Vinik Family Foundation (VFF) is a private foundation based in Tampa, Florida, established in 1997 and formally incorporated in 1998. The foundation is created and managed by Jeff and Penny Vinik. As a 501(c)(3) organization, VFF has donated over $75 million to nonprofits across multiple sectors since its inception.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$183.3M
-28.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$12.2M
-0.8% YoY
Grant Count
103
-11.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$118K
+11.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Vinik Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $6.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
VFF focuses on four primary areas:
- Education
- Human Services
- Healthcare
- The Arts
The foundation is especially dedicated to broadening the public's understanding of art through inclusive, interactive exhibits and installations. Notable art initiatives include sponsorship of Lucy Sparrow's Tampa Deli & Convenience Store exhibit and ownership of Yayoi Kusama's "Love is Calling" art exhibit.
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Grantmaking is by invitation only.
Grant Range
$10,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in:
- Florida
- Massachusetts
- New York
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2022:
- Total Assets: $242.5 million
- Total Revenues: -$16.7 million
- Total Expenses: $17.7 million
- Total Liabilities: $19 million
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $183.3 million
- Total Giving: $12.2 million
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $183,309,893 | $257,218,686 | $242,464,623 |
| Revenue | $29,324,868 | $11,690,328 | $-16,722,111 |
| Expenses | $32,508,167 | $16,374,540 | $17,714,408 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $12,396,885 | $12,523,835 | $28,063,721 |
| Net Investment Income | $34,614,651 | $9,323,375 | — |
| Distributable Amount | $6,503,535 | $9,424,193 | $9,951,947 |
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 Museum of Fine Arts Boston ($663,000), Feeding Tampa Bay Inc ($612,500), Brigham & Women's Hospital ($500,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACADEMY PREP CENTER OF TAMPA INC TAMPA, FL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| ADVENTHEALTH FOUNDATION INC TAMPA, FL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE & RELATED DISORDERS ASSOCIATION INC CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $54,000 |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY INC ATLANTA, GA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $12,500 |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION BOONE, IA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $80,000 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF AMERICA TAMPA, FL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| BLUE STAR FAMILIES INC ENCINITAS, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| BOSTON FOUNDATION INC BOSTON, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF TAMPA BAY INC TAMPA, FL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| BREAKTHROUGH T1D HAGERSTON, MD | GENERAL SUPPORT | $125,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JEFFREY N VINIK | TRUSTEE | 7.5 | — |
| MARY PENNY VINIK | TRUSTEE & PRESIDENT | 8 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In December 2023, Vinik Family Foundation pledged $1.5 million to The Florida Aquarium for a major expansion project, designated as a leadership gift.
Vinik Family Foundation pledges $1.5 million for Florida Aquarium expansionThe foundation has also pledged an additional $10 million to the Community Heroes Program.
Vinik Family Foundation pledges $1.5 million for Florida Aquarium expansionSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Vinik Family Foundation fund?
VFF focuses on four primary areas: • **Education** • **Human Services** • **Healthcare** • **The Arts** The foundation is especially dedicated to broadening the public's understanding of art through inclusive, interactive exhibits and installations. Notable art initiatives include sponsorship of Lucy Sparrow's Tampa Deli & Convenience Store exhibit and ownership of Yayoi Kusama's "Love is Calling" art exhibit.
How do I apply for a grant from Vinik Family Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Annual giving: approximately $12.2 million to $14.3 million • Number of grants: approximately 250 annually • Median grant size: $10,000 • Grant range: $1,000 to $2.2 million • Giving rate: 5.9% of assets **Application Policy:** The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Grantmaking is by invitation only.
Where does Vinik Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in: • Florida • Massachusetts • New York
What size grants does Vinik Family Foundation award?
In 2024, Vinik Family Foundation awarded 103 grants totaling $12.2M — an average of about $118K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Vinik Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Vinik Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $6.5M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Vinik Family Foundation's EIN?
Vinik Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-1917506. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Vinik Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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