Ocho Foundation

The Ocho Foundation is a newly established private independent foundation created by Joseph "Pepe" Badia, the president of Badia Spices, one of the largest Hispanic-owned spice companies in the United States. With approximately $30 million in initial assets funded through a single contribution in 2024, the foundation is positioned as a significant new entrant in South Florida philanthropy. The foundation received its tax-exempt status in March 2025 and has not yet commenced grantmaking operations. Given the Badia family's extensive history of philanthropic giving through their corporate entity — including million-dollar gifts to Miami Dade College, Florida International University, and Goodwill South Florida — the Ocho Foundation likely represents a formalization and expansion of their charitable activities into a structured vehicle. The foundation's NTEE classification under Philanthropy, Voluntarism, and Grantmaking (T22) suggests it may operate as an intermediary or direct grantmaker rather than a program-operating foundation. Organizations seeking support should monitor the foundation's website (ocho.org) and future 990-PF filings for announcements about grant programs and application procedures as they develop.

As of the most recent 990-PF filing (fiscal year ending December 2024), the Ocho Foundation reported total assets of $30,018,195 and zero dollars in charitable distributions. The foundation's revenue consisted almost entirely of a $30 million contribution with an additional $18,195 in interest income. Total expenses were reported at zero, with no officer compensation or operational costs recorded. This financial profile is consistent with a foundation in its startup year, where assets have been contributed but grantmaking infrastructure has not yet been established. Based on IRS minimum distribution requirements for private foundations (approximately 5% of net investment assets annually), the foundation would be expected to distribute roughly $1.5 million per year once it begins active grantmaking. The Badia family's corporate philanthropy has historically focused on education scholarships, healthcare causes (particularly breast cancer awareness), and community organizations, which may inform the foundation's future funding priorities. Individual grants through the corporate entity have typically been in the $100,000 to $1,000,000 range for major institutional partners.

The Ocho Foundation enters the South Florida philanthropic landscape as a mid-size foundation by assets. While its $30 million endowment is modest compared to major regional players like the Knight Foundation, it represents a substantial commitment that could generate $1.5 million or more in annual grants. The foundation's closest peer by asset size in the Miami area is the Brillembourg Ochoa Family Foundation, though that entity has been active for longer. The Ocho Foundation's trajectory will depend heavily on whether it develops an open application process or operates on an invitation-only basis, as several similarly-sized family foundations in the region do.

The Ocho Foundation was incorporated and received its IRS tax-exempt determination in March 2025, making it one of the newest private foundations of significant size in South Florida. Its first 990-PF filing covers the calendar year 2024 and was filed on July 8, 2025. The foundation is governed by two trustees: Joseph A. Badia and Nancy L. Fredriksen Badia. Its registered address is 3575 Stewart Avenue, Miami, FL 33133. The foundation maintains a website at ocho.org built on the Wix platform, though the site currently contains minimal public-facing content about its grantmaking plans or programs. No grants, RFPs, or program announcements have been published as of early 2026. Meanwhile, the Badia family's corporate philanthropy through Badia Spices continues to be active, with ongoing partnerships including a ninth consecutive year of collaboration with the National Breast Cancer Foundation and continued support for scholarship programs at Miami Dade College and Florida International University. The establishment of the Ocho Foundation may signal a transition of some philanthropic activities from the corporate entity to the foundation structure.

The Ocho Foundation is not currently accepting grant applications or unsolicited proposals. As a newly established private foundation that has not yet distributed any grants, there is no published application process, guidelines, or deadlines. However, organizations that align with the Badia family's known philanthropic interests may wish to take the following preparatory steps: (1) Monitor the foundation's website at ocho.org and future IRS 990-PF filings for announcements about grantmaking programs. (2) Consider the family's demonstrated giving priorities through Badia Spices, which include education scholarships (particularly for Hispanic and immigrant communities), healthcare causes including breast cancer awareness, hospitality and culinary arts education, and community organizations in the Miami-Dade area. (3) Build visibility within South Florida philanthropic networks, as many family foundations of this size operate through personal relationships and community connections rather than formal RFP processes. (4) If your organization has a connection to the food industry, Hispanic community empowerment, or immigrant success stories, these themes resonate with the Badia family's personal history and corporate identity. (5) Ensure your organization has strong financial documentation and impact metrics ready, as newly active foundations often seek high-accountability grantees for their initial distributions.