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Gambee Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.1M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $123,746 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $17.5 million (2024)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
  • Number of Grants: 6 awards (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: Southern Oregon (based in Medford)

Contact Details

Address: 19 N Barneburg Rd, Medford, OR 97504

Phone: (541) 734-5698

Email: sgambee@gmail.com

Note: As a small private family foundation, the Gambee Family Foundation does not maintain a public website or formal application portal.

Overview

The Gambee Family Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 2021 and granted tax-exempt status in March 2022. Based in Medford, Oregon, the foundation is led by the Gambee family, whose legacy in Southern Oregon includes nearly 85 years of operating Rogue Disposal & Recycling, a family-owned waste management company. The foundation holds total assets of approximately $17.5 million (2024) and distributed $123,746 in grants to six organizations in 2023. The foundation received its initial contribution of $17.1 million in 2022 and operates as a traditional private family foundation with all leadership positions held by family members serving without compensation. Stephen M. Gambee, who retired as President and CEO of Rogue Disposal in 2022 after 27 years of leadership, serves as the foundation's President. The Gambee family has a documented history of community service in the Rogue Valley, with Stephen Gambee receiving the Chamber of Medford/Jackson County's First Citizen Award in 2016 for lifetime community service.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Gambee Family Foundation operates as a private family foundation without publicly defined grant programs or fixed application cycles. Grant decisions are made at the discretion of the foundation's board of trustees.

Based on the Gambee family's documented philanthropic interests, the foundation has historically supported:

  • Healthcare initiatives: Connection to Asante Foundation and Children's Miracle Network
  • Youth and education programs: Multi-year sponsorship of Southern Oregon Sparrow Club
  • Community service organizations: Support for various Rogue Valley charitable initiatives

Priority Areas

While the foundation does not publish formal funding priorities, the Gambee family's philanthropic history suggests interest in:

  • Children's health and welfare
  • Community development in Southern Oregon
  • Educational programs
  • Healthcare access and facilities

What They Don't Fund

The foundation has not published explicit exclusions. As a small private foundation, they likely do not fund:

  • Organizations outside their geographic region of interest
  • General operating expenses for large institutions
  • Political campaigns or lobbying activities
  • Individuals (except potentially through scholarship programs)

Governance and Leadership

President: Stephen M. Gambee - Former President and CEO of Rogue Disposal & Recycling (27 years), recognized by the Chamber of Medford/Jackson County with their First Citizen Award in 2016 for lifetime community service. Stephen Gambee also serves on boards including Asante and has been involved with the Oregon Wine Experience, which has raised more than $8.2 million benefiting Children's Miracle Network and Asante Foundation healthcare programs.

Secretary: Charles Fromm

Treasurer: Judith Gambee

All officers serve without compensation, consistent with the foundation's structure as a private family foundation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Gambee Family Foundation does not have a public application process. As a small private family foundation, grants are awarded at the discretion of the foundation's board of trustees. The foundation does not maintain a website, online application portal, or published grant guidelines.

Grants appear to be awarded to organizations that:

  • Have existing relationships with the Gambee family or foundation leadership
  • Are known to the trustees through their community involvement
  • Align with the family's philanthropic interests in Southern Oregon

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. As a private family foundation with trustee-directed grantmaking, decisions are likely made on a rolling basis as opportunities arise and at the discretion of the board.

Success Rates

With only 6 grants awarded in 2023 from what is presumably a limited pool of considered organizations, this foundation operates on a highly selective, relationship-based model. Success rates for unsolicited inquiries would be extremely low.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed. Given the foundation's private nature and relationship-based grantmaking, reapplication policies would be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Application Success Factors

Since the Gambee Family Foundation operates without a public application process, organizations seeking funding should understand:

  • Relationship-based grantmaking: The foundation appears to support organizations already known to the Gambee family through their extensive community involvement in Southern Oregon
  • Geographic focus: Strong preference for organizations serving the Rogue Valley and Southern Oregon communities where the family has deep roots
  • Alignment with family values: The Gambee family's documented support includes children's health (Children's Miracle Network, Sparrow Clubs), healthcare infrastructure (Asante Foundation), and community development
  • Community reputation: Stephen Gambee's 2016 First Citizen Award recognized "lifetime community service," suggesting the foundation values organizations with strong community ties and proven impact
  • No cold applications: Without a public application process, organizations would need an introduction or connection to foundation leadership

The foundation's relatively small annual giving ($123,746 in 2023) compared to substantial assets ($17.5 million) suggests the foundation may be in a strategic development phase or operates with a conservative distribution approach.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications; all grants are trustee-directed
  • Relationship-driven: Connections to the Gambee family, their business interests, or their community involvement in Southern Oregon are essential
  • Local focus: Strong emphasis on Rogue Valley and Southern Oregon organizations
  • Healthcare and youth emphasis: Family's documented support includes children's health, hospital programs, and youth-focused initiatives like Sparrow Clubs
  • Small grant pool: With only 6 grants awarded in 2023, this is a highly selective funder
  • Network strategically: Organizations should focus on building relationships within the Southern Oregon philanthropic community where the Gambee family is active
  • Alternative pathways: Consider connecting through mutual board service, community events, or organizations where Stephen Gambee has been involved (Asante, Oregon Wine Experience, Medford/Jackson County Chamber)

References

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