The Lowell S & Betty L Dunn Family Foundation concentrates its giving on biomedical research and children's health, making large unrestricted gifts to established research institutions. Grants are focused and repeatable—primarily supporting pediatric cancer research and diabetes research—with a mix of local (University of Miami) and national (St. Jude) beneficiaries. The foundation favors institutional general-purpose funding rather than many small projects, signaling trust in organizatons' core research missions.
Concentrated, high-dollar giving to a small number of repeat grantees; multiple large grants to the same institutions (multi-year or multi-installment support) rather than many small, diverse awards.
The Lowell S & Betty L Dunn Family Foundation Inc has built a repeat pattern of large unrestricted grants around biomedical research, especially pediatric cancer and diabetes research. Its recent giving includes major support for St Jude Childrens Research Hospital and the UM Diabetes Research Institute, both of which appear repeatedly at the top end of the foundation’s grant list. Those gifts are framed as general purpose funding, which points to confidence in institutional research programs rather than narrowly scoped projects. The foundation also backs health-related organizations outside core research settings, including Baptist Health Foundation and The Medical Center Foundation. That mix suggests a portfolio centered on children’s health, clinical research, and affiliated medical institutions. The giving pattern is not diffuse: the same research institutions recur across multiple years, and the largest grants in the file are concentrated in a small number of organizations. In that context, the foundation looks less like a broad issue-portfolio funder and more like a targeted institutional supporter with a consistent focus on a few medical beneficiaries.
Biomedical research is the clearest theme in the foundation’s recent grants. It gave $450,000 to UM Diabetes Research Institute for general purpose support, and another $450,000 to St Jude Childrens Research Hospital for general purpose support. Both organizations recur in later years as well, showing sustained support for research institutions rather than one-off project grants. Children’s health is another visible thread. The foundation awarded $300,000 to St Jude Childrens Research Hospital in 2025 and $300,000 in 2023, reflecting repeated backing for pediatric cancer research. It also supported Miami-based health institutions, including $200,000 to Baptist Health Foundation for general purpose support. Beyond research, the foundation made grants such as $175,000 to Neighbors 4 Neighbors for general purpose support, showing some flexibility within a broader health and community-support frame.
The typical grant size is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $30,000 at the median, and $100,000 at the 75th percentile, but the recent list shows much larger awards at the top end. Grants are repeatedly made to the same institutions across 2023, 2024, and 2025, indicating recurring support rather than isolated awards. The foundation is a family foundation, gives regional support, and does not fund individuals or program-related investments. The listed grants are overwhelmingly unrestricted or general-purpose in language, which aligns with a flexible operating-support style.
$2.3M
$108.9M
$48.2M
$2.3M
Most grants fall between $10K and $100K, with a median of $30K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$30K
75th Percentile
$100K
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.
Notable grantees: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, UM Diabetes Research Institute (University of Miami), University of Miami / UM medical research programs
Most grants land in Florida, which accounts for 60% of grants in the file and is the top giving state. Miami appears frequently, including grants to UM Diabetes Research Institute and Miami Rescue Mission, while Doral and Coral Gables also appear in the recent grants. Outside Florida, Memphis, Tennessee, is a recurring recipient city through St Jude Childrens Research Hospital, and Gainesville, Georgia, appears through The Medical Center Foundation. All listed recipient-country data are in the US.
Its recent grants cluster around biomedical research and children’s health. Repeated recipients include St Jude Childrens Research Hospital and UM Diabetes Research Institute, both funded for general purpose support. The list also includes health-related institutions such as Baptist Health Foundation and The Medical Center Foundation.
Yes. The recent grants are repeatedly labeled general purpose or general-purpose support, including awards to St Jude Childrens Research Hospital, UM Diabetes Research Institute, and Miami Rescue Mission. That pattern suggests flexible support rather than tightly restricted project funding.
Recurring. St Jude Childrens Research Hospital appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and UM Diabetes Research Institute appears in multiple years as well. Neighbors 4 Neighbors and Miami Rescue Mission also show repeat awards across the recent-grants list.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $30,000 at the median, and $100,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards include several much larger grants, such as $450,000 to UM Diabetes Research Institute and St Jude Childrens Research Hospital.
Florida is the top giving state, with 60% of grants going to recipients in that state. Miami, Doral, Coral Gables, and Gainesville are among the Florida cities that appear in the recent grants list, alongside recurring awards outside Florida in Memphis, Tennessee, and Gainesville, Georgia.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UM DIABETES RESEARCH INSTITUTE | MIAMI, FL | $300,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| ST JUDE CHILDRENS RESEARCH HOSPITAL | MEMPHIS, TN | $300,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| NEIGHBORS 4 NEIGHBORS | DORAL, FL | $125,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| HONOR FLIGHT SOUTH FLORIDA INC | PLANTATION, FL | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| MIAMI RESCUE MISSION | MIAMI, FL | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| THE MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION | GAINESVILLE, GA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| NOA (NO ONE ALONE) | DAHLONEGA, GA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| FRIENDSHIP EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | REDONDO BEACH, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| BILLIE JEAN KING FOUNDATION | RANDOLPH, NJ | $80,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| BOYS TOWN | BOYS TOWN, NE | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| AIR FORCE ENLISTED VILLAGE | SHALIMAR, FL | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| BAPTIST HEALTH FOUNDATION | CORAL GABLES, FL | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| HEART2HEART SENIOR OUTREACH OF SO FL INC | FORT LAUDERDALE, FL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| THE NANCY LIEBERMAN FOUNDATION | PLANO, TX | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| OPERATION 300 INC | STUART, FL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| STUDENT ACES | PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| SHOOTING TOUCH INC | HYDE PARK, MA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF GREATER MIAMI | NORTH MIAMI BEACH, FL | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF BROWARD COUNTY | FORT LAUDERDALE, FL | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| KRISTI HOUSE INC | MIAMI, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| THE CONVENT OF SACRED HEART OF MIAMI INC | MIAMI, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| FIU FOUNDATION INC | MIAMI, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| PARTNERS IN HEALTH | BOSTON, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| SOUTH FLORIDA SPCA | HOMESTEAD, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| THE SALVATION ARMY | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| CAMILLUS HOUSE INC | MIAMI, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| EMPOWERS AFRICA INC | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| COMMUNITY PET RESCUE | MIAMI SPRINGS, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| UM BASCOM PALMER EYE INSTITUTE | NAPLES, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| NICKLAUS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | MIAMI, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| GFWC MIAMI SPRINGS WOMANS CLUB INC | MIAMI SPRINGS, FL | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| THE SUNDARI FOUNDATION INC | MIAMI BEACH, FL | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| BEST BUDDIES INTERNATIONAL INC | MIAMI, FL | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| CAMP SOUTHERN GROUND INC | FAYETTEVILLE, GA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| UM - NSU CARD | CORAL GABLES, FL | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| THE SEEING EYE INC | MORRISTOWN, NJ | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| ZANMI BENI FOUNDATION INC | CORAL GABLES, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| THE MOTIVATIONAL EDGE INC | MIAMI, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| SHAKE A LEG MIAMI INC | MIAMI, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| SOUTH FLORIDA PBS | MIAMI, FL | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| UNICEF USA | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER | HOUSTON, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| ALONZO AND TRACY MORURNING SHS | NORTH MIAMI BEACH, FL | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| COCONUT GROVE CRISIS FOOD PANTRY | MIAMI, FL | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| SPECIAL OLYMPICS | CLERMONT, FL | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| EASTER SEALS | MIAMI, FL | $1,500 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| TOWNS COUNTY FIRE CORPS | HIAWASSEE, GA | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| ST JUDE CHILDRENS RESEARCH HOSPITAL | MEMPHIS, TN | $450,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| UM DIABETES RESEARCH INSTITUTE | MIAMI, FL | $450,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
UM DIABETES RESEARCH INSTITUTE
$300,000GENERAL PURPOSE
HONOR FLIGHT SOUTH FLORIDA INC
$100,000GENERAL PURPOSE
MIAMI RESCUE MISSION
$100,000GENERAL PURPOSE
GENERAL PURPOSE
NOA (NO ONE ALONE)
$100,000GENERAL PURPOSE
BOYS TOWN
$75,000GENERAL PURPOSE
BAPTIST HEALTH FOUNDATION
$75,000GENERAL PURPOSE
WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN INC
$50,000GENERAL PURPOSE
HEART2HEART SENIOR OUTREACH OF SO FL INC
$50,000GENERAL PURPOSE
THE NANCY LIEBERMAN FOUNDATION
$50,000GENERAL PURPOSE
OPERATION 300 INC
$50,000GENERAL PURPOSE
STUDENT ACES
$50,000GENERAL PURPOSE
SHOOTING TOUCH INC
$50,000GENERAL PURPOSE
HUMANE SOCIETY OF GREATER MIAMI
$30,000GENERAL PURPOSE
THE CONVENT OF SACRED HEART OF MIAMI INC
$25,000GENERAL PURPOSE
FIU FOUNDATION INC
$25,000GENERAL PURPOSE
PARTNERS IN HEALTH
$25,000GENERAL PURPOSE
SOUTH FLORIDA SPCA
$25,000GENERAL PURPOSE
THE SALVATION ARMY
$25,000GENERAL PURPOSE
CAMILLUS HOUSE INC
$25,000GENERAL PURPOSE
COMMUNITY PET RESCUE
$25,000GENERAL PURPOSE
UM BASCOM PALMER EYE INSTITUTE
$25,000GENERAL PURPOSE
NICKLAUS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
$25,000GENERAL PURPOSE
GFWC MIAMI SPRINGS WOMANS CLUB INC
$20,000GENERAL PURPOSE
UM - NSU CARD
$15,000GENERAL PURPOSE
THE SEEING EYE INC
$10,000GENERAL PURPOSE
SOUTH FLORIDA PBS
$5,000GENERAL PURPOSE
UNICEF USA
$5,000GENERAL PURPOSE
MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER
$5,000GENERAL PURPOSE
ALONZO AND TRACY MORURNING SHS
$5,000GENERAL PURPOSE
COCONUT GROVE CRISIS FOOD PANTRY
$5,000GENERAL PURPOSE
SPECIAL OLYMPICS
$2,500GENERAL PURPOSE
TOWNS COUNTY FIRE CORPS
$1,000GENERAL PURPOSE
UM DIABETES RESEARCH INSTITUTE
$450,000GENERAL PURPOSE