The Geaton and Joann Decesaris
The Geaton and Joann Decesaris is a private foundation based in Davidsonville, Maryland. Its 2024 filing reports grants to charitable organizations, including organizations working in lung cancer, food security, homelessness services, recovery, cancer support, and education.
The Geaton and Joann Decesaris at a glance
In short: The Geaton and Joann Decesaris gave $850K across 59 grants in 2024 (avg $14K), mostly in Maryland. 8% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $849,550
- +16.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 59
- +5.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $14,399
- +10.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $13,939,753
- +3.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 8% first-time grantees (5 of 59, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Maryland (50% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Geaton and Joann Decesaris
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 2001 Rosetta Way, Davidsonville, MD 21035
Phone: (410) 685-4000
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Geaton and Joann Decesaris funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was GO2 Foundation Lung Cancer ($300K). Together the top 10 received $503K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($10,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
281 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 271 grants of 281 (96%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, recipients in Maryland received 50% of grant dollars and recipients in Washington, DC, received 40%. New York received 5%, while Nevada and Maine each received 1%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 59 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Geaton and Joann Decesaris open to new grantees?
8%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 5 of 59 grantees (8%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $11K; repeat grants $15K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 86% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−12%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 105% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $730K (2023) to $967K (2021). In 2024 it made 59 grants totaling $850K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| GO2 Foundation Lung Cancer Washington, DC | Charity | $300,000 |
| Anne Arundel County Food Bank Crownsville, MD | Charity | $30,000 |
| Sarah's House Fort Meade, MD | Charity | $25,000 |
| Metavivor Annapolis, MD | Charity | $25,000 |
| St Mary's Annapolis Catholic Church Annapolis, MD | Charity | $22,600 |
| Wellness House of Annapolis Annapolis, MD | Charity | $20,000 |
| Chrysalis House Crownsville, MD | Charity | $20,000 |
| House of Ruth Baltimore, MD | Charity | $20,000 |
| The Light House Inc Annapolis, MD | Charity | $20,000 |
| Dysautonomia International East Moriches, NY | Charity | $20,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $13,939,753 | $1,407,380 | $981,352 | $849,550 | 59 | $849,550 | $1,279,694 | $812,851 |
| 2023 | $13,513,721 | $10,561 | $843,025 | $729,839 | 56 | $729,839 | $255,535 | $749,189 |
| 2022 | $14,346,188 | $712,922 | $980,144 | $844,000 | 55 | $844,000 | $593,375 | $771,611 |
| 2021 | $14,613,410 | $2,212,554 | $1,212,424 | $967,000 | 57 | $967,000 | $2,121,375 | $878,759 |
| 2020 | $13,527,268 | $319,342 | $828,832 | $730,037 | 54 | — | $165,423 | $764,703 |
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.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for a range of organizations. For example, GO2 for Lung Cancer, which received $300,000, says it works to increase survival rates for people at risk of, diagnosed with, or living with lung cancer. The Anne Arundel County Food Bank, which received $30,000, describes its mission as alleviating food insecurity in the county by obtaining and distributing nourishing food.
Other 2024 recipients include the Anne Arundel Community College Foundation, which received $20,000 and says it supports students and community-strengthening initiatives; Dysautonomia International, which received $20,000 and says it raises awareness and funds research; The Light House, which received $20,000 and says it provides shelter, homelessness prevention, and support toward self-sufficiency; Chrysalis House, which received $20,000 and says it provides recovery services for women and their children; and Annapolis Wellness Corporation, which received $20,000 and says it provides a homelike setting for cancer patients and their families.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation awarded 59 grants totaling $849,550. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $300,000, with a median of $10,000. The largest listed grant was $300,000 to GO2 Foundation Lung Cancer in Washington, DC. Other notable grants included $30,000 to Anne Arundel County Food Bank; $25,000 each to Sarah’s House and METAVIVOR; and $22,600 to St. Mary’s Annapolis Catholic Church.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Josephine A. Decesaris as president; Angela Duffy as vice president of accounting; Elizabeth Decesaris as secretary; Kristin Messineo as vice president of compliance; Joann Decesaris as treasurer; and Maria Decesaris as administrator.
The Geaton and Joann Decesaris is led by Josephine A. Decesaris, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 6 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Josephine A. Decesaris
President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Angela Duffy
Vice President - Accounting
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Decesaris
Secretary
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Joann Decesaris
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Kristin Messineo
Vice President - Compliance
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Maria Decesaris
Administrator
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 The Geaton and Joann Decesaris
How much does The Geaton and Joann Decesaris give each year?
The Geaton and Joann Decesaris gave $850K across 59 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $730K across 56 grants.
What is The Geaton and Joann Decesaris's typical grant size?
The Geaton and Joann Decesaris's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $14,399, across 59 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Geaton and Joann Decesaris that year got $11K on average.
Where does The Geaton and Joann Decesaris give grants?
The Geaton and Joann Decesaris gives mostly in Maryland: 50% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were District of Columbia (40%) and New York (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Annapolis, MD (11 grants), Washington, DC (4 grants), Baltimore, MD (4 grants) and Crownsville, MD (3 grants).
Does The Geaton and Joann Decesaris give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 59 grants with a stated purpose on The Geaton and Joann Decesaris's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charity" (58 grants).
Who are The Geaton and Joann Decesaris's largest grantees?
The Geaton and Joann Decesaris's largest 2024 grantees include GO2 Foundation Lung Cancer ($300,000), Anne Arundel County Food Bank ($30,000) and Sarah's House ($25,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($10,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 42% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Geaton and Joann Decesaris?
The Geaton and Joann Decesaris reported $13.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $850K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $813K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Geaton and Joann Decesaris fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for a range of organizations. For example, GO2 for Lung Cancer, which received $300,000, says it works to increase survival rates for people at risk of, diagnosed with, or living with lung cancer. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Geaton and Joann Decesaris?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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.
Does The Geaton and Joann Decesaris 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
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Geaton and Joann Decesaris funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 4, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-geaton-and-joann-decesaris-morg_227161add7284e8884ad83f39279c3e0
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_522303477_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Geaton and Joann Decesaris funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-geaton-and-joann-decesaris-morg_227161add7284e8884ad83f39279c3e0},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-04. 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 The Geaton and Joann Decesaris'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.
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