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John F Cuneo Jr Foundation

Annual Giving
$6.6M
Grant Range
$50K - $0.5M

John F Cuneo Jr Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $6,630,000 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available (invitation only)
  • Grant Range: Estimated $50,000 - $500,000+
  • Geographic Focus: National, with emphasis on Catholic institutions
  • Assets: $126.4 million (2024)

Contact Details

Address: Po Box 653067, Dallas, TX 75265-3067

Note: No website, phone, or email information is publicly available. This is a private foundation managed through fiduciaries.

Management:

  • Ric Gregoria, Esq. (Co-Fiduciary)
  • Albert Salvi, Esq. (Co-Fiduciary)
  • Bank of America (Co-Fiduciary)

Overview

The John F Cuneo Jr Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 2021 in honor of John F. Cuneo Jr. (1931-2019), a prominent Chicago philanthropist and land developer. The foundation is managed from Dallas, Texas, with total assets of $126.4 million as of 2024. In 2024, the foundation made charitable disbursements of $6.63 million, continuing the Cuneo family's legacy of supporting Roman Catholic education, religious institutions, and social services. John F. Cuneo Jr. was known for his significant philanthropy during his lifetime, including a landmark $50 million gift to Loyola University Chicago in 2009 that included the historic Cuneo Mansion and Gardens. The foundation operates through co-fiduciaries and does not maintain a public-facing website or application portal.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not publish specific grant programs or funding tiers. Based on 2023 data showing $3.35 million distributed across 23 awards, the average grant size is approximately $145,000, though individual grants likely vary significantly.

Priority Areas

While the foundation does not specify particular subject areas of focus publicly, the Cuneo family's philanthropic history suggests strong support for:

  • Roman Catholic Education: Scholarships and institutional support for Catholic schools and universities
  • Religious Institutions: Catholic church support and church-related organizations
  • Healthcare: Support for healthcare institutions and services
  • Children, Youth and Social Services: Programs serving young people and communities
  • Arts and Culture: Support for cultural institutions and collections

The foundation's grantmaking appears to extend across multiple cities and states in the United States, including major urban centers like Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C.

What They Don't Fund

Information about explicit exclusions is not publicly available. As a private foundation without a public application process, funding decisions are made at the discretion of the trustees.

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is managed by three co-fiduciaries who receive compensation for their oversight:

  • Ric Gregoria, Esq. (Co-Fiduciary) - Compensation: $364,776 (2024)
  • Albert Salvi, Esq. (Co-Fiduciary) - Compensation: $364,776 (2024)
  • Bank of America (Co-Fiduciary) - Compensation: $577,640 (2024)

The foundation operates as a trust structure with professional management, continuing the philanthropic vision established by John F. Cuneo Jr., who during his lifetime was described as a devout Catholic who built his inheritance through wise investments and dedicated significant resources to charitable causes.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The John F Cuneo Jr Foundation operates as a private foundation with grants awarded through trustee discretion. There is no online portal, application form, or publicly documented process for soliciting grant requests. The foundation does not maintain a website or publish grant guidelines.

Grants appear to be awarded based on the trustees' philanthropic vision and priorities, likely continuing John F. Cuneo Jr.'s commitment to Catholic education and related causes. Organizations seeking support would need to be identified or invited by the trustees rather than submitting unsolicited applications.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept public applications. Grant decisions are made at the discretion of the co-fiduciaries throughout the year.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. In 2023, the foundation made 23 grants totaling $3.35 million. In 2024, charitable disbursements increased to $6.63 million.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the invitation-only nature of the foundation's grantmaking.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional success factors do not apply. However, based on the Cuneo family's documented philanthropic history, organizations most likely to receive support would be:

  • Catholic Educational Institutions: The Cuneo Foundation (a related entity) continues to award over $500,000 annually supporting students who need assistance accessing Roman Catholic education in the greater Chicago area
  • Established Catholic Organizations: Organizations with strong ties to the Roman Catholic Church and demonstrated track records
  • Chicago-Area Institutions: While the foundation supports causes nationally, there is a historical connection to the Chicago area given the Cuneo family's roots
  • Institutions Serving Youth: Programs focused on education, development, and social services for children and young people

The foundation values long-term institutional relationships, as evidenced by the Cuneo family's 60+ year relationship with Loyola University Chicago.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This foundation operates through trustee discretion and does not accept unsolicited grant proposals
  • Catholic Focus: The Cuneo family has a strong history of supporting Roman Catholic education and religious institutions
  • Invitation-Based Grantmaking: Organizations are selected by trustees rather than through a competitive application process
  • Substantial Resources: With $126.4 million in assets and $6.63 million in annual giving, this is a well-resourced foundation
  • Professional Management: The foundation is managed by legal and financial professionals rather than family members
  • Legacy Philanthropy: The foundation continues the charitable vision of John F. Cuneo Jr., who was known for major institutional gifts
  • Geographic Flexibility: While rooted in Chicago history, the foundation supports causes across multiple U.S. cities

References

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