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The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$48.6M
Grant Range
$1K - $5.0M

The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $48,625,044 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $694 million (2023)
  • Grant Range: Varies significantly; average grant $306,859 (2023)
  • Number of Grants: 112 grants awarded in 2023
  • Geographic Focus: Florida (particularly Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties), with national reach including Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington D.C.
  • Application Policy: Generally preselected organizations; limited public RFP opportunities

Contact Details

Address: 49 N Federal Hwy #312, Pompano Beach, FL 33062

Website: www.delucafdn.org

Key Staff:

  • Kevin Byrne, Chief Executive Officer
  • Cecilia Rivas-Gonzalez, Program Officer
  • Judith Fletcher, Program Officer
  • Rachel Adomat, Program Officer
  • Jennifer Lew, Database and Operations Manager
  • Angelika Gonzalez Ramirez, Grants Administrator Associate

Overview

The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation was established in 1997 by Frederick DeLuca, co-founder of the global Subway restaurant chain, and his wife Elisabeth DeLuca. With total assets of approximately $694 million and annual giving of over $48.6 million (2023), the foundation has evolved from its original focus to now provide youth and adults the tools to achieve independence and self-sufficiency. The foundation's impact has broadened to support artistic experiences, health awareness, and workforce development programs that enhance the lives of children and families throughout South Florida and beyond. The foundation operates alongside the Elisabeth C. DeLuca Foundation, which focuses on nurturing the wellbeing of individuals, families, and those caring for them. A notable recent achievement includes the foundation's $5 million matching grant to the Community Foundation of Broward, which played a pivotal role in establishing the Broward Center for Nonprofit Excellence.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation organizes its grantmaking through six main portfolios:

  1. Economic Mobility – Removing barriers to economic opportunity and supporting workforce development
  2. Youth & Families – Providing opportunities for young people and families to thrive
  3. Nurses & Allied Health Workers – Supporting healthcare professionals and nursing education
  4. Health – General health initiatives including healthcare quality and access, mental health care, and cancer research
  5. Arts – Cultural and artistic endeavors
  6. Strategically Responsive – Flexible funding for emerging community needs

Community Funding Initiative (2025): The foundation is accepting proposals for organizations seeking to receive grant funds to re-grant to community organizations in Florida, with a focus on Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. This initiative targets programs that align with the Youth and Families and/or Economic Mobility portfolios.

Priority Areas

  • Economically disadvantaged populations
  • Equal opportunity in education
  • Vocational and higher education
  • Nursing and adult education
  • Healthcare quality and access
  • Mental health care
  • Cancer research and treatment
  • Workforce development
  • Community capacity building (particularly in South Florida)

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not publicly detailed, the foundation has indicated it primarily makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and generally does not accept unsolicited requests for funds outside of specific RFP opportunities.

Governance and Leadership

Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation Board:

  • Elisabeth DeLuca – President, Secretary, Treasurer
  • Jonathan DeLuca – Director
  • Suzanne Greco – Director

Elisabeth C. DeLuca Foundation Board:

  • Elisabeth DeLuca – President
  • Patrick Emans – Treasurer/Secretary
  • Richard Hutchison – Director

Elisabeth DeLuca, a UConn alumna, worked as head nurse for intensive services at Bridgeport Hospital before joining her husband in building Subway into a global enterprise. Her nursing background informs the foundation's strong commitment to healthcare and nursing education. The foundation is currently led by CEO Kevin Byrne, who brings significant nonprofit leadership experience to the role.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For Most Organizations: The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation generally does not accept unsolicited grant applications. The foundation primarily makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations identified through the foundation's own research, board connections, and strategic priorities.

Current Public Opportunity: As of 2025, the foundation is accepting proposals for its Community Funding Initiative, which seeks organizations that can receive grant funds to re-grant to community organizations in Florida (Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties focus).

Community Funding RFP Process:

  • Review the full Request for Proposals document available at www.delucafdn.org
  • Eligible applicants must demonstrate plans to implement programs aligning with Youth and Families and/or Economic Mobility portfolios
  • An RFP Information Session was scheduled for May 1, 2025

Getting on Their Radar

Since the foundation primarily works with preselected organizations, strategies for getting noticed include:

  • Major partnerships with existing grantees: The foundation has demonstrated willingness to support capacity-building initiatives, such as the $5 million matching grant to the Community Foundation of Broward for the Nonprofit Center
  • Focus on South Florida impact: Organizations with demonstrated impact in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties align with current strategic priorities
  • Nursing and healthcare connections: Given Elisabeth DeLuca's nursing background and the foundation's dedicated Nurses & Allied Health Workers portfolio, healthcare organizations may find alignment opportunities
  • Alignment with specific portfolios: Organizations working in economic mobility, youth and families, or healthcare may be more likely to attract foundation attention

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed and likely vary by grant type and size. The foundation awarded 112 grants in 2023, down from 149 in 2022 and 161 in 2021, suggesting a more selective and strategic approach.

Success Rates

With 112 grants awarded from a foundation that generally does not accept unsolicited applications, success rates are difficult to calculate in traditional terms. The foundation's selective approach means organizations are typically approached or invited to apply rather than competing in an open process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable for general unsolicited applications. For specific RFP opportunities like the Community Funding Initiative, unsuccessful applicants should check with foundation staff about reapplication possibilities.

Application Success Factors

For the Community Funding RFP:

  • Strategic alignment: Clearly demonstrate how your re-granting program aligns with Youth and Families and/or Economic Mobility portfolios
  • Geographic focus: Prioritize serving Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties
  • Capacity building: The foundation has shown interest in strengthening the nonprofit sector, as evidenced by the Broward Nonprofit Center support
  • Community knowledge: Organizations with deep community connections and ability to identify emerging needs align with the "Strategically Responsive" portfolio

For Building Relationships with the Foundation:

  • Demonstrate significant impact: With an average grant of approximately $307,000, the foundation appears to make substantial investments in organizations showing measurable outcomes
  • Focus on systemic change: The foundation's interest in "removing barriers to economic opportunity" suggests preference for programs addressing root causes
  • Healthcare and nursing emphasis: Given the foundation's dedicated portfolio and Elisabeth DeLuca's background, healthcare organizations serving underserved populations may find alignment
  • Creativity and curiosity: The foundation's stated philosophy emphasizes these qualities while respecting "the expertise of those closest to the work"

Foundation Philosophy: The DeLuca Foundation emphasizes creativity, curiosity, and respect for the expertise of those closest to the work. This suggests they value grantees who are innovative, adaptive, and deeply connected to the communities they serve.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation is a substantial funder ($48.6 million annually) but operates primarily through preselected organizations, making unsolicited applications generally unsuccessful
  • Current best opportunity for new organizations is the Community Funding Initiative targeting re-granting organizations in South Florida
  • Organizations serving economically disadvantaged populations in Florida, particularly in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, align with current strategic priorities
  • The foundation makes significant investments (average grant ~$307,000) suggesting preference for organizations with capacity to manage substantial funding
  • Healthcare, nursing education, workforce development, and youth/family programs represent core areas of consistent funding
  • The foundation values capacity building and systems change, as demonstrated by the $5 million matching grant to create the Broward Nonprofit Center
  • Building relationships requires patience and strategic alignment; focus on demonstrating deep community impact in the foundation's priority areas rather than submitting cold applications

References

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