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Dr Anthony R Volpe And Mrs Marlene M Volpe Charitable Trust

Annual Giving
$1.6M
Grant Range
$8K - $0.2M

Dr Anthony R Volpe And Mrs Marlene M Volpe Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,600,000 (2024)
  • Assets: $21,243,535
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $7,500 - $200,000
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily New Jersey, New York, and California
  • Application Process: No public application process (trustee discretion)

Contact Details

Address: Princeton Junction, NJ

EIN: 814816370

Note: This is a private family foundation. Contact information for unsolicited applications is not publicly available.

Overview

The Dr Anthony R Volpe And Mrs Marlene M Volpe Charitable Trust was established by Dr. Anthony R. Volpe and his wife Marlene M. Volpe to continue their legacy of philanthropy, particularly in support of dental education and healthcare. Dr. Volpe was a distinguished alumnus of Rutgers School of Dental Medicine (Class of 1960) and served as Vice President of Scientific Affairs at Colgate-Palmolive for over five decades until his retirement in 2012. The trust, based in Princeton Junction, New Jersey, has assets of approximately $21.2 million and distributed $1.6 million in grants in 2024. The foundation significantly increased its grant-making activity from minimal awards (1 per year) during 2018-2022 to 26 awards in 2023 and 37 awards in 2024, suggesting an expansion of philanthropic activities following the passing of the founders (Marlene in June 2020, Dr. Volpe in October 2020).

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through trustee-discretionary grant-making without specific named programs. Grants are awarded on a rolling basis as determined by the trustee.

  • Typical Grant Range: $7,500 - $200,000
  • Application Method: Invitation only/trustee discretion

Priority Areas

Based on available 990 data and known giving history, the foundation focuses on:

  • Education: Particularly dental education and scholarships for economically disadvantaged students
  • Human Services: General support for human service organizations
  • Philanthropy and Voluntarism: Supporting grantmaking infrastructure
  • Healthcare: With emphasis on oral health and dental research

Known Recipients

  • Rutgers University Foundation: The foundation has been a significant supporter of Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, including funding for the Anthony R. Volpe DDS MS Endowed Scholarship (given annually to third-year pre-doctoral students in the top 25% of their class who need financial aid), support for the Oral Health Pavilion in Newark, and contributions to the New Horizons program

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, though as a private family foundation, they likely do not fund:

  • Individuals (except through established scholarship programs)
  • Political organizations
  • Projects outside their geographic focus areas

Governance and Leadership

Trustee: Russell Schenkman - An attorney based in Princeton, New Jersey with over 40 years of experience in estate, business, taxation law, and general practice. As trustee, Schenkman oversees all grant-making decisions for the foundation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. Grant decisions are made at the discretion of the trustee, Russell Schenkman. The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals or maintain a public application portal.

Grants appear to be awarded based on:

  • Trustee discretion and knowledge of potential recipients
  • Pre-existing relationships with organizations (particularly Rutgers University)
  • Alignment with the founders' philanthropic interests in dental education and healthcare

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. As grants are awarded at trustee discretion throughout the year rather than through scheduled funding cycles, timing varies based on individual circumstances.

Success Rates

Not applicable due to the absence of a public application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to the absence of a public application process.

Application Success Factors

Given the lack of a public application process, organizations seeking funding from this foundation should focus on:

  1. Connection to the Founders' Legacy: Organizations with ties to dental education, Rutgers University, or causes that Dr. and Mrs. Volpe championed during their lifetimes are most likely to receive consideration.

  2. Support for Economically Disadvantaged Students: The Volpes demonstrated particular interest in supporting students with financial need, as evidenced by their endowed scholarship at Rutgers requiring both academic excellence (top 25% of class) and demonstrated financial need.

  3. Dental and Oral Health Focus: Given Dr. Volpe's 50+ year career at Colgate-Palmolive in oral healthcare and scientific affairs, projects related to dental research, oral health education, and advancing the dental profession align with the foundation's history.

  4. Geographic Proximity: With assets concentrated in New Jersey, New York, and California, organizations in these states—particularly New Jersey—are more likely to be considered.

  5. Educational Innovation: The Volpes supported programs like the New Horizons program at Rutgers, which introduces dental students to diverse career paths beyond private practice, including clinical research, military dentistry, and forensic dentistry.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Applications: This foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals; grants are awarded at trustee discretion
  • Legacy-Driven: Funding priorities reflect Dr. and Mrs. Volpe's lifelong commitment to dental education and supporting economically disadvantaged students
  • Recent Expansion: Grant-making significantly increased from 1 award annually (2018-2022) to 37 awards in 2024, suggesting expanded philanthropic activity
  • Education-Focused: Strong preference for educational institutions, particularly Rutgers School of Dental Medicine
  • Geographic Concentration: Primary focus on New Jersey, with additional interest in New York and California
  • Relationship-Based: Success depends on existing connections to the foundation, trustee, or causes championed by the founders
  • Substantial Assets: With over $21 million in assets, the foundation has significant capacity for grant-making ($1.6M distributed in 2024)

References

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