Ron And Andrea Defeo Family Foundation
This organization is a private foundation dedicated to supporting initiatives primarily in cancer research and education. It funds various causes, including significant contributions to cancer research centers and educational institutions, reflecting a commitment to advancing knowledge and treatment in these fields. The foundation has notably supported the Prostate Cancer Foundation and several universities, indicating a focus on both health-related research and educational opportunities. Its funding activities suggest a strong interest in improving health outcomes and supporting academic research initiatives.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
Established research institutions or charities with a demonstrable cancer-research or university-research profile and existing relationships or introductions into the funder’s network.
Good Fit
- • Work focused on cancer research or medical research at a university or major disease foundation.
- • An existing relationship or warm introduction to one of the foundation’s directors or prior grantee organizations.
- • Capacity to manage a larger single grant (the foundation has made six-figure and five-figure gifts).
Geography
Observed grants span multiple states (3 in 2023 and 5 in 2022), indicating a multi-state footprint, though dollars are concentrated in California.
Recipient Variety
The foundation supported 5 distinct recipients in 2022 and 3 in 2023, including universities and disease-focused charities, with two organizations recurring across both years—evidence of a modest but not tiny independent recipient set.
New Applicants
The funder declares it only supports preselected applicants (invitation-only), and while one new recipient appeared in 2023, the explicit preselection policy and repeat funding pattern make unsolicited entry unlikely.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
