The Benito and Frances Gaguine Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1996 and based in Juneau, Alaska. The foundation was established by Benito Gaguine, a distinguished Washington DC attorney who practiced law for over 60 years. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and has been tax-exempt since May 1997.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.5M
-10.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$481K
-96.1% YoY
Grant Count
10
-33.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$48K
-94.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Benito and Frances Gaguine reported a distributable amount of $244K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's stated purpose is to increase the amounts available for charitable purposes through dividends, interest, and capital gains from contributed assets.
The foundation issues grants to various charitable organizations with diverse focus areas, including:
- Environmental conservation
- Health and social issues
- Human services
- Conflict resolution
- Immigration-related nonprofits
- Community service and support
Grantmaking
The foundation demonstrates strategic philanthropy through matching grants and challenge gifts that leverage community support.
Grant Range
s:**
Ready to take the next step with Benito and Frances Gaguine?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
- Primary: Juneau and Alaska
- Secondary: Selective national and international funding
- Notable: Washington, DC and Pennsylvania recipients documented
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets:
- $4,509,692 (2024)
- $5.01 million (2023)
- $18.3 million (2023, per alternate source)
Annual Giving:
- $480,549 (2024)
- $1.1 million (annual average)
- $514,000 (2023 revenue)
Financial Trends:
- 2023: $1.1M in giving across 18 grants
- 2022: $1.7M in giving across 21 grants
- 2021: $1.1M in giving across 23 grants
- 2020: $796,000 in giving across 21 grants
- 2019: $778,000 in giving across 26 grants
Median Grant Amount: $15,000 - $50,000 (varies by year)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,509,692 | $5,012,973 | $18,253,654 |
| Revenue | $-22,419 | $514,121 | $1,296,464 |
| Expenses | $480,862 | $12,254,334 | $1,171,480 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $480,549 | $12,248,089 | $1,061,861 |
| Net Investment Income | $62,675 | $513,883 | $1,248,376 |
| Distributable Amount | $243,837 | $526,830 | $855,918 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
87 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include St Vincent De Paul Society Diocesan ($142,689), United Nations Foundation ($100,000), Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran ($60,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| JUNEAU COMMUNITY FOUNDATION JUNEAU, AK | FEEDING JUNEAU KIDS PROGRAM | $50,000 |
| JUNEAU GHOST LIGHT THEATRE JUNEAU, AK | ARTS SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| JUNEAU HOUSING FIRST COLLABORATIVE JUNEAU, AK | HEALTH/HOMELESS SUPPORT | $6,000 |
| JUNEAU PARK FOUNDATION JUNEAU, AK | PARKS AND TRAILS SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| MCE SOCIAL CAPITAL SAN FRANCISCO, CA | OPERATIONS SUPPORT | $44,360 |
| OUTSIDE IN PORTLAND, OR | HEALTH/HOMELESS SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| PERSEVERANCE THEATRE DOUGLAS, AK | ARTS SUPPORT | $12,500 |
| SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN JUNEAU, AK | YOUTH SUMMER LUNCH PROGRAM | $60,000 |
| ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY DIOCESAN JUNEAU, AK | HOMELESS PROGRAMS SUPPORT | $142,689 |
| UNITED NATIONS FOUNDATION WASHINGTON, DC | MALARIA TREATMENT/PREVENTION | $100,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is currently managed by John Gaguine (founder's son) and family members. In 2020, John Gaguine and family were recognized with the Juneau Community Foundation's Founders' Award.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN GAGUINE | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| AARON GAGUINE | VICE PRESIDE | 1 | — |
| MARY ALICE MCKEEN | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| CYNTHIA GAGUINE | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| REGECCA GAGUINE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 1940 Fritz Cove Road, Juneau, AK 99801-6805
Phone: (907) 789-2986
Website: None publicly available
Email: Not publicly available
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Benito and Frances Gaguine fund?
The foundation's stated purpose is to increase the amounts available for charitable purposes through dividends, interest, and capital gains from contributed assets. The foundation issues grants to various charitable organizations with diverse focus areas, including: • Environmental conservation • Health and social issues • Human services • Conflict resolution • Immigration-related nonprofits • Community service and support
How do I apply for a grant from Benito and Frances Gaguine?
**Grant Activity:** • Makes approximately 15-21 grants annually • Does not accept formal applications; operates through trustee discretion **Grant Ranges:** • Small grants: $2,000 - $20,000 • Mid-range grants: $25,000 - $60,000 • Large grants: $100,000 - $243,000 • Overall range: $2,000 - $243,000 **Recent Grant Recipients (2022-2024):** • St. Vincent de Paul Homeless Programs Support: $243,000 • Juneau Community Foundation: $225,000 • Alaska Legal Services: $100,000 • United Nations Foundation…
Where does Benito and Frances Gaguine make grants?
• **Primary:** Juneau and Alaska • **Secondary:** Selective national and international funding • **Notable:** Washington, DC and Pennsylvania recipients documented
What size grants does Benito and Frances Gaguine award?
In 2024, Benito and Frances Gaguine awarded 10 grants totaling $481K — an average of about $48K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Benito and Frances Gaguine required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Benito and Frances Gaguine reported a distributable amount of $244K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Benito and Frances Gaguine's EIN?
Benito and Frances Gaguine's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-1792380. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Benito and Frances Gaguine's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Mat-Su Crime Stoppers Inc
PALMER, AK
Assets
$123K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Valley Hospital Association Inc
WASILLA, AK
Assets
$435.1M
Grants
127
Total Given
$21.5M
United Way of Anchorage
ANCHORAGE, AK
Assets
$12.0M
Grants
21
Total Given
$915K
Edna P Mccurdy Scholarship Foundation
UNALASKA, AK
Assets
$223K
Grants
17
Total Given
$145K
Thomas and Cindy Massie Foundation
ANCHORAGE, AK
Assets
$23.2M
Grants
17
Total Given
$906K
Nea Alaska Inc
JUNEAU, AK
Assets
$21.2M
Grants
6
Total Given
$83K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Benito and Frances Gaguine on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Benito and Frances Gaguine to a real strategy.