Traquina Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,670,000 (2022)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Varies widely (from scholarship awards to major capital contributions)
• Geographic Focus: Massachusetts (particularly Greater Boston area)

Contact Details

• Website: None found
• Phone: Not publicly available
• Email: Not publicly available
• Note: Foundation operates privately without public contact information

Overview

The Traquina Family Foundation (EIN: 83-2756538) is a private grantmaking foundation established by Perry and Robin Traquina in Weston, Massachusetts. With annual giving exceeding $1.6 million in 2022 across 9 awards, the foundation primarily focuses on expanding educational access and opportunities. Perry Traquina, former Chairman and CEO of Wellington Management Company, grew up as the son of Portuguese immigrants in Chicopee, Massachusetts, and attended Brandeis University on financial aid - experiences that fundamentally shape the foundation's commitment to education as a transformative force. The foundation received Brandeis University's inaugural "Lighting the Way Award" in 2020 for their passionate commitment to expanding scholarship opportunities for deserving students.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation makes substantial grants but does not publicize specific programs or amounts. Known contributions include:

• Endowed scholarships at Brandeis University (supporting 30+ students over nearly 20 years)
• The Traquina Family Endowed Scholarship at Winsor School (supports 5 students annually)
• Major capital contribution to Bates College rowing facilities

Priority Areas

• Higher Education Access: Scholarships and financial aid for underrepresented students, particularly first-generation Americans and those from working-class backgrounds
• K-12 Education: Support for independent schools serving diverse communities
• Athletics & Facilities: Educational infrastructure and athletic programs at academic institutions
• Special Needs Services: Programs serving individuals with disabilities (Robin Traquina is mother to a child with Cerebral Palsy)
• Youth Development: Organizations expanding educational opportunities

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly stated, but giving patterns suggest they do not fund:

• Organizations outside their existing network of relationships
• Programs unrelated to education or youth development
• Organizations outside Massachusetts/New England

Governance and Leadership

Perry M. Traquina '78, H'19 - Founder

• Former Chairman and CEO, Wellington Management Company, LLP (retired 2014)
• Current Board Positions: eBay Inc., Allstate Corporation, Morgan Stanley Inc.
• Emeritus Trustee, Brandeis University (Board Chair 2013-2016)
• Trustee, The Winsor School
• Trustee, Steppingstone Foundation

Robin Traquina - Co-Founder

• Active advocate for special needs programs
• Maintains ongoing relationships with scholarship recipients

Perry Traquina on their philosophy: "Education was the ticket to a better life" - a value instilled by his immigrant parents that drives the foundation's mission. The Traquinas believe that "endowments supporting financial aid have effects beyond individual students' lives."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants appear to be made through trustee discretion to pre-selected organizations with which the family has existing relationships, particularly educational institutions where family members attended or serve as trustees.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's patterns, potential approaches include:

• Perry Traquina serves on boards of Steppingstone Foundation, Winsor School, and is Emeritus Trustee at Brandeis - networking through these organizations may provide introduction opportunities
• The foundation shows particular interest in programs serving first-generation Americans and Portuguese-American communities, reflecting Perry's heritage
• Robin Traquina's advocacy for special needs programs suggests receptivity to organizations serving individuals with disabilities
• Organizations should demonstrate clear educational impact and alignment with the foundation's values of transformative educational access

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available

Success Rates

Not publicly available

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly available

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's giving patterns and leadership statements:

• Demonstrate transformative educational impact: The Traquinas specifically support programs that fundamentally change life trajectories through education
• Personal engagement matters: The family maintains ongoing relationships with scholarship recipients and values deep involvement
• First-generation and immigrant stories resonate: Perry's own background as the son of Portuguese factory workers influences funding priorities
• Massachusetts connections are crucial: Nearly all known grants go to Massachusetts-based institutions
• Board relationships appear essential: All major known recipients have direct trustee connections to the Traquina family
• Multi-year commitment potential: The foundation has sustained scholarship programs for nearly 20 years at Brandeis

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a relationship-based funder without a public application process - cold proposals are unlikely to succeed
• Focus on educational access aligns perfectly with foundation values, particularly for first-generation Americans
• Massachusetts-based organizations have the strongest likelihood of consideration
• Building connections through Perry's board service (Steppingstone, Winsor, Brandeis alumni network) offers the best pathway
• The foundation values long-term partnerships over one-time grants, as evidenced by 20+ year support of Brandeis
• Personal stories of educational transformation resonate strongly with the founders' own experiences
• Consider special needs components in programming given Robin Traquina's advocacy in this area

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Form 990-PF filings (2019-2024): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/832756538
• Instrumentl 990 Report - Grant statistics: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/traquina-family-foundation
• Brandeis University - Lighting the Way Award announcement (2020): https://alumni.brandeis.edu/news/2020/11-11-traquina.html
• Brandeis University - Trustee biography: https://www.brandeis.edu/trustees/bios/traquina.html
• The Winsor School - Traquina Family Endowed Scholarship (2023): https://winsorleads.org/traquina-family-endowed-scholarship/
• Bates College - Traquina Boathouse dedication (2018): https://www.bates.edu/news/2018/10/12/bates-dedicates-traquina-boathouse-culminating-2-7-million-giving-effort/
• Allstate Corporation - Board of Directors: https://www.allstatecorporation.com/about/board-of-directors/perry-traquina.aspx