Peter And Jeri Dejana Family Foundation

The Peter and Jeri Dejana Family Foundation operates with a deeply community-rooted philanthropic approach centered on the greater Port Washington area and Long Island, New York. Founded in 2010 by the late Peter Dejana — a successful businessman and community leader who passed away in 2024 — the foundation embodies a philosophy that "philanthropy at its best is not about headlines, it is about continuity," as articulated by foundation director Scott Reich. The foundation's strategy is relationship-driven rather than application-based, proactively identifying and supporting organizations that serve its primary community. Unlike many foundations of its asset size ($332 million), the Dejana Foundation maintains an intensely local focus, directing the vast majority of its grants to Port Washington and Long Island organizations. The foundation supports five core areas: community development and civic initiatives, pediatric health care and medical research, veteran services, animal welfare, and regional nonprofit programs. With Peter Dejana's passing, the foundation has dramatically scaled its ambitions, announcing a "26 in '26" initiative that will triple giving to $26 million in 2026, suggesting a transition from steady community philanthropy to a more assertive grantmaking posture while maintaining its local identity.

The Peter and Jeri Dejana Family Foundation holds $332 million in assets and has historically maintained a modest payout rate. In 2024, the foundation distributed $3.7 million in grants. In 2025, giving nearly doubled to $7.9 million across 110 organizations and 131 programs. The planned $26 million in 2026 represents a dramatic 7x increase from 2024 levels. Grant sizes range from $100 to $950,000, with a median of $10,000 and an average of $25,000, indicating a distribution model that supports many smaller organizations alongside select larger commitments. The geographic concentration is striking: in 2025, $7.2 million of $7.9 million (91%) went to Long Island initiatives, with $4.9 million (62%) directed to greater Port Washington specifically. The remaining grants extend to organizations in California, Pennsylvania, Florida, Tennessee, Vermont, and other states. The foundation has grown steadily from 99 grants in 2020 to 131 in 2022, reflecting expanding reach. Key areas of support include education, human services, community health, and philanthropy/grantmaking organizations. The foundation plans to establish a permanent headquarters on foundation-owned Shore Road property in Baxter Estates, signaling long-term institutional commitment.

The Dejana Foundation stands out among Long Island funders for its exceptionally high asset base relative to peers and its planned dramatic increase in giving. At $332 million in assets, it is the wealthiest dedicated Long Island family foundation by a significant margin. The planned $26 million in 2026 giving would make it the largest single-year funder on Long Island. Its hyper-local focus on Port Washington is unusual for a foundation of this size, as most foundations at this asset level adopt broader geographic mandates. The community-first, relationship-driven model contrasts with the more programmatic approaches of the Rauch and Long Island Community Foundations.

The Peter and Jeri Dejana Family Foundation entered a transformative period following founder Peter Dejana's passing in May 2024. In March 2026, foundation director Scott Reich unveiled the "26 in '26" initiative at the Port Washington Fire Department headquarters, committing $26 million in grants for 2026 — tripling the 2025 giving level and representing the largest single year of philanthropy in the foundation's history. In 2025, the foundation supported 110 organizations and 131 programs with nearly $7.9 million in grants, with $7.2 million directed to Long Island initiatives and $4.9 million to greater Port Washington. Notable partnerships include Make-A-Wish Metro New York (helping grant 927 wishes for children with critical illnesses), the Marty Lyons Foundation (supporting families of children with life-threatening illnesses), and the Port Washington Fire Department (funding defibrillators, state-of-the-art ambulances, and a $1 million commitment for a new fire training center). The foundation also announced plans to establish a permanent headquarters on its Shore Road property in Baxter Estates. Port Washington Adult Activities Center received a $50,000 grant for senior programs in late 2025. Trustees Geraldine Dejana (Jeri) and April Schweber continue to guide the foundation's mission.

The Peter and Jeri Dejana Family Foundation does not appear to maintain a formal public application process or open calls for proposals. To position your organization for consideration: (1) Geographic alignment is the strongest predictor of funding — organizations based in or directly serving greater Port Washington and Long Island, New York receive over 90% of grants. (2) Build relationships within the Port Washington community, as the foundation takes a proactive, relationship-driven approach to identifying grantees. (3) Align your work with one of the foundation's five priority areas: community development, pediatric health care/medical research, veteran services, animal welfare, or regional nonprofit programs. (4) The "26 in '26" initiative represents a massive expansion in giving ($26 million in 2026), meaning significantly more organizations may receive support — this is an opportune time to be on the foundation's radar. (5) Contact the foundation through its website at dejanafoundation.org or at their address: 30 Sagamore Hill Drive, Port Washington, NY 11050. (6) Given the median grant of $10,000 and average of $25,000, most requests should be in the $5,000-$50,000 range, though larger commitments up to $1 million are possible for strategic partnerships. (7) Demonstrate deep community roots and tangible local impact, consistent with the foundation's philosophy of sustained community commitment.