The Geaton and Joann Decesaris
The Geaton and Joann Decesaris Family Foundation is a private foundation established in 2001 and based in Davidsonville, Maryland. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to philanthropic grantmaking, with a primary focus on health organizations, hospitals, and faith-based institutions.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$13.9M
+3.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$850K
+16.4% YoY
Grant Count
59
+5.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$14K
+10.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Geaton and Joann Decesaris reported a distributable amount of $813K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's giving priorities center on:
- Health organizations and hospitals — primary funding focus
- Roman Catholic agencies and churches — secondary funding area
- Cancer research and support — demonstrated through significant grants to cancer-focused organizations
Grantmaking
The foundation contributes only to pre-selected organizations and does not accept unsolicited applications.
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with The Geaton and Joann Decesaris?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in:
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Boston, Massachusetts area
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $13.9 million
- Total Revenue: $1.41 million
- Total Expenses: $981,000
- Total Liabilities: $0
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $13.5 million
- Total Revenue: $10,561
- Total Expenses: $843,025
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $13,939,753 | $13,513,721 | $14,346,188 |
| Revenue | $1,407,380 | $10,561 | $712,922 |
| Expenses | $981,352 | $843,025 | $980,144 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $849,550 | $729,839 | $844,000 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,279,694 | $255,535 | $593,375 |
| Distributable Amount | $812,851 | $749,189 | $771,611 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Go2 Foundation Lung Cancer ($300,000), Anne Arundel County Food Bank ($30,000), Sarah's House ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| DECESARISPROUT CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION DAVIDSONVILLE, MD | CHARITY | $15,500 |
| WELLNESS HOUSE OF ANNAPOLIS ANNAPOLIS, MD | CHARITY | $20,000 |
| HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH NEW YORK, NY | CHARITY | $5,000 |
| CYSTIC FIBROSIS FOUNDATION BETHESDA, MD | CHARITY | $10,000 |
| MISSIONARIES OF CHARITY BRONX, NY | CHARITY | $5,000 |
| DIVINE MERCY CORP ROCKBILLE, MD | CHARITY | $5,000 |
| CHRYSALIS HOUSE CROWNSVILLE, MD | CHARITY | $20,000 |
| HOUSE OF RUTH BALTIMORE, MD | CHARITY | $20,000 |
| THE LIGHT HOUSE INC ANNAPOLIS, MD | CHARITY | $20,000 |
| MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION PHOENIX, AZ | CHARITY | $1,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and Trustees:
- Geaton A. Decesaris, Jr. — Chairperson
- Josephine A. Decesaris — President
- Kristen Decesaris — Vice President
- Angela Duffy — Vice President
- Elizabeth Decesaris — Secretary
- Jo Ann Decesaris — Treasurer
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOSEPHINE A DECESARIS | PRESIDENT | — | — |
| ANGELA DUFFY | VP - ACCOUNTING | — | — |
| ELIZABETH DECESARIS | SECRETARY | — | — |
| KRISTIN MESSINEO | VP - COMPLIANCE | — | — |
| JOANN DECESARIS | TREASURER | — | — |
| MARIA DECESARIS | ADMINISTRATOR | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has demonstrated active engagement in cancer research and patient support initiatives. In recent years, the foundation has provided matching gift support for fundraising campaigns, including a pledge to Wellness House of Annapolis. The foundation's commitment to cancer causes is reflected in its substantial grants to organizations like GO2 For Lung Cancer and its historical support for cancer research initiatives.
Geaton & JoAnn DeCesaris Family Foundation Pledges Generous Matching GiftThe foundation's origins are connected to personal experiences with cancer within the founding family, which has shaped its philanthropic priorities toward health and cancer-related causes.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Geaton and Joann Decesaris fund?
The foundation's giving priorities center on: • **Health organizations and hospitals** — primary funding focus • **Roman Catholic agencies and churches** — secondary funding area • **Cancer research and support** — demonstrated through significant grants to cancer-focused organizations
How do I apply for a grant from The Geaton and Joann Decesaris?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 64 grants in 2023 • Recent notable grants include: • $300,000 to GO2 For Lung Cancer (2023) • $25,000 to Metavivor Research and Support (2023) • $20,000 to Chrysalis House (2023) • Total grants distributed in 2023: approximately $836,000 **Application Process:** The foundation contributes only to pre-selected organizations and does not accept unsolicited applications.
Where does The Geaton and Joann Decesaris make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in: • Maryland • Massachusetts • Boston, Massachusetts area
What size grants does The Geaton and Joann Decesaris award?
In 2024, The Geaton and Joann Decesaris awarded 59 grants totaling $850K — an average of about $14K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Geaton and Joann Decesaris required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Geaton and Joann Decesaris reported a distributable amount of $813K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Geaton and Joann Decesaris's EIN?
The Geaton and Joann Decesaris's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-2303477. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Geaton and Joann Decesaris's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
The Abell Foundation Inc
BALTIMORE, MD
Assets
$296.4M
Grants
391
Total Given
$13.4M
Rotary Club of Columbia Patuxent
COLUMBIA, MD
Assets
$376K
Grants
1
Total Given
$12K
American Federation for Children Growth
COLUMBIA, MD
Assets
$9.4M
Grants
11
Total Given
$2.4M
Mayfield Scholastic Ltd
BALTIMORE, MD
Assets
—
Grants
1
Total Given
$38K
Baltimore Curriculum Project Inc
BALTIMORE, MD
Assets
$17.3M
Grants
6
Total Given
$2.7M
Government Employees' Benefit
HANOVER, MD
Assets
$3K
Grants
43
Total Given
$108K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Geaton and Joann Decesaris 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 The Geaton and Joann Decesaris to a real strategy.