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Gabelli Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$8.4M
Grant Range
$1K - $35.0M
00

Gabelli Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $8,425,255 (2024)
  • Total Assets: $224.2 million (2025)
  • Grant Range: Varies widely - from thousands to millions per recipient
  • Geographic Focus: National (primarily New York, Connecticut, Nevada)
  • Number of Grants: 59 awards (2024)
  • Application Method: Invitation only - does not accept unsolicited applications

Contact Details

Gabelli Foundation, Inc.
165 W. Liberty St.
Reno, NV 89501
EIN: 94-2975159

President: Elisa Gabelli Wilson

Note: The foundation does not provide public contact information for grant inquiries and does not accept unsolicited grant requests.

Overview

The Gabelli Foundation Inc was established in 1985 by Mario J. Gabelli, founder, Chair, and CEO of GAMCO Investors, Inc., a provider of investment advice and brokerage services. The foundation manages over $224 million in assets and distributed $8.4 million in grants during 2024 to 59 organizations. The foundation is now led by Gabelli's daughter, Elisa Gabelli Wilson, who has served as President since 2002, ensuring family continuity in the foundation's philanthropic vision. Mario Gabelli signed the Giving Pledge in 2018, signaling his commitment to significant charitable giving. The foundation's giving is strategically concentrated in areas where Mario Gabelli and his company have established ties, particularly in New York, Connecticut, and Nevada.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Gabelli Foundation operates as a private foundation making grants at the discretion of its board of trustees. There are no formal grant programs with specific application cycles. Grants are made to preselected organizations only.

Priority Areas

Education (Primary Focus)

  • Higher education institutions, particularly business schools
  • K-12 Catholic and private schools
  • Scholarship programs and endowed professorships
  • Business education and finance programs

Higher Education Recipients Include:

  • Fordham University (which named its business school after Mario Gabelli) - received $25 million in 2010, $35 million in 2020, and continues to receive annual grants exceeding $1 million
  • Columbia Business School - received $15 million pledge in 2013
  • Boston College - major support for Presidential Scholars Program (renamed Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program)
  • University of Nevada-Reno - contributions exceeding $1 million
  • Roger Williams University - contributions exceeding $1 million
  • St. John's University - $1.5 million (2025) to establish the Mario Gabelli Endowed Chair
  • Case Western Reserve University - $2 million (2022) to establish the Mario J. Gabelli Distinguished Professorship in Finance
  • Pace University - $1.5 million (2021) to establish the Gabelli Endowed Anthony R. Pustorino Distinguished Professorship in Accounting

K-12 Education Recipients Include:

  • Fordham Preparatory School
  • Ursuline School in New Rochelle
  • Bishop Manogue Catholic High School in Reno
  • Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas
  • Iona Prep School
  • Greenwich Country Day School
  • Holy Trinity RC School in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Health and Social Services (Secondary Focus)

  • Children's health organizations
  • Autism research and support
  • Cancer research and support
  • Youth services organizations

Health Recipients Include:

  • St. Jude Children's Hospital
  • Autism Speaks
  • Breast Cancer Alliance
  • For The Kids Foundation in Reno (provides financial aid to children in Northern Nevada for medical, dental, mental health, or educational services)

What They Don't Fund

The foundation's 990 filings indicate they do not typically fund:

  • Organizations outside their established geographic focus areas (NY, CT, NV)
  • Organizations without existing connections to the Gabelli family or company
  • General operating support for organizations outside their priority sectors
  • Political organizations or lobbying activities

Governance and Leadership

President: Elisa Gabelli Wilson (compensation: $345,000)

  • Served as President since 2002
  • B.A. in Psychology from Boston College
  • M.A. and Ed.M. in Counseling Psychology from Columbia University, Teachers College
  • Director of GAMCO Investors, Inc. (since 2009)
  • Trustee at Boston College and Teachers College, Columbia University

Board of Trustees:

  • Michael Gabelli
  • Matthew R. Gabelli
  • Marc J. Gabelli
  • Elexa Wilson
  • Tyler Wilson

Founder: Mario J. Gabelli

  • Founder, Chair, and CEO of GAMCO Investors, Inc.
  • Signed the Giving Pledge in 2018
  • Controls over $1 billion in anticipated philanthropic assets
  • Described as "laser-focused on education" in his charitable work

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Gabelli Foundation has explicitly indicated it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

All grants are made at the discretion of the board of trustees to organizations with which they have established relationships.

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation's giving pattern suggests strong connections to:

  1. Mario Gabelli's alma maters and professional network: Fordham University and Boston College are consistently supported, along with other institutions where Gabelli has personal connections.

  2. Geographic ties: Organizations in areas where GAMCO Investors has operations - New York, Connecticut, and Nevada (where the foundation is based).

  3. Board connections: Research the foundation's board of trustees. If your organization's board members have connections with Michael Gabelli, Matthew R. Gabelli, Marc J. Gabelli, Elexa Wilson, Tyler Wilson, or Elisa Gabelli Wilson, this could potentially lead to an introduction.

  4. Catholic education network: The foundation shows strong support for Catholic schools and institutions, particularly in the New York/Connecticut area.

  5. Business and finance education: Institutions with strong business schools or finance programs align with Mario Gabelli's professional background.

Possible Approach: While the foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, you may consider sending a brief letter of introduction to the foundation making them aware of your organization and expressing interest in future consideration. However, be aware that without an existing connection to the Gabelli family network, the likelihood of receiving funding is very low.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation makes grants at the discretion of trustees throughout the year rather than following a formal application and decision timeline.

Success Rates

Given that grants are made only to preselected organizations, there is no meaningful success rate for unsolicited applications (effectively 0%). The foundation made 59 grants in 2024 and 48 in 2023, suggesting a relatively consistent group of beneficiary organizations.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - there is no public application process.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, analyzing their giving patterns reveals what the foundation values:

1. Long-term Institutional Relationships: The foundation demonstrates loyalty to specific institutions over many years. Fordham University has received multiple multi-million dollar gifts spanning over a decade, suggesting the foundation values sustained partnerships rather than one-time grants.

2. Educational Focus with Business Emphasis: The overwhelming majority of major gifts support business schools and finance programs. Many gifts establish endowed chairs or professorships specifically in business, accounting, or finance.

3. Geographic Concentration: Giving is strategically focused in New York, Connecticut, and Nevada - areas tied to Mario Gabelli's personal and professional life.

4. Catholic Education: Strong pattern of support for Catholic educational institutions at both K-12 and university levels, reflecting the founder's values.

5. Family and Company Ties: Organizations with connections to the Gabelli family network or GAMCO Investors appear most likely to receive support.

6. Institutional Prestige: Many university recipients are well-established institutions with strong national reputations.

7. Named Recognition Opportunities: Several major gifts have resulted in naming opportunities (Gabelli School of Business at Fordham, Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program at Boston College, numerous endowed chairs), suggesting the foundation values visible legacy impact.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This foundation is effectively closed to unsolicited applications - do not invest significant time in pursuing funding unless you have a direct connection to the Gabelli family or board of trustees.

  • Education is king: Approximately 70-80% of giving goes to educational institutions, with a particular emphasis on business and finance programs at the university level and Catholic schools at the K-12 level.

  • Geography matters: Organizations outside New York, Connecticut, and Nevada are rarely funded. Even within these states, there's a concentration on specific communities.

  • Multi-million dollar capacity: The foundation has demonstrated willingness to make transformational gifts of $1 million+ to aligned institutions, particularly universities.

  • Family-driven philanthropy: With Elisa Gabelli Wilson as President and multiple family members on the board, this is a family foundation with giving that reflects personal values and connections.

  • Look for connections: If your board of directors includes someone with ties to the Gabelli family, GAMCO Investors, Fordham University, Boston College, or the Catholic education network in NY/CT, this could potentially open a door.

  • Secondary health focus: While education dominates, the foundation does support selected children's health organizations, autism research, and cancer-related causes - though still likely through personal connections.

References

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