The Brian and Sheila Jellison Family Foundation concentrates its giving on large, targeted investments in health care infrastructure and medical research—particularly cancer care—while also supporting higher education learning initiatives and local Sarasota community needs. Grants are few but very large, often supporting capital projects and program enhancements, with recurring support to the same institutions. Though based in New Jersey, the foundation shows a clear geographic focus on Sarasota, FL, and selective national education and research recipients.
The Brian and Sheila Jellison Family Foundation has made three recent eight-figure commitments to build the SMH Cancer Institute through Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation, showing a clear preference for concentrated, capital-intensive philanthropy. The pattern is not limited to one-off support: the same hospital system appears across multiple years, alongside other repeat recipients in education and cancer research. Cancer care infrastructure is one of the foundation’s defining themes, but its recent giving also reaches higher education, children’s services, homelessness support, and community philanthropy in Sarasota. Grants to Indiana University Foundation funded educational programs and a learning studio renovation, while support for local Sarasota organizations ranged from general operating help to program-specific awards. The foundation’s grants are large relative to the field overall, with several six- and seven-figure awards anchoring a portfolio that also includes smaller community grants. Although its legal headquarters are in Ramsey, New Jersey, the foundation’s grant history shows a much different philanthropic footprint, with repeated support in Sarasota, Florida, and selective national recipients in cancer research and education. Its giving is national in scope, but the center of gravity is highly targeted rather than broadly dispersed.
Cancer care dominates the foundation’s recent priorities. It gave $5,113,984 in 2025 to Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation to support construction of the SMH Cancer Institute, following similar awards of $5,000,186 in 2024 and $5,010,000 in 2023 for the same project. In medical research, the foundation supported Cancer Vaccine Coalition with $2,036,336 in 2025 for general support, and also gave The V Foundation for Cancer Research $150,000 in 2024 and $100,000 in 2023 for cancer research and scientist support. Education is another recurring area. Indiana University Foundation received $1,600,169 in 2023, $1,600,062 in 2024, and $1,596,586 in 2025 to support educational programs and renovation of a learning studio. Local youth and family services also appear in the recent record, including grants to Child Protection Center for services to vulnerable children and to Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and Desoto Counties for local youth programming.
$10.5M
$84.1M
$8.7M
$10.8M
Most grants fall between $18K and $101K, with a median of $35K.
25th Percentile
$18K
Median
$35K
75th Percentile
$101K
About 0% of grants go to recipients in FL.
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Highly concentrated, small-numbered portfolio of very large grants; repeat funding to a handful of core grantees; emphasis on capital projects and designated program support rather than many small general operating grants.
Notable grantees: Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation, Indiana University Foundation, Cancer Vaccine Coalition, Community Foundation of Sarasota
The foundation’s grant size profile is weighted toward large awards: the 25th percentile is $17,500, the median is $35,000, and the 75th percentile is $100,636. Recent giving includes multiple seven-figure grants, but also a smaller layer of community and program support in the tens of thousands. Its pattern is recurring rather than episodic. Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation, Indiana University Foundation, Visible Men Academy, Child Protection Center, and The V Foundation for Cancer Research all appear more than once across recent years, often with the same or closely related purposes. The foundation is a family foundation and does not fund individuals or make program-related investments.
Grantmaking is national, with every recent grant in the U.S. The highest concentration by recipient count is in Massachusetts, but the most visible destination is Sarasota, Florida, where multiple grants went to Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation, Community Foundation of Sarasota, Child Protection Center, Library Foundation of Sarasota County, and other local groups. Bradenton, Florida also appears through Visible Men Academy, and there are additional recipients in Bloomington, Cary, Middlebury, Concord, Jamul, Needham, Angola, and Elmhurst. The foundation’s giving reaches beyond Florida, but Sarasota-area organizations account for a large share of named recipients.
Recent grants show a strong emphasis on cancer care infrastructure, medical research, higher education, and Sarasota-area community services. The largest recurring recipients include Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation, Indiana University Foundation, and several local Sarasota nonprofits serving children, youth, and households in need.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Indiana University Foundation in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Visible Men Academy in 2023, 2024, and 2025; and The V Foundation for Cancer Research in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution is relatively high: the 25th percentile is $17,500, the median is $35,000, and the 75th percentile is $100,636. That mix sits alongside several much larger awards in the seven-figure range.
The foundation gives nationally, but recipient concentration is strongest in Florida, especially Sarasota. Named Florida recipients include Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation, Community Foundation of Sarasota, Child Protection Center, Library Foundation of Sarasota County, and Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and Desoto Counties.
Yes. Recent education-related grants went to Indiana University Foundation for educational programs and a learning studio renovation, and to Visible Men Academy for education, academic programs, faculty, and campus activities.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation | Sarasota, FL | $5,113,984 | 2025 | To support the construction of the SMH Cancer Institute |
| Cancer Vaccine Coalition | Middlebury, VT | $2,036,336 | 2025 | General support |
| Indiana University Foundation | Bloomington, IN | $1,596,586 | 2025 | To support various educational programs and the renovation of a learning studio in order to enhance the learning experience of students. |
| Community Foundation of Sarasota | Sarasota, FL | $1,003,584 | 2025 | General support |
| Visible Men Academy | Bradenton, FL | $175,398 | 2025 | To support education, academic programs, faculty, and campus activities |
| Steuben Community Foundation | Angola, IN | $140,848 | 2025 | Clear Lake Yacht Club Legacy Fund |
| Library Foundation of Sarasota County | Sarasota, FL | $99,253 | 2025 | General support |
| Child Protection Center | Sarasota, FL | $95,000 | 2025 | General Support for Night of Hope and Healing |
| The V Foundation for Cancer Research | Cary, NC | $75,000 | 2025 | To support game-changing research & all-star scientists to accelerate victory over cancer |
| Friends of Amani Children's Home United States | Concord, NH | $50,000 | 2025 | To support the work of rescuing homeless children in Tanzania. |
| Second Heart Homes Inc | Sarasota, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | To support the mission to serve homeless individuals coming off the streets |
| Elmhurst Walk-In | Elmhurst, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | General support |
| No Frills Fun Run | Elmhurst, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | General support |
| Camp One Step | Chicago, IL | $15,000 | 2025 | General support for camp for children with cancer |
| Streets of Paradise | Sarasota, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | Hurricane relief |
| Mousam Lake Association | Sringvale, ME | $10,000 | 2025 | General support |
| October Saves Goalie Challenge | Sterling, VA | $7,103 | 2025 | To support the purpose of fighting global cancer |
| Myakka Elephant Ranc | Bradenton, FL | $5,000 | 2025 | Elephant Spa Day |
| Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary | Sarasota, FL | $5,000 | 2025 | Tropical storm Debby |
| National Ataxia Foundation | Golden Valley, MN | $2,000 | 2025 | General support |
| SARASOTA MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION | SARASOTA, FL | $5,000,186 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SMH CANCER INSTITUTE |
| INDIANA UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | BLOOMINGTON, IN | $1,600,062 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND THE RENOVATION OF A LEARNING STUDIO IN ORDER TO ENHANCE THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE OF STUDENTS. |
| THE V FOUNDATION FOR CANCER RESEARCH | CARY, NC | $150,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT GAME-CHANGING RESEARCH & ALL-STAR SCIENTISTS TO ACCELERATE VICTORY OVER CANCER |
| VISIBLE MEN ACADEMY | BRADENTON, FL | $100,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT EDUCATION, ACADEMIC PROGRAMS, FACULTY, AND CAMPUS ACTIVITIES |
| FRIENDS OF AMANI CHILDREN'S HOME UNITED STATES | CONCORD, NH | $50,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE WORK OF RESCUING HOMELESS CHILDREN IN TANZANIA. |
| CHILD PROTECTION CENTER | SARASOTA, FL | $49,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE NECESSARY SERVICES TO VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN THE COMMUNITY |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SARASOTA AND DESOTO COUNTIES | SARASOTA, FL | $25,000 | 2024 | ENSURES LOCAL YOUTH HAVE ACCESS TO A WIDE RANGE OF PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES |
| SARASOTA MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION | SARASOTA, FL | $25,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT CANCER CARE SERVICES AT SARASOTA MEMORIAL CANCER INSTITUTE |
| PMC PAN MASS CHALLENGE | NEEDHAM, MA | $20,265 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT A MA BASED BIKE-A-THON THAT RAISES FUNDS FOR THE DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE |
| GAMMA XI BOULE FOUNDATION INC | BRADENTON, FL | $20,000 | 2024 | TO ENCOURAGE EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AND PROVIDING YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS FOR UNDER SERVED YOUTH IN SARASOTA AND MANATEE COUNTIES. |
| SECOND HEART HOMES INC | SARASOTA, FL | $10,299 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION TO SERVE HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS COMING OFF THE STREETS |
| TEAM TONY CANCER FOUNDATION | SARASOTA, FL | $4,000 | 2024 | TO EASE THE JOURNEY OF THOSE WHO ARE FIGHTING CANCER BY PROVIDING ONE-ON-ONE SUPPORT DURING THE BATTLE WITH CANCER. |
| OCTOBER SAVES GOALIE CHALLENGE | STERLING, VA | $3,025 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE PURPOSE OF FIGHTING GLOBAL CANCER |
| HARVEST HOUSE | SARASOTA, FL | $2,500 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND HUNGER RELIEF PROVIDER WITH 380 BEDS AND MULTIPLE PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT SARASOTA AND MANATEE COUNTIES. WORK TO DEMOCRATIZE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, ADDICTION RECOVERY, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND FOOD SECURITY TO IMPROVE ECONOMIC STATUS AND STABILIZE LIVES FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. |
| SARASOTA MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION | SARASOTA, FL | $5,010,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SMH CANCER INSTITUTE |
| INDIANA UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | BLOOMINGTON, IN | $1,600,169 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND THE RENOVATION OF A LEARNING STUDIO IN ORDER TO ENHANCE THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE OF STUDENTS. |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SARASOTA COUNTY | SARASOTA, FL | $500,393 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT THE SUNCOAST DISASTER RECOVERY FUND FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY OF SARASOTA COUNTY |
| SARASOTA MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION | SARASOTA, FL | $101,273 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT CANCER CARE SERVICES AT SARASOTA MEMORIAL CANCER INSTITUTE |
| THE V FOUNDATION FOR CANCER RESEARCH | CARY, NC | $100,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT GAME-CHANGING RESEARCH & ALL-STAR SCIENTISTS TO ACCELERATE VICTORY OVER CANCER |
| SARASOTA MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION | SARASOTA, FL | $98,945 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT CANCER CARE SERVICES AT SARASOTA MEMORIAL CANCER INSTITUTE |
| VISIBLE MEN ACADEMY | BRADENTON, FL | $50,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT EDUCATION, ACADEMIC PROGRAMS, FACULTY, AND CAMPUS ACTIVITIES |
| LITTLE ANGELS SERVICE DOGS | JAMUL, CA | $35,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT THE SPECIALIZED TRAINING OF SERVICE DOGS |
| PMC PAN MASS CHALLENGE | NEEDHAM, MA | $26,505 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT A MA BASED BIKE-A-THON THAT RAISES FUNDS FOR THE DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE |
| CHILD PROTECTION CENTER | SARASOTA, FL | $25,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT THE NECESSARY SERVICES TO VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN THE COMMUNITY |
| SECOND HEART HOMES INC | SARASOTA, FL | $15,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION TO SERVE HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS COMING OFF THE STREETS |
| SPARCC | SARASOTA, FL | $5,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT THE FACILITIES IN THE THERAPEUTIC GARDEN AT THE SHELTER |
| OCTOBER SAVES GOALIE CHALLENGE | STERLING, VA | $1,790 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT THE PURPOSE OF FIGHTING GLOBAL CANCER |
Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation
$5,113,984To support the construction of the SMH Cancer Institute
Cancer Vaccine Coalition
$2,036,336General support
To support various educational programs and the renovation of a learning studio in order to enhance the learning experience of students.
Community Foundation of Sarasota
$1,003,584General support
To support education, academic programs, faculty, and campus activities
Steuben Community Foundation
$140,848Clear Lake Yacht Club Legacy Fund
To support game-changing research & all-star scientists to accelerate victory over cancer
Friends of Amani Children's Home United States
$50,000To support the work of rescuing homeless children in Tanzania.
To support the mission to serve homeless individuals coming off the streets
Elmhurst Walk-In
$25,000General support
No Frills Fun Run
$20,000General support
Camp One Step
$15,000General support for camp for children with cancer
Streets of Paradise
$10,000Hurricane relief
Mousam Lake Association
$10,000General support
October Saves Goalie Challenge
$7,103To support the purpose of fighting global cancer
Myakka Elephant Ranc
$5,000Elephant Spa Day
Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary
$5,000Tropical storm Debby
National Ataxia Foundation
$2,000General support
SARASOTA MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION
$5,000,186TO SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SMH CANCER INSTITUTE
TO SUPPORT VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND THE RENOVATION OF A LEARNING STUDIO IN ORDER TO ENHANCE THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE OF STUDENTS.
TO SUPPORT GAME-CHANGING RESEARCH & ALL-STAR SCIENTISTS TO ACCELERATE VICTORY OVER CANCER
TO SUPPORT EDUCATION, ACADEMIC PROGRAMS, FACULTY, AND CAMPUS ACTIVITIES
FRIENDS OF AMANI CHILDREN'S HOME UNITED STATES
$50,000TO SUPPORT THE WORK OF RESCUING HOMELESS CHILDREN IN TANZANIA.
TO SUPPORT THE NECESSARY SERVICES TO VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN THE COMMUNITY
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SARASOTA AND DESOTO COUNTIES
$25,000ENSURES LOCAL YOUTH HAVE ACCESS TO A WIDE RANGE OF PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES
TO SUPPORT CANCER CARE SERVICES AT SARASOTA MEMORIAL CANCER INSTITUTE
PMC PAN MASS CHALLENGE
$20,265TO SUPPORT A MA BASED BIKE-A-THON THAT RAISES FUNDS FOR THE DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE
GAMMA XI BOULE FOUNDATION INC
$20,000TO ENCOURAGE EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AND PROVIDING YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS FOR UNDER SERVED YOUTH IN SARASOTA AND MANATEE COUNTIES.
TO SUPPORT THE MISSION TO SERVE HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS COMING OFF THE STREETS
TEAM TONY CANCER FOUNDATION
$4,000TO EASE THE JOURNEY OF THOSE WHO ARE FIGHTING CANCER BY PROVIDING ONE-ON-ONE SUPPORT DURING THE BATTLE WITH CANCER.
OCTOBER SAVES GOALIE CHALLENGE
$3,025TO SUPPORT THE PURPOSE OF FIGHTING GLOBAL CANCER
TO SUPPORT AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND HUNGER RELIEF PROVIDER WITH 380 BEDS AND MULTIPLE PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT SARASOTA AND MANATEE COUNTIES. WORK TO DEMOCRATIZE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, ADDICTION RECOVERY, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND FOOD SECURITY TO IMPROVE ECONOMIC STATUS AND STABILIZE LIVES FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
SARASOTA MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION
$5,010,000TO SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SMH CANCER INSTITUTE
TO SUPPORT VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND THE RENOVATION OF A LEARNING STUDIO IN ORDER TO ENHANCE THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE OF STUDENTS.
TO SUPPORT THE SUNCOAST DISASTER RECOVERY FUND FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY OF SARASOTA COUNTY
TO SUPPORT CANCER CARE SERVICES AT SARASOTA MEMORIAL CANCER INSTITUTE
TO SUPPORT GAME-CHANGING RESEARCH & ALL-STAR SCIENTISTS TO ACCELERATE VICTORY OVER CANCER
TO SUPPORT CANCER CARE SERVICES AT SARASOTA MEMORIAL CANCER INSTITUTE
TO SUPPORT EDUCATION, ACADEMIC PROGRAMS, FACULTY, AND CAMPUS ACTIVITIES
LITTLE ANGELS SERVICE DOGS
$35,000TO SUPPORT THE SPECIALIZED TRAINING OF SERVICE DOGS
PMC PAN MASS CHALLENGE
$26,505TO SUPPORT A MA BASED BIKE-A-THON THAT RAISES FUNDS FOR THE DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE
TO SUPPORT THE NECESSARY SERVICES TO VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN THE COMMUNITY
TO SUPPORT THE MISSION TO SERVE HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS COMING OFF THE STREETS
OCTOBER SAVES GOALIE CHALLENGE
$1,790TO SUPPORT THE PURPOSE OF FIGHTING GLOBAL CANCER