the University of Miami (where Paul served as trustee), The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis (where he served on The Buoniconti Fund Board), and organizations serving the agricultural community.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications. Grants are awarded through trustee discretion on an ongoing basis.

Success Rates

Not applicable for unsolicited applications, as the foundation does not accept them.

In 2023, the foundation made 16 grants totaling $3,110,900.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations that have received funding share certain characteristics:

  • Alignment with founder's vision: Paul DiMare's stated mission was to "cure the incurables." Organizations conducting cutting-edge research on devastating diseases with no current cure, particularly ALS and other neurodegenerative conditions, have received substantial support.

  • Board-level relationships: The foundation has provided significant support to institutions where DiMare family members serve or served in leadership roles. Paul J. DiMare's role as University of Miami trustee corresponded with over $12.5 million in foundation giving to that institution.

  • South Florida focus: While the foundation has made gifts outside Florida (notably the $35 million to UMass Chan), there is a strong preference for South Florida institutions, particularly those serving the Homestead and Miami-Dade County communities where the DiMare family has deep roots.

  • Multi-year strategic impact: The foundation favors transformative gifts that create lasting change rather than annual operating support. Examples include the $35 million endowment for the Paul J. DiMare Center at UMass Chan and the $6 million scholarship endowment at University of Miami.

  • Recognition opportunities: Several grants have included naming opportunities (e.g., DiMare Medical Scholars, Swanee and Paul J. DiMare Lobby at Frost School of Music, Paul J. DiMare Center at UMass Chan), suggesting the family values recognition of their philanthropic impact.

  • Agricultural community connection: As a farming family, the DiMares have supported affordable housing for farmworkers and agricultural research, particularly tomato cultivation research at University of Florida.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process: This foundation operates exclusively on an invitation-only basis and does not accept unsolicited proposals. Traditional grant seeking strategies will not be effective.

  • Board relationships are essential: Virtually all documented grants appear connected to institutions where DiMare family members serve or served in leadership roles. Getting on this foundation's radar requires board-level connections.

  • Think transformational, not transactional: The foundation makes major commitments ($1-35 million) to create lasting impact rather than smaller annual grants. If invited to submit a proposal, think in terms of endowments, capital projects, or multi-year research initiatives.

  • South Florida geography matters: Despite some national giving, there is a strong preference for Miami-Dade County organizations, particularly those serving the Homestead/Florida City community where the DiMare family business is based.

  • Medical research is the top priority: Neurodegenerative disease research, particularly ALS, paralysis research, and genetic disease research, represents the foundation's largest funding category and clearest priority area.

  • The founder's legacy continues: Though Paul J. DiMare passed away in 2022, the foundation continues to operate under his vision of "curing the incurables" with family trustees maintaining his philanthropic priorities.

  • Sustained relationships over one-time grants: Organizations that have received funding from this foundation often receive multiple grants over many years, suggesting the foundation values long-term partnerships with select organizations rather than broad distribution to many nonprofits.

References

All sources accessed December 2025.

← Back to US Funders Directory