Gamba Family Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Gamba Family Foundation is a private foundation in Washington, District of Columbia. In tax year 2025 it gave $383,000 in 20 grants; the typical grant was $20,000 and the largest $70,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$383,000
- Number of grants20
- Typical grant$20,000
- Largest grant$70,000
- Assets$3.2 million
- New grantees75%
Giving in 2025 was up from $157,052 the year before.
75% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $106,500 | 15 | $2.2 million |
| 2024 | $157,052 | 13 | $2.3 million |
| 2025 | $383,000 | 20 | $3.2 million |
How to apply
Gamba Family Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Gamba Family Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 5 states, the most to District of Columbia.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 16 | $340,000 |
| Maryland | 1 | $30,000 |
| Florida | 1 | $10,000 |
| New York | 1 | $2,000 |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | $1,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Empower K12 | Bold school replication to narrow the achievement gap | $70,000 |
| DC Prep Public Charter Schools | Science of reading | $35,000 |
| Empower K12 | Bold school replication to narrow the achievement gap | $30,000 |
| Maryland State Dept of Ed | Literacy coaching in pg county | $30,000 |
| Two Rivers Public Charter School | Literacy investments | $25,000 |
| DC Special Education Cooperative | Support literacy, school best practice | $25,000 |
| Education Forward DC | Dc school transformation, 4th of 5th year commitment | $20,000 |
| City Schools Collaborative | Supports dc schools w tutoring and comprehensive transformation strategy | $20,000 |
| City Schools Collaborative | Supports dc schools w tutoring and comprehensive transformation strategy | $20,000 |
| KIPP DC Public Schools | To support the capital teaching residency | $20,000 |
| Friendship Public Charter Schools | Science of reading | $20,000 |
| Friendship Public Charter Schools | Reading clinic for charter schools | $20,000 |
| DC Ed Fund- Reading Clinic | Literacy training at dc reading clinic | $10,000 |
| Education Forward DC | Dc kids & schools campaign to improve academic achievement in dc | $10,000 |
| Dunbar High School | Techacademy for low income students | $10,000 |
| DC Ed Fund- Stanton Elementary | Support literacy tactics at stanton elementary | $5,000 |
| DC Bilingual Public Charter School | To support this tier 1 nonprofit public charter school | $5,000 |
| Hope and A Home | Two generation tutoring for low-income families | $5,000 |
| Tech for America | Sponsor two new teachers | $2,000 |
| Kensington Health Sciences Academy Hs | Storyshares books for library | $1,000 |
Officers and trustees
- John F Gamba
- Mary Anne S Gamba
- Elizabeth Gamba Steel
- John F Gamba Jr
Questions people ask
Does Gamba Family Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Gamba Family Foundation give?
$383,000 in tax year 2025, across 20 grants, with a typical grant of $20,000.
Who runs Gamba Family Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists John F Gamba (Co-Founder), Mary Anne S Gamba (Co-Founder), Elizabeth Gamba Steel (Executive Director) and John F Gamba Jr (Director).
What does Gamba Family Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, science and research and health.