The Mario Family Foundation concentrates its giving on higher education with a strong emphasis on biomedical and medical training, scholarship support, and institutional operating or capital priorities. Its grants favor well-established universities and professional schools (notably Rutgers and Duke) and include support for both medical education/health-care improvement and general annual or building funds at colleges and service academies. Giving is strategic and large-scale rather than broad-based, aimed at strengthening institutions and student support in health-related fields and select collegiate institutions.
The Mario Family Foundation’s recent giving is defined by large, repeated support for Rutgers and Duke, with scholarship and medical-education grants as a central thread. In the latest grants list, Rutgers University Foundation received $500,274 in 2024 and $500,000 in 2025 for Pharm/MD scholarships, while Duke University Health received several six-figure awards tied to family chronic care improvement, colon cancer clinical trials, and surgery resident education. The pattern points to a funder that backs institutions rather than one-off projects, often through major operating, education, or research support. It also extends beyond medicine into selected collegiate and service-academy priorities, including annual fund and building support at Trinity College and the US Naval Academy Foundation. Other grants connect to student life and institutional programs at universities such as the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Rhode Island. Across the recent record, the foundation gives at a scale that is material for recipients and often revisits the same institutions over multiple years.
Medical and pharmacy education sit at the center of the foundation’s grantmaking. Rutgers University Foundation received $500,274 in 2024 and $500,000 in 2025 for Pharm/MD scholarships, and the University of Rhode Island - College of Pharmacy received $100,000 in 2023 for annual fund support of education and research. Clinical improvement is another clear theme: Duke University Health received $220,060 in 2024 for family chronic care improvement and medical center support, plus $152,000 in both 2023 and 2024 for a colon cancer clinical trial. The foundation also funds student-focused institutional programs. The University of Pennsylvania received $100,000 in 2025 for Penn Band, and Cristo Rey Network received $150,000 in 2025 for capacity building tied to its 2026 campaign.
Typical grants cluster around a six-figure level: the p25 is $50,000, the median is $95,000, and the p75 is $100,126. The record also shows repeated awards to the same institutions across multiple years, especially Rutgers and Duke, which suggests ongoing institutional relationships rather than isolated gifts. The foundation is a regular funder and funds individuals, but the recent grants list is dominated by institutional awards. Support appears in scholarships, annual funds, operating support, research, and capital or building purposes.
$2.1M
$26M
$3.2M
$2.5M
Most grants fall between $50K and $100K, with a median of $95K.
25th Percentile
$50K
Median
$95K
75th Percentile
$100K
About 21% of grants go to recipients in NC.
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Concentrated, large-dollar grants to a small number of established institutions; mix of repeat support to core grantees (Rutgers, Duke) and single large gifts to other colleges and the Naval Academy.
Notable grantees: Rutgers University Foundation, Duke University Health, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Trinity College, U.S. Naval Academy Foundation
The foundation gives nationally, but the recent grants are concentrated in a few places. North Carolina is the top state by grant count, with Durham appearing repeatedly through Duke University Health, Duke University Pediatrics, and Open Table Ministry. New Brunswick, New Jersey appears through Rutgers University Foundation and Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, while Annapolis, Maryland shows up through the US Naval Academy Foundation and Naval Institute Foundation. Chicago, Philadelphia, Hartford, Kingston, and one grant in Durham, NC, round out the recent city pattern.
The recent grants lean heavily toward universities, medical schools, and related institutional programs. Rutgers University Foundation, Duke University Health, Duke University Pediatrics, the University of Rhode Island, the University of Pennsylvania, Trinity College, and the US Naval Academy Foundation all appear in the latest grant list.
The distribution centers on six-figure gifts. The p25 is $50,000, the median is $95,000, and the p75 is $100,126, showing that many awards fall close to or above the $100,000 mark.
Yes. Rutgers University Foundation appears in 2024 and 2025 for Pharm/MD scholarships, and Duke University Health appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025 for family chronic care improvement and related medical priorities. Cristo Rey Network and the University of Pennsylvania also receive multiple awards across different years.
Scholarships and medical training are prominent, along with clinical improvement and select collegiate or academy support. Recent grant purposes include Pharm/MD scholarships, colon cancer clinical trials, general surgery resident education, annual fund support, building support, capacity building, and student-program support such as Penn Band.
The foundation gives nationally, with 62 recent grants all going to U.S. recipients. North Carolina is the top state by grant count, followed by New Jersey through Rutgers-linked grants and Maryland through academy and maritime-history support.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RUTGERS UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ | $500,000 | 2025 | PHARM/ MD SCHOLARSHIPS |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY HEALTH | DURHAM, NC | $220,000 | 2025 | FAMILY CHRONIC CARE IMPROVEMENT FD & MEDICAL CENTER |
| NORTH CAROLINA SUBMARINE MUSEUM | DURHAN, NC | $175,000 | 2025 | ESTABLISHMENT OF A MUSEUM |
| NAVAL INSTITUTE FOUNDATION | ANNAPOLIS, MD | $151,120 | 2025 | DIGITIZING OUR MARITIME HISTORY |
| OPEN TABLE MINISTRY | DURHAM, NC | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CRISTO REY NETWORK | CHICAGO, IL | $150,000 | 2025 | CAPACITY BUILDING 2026 CAMPAIGN |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC ASSOC | DURHAM, NC | $100,000 | 2025 | BASKETBALL LEGACY FUND |
| UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND FOUNDATION | KINGSTON, RI | $100,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL FUND |
| UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $100,000 | 2025 | PENN BAND |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY PEDIATRICS | DURHAM, NC | $98,000 | 2025 | PEDIATRICS IMPROVE & EXPAND CARE NOW |
| OPEN TABLE MINISTRY | DURHAM, NC | $85,000 | 2025 | EXECUTIVE AND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR POSITION |
| THE LAWRENCEVILLE SCHOOL | LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ | $77,500 | 2025 | ANNUAL FUND |
| AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR PHARMACEUTICAL EDUC | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2025 | OPERATING FUND |
| CENTER FOR CHRISTIANITY & SCHOLARSHIP | DURHAM, NC | $50,000 | 2025 | HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROJECT |
| THE LAWRENCEVILLE SCHOOL | LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ | $27,404 | 2025 | ANNUAL FUND |
| WOLFFORD COLLEGE | SPARTANBURG, SC | $25,000 | 2025 | STUDY ABROAD SCHOLARSHIP |
| PALO ALTO HISTORICAL ASSOC | PALO ALTO, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | MILLIE MARIO MOVING IMAGES COLLECTION |
| SPECTRUM FOR LIVING | RIVER VALE, NJ | $10,000 | 2025 | HELP ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES |
| HOUSING NANTUCKET | NANTUCKET, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | HELP PROVIDE QUALITY HOUSING |
| RUTGERS UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ | $500,274 | 2024 | PHARM/ MD SCHOLARSHIPS |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY HEALTH | DURHAM, NC | $220,060 | 2024 | FAMILY CHRONIC CARE IMPROVEMENT FD & MEDICAL CENTER |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY HEALTH | DURHAM, NC | $152,000 | 2024 | COLON CANCER CLINICAL TRIAL |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC ASSOC | DURHAM, NC | $100,251 | 2024 | BASKETBALL LEGACY FUND |
| UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND-COLLEGE OF PHARMACY | KINGSTON, RI | $100,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL FUND |
| UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $100,000 | 2024 | PENN BAND |
| CRISTO REY NETWORK | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2024 | NEW SCHOOL GROWTH & FOLEY LEGACY FD |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY HEALTH | DURHAM, NC | $95,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SURGERY RESIDENT MULTI-DISCIPLINARY EDUCATION INITIATIVES |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY PEDIATRICS | DURHAM, NC | $95,000 | 2024 | HELP CHILDREN IMPROVE & EXPAND CARE |
| OPEN TABLE MINISTRY | DURHAM, NC | $85,000 | 2024 | ASSISTANT DIRECTOR POSITION |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY | DURHAM, NC | $70,000 | 2024 | MEDICAL SCHOLARSHIPS |
| OPEN TABLE MINISTRY | DURHAM, NC | $60,000 | 2024 | HELP PROVIDE HOUSING |
| THE LAWRENCEVILLE SCHOOL | LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ | $60,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL FUND |
| THE LAWRENCEVILLE SCHOOL | LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ | $50,000 | 2024 | INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL FUND |
| WOLFFORD COLLEGE | SPARTANBURG, SC | $50,000 | 2024 | OPERATING FUND |
| AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR PHARMACEUTICAL EDUC | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2024 | OPERATING FUND |
| THE LAWRENCEVILLE SCHOOL | LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ | $24,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL FUND |
| PALO ALTO HISTORICAL ASSOC | PALO ALTO, CA | $20,000 | 2024 | MILLIE MARIO MOVING IMAGES COLLECTION |
| SPECTRUM FOR LIVING | RIVER VALE, NJ | $10,000 | 2024 | HELP ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES |
| HOUSING NANTUCKET | NANTUCKET, MA | $5,000 | 2024 | HELP PROVIDE QUALITY HOUSING |
| RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES | NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ | $500,000 | 2023 | EDUCATION |
| TRINITY COLLEGE | HARTFORD, CT | $251,638 | 2023 | ANNUAL FUND |
| US NAVAL ACADEMY FOUNDATION | ANNAPOLIS, MD | $250,000 | 2023 | ANNUAL BUILDING FUND |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY HEALTH | DURHAM, NC | $220,000 | 2023 | FAMILY CHRONIC CARE IMPROVEMENT FD & MEDICAL CENTER |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY HEALTH | DURHAM, NC | $152,000 | 2023 | COLON CANCER CLINICAL TRIAL |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY PEDIATRICS | DURHAM, NC | $111,000 | 2023 | HELP CHILDREN IMPROVE & EXPAND CARE |
| OPEN TABLE MINISTRY | DURHAM, NC | $105,000 | 2023 | HELP PROVIDE HOUSING |
| UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND - COLLEGE OF PHARMACY | KINGSTON, RI | $100,000 | 2023 | ANNUAL FUND SUPPORT OF EDUCATION & RESEARCH |
| NAVAL INSTITUTE FOUNDATION | ANNAPOLIS, MD | $100,000 | 2023 | CONFERENCE CENTER PHOTO ARCHIVE ROOM |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC ASSOC | DURHAM, NC | $100,000 | 2023 | BASKETBALL LEGACY FUND |
| TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $100,000 | 2023 | PENN BAND ENDOWMENT FD |
DUKE UNIVERSITY HEALTH
$220,000FAMILY CHRONIC CARE IMPROVEMENT FD & MEDICAL CENTER
NORTH CAROLINA SUBMARINE MUSEUM
$175,000ESTABLISHMENT OF A MUSEUM
OPEN TABLE MINISTRY
$150,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CAPACITY BUILDING 2026 CAMPAIGN
DUKE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC ASSOC
$100,000BASKETBALL LEGACY FUND
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND FOUNDATION
$100,000ANNUAL FUND
DUKE UNIVERSITY PEDIATRICS
$98,000PEDIATRICS IMPROVE & EXPAND CARE NOW
OPEN TABLE MINISTRY
$85,000EXECUTIVE AND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR POSITION
AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR PHARMACEUTICAL EDUC
$50,000OPERATING FUND
CENTER FOR CHRISTIANITY & SCHOLARSHIP
$50,000HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROJECT
PALO ALTO HISTORICAL ASSOC
$20,000MILLIE MARIO MOVING IMAGES COLLECTION
SPECTRUM FOR LIVING
$10,000HELP ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES
HOUSING NANTUCKET
$10,000HELP PROVIDE QUALITY HOUSING
DUKE UNIVERSITY HEALTH
$220,060FAMILY CHRONIC CARE IMPROVEMENT FD & MEDICAL CENTER
DUKE UNIVERSITY HEALTH
$152,000COLON CANCER CLINICAL TRIAL
DUKE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC ASSOC
$100,251BASKETBALL LEGACY FUND
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND-COLLEGE OF PHARMACY
$100,000ANNUAL FUND
DUKE UNIVERSITY HEALTH
$95,000GENERAL SURGERY RESIDENT MULTI-DISCIPLINARY EDUCATION INITIATIVES
DUKE UNIVERSITY PEDIATRICS
$95,000HELP CHILDREN IMPROVE & EXPAND CARE
OPEN TABLE MINISTRY
$85,000ASSISTANT DIRECTOR POSITION
OPEN TABLE MINISTRY
$60,000HELP PROVIDE HOUSING
AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR PHARMACEUTICAL EDUC
$50,000OPERATING FUND
PALO ALTO HISTORICAL ASSOC
$20,000MILLIE MARIO MOVING IMAGES COLLECTION
HOUSING NANTUCKET
$5,000HELP PROVIDE QUALITY HOUSING
RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES
$500,000EDUCATION
TRINITY COLLEGE
$251,638ANNUAL FUND
DUKE UNIVERSITY HEALTH
$220,000FAMILY CHRONIC CARE IMPROVEMENT FD & MEDICAL CENTER
DUKE UNIVERSITY HEALTH
$152,000COLON CANCER CLINICAL TRIAL
DUKE UNIVERSITY PEDIATRICS
$111,000HELP CHILDREN IMPROVE & EXPAND CARE
OPEN TABLE MINISTRY
$105,000HELP PROVIDE HOUSING
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND - COLLEGE OF PHARMACY
$100,000ANNUAL FUND SUPPORT OF EDUCATION & RESEARCH
DUKE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC ASSOC
$100,000BASKETBALL LEGACY FUND