The Giustina Foundation concentrates sizeable grants to regional higher-education institutions, civic infrastructure, and community-serving nonprofits in the Eugene/Southern Oregon area. Their giving favors scholarship support and general operating funds for colleges, community organizations that strengthen civic life, youth and family services, and local arts education. Grants are few but large, often to repeat local grantees and to prominent regional universities and civic partners.
Giustina Foundation’s largest recent grant was a $4.08 million award to the University of Oregon Foundation for the Giustina Knight Campus Fellowship Fund, a signal that scholarships and higher-education support sit at the center of its giving. The foundation also backs community institutions that shape civic and cultural life in Eugene, including Eugene Civic Alliance and The John G. Shedd Institute, alongside education and workforce-oriented support at Lane Community College Foundation. Its recent grants show a pattern of sizable awards to organizations in the Eugene area, with additional support reaching other Oregon colleges and local nonprofits. The foundation’s giving is especially visible in higher education, where it funds fellowships, general purposes, and named scholarship programs. It also supports youth and family services through groups such as Eugene Family YMCA and Emerald Kidsports, and it has funded athletics-related programming through the University of Oregon Foundation. Across these gifts, Giustina Foundation appears to favor established local and regional partners, often through general-purpose support or scholarship funds rather than narrowly defined project-only grants.
Higher education is the clearest thread in Giustina Foundation’s grantmaking. In 2026, it gave $110,000 to Lane Community College Foundation for Aircraft Systems Scholarships, and in prior years it backed the same institution with $107,000 in 2025 and $64,520 in 2023 for business scholarships. The foundation also supported the University of Oregon Foundation with $105,000 in 2025 for general purposes and $50,000 in 2023 for track & field, showing that its college giving extends beyond tuition aid into athletics and institutional support. Beyond campuses, it has funded civic and cultural organizations. Eugene Civic Alliance received $250,000 in 2023 for general purposes and $100,000 in 2026 for Grandstand. The John G. Shedd Institute received $75,000 in 2025 and $75,000 in 2026 for general purposes, plus $25,000 in 2023 for the same purpose.
Giustina Foundation’s recent grants cluster around a median of $5,000, with a lower quartile of $1,500 and an upper quartile of $25,750. The pattern is mixed: a few very large awards anchor a long tail of smaller gifts. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including Lane Community College Foundation, Eugene Civic Alliance, The John G. Shedd Institute, The Freedom Foundation, Oregon State University Foundation, and Mckenzie River Trust, which points to recurring support rather than one-time grants. The foundation funds individuals and uses grants as a main vehicle; it does not make program-related investments. The recent data also show a strong tilt toward general-purpose support and scholarship funds, alongside occasional project-specific awards.
$4.7M
$14.7M
$1.1M
$4.7M
Most grants fall between $2K and $26K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$26K
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
A concentrated portfolio of relatively large grants (many five-figure to six-figure awards), few total gifts per year, repeated support to core local/regional institutions and occasional multi-grant relationships with the same organizations.
Notable grantees: Lane Community College Foundation, Eugene Civic Alliance, Eugene Family YMCA, The John G. Shedd Institute, University of Oregon Foundation
Giustina Foundation gives overwhelmingly in Oregon: 96% of its grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and Oregon is also its top state by grant count. Eugene is the main center of activity, with grants to the University of Oregon Foundation, Eugene Civic Alliance, Lane Community College Foundation, Eugene Family YMCA, The John G. Shedd Institute, Emerald Kidsports, and McKenzie River Trust. Outside Eugene, recent Oregon recipients include Salem, Portland, Corvallis, and Pleasant Hill. The only non-Oregon recipient in the recent list is University Foundation - CSU - Chico in Chico, California.
The foundation most often supports higher education, scholarship funds, and community-serving nonprofits. Recent grants include support for university foundations, Lane Community College Foundation scholarship programs, Eugene Civic Alliance, The John G. Shedd Institute, Eugene Family YMCA, and local environmental and youth groups.
The grant-size distribution is small-to-large: the 25th percentile is $1,500, the median is $5,000, and the 75th percentile is $25,750. Recent awards include both six-figure grants and smaller $5,000 gifts.
Yes. Multiple recipients appear in more than one year, including Lane Community College Foundation, Eugene Civic Alliance, The John G. Shedd Institute, The Freedom Foundation, Oregon State University Foundation, and McKenzie River Trust. That suggests recurring support is part of the foundation’s pattern.
Its grantmaking is concentrated in Oregon, with 96% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Eugene is the main recipient city, and other Oregon cities in the recent grants list include Salem, Portland, Corvallis, and Pleasant Hill.
Yes. The foundation funds individuals, and its recent grants show scholarship-oriented support through named funds and scholarship programs at colleges and other educational organizations.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF OREGON FOUNDATION | EUGENE, OR | $4,080,000 | 2026 | GIUSTINA KNIGHT CAMPUS FELLOWSHIP FUND |
| UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION - CSU - CHICO | CHICO, CA | $205,000 | 2026 | BELL FAMILY PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS |
| LANE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | EUGENE, OR | $110,000 | 2026 | AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS SCHOLARSHIPS |
| EUGENE CIVIC ALLIANCE | EUGENE, OR | $100,000 | 2026 | GRANDSTAND |
| THE JOHN G SHEDD INSTITUTE FOR THE ARTS | EUGENE, OR | $75,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSES |
| UNIVERSITY OF OREGON FOUNDATION | EUGENE, OR | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSES |
| THE FREEDOM FOUNDATION | SALEM, OR | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSES |
| EMERALD KIDSPORTS | EUGENE, OR | $10,000 | 2026 | YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| MCKENZIE RIVER TRUST | EUGENE, OR | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSES |
| PLEASANT HILL EDUCATION FOUNDATION | PLEASANT HILL, OR | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSES |
| PACIFIC LEGAL FOUNDATION | SACRAMENTO, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSES |
| SERENITY LANE | EUGENE, OR | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSES |
| EUGENE FAMILY YMCA | EUGENE, OR | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSES |
| UNITED WAY OF LANE COUNTY | SPRINGFIELD, OR | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSES |
| FANCONI ANEMIA RESEARCH FUND | EUGENE, OR | $2,500 | 2026 | RESEARCH AND FAMILY SUPPORT |
| EMERALD EMPIRE YOUNG MARINES | EUGENE, OR | $1,500 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSES |
| FOREST BRIDGES | ROSEBURG, OR | $1,500 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSES |
| WORLD FORESTRY CENTER | PORTLAND, OR | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSES |
| SPRINGFIELD EDUCATION FOUNDATION | SPRINGFIELD, OR | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSES |
| FRIENDS OF BUFORD PARK & MT PISGAH | EUGENE, OR | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSES |
| FUTURE NATURAL RESOURCE LEADERS | LEBANON, OR | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSES |
| UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION - CHICO | CHICO, CA | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSES |
| LANE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | EUGENE, OR | $107,000 | 2025 | BUSINESS SCHOLARSHIP |
| UNIVERSITY OF OREGON FOUNDATION | EUGENE, OR | $105,000 | 2025 | GEN |
| THE JOHN G SHEDD INSTITUTE | EUGENE, OR | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSES |
| THE FREEDOM FOUNDATION | SALEM, OR | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSES |
| MCKENZIE RIVER TRUST | EUGENE, OR | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSES |
| WESTERN RESOURCES LEGAL CENTER | PORTLAND, OR | $5,000 | 2025 | NATURAL RESOURCE SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| PACIFIC LEGAL FOUNDATION | SACRAMENTO, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSES |
| EUGENE FAMILY YMCA | EUGENE, OR | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSES |
| EMERALD KIDSPORTS | EUGENE, OR | $5,000 | 2025 | YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| SERENITY LANE | EUGENE, OR | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSES |
| UNITED WAY OF LANE COUNTY | SPRINGFIELD, OR | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSES |
| FANCONI ANEMIA RESEARCH FUND | EUGENE, OR | $2,500 | 2025 | RESEARCH AND FAMILY SUPPORT |
| BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA | EUGENE, OR | $1,500 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSES |
| FOREST BRIDGES | ROSEBURG, OR | $1,500 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSES |
| SPRINGFIELD EDUCATION FOUNDATION | SPRINGFIELD, OR | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSES |
| PARENTING NOW | EUGENE, OR | $1,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL CAMPAIGN |
| EUGENE FAMILY YMCA | EUGENE, OR | $150,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSES |
| LANE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | EUGENE, OR | $107,000 | 2024 | BUSINESS SCHOLARSHIP |
| THE JOHN G SHEDD INSTITUTE | EUGENE, OR | $75,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSES |
| WORLD FORESTRY CENTER | PORTLAND, OR | $26,000 | 2024 | EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| UNIVERSITY OF OREGON FOUNDATION | EUGENE, OR | $25,000 | 2024 | TRACK & FIELD |
| THE FREEDOM FOUNDATION | SALEM, OR | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSES |
| OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | CORVALLIS, OR | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSES |
| WESTERN RESOURCES LEGAL CENTER | PORTLAND, OR | $5,000 | 2024 | NATURAL RESOURCE SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| KIDSPORTS FOUNDATION | EUGENE, OR | $2,500 | 2024 | YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| UNITED WAY OF LANE COUNTY | SPRINGFIELD, OR | $1,500 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSES |
| SPRINGFIELD EDUCATION FOUNDATION | SPRINGFIELD, OR | $1,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSES |
| FANCONI ANEMIA RESEARCH FUND | EUGENE, OR | $1,000 | 2024 | RESEARCH AND FAMILY SUPPORT |
UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION - CSU - CHICO
$205,000BELL FAMILY PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS
GENERAL PURPOSES
THE FREEDOM FOUNDATION
$15,000GENERAL PURPOSES
EMERALD KIDSPORTS
$10,000YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP FUND
PLEASANT HILL EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$5,000GENERAL PURPOSES
SERENITY LANE
$5,000GENERAL PURPOSES
EUGENE FAMILY YMCA
$5,000GENERAL PURPOSES
UNITED WAY OF LANE COUNTY
$2,500GENERAL PURPOSES
EMERALD EMPIRE YOUNG MARINES
$1,500GENERAL PURPOSES
FOREST BRIDGES
$1,500GENERAL PURPOSES
SPRINGFIELD EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$1,000GENERAL PURPOSES
FRIENDS OF BUFORD PARK & MT PISGAH
$1,000GENERAL PURPOSES
FUTURE NATURAL RESOURCE LEADERS
$1,000GENERAL PURPOSES
UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION - CHICO
$200,000GENERAL PURPOSES
THE FREEDOM FOUNDATION
$30,000GENERAL PURPOSES
WESTERN RESOURCES LEGAL CENTER
$5,000NATURAL RESOURCE SCHOLARSHIP FUND
EUGENE FAMILY YMCA
$5,000GENERAL PURPOSES
EMERALD KIDSPORTS
$5,000YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP FUND
SERENITY LANE
$2,500GENERAL PURPOSES
UNITED WAY OF LANE COUNTY
$2,500GENERAL PURPOSES
FOREST BRIDGES
$1,500GENERAL PURPOSES
SPRINGFIELD EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$1,000GENERAL PURPOSES
THE FREEDOM FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL PURPOSES
WESTERN RESOURCES LEGAL CENTER
$5,000NATURAL RESOURCE SCHOLARSHIP FUND
KIDSPORTS FOUNDATION
$2,500YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP FUND
UNITED WAY OF LANE COUNTY
$1,500GENERAL PURPOSES
SPRINGFIELD EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$1,000GENERAL PURPOSES