Tracy H Dickinson Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

EIN: 82-5422058
Annual Giving: $55,462 (2024)
Total Assets: $14.8 million (2024)
Grant Range: $24,000 - $90,000 (based on known grants)
Geographic Focus: National (grants documented in Florida and Ohio)
Foundation Type: Private Family Foundation
Application Process: No public application process

Contact Details

Address: c/o Roger L. Toner, 5671 Via De La Plata Circle, Delray Beach, FL 33484-6442

Note: The foundation does not appear to have a public website, phone number, or email for grant inquiries. This is a private foundation operating primarily through trustee discretion.

Overview

The Tracy H Dickinson Foundation Inc was established in 2019 and received tax-exempt status in March of that year. The foundation is named after Tracy H. Dickinson, a 1978 graduate of Lake Erie College who was a devoted alumna and philanthropist. The foundation currently manages assets of approximately $14.8 million (as of 2024) and makes selective grants focusing on educational opportunities, particularly in higher education and programs that combine education with athletics or civic engagement.

The foundation experienced significant growth in 2024, receiving contributions of over $14.4 million, which substantially increased its asset base from approximately $284,000 in 2019. Despite this growth in assets, the foundation maintains a conservative grantmaking approach, distributing $55,462 in charitable grants in 2024. The foundation's grantmaking reflects Tracy Dickinson's personal interests in education and student development, particularly at Lake Erie College where she was extensively honored with multiple campus spaces bearing her name.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Based on documented grants, the foundation supports:

Higher Education Institutions: Direct grants to colleges and universities for program development (Lake Erie College: $90,000 for intramural sports program)
Fellowship Programs: Named fellowships for graduate education, particularly for military veterans ($24,000 Admiral Paul A. Yost, Jr.—James Madison Fellowship)

Priority Areas

The foundation's documented grants reveal focus areas in:

Educational Enhancement: Programs that improve student life and educational experiences at colleges and universities
Athletics and Recreation: Intramural sports programs that promote fitness, teamwork, and community building
Civic Education: Support for fellowships in American history, American government, and civics education
Military Veterans: Educational opportunities for honorably discharged military members pursuing teaching careers

Geographic Connections

Strong connection to Lake Erie College in Ohio (multiple grants and campus spaces named after Tracy H. Dickinson)
Based in Delray Beach, Florida
National scope (James Madison Fellowship available nationwide)

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not publicly documented, the foundation's grant history suggests:

No evidence of grants to individuals (except through established fellowship programs)
Focus appears limited to education sector
No documented support for arts, environmental, or health-related causes

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is managed by a small board of officers who also serve as trustees of the related Fairleigh S. Dickinson Jr. Foundation Inc (EIN: 13-3118384), operating from the same Delray Beach address.

Officers (2024):

Frederick J. Kaeli - President (Compensation: $2,000)
Roger L. Toner - Secretary Treasurer (Compensation: $29,000)
David H. T. Kane - First Vice President (Compensation: $2,000)
Richard J. Brady - Second Vice President (Compensation: $1,400)

Roger L. Toner serves as the registered agent and primary contact for the foundation. His significantly higher compensation suggests he handles the day-to-day administrative operations of the foundation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The Tracy H Dickinson Foundation Inc operates as a private family foundation without a public website, application portal, or published guidelines for grant seekers. Based on the foundation's structure and known grants, the foundation appears to identify and approach beneficiary organizations directly through trustee discretion rather than soliciting or accepting unsolicited proposals.

The foundation's grants documented to date suggest:

Pre-existing relationships: The $90,000 grant to Lake Erie College reflects Tracy H. Dickinson's personal connection as a 1978 alumna
Named fellowship programs: The James Madison Fellowship funding is made through an established fellowship program rather than direct applications to the foundation
Trustee-initiated: The small board of four officers appears to make strategic decisions about grantmaking based on their interests and connections

Organizations seeking support from this foundation would need to have or develop a relationship with the trustees, as there is no mechanism for unsolicited applications.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available, as the foundation does not accept public applications.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process.

Foundation Strategy and Approach

While the Tracy H Dickinson Foundation does not publish strategic priorities or guidelines, analysis of its operations reveals several important characteristics:

Conservative Grantmaking Approach: Despite holding nearly $15 million in assets as of 2024, the foundation distributed only $55,462 in grants (0.4% of assets). This suggests either a building phase where the foundation is growing its endowment before ramping up grantmaking, or a highly selective approach to funding.

Personal Legacy Focus: The foundation's grants to Lake Erie College honor Tracy H. Dickinson's personal connection to the institution, where multiple campus facilities bear her name (Dickinson Hall, Dickinson Tower, Dickinson Lecture Hall, Dickinson dining room, and administrative offices).

Quality Over Quantity: Rather than making many small grants, the foundation appears to prefer making substantial, meaningful investments (such as the $90,000 Lake Erie College grant) that can have significant programmatic impact.

Values Reflected in Grants:

Student Development: Support for programs that enhance student life beyond academics (intramural sports)
Inclusivity: The Lake Erie College intramural program emphasizes inclusion for all students regardless of athletic ability
Service and Civic Engagement: Support for the James Madison Fellowship, which encourages military veterans to become teachers of American history and government
Community Building: Focus on programs that bring people together (teamwork, fitness, school spirit)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

No Public Application Process: This foundation cannot be approached through standard grant application channels. They identify and approach beneficiaries rather than reviewing proposals.
Relationship-Driven: All documented grants reflect personal connections - either Tracy H. Dickinson's own relationship with Lake Erie College, or participation in established named fellowship programs.
Large Asset Base, Conservative Giving: With nearly $15 million in assets but modest annual giving, the foundation may be in a growth phase or building toward larger future initiatives.
Education-Focused: All documented grants support educational institutions or educational fellowships, with particular emphasis on higher education.
Values Alignment Critical: The foundation's grants reflect specific values around student development, inclusivity, civic engagement, and honoring military service.
Operational Relationship: The foundation shares officers and address with the Fairleigh S. Dickinson Jr. Foundation Inc, suggesting coordinated philanthropic activities.
Not Actively Seeking Grant Requests: The absence of any public-facing infrastructure (website, published guidelines, application process) indicates the foundation operates privately and does not welcome unsolicited requests.

References

ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Tracy H Dickinson Foundation Inc Profile https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/825422058 Accessed January 15, 2026
Charity Navigator - Tracy H Dickinson Foundation Inc https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/825422058 Accessed January 15, 2026
Cause IQ - The Tracy H Dickinson Foundation https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/tracy-h-dickinson-foundation,825422058/ Accessed January 15, 2026
Lake Erie College - "Intramural Sports Program Coming to Lake Erie College Thanks to Grant from Tracy H. Dickinson Foundation" https://www.lec.edu/intramural-sports-program-coming-to-lake-erie-college-thanks-to-grant-from/ Accessed January 15, 2026
Lake Erie College - Tracy H. Dickinson Residence Hall https://www.lec.edu/tracy-h-dickinson-hall/ Accessed January 15, 2026
James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation - "James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation Announces 2023 Fellows" https://www.jamesmadison.gov/foundation-information/news/james-madison-memorial-fellowship-foundation-announces-2023-fellows Accessed January 15, 2026
James Madison Foundation - Admiral Paul A. Yost, Jr.-James Madison Fellowship https://www.jamesmadison.gov/fellowship-information/admiral-paul-yost-jr-james-madison-fellowship Accessed January 15, 2026
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Fairleigh S Dickinson Jr Foundation Inc https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/133118384 Accessed January 15, 2026