Giustina Foundation

## Approach Strategy

The Giustina Foundation is a family foundation rooted in the legacy of the Giustina family, Italian immigrants who built a sustainable timber enterprise in Lane County, Oregon, beginning in the 1920s. Founded in 1997, the foundation reflects the family's deep commitment to the communities where they have lived and worked for over a century.

Key strategic themes:

• Education-first philosophy: The foundation's largest investments are in higher education, particularly through the Giustina Foundation Presidential Scholarships at the University of Oregon (supporting ~40 students annually) and substantial grants to Lane Community College Foundation and Oregon State University. Education grants consistently represent the plurality of giving.
• Community anchor institutions: Rather than spreading funds widely, the foundation concentrates giving on established anchor institutions in Oregon — the Eugene Family YMCA ($150,000 in 2024), Lane Community College, the Shedd Institute for the Arts, and the University of Oregon. This reflects a relationship-driven approach favoring long-term partnerships over one-time grants.
• Family values alignment: The Giustina family's forestry heritage informs an appreciation for sustainability, long-term investment, and stewardship. The foundation's giving pattern mirrors these values — consistent, patient, and focused on building institutional capacity rather than short-term projects.
• Geographic rootedness: Nearly all giving flows to Oregon institutions, with particular concentration in the Eugene-Springfield corridor and Lane County, reflecting the family's century-long presence in the region.

Prospective applicants should demonstrate alignment with education, arts, or community services in Oregon and present proposals that emphasize institutional capacity-building and long-term community impact.

## Funding Patterns

Annual giving trajectory: The Giustina Foundation has shown substantial growth in recent years. Total charitable disbursements reached $554,500 across 17 grants in 2024, up from $414,000 across 12 grants in 2023 and $426,020 in 2020. This upward trend correlates with the foundation's asset growth from $6.98M (2020) to $18.26M (2024), driven by a $6.8M contribution in 2024.

Grant size distribution: - Large anchor grants: $100,000–$250,000 (1–2 per year) — Typically to the Eugene Family YMCA and Lane Community College Foundation - Mid-range grants: $25,000–$75,000 (3–5 per year) — Arts organizations like the Shedd Institute, University of Oregon Foundation - Smaller grants: $1,000–$10,000 (5–8 per year) — Scholarship funds, legal aid, smaller nonprofits - Average grant size: ~$32,600 (2024)

Sector allocation: Education (including scholarships) receives the largest share, followed by arts and culture, then human services. STEM education and recreation/sports also receive periodic support.

Giving cadence: The foundation awards grants on a consistent annual cycle with 12–21 grants per year. The number of awards has been increasing alongside asset growth, suggesting expanding grantmaking capacity.

## Peer Comparison

The Giustina Foundation operates among a cohort of mid-size Oregon-based family foundations focused on education, arts, and community services:

Positioning: The Giustina Foundation sits in the upper tier of Lane County family foundations but is significantly smaller than statewide funders like the Miller, Ford, and Oregon Community Foundations. Its strength lies in deep local relationships and concentrated giving to anchor institutions, making it a significant funder within the Eugene-Springfield corridor. The related Giustina Forest Foundation and NB & Jacqueline Giustina Foundation represent additional family philanthropy, collectively making the Giustina family a notable philanthropic force in Oregon.

## Recent Activity

2024 highlights: - Total giving surged to $554,500 across 17 grants, up 34% from $414,000 in 2023 - Foundation assets nearly doubled to $18.26M following a $6.8M contribution, signaling continued family investment in philanthropic capacity - Revenue reached $8.62M, with 86.2% of expenses directed to charitable disbursements - The foundation maintained its core grantee relationships while expanding the number of awards from 12 to 17

Notable 2024 grants: - Eugene Family YMCA: $150,000 (general purposes) — the largest single grant - Lane Community College Foundation: $107,000 (business scholarship) - John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts: $75,000 (general purposes) - University of Oregon Foundation: $25,000 (track & field) - Western Resources Legal Center: $5,000 (scholarship fund)

Leadership continuity: The foundation continues to be managed by trustees E. Danell Giustina, Thomas Anthony Giustina, and Neill Plant, all serving without compensation. Ehrman V. Giustina, the founding patriarch and longtime UO benefactor, passed away and was succeeded by the current trustees, ensuring continuity of the family's philanthropic vision.

Trend to watch: The substantial 2024 contribution and asset growth suggest the foundation may be positioning for increased grantmaking in coming years. Organizations with existing relationships should explore expanded partnership opportunities.

## Application Tips

1. Demonstrate Oregon roots and community impact: The Giustina Foundation overwhelmingly funds Oregon-based organizations, with particular preference for the Eugene-Springfield area and Lane County. Applications from organizations outside Oregon are unlikely to succeed. Emphasize your local presence and community ties.

2. Align with core focus areas: Education (especially higher education and scholarships), arts and culture, and human services are the foundation's three pillars. Proposals outside these areas face long odds. Frame your request within one of these categories even if your work is interdisciplinary.

3. Emphasize institutional capacity over project funding: The foundation's largest grants go to general operating support and endowed programs (scholarships, general purposes), not short-term projects. Position your request as building long-term organizational capacity.

4. Start with a modest ask: With an average grant of ~$32,600 and most grants under $75,000, first-time applicants should request amounts in the $5,000–$25,000 range. The $100K+ grants go to long-standing relationships (YMCA, LCC Foundation).

5. Leverage the 12% new applicant success rate: The foundation does fund new grantees, but selectivity is high. Ensure your application is polished and clearly articulates impact. Consider whether a board member or existing grantee can provide an introduction.

6. Direct correspondence to PO Box 529, Eugene, OR 97440: The foundation does not appear to have a website with an online application portal. Written proposals sent by mail or directed to the trustees may be the primary application method.

7. Highlight sustainability and stewardship: Given the family's pioneering role in sustainable forestry, proposals that emphasize environmental stewardship, long-term sustainability planning, or responsible resource management may resonate particularly well.