Neil & Sandra Defeo Family Foundati
The Neil & Sandra Defeo Family Foundati is a private foundation based in Sarasota, Florida. Its 2025 filing reports contributions to nonprofit organizations, including grants for education, arts, aid, community support, and conservation.
Neil & Sandra Defeo Family Foundati at a glance
In short: Neil & Sandra Defeo Family Foundati gave $231K across 20 grants in 2025 (avg $12K), top state New York. 0% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $230,500
- +19.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 20
- -16.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $11,525
- +43.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $4,363,904
- +8.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 20, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- New York (43% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Neil & Sandra Defeo Family Foundati
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 4067 Shell Road, Sarasota, FL 34242
Phone: (847) 477-0009
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Neil & Sandra Defeo Family Foundati funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Manhattan College ($100K). Together the top 10 received $210K.
Grant Size Distribution
114 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 109 grants of 114 (96%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, grant dollars went to recipients in New York (43%), Florida (35%), Connecticut (15%), Virginia (4%), and Michigan (1%). Listed recipients included organizations in Sarasota and other Florida communities, as well as grantees in New York, Connecticut, Virginia, and Michigan.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 20 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Neil & Sandra Defeo Family Foundati open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 0 of 20 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. With only 20 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. How we count
- 100% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 38% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 116% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $168K (2022) to $231K (2025). In 2025 it made 20 grants totaling $231K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Manhattan College Riverdale, NY | Education | $100,000 |
| Sarasota Ballet Sarasota, FL | ARTS | $25,000 |
| Stamford Hospital Stamfortd, CT | AID | $20,000 |
| Frost School of Music Coral Gables, FL | Performing Arts | $10,000 |
| Horizons at CT State Norwalk Norwalk, CT | Education | $10,000 |
| Sarasota Opera Sarasota, FL | ARTS | $10,000 |
| Sarasota Orchestra Sarasota, FL | ARTS | $10,000 |
| Selby Gardens Sarasota, FL | Community Support | $10,000 |
| Special Operations Fund Arlington, VA | AID | $10,000 |
| Asolo Repertory Theater Sarasota, FL | ARTS | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Neil & Sandra Defeo Family Foundati?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $4,363,904 | $622,826 | $282,528 | $230,500 | 20 | $230,500 | $576,598 | $198,632 |
| 2024 | $4,029,857 | $151,626 | $235,617 | $192,500 | 24 | $192,500 | $117,830 | $198,964 |
| 2023 | $4,116,413 | $138,643 | $268,137 | $221,300 | 25 | $221,300 | $110,223 | $204,622 |
| 2022 | $4,255,332 | $-102,975 | $217,776 | $167,500 | 22 | $167,500 | $96,154 | $216,378 |
| 2021 | $4,572,887 | $883,935 | $225,603 | $178,500 | 23 | $178,500 | $836,832 | $226,008 |
| 2020 | $3,923,606 | $-191,207 | $261,053 | $213,000 | 26 | — | $33,238 | $211,984 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Neil & Sandra Defeo Family Foundati reported a distributable amount of $199K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s filing describes its direct charitable activity as contributions to various nonprofit organizations. Its 2025 grants included support for educational institutions and programs, arts organizations, aid, community support, and conservation.
Among the grantees, Horizons at CT State Norwalk describes its work as providing summer academic enrichment and year-round activities and connections for children from Pre-K through grade 12. The Special Operations Fund says it provides educational grants and other support to families of special mission unit warriors and Medal of Honor recipients. The Norwalk Land Trust says it acquires and preserves land for Norwalk residents and future generations. The Rowayton Civic Association describes its work as providing cultural programs, educational services, and support for local community initiatives, while the Rowayton Arts Center says it supports the study, creation, and appreciation of the arts through classes, exhibitions, and events.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 20 grants totaling $230,500. Grant amounts ranged from $750 to $100,000, with a median grant of $5,000.
The largest reported grants included $100,000 to Manhattan College for education; $25,000 to Sarasota Ballet for arts; $20,000 to Stamford Hospital for aid; and $10,000 each to Frost School of Music for performing arts, Horizons at CT State Norwalk for education, Sarasota Opera and Sarasota Orchestra for arts, Selby Gardens for community support, and Special Operations Fund for aid. Other listed grants included $5,000 to Asolo Repertory Theater and $3,000 to Conservation Foundation of Gulf.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Neil DeFeo, Sandra DeFeo, Elizabeth DeFeo, Lauren DeFeo Duchene, and Julia DeFeo Swan as directors.
Neil & Sandra Defeo Family Foundati's 2025 filing lists 5 officers; none of the 5 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Elizabeth Defeo
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Julia Defeo Swan
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Lauren Defeo Duchene
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Neil Defeo
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Sandra Defeo
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Neil & Sandra Defeo Family Foundati
How much does Neil & Sandra Defeo Family Foundati give each year?
Neil & Sandra Defeo Family Foundati gave $231K across 20 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $193K across 24 grants.
What is Neil & Sandra Defeo Family Foundati's typical grant size?
Neil & Sandra Defeo Family Foundati's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $11,525, across 20 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Neil & Sandra Defeo Family Foundati give grants?
Neil & Sandra Defeo Family Foundati's top state is New York, with 43% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Florida (35%) and Connecticut (15%). The most frequent recipient cities were Sarasota, FL (7 grants), Norwalk, CT (3 grants) and Rowayton, CT (2 grants).
Does Neil & Sandra Defeo Family Foundati give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 20 grants with a stated purpose on Neil & Sandra Defeo Family Foundati's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Arts" (7 grants).
Who are Neil & Sandra Defeo Family Foundati's largest grantees?
Neil & Sandra Defeo Family Foundati's largest 2025 grantees include Manhattan College ($100,000), Sarasota Ballet ($25,000) and Stamford Hospital ($20,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 63% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Neil & Sandra Defeo Family Foundati?
Neil & Sandra Defeo Family Foundati reported $4.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $231K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $199K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Neil & Sandra Defeo Family Foundati fund?
The foundation’s filing describes its direct charitable activity as contributions to various nonprofit organizations. Its 2025 grants included support for educational institutions and programs, arts organizations, aid, community support, and conservation. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Neil & Sandra Defeo Family Foundati?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Neil & Sandra Defeo Family Foundati's EIN?
Neil & Sandra Defeo Family Foundati's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-6141110. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Neil & Sandra Defeo Family Foundati accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 6, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Neil & Sandra Defeo Family Foundati funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Neil & Sandra Defeo Family Foundati's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
IBM International Foundation
Armonk, NY
The IBM International Foundation funds education and workforce programs that build 21st-century and technology job skills, including initiatives for underserved students and job seekers. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $8.48 million, with a median of $100,000, and went to organizations across several U.S. states, especially Delaware and Massachusetts. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$357.7M
Grants
16
Total Given
$11.7M
The Dave Hokin Foundation
Darien, CT
The Dave Hokin Foundation supports a varied range of charitable work, including health, hunger relief, education, arts, and community organizations. Its 2025 grants ranged from $250 to $10,000, with a median of $1,850, and went primarily to organizations in Connecticut and Illinois, as well as New York, Massachusetts, and Idaho. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$560K
Grants
24
Total Given
$76K
Sandor Family Foundation
Sarasota, FL
The Sandor Family Foundation supports arts and cultural organizations, education, health care, food assistance, and other charitable causes, with most 2024 grant dollars going to Florida organizations. Its 2024 grants ranged from $3,000 to $85,000, with a median of $10,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$424K
Grants
26
Total Given
$486K
Theda Bohrer Wendy and Tracey Shapiro
Sarasota, FL
Assets
$724K
Grants
6
Total Given
$29K
The Schloss Family Foundation Inc
New Canaan, CT
The Schloss Family Foundation supports preselected charitable organizations across varied fields, with 2025 grants concentrated in New York, Washington, DC, Connecticut, and North Carolina. Its 15 grants ranged from $1,000 to $50,000, with a median of $15,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$3.5M
Grants
15
Total Given
$336K
Konstantin Family Foundation
Wilmington, DE
Assets
$80K
Grants
59
Total Given
$29K
More similar funders
More Funders in Florida
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Neil & Sandra Defeo Family Foundati funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/neil-and-sandra-defeo-family-foundati-morg_259c94493c4e47c0a051bcf6efdb5c75
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_266141110_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Neil \& Sandra Defeo Family Foundati funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/neil-and-sandra-defeo-family-foundati-morg_259c94493c4e47c0a051bcf6efdb5c75},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Neil & Sandra Defeo Family Foundati's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Neil & Sandra Defeo Family Foundati down — hundreds of funders to go?