Carl Angus DeSantis Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $1,780,000 (FY 2024)
Total Assets: $85,034,911
Grant Range: $15,000 - $1,250,000
Number of Grants (2024): 16
Geographic Focus: Palm Beach and Broward Counties, Florida (with limited national giving)
Decision Time: Several months from submission
Application Method: Invitation only (Letter of Intent accepted year-round)

Contact Details

Website: www.carldesantis.org
Phone: (561) 288-3744
Email: info@carldesantis.org
Address: 109 SE 5th Avenue, 2nd Floor, Delray Beach, FL 33483

Overview

The Carl Angus DeSantis Foundation Inc is a private foundation established in late 2021 to honor the legacy of entrepreneur and philanthropist Carl Angus DeSantis (1939-2023). Mr. DeSantis was the founder of Rexall Sundown, which he built from a mail-order company in his garage into the world's largest vitamin manufacturer before selling it to Royal Numico for $1.8 billion in 2000. He was also an early investor in Celsius Holdings, now the world's third-largest energy drink brand.

With total assets exceeding $85 million and annual giving of approximately $1.8 million, the Foundation has distributed over $10 million since its founding. The Foundation's mission is to "support and grow leaders who have the potential to make our community and our world a better place." They aspire to be connectors and a go-to resource for transformational leaders, with a goal to transform and improve lives and communities. The Foundation focuses on four key areas guided by their Theory of Change: Health & Nutrition, Leadership & Entrepreneurship, Civic Innovation, and Faith-Aligned Initiatives.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation focuses on four primary areas:

Civic Innovation ($15,000 - $1,250,000): Community transformation through public space revitalization, crime prevention, after-school tutoring, affordable housing, college prep, job creation, and beautification efforts.
Faith-Based Giving: Support for organizations serving as "lighthouse" institutions that alleviate human suffering. Note: Does not fund routine operating expenses, deficit payments, or church planting.
Health & Nutrition: Programs advancing human health, honoring founder Carl DeSantis's legacy in vitamins and healthy beverages. Recent example: $750,000 to Florida Atlantic University for Alzheimer's disease research.
Leadership & Entrepreneurship: Nurturing the next generation of innovators, creators, and risk-takers through training and development initiatives. Recent example: $1.7 million (5-year) to Take Stock in Children Palm Beach County.

Priority Areas

Programs demonstrating community need through independent data
Innovative approaches to solving problems
Cost-effective initiatives with measurable outcomes
Collaborative efforts with other organizations
Projects led by qualified personnel
Transformational leadership development
Programs serving Palm Beach and Broward County residents

What They Don't Fund

Routine operating expenses
Endowments
Scholarships (direct to individuals)
Lobbying activities
Accumulated debt
Projects primarily benefiting member groups
Marketing materials
Conferences
Media production
Church planting
Organizations outside Palm Beach and Broward counties (with limited exceptions for national organizations aligned with their mission)
Organizations with fewer than 3 years of operational history

Governance and Leadership

Board and Staff

William H. Milmoe – President & Director

Serves as President of CDS International Holdings, Inc. (Carl DeSantis's family office)
CPA with extensive business experience
Recently served as chairman of Celsius Holdings (Nasdaq: CELH)

Jeff Perlman – Executive Director

Executive Vice President of CDS International Holdings, Inc.
Former Mayor of Delray Beach, Florida
Author, speaker, and mentor to emerging leaders
Extensive background in business, publishing, charitable boards, education, arts, economic development, and healthcare

Maritza Benitez – Managing Director

Over 21 years working with Carl DeSantis's family businesses
Partnered with Mr. DeSantis to help establish the foundation
Previously worked for Fortune 100 company

Angela Giachetti – Foundation Assistant

Bachelor's degree in early childhood education from University of South Florida
Assists with grant administration, site visits, database management, and the Catalyst Award event

Program Officers

Each Program Officer serves as the Foundation's lead representative within their designated county (Broward or Palm Beach), managing grant portfolios and cultivating relationships with nonprofit partners.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Important: Grant applications are available via invitation only from the Foundation. The Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Four-Step Process:

Invitation to Apply: Organizations must receive an invitation from the Foundation's Grants Manager before accessing the application form. Letters of Intent are accepted year-round and may lead to an invitation. The invitation does not guarantee approval.
Field Review: The Foundation may conduct site visits involving Foundation officers, board members, and accounting personnel to evaluate operations and discuss the grant request directly with organizational leadership.
Decision: Staff reviews applications for completeness and consistency with guidelines. The full Board of Directors makes final funding decisions. Applicants receive written notification of decisions.
Reporting: Grantees must submit progress reports every six months and a final report upon grant completion.

Grant Cycle Deadlines

Three grant cycles per year with deadlines:

October 31st
February 28th
June 30th

Late or incomplete submissions may be rejected.

Decision Timeline

The review process may take several months from submission to decision. Following timely submission of a grant proposal, additional information may be required. The Board of Directors makes final funding determinations.

Reapplication Policy

Denied applicants may reapply if they:

Address the original reason for denial, OR
Propose an entirely new program fitting foundation guidelines

Organizations cannot apply for new grants until previous grant reports are filed.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's documented guidance:

What Makes Proposals Stand Out:

Demonstrated community need supported by independent data
Innovative approaches to solving problems
Cost-effectiveness and efficient use of resources
Collaborative efforts with other organizations
Qualified personnel leading the project
Diverse funding sources (the Foundation considers the organization's overall budget and funding diversity)
Alignment with the Foundation's Theory of Change in their four focus areas

Grant Structure Preferences:

Single-year applications are preferred
Multi-year proposals considered when projects require extended timelines
"Pledges will not exceed a three-year period" and depend on yearly performance and foundation capacity
Grants for a particular project or program are made on a one-time-only basis

Recent Funded Projects (Examples of What They Support):

$750,000 to Florida Atlantic University for Alzheimer's disease research partnerships
$1.7 million (5-year) to Take Stock in Children Palm Beach County for 275 college scholarships
$365,000 to Achievement Centers for Children & Families Early Learning Program
$32,500 Catalyst Awards to individual community leaders

Eligibility Requirements:

501(c)(3) tax-exempt status with IRS documentation dated within 10 years
Minimum 3 years of operational history from tax exemption approval
Services provided to Palm Beach and/or Broward County residents

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Invitation-only process: You cannot apply directly; submit a Letter of Intent and hope to be invited to apply. Build relationships with Foundation staff.
Strong local focus: Primary emphasis on Palm Beach and Broward Counties. Organizations outside this area are rarely considered.
Theory of Change alignment: Frame your proposal within their four focus areas—Civic Innovation, Faith-Based Giving, Health & Nutrition, or Leadership & Entrepreneurship.
Demonstrate innovation: The Foundation explicitly values "creative approaches" and "calculated risk-taking" in supporting exceptional leaders.
Leverage partnerships: They value collaboration with other funders and cost-effective approaches. Highlight matching funds and partnerships.
Allow ample time: The decision process takes several months. Plan well ahead of your project timeline.
Strong reporting expectations: Six-month and final reports are required comparing results to stated objectives and budgeted line items. Build in capacity for robust evaluation.

References

Accessed December 2025