The Citta Foundation Inc
The Citta Foundation is a private foundation established in 1986 in Florida and currently based in Toms River, New Jersey. It operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to uplifting and supporting the local community through annual donations to charitable and educational organizations. The foundation was founded by Joseph and Regina Citta and continues to honor their legacy through strategic philanthropic efforts.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$9.8M
+15.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$517K
+33.6% YoY
Grant Count
59
+1.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$9K
+31.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Citta Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $468K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to uplift and support the local community through annual donations to charitable and educational organizations, with a particular emphasis on the needs of Ocean County, New Jersey.
The foundation supports a diverse range of charitable and educational causes, including:
- Youth development organizations (Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore)
- Food security and hunger relief (Fulfill, Hunger Foundation of Southern Ocean, Meals on Wheels of Ocean County)
- Housing and community development (Habitat for Humanity, home repair initiatives)
- Healthcare and wellness (Community Medical Center, Hope Sheds Light)
- Social services (Salvation Army, Family Promise of Southern Ocean, Ocean's Harbor House)
- Education (Ocean County College Foundation)
- Youth mentorship (Just Believe, Inc.)
- Community wellness (YMCA)
Grantmaking
The foundation made 47 grants in 2023, with total giving of $386,550. Recent notable grants include:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's primary geographic focus is Ocean County, New Jersey, where it concentrates its philanthropic efforts to support local organizations and community needs.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2023:
- Total Assets: $8,496,669
- Total Revenue: $471,426
- Total Expenses: $474,107
- Total Grants Made: $386,550
- Net Income: -$2
Revenue Breakdown (2023):
- Grants, contributions, etc.: $182,152
- Investment income and dividends: $142,438
- Net rental income: $18,794
- Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: $95,265
Year-over-Year Changes (2023 vs. 2022):
- Total grants and contributions decreased 24.3%
- Investment income and dividends increased 20%
- Net rental income increased 32.6%
- Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets increased 185.5%
The foundation has zero liabilities and operates with no employees.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $9,769,865 | $8,496,669 | $7,278,977 |
| Revenue | $454,900 | $471,426 | $439,987 |
| Expenses | $1,022,582 | $474,107 | $562,242 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $516,500 | $386,550 | $474,713 |
| Net Investment Income | $150,825 | $201,717 | $109,685 |
| Distributable Amount | $468,289 | $346,673 | $377,807 |
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
247 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Oc College Foundation ($100,000), Ocean's Harbor House ($40,000), Fulfill ($35,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 21 PLUS FOUNDATION INC MANCHESTER, NJ | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $5,000 |
| A NEED WE FEED ISLAND HEIGHTS, NJ | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $1,500 |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY MANASQUAN, NJ | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $1,000 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS- NJ REGION FAIRFIELD, NJ | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $4,000 |
| ANNA MARIE WESTEN SCHOLARSHIP TOMS RIVER, NJ | GERNERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $500 |
| BAYSIDE CHAPEL BARNEGAT, NJ | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $500 |
| BERKELEY TWN UNDERWATER SEARCH BAYVILLE, NJ | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $1,000 |
| BIG BROTHERSISTERS OF COASTAL & ASBURY PARK, NJ | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $10,000 |
| CAREGIVER VOLUNTEERS OF CENTRAL TOMS RIVER, NJ | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $5,000 |
| CASA OF OCEAN COUNTY TOMS RIVER, NJ | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $2,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is led by family members of the founders:
- Kristin Farfalla – President (granddaughter of founders)
- Loriann Erbe – Vice President (granddaughter of founders)
- Heather Moffitt – Treasurer (granddaughter of founders)
- Marie Roselli – Secretary
- Cheryl Zahn – Administrator
- Joseph A. Citta, Jr. – Trustee (son of founders)
- Justin Citta – Trustee (grandson of founders)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRISTIN FARFALLA | PRESIDENT | — | — |
| JOSEPH A CITTA JR | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| MARIE ROSELLI | SECRETARY-TR | — | — |
| LORIANN ERBE | VICE PRESIDE | — | — |
| HEATHER MOFFITT | VICE PRESIDE | — | — |
| CHERYL ZAHN | ADMINISTRATO | — | — |
| JUSTIN CITTA | TRUSTEE | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Citta Foundation has demonstrated significant philanthropic activity in recent years:
Citta Foundation Donates $500K To OCCDonated $500,000 to the Ocean County College Foundation
Ocean County College Foundation Receives $500K Donation from Citta FoundationAwarded $600,000 to the Shore Area Boy Scouts Organization
Citta Foundation Awards $600K to Shore Area Boy Scouts OrganizationPledged $75,000 in collaboration with Causeway CARes, Habitat for Humanity, and Starve Poverty for home repairs across Ocean County
Ocean County College Foundation Receives $500K Donation from Citta FoundationHosts annual coat drives for children in need in partnership with local organizations including Causeway CARes and OceanFirst Bank
Contact Information
Address: 201 Hooper Avenue, Suite 5A, Toms River, NJ 08753
Telephone: 732-349-0200
EIN: 59-2635738
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Citta Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's mission is to uplift and support the local community through annual donations to charitable and educational organizations, with a particular emphasis on the needs of Ocean County, New Jersey. The foundation supports a diverse range of charitable and educational causes, including: • Youth development organizations (Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore) • Food security and hunger relief (Fulfill, Hunger Foundation of Southern Ocean, Meals on Wheels of Ocean Coun…
How do I apply for a grant from The Citta Foundation Inc?
The foundation made 47 grants in 2023, with total giving of $386,550. Recent notable grants include: • Ocean's Harbor House: $20,000 (2023) • Ocean County College Foundation: $13,000 (2023) • Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore: $10,500 (2023) The foundation has also made significant major gifts, including a $500,000 donation to Ocean County College Foundation and a $600,000 award to the Shore Area Boy Scouts Organization. Additionally, the foundation pledged $75,000 to fund home repairs across Oce…
Where does The Citta Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation's primary geographic focus is Ocean County, New Jersey, where it concentrates its philanthropic efforts to support local organizations and community needs.
What size grants does The Citta Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, The Citta Foundation Inc awarded 59 grants totaling $517K — an average of about $9K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Citta Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Citta Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $468K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Citta Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Citta Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 59-2635738. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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