SOURCE OF WEALTH: Virtu Financial
FUNDING AREAS: Education, Religious, Health, Florida community
OVERVIEW: Vincent and Teresa Viola and their family conduct their philanthropy through the Viola Foundation, which appears to be recently minted. Interests include education, including military academies. Available tax filings show that the foundation disbursed just over $6 million in grants in 2017.
BACKGROUND: Born into an Italian-American family, Vincent Viola graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1977. He served in the 101st Airborne Division and completed both Ranger and Airborne Schools. In 1983, he graduated from the New York Law School. Viola launched Virtu Financial, an electronic trading firm, where he is chairman and CEO. He also owns the NHL’s Florida Panthers.
ISSUES:
EDUCATION: Vincent Viola and family have steadily supported the Association of Graduates, the primary organization of United States Air Force Academy. Viola has supported the U.S. Military Academy and, after 9/11, funded the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point.
Other grantees include Fordham University School of Law, City College 21st Century Foundation, Inner-City Scholarship Fund, Mt. Carmel-Holy Rosary School, and Futures in Education, whose goal is to “ensure that the gift of an excellent Catholic education continues to be a viable option for current and future generations of deserving students in Brooklyn and Queens.”
RELIGIOUS: Grantees include The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. The family has supported organizations that work in the Italian-American community, like the National Italian-American Foundation.
HEALTH: Grantees include Eden II and Genesis Foundation, which serve children with autism and rare diseases.
FLORIDA COMMUNITY: Grantees include the Florida Panthers Foundation, which benefits the South Florida community.
OTHER: The family has supported sports outfits Mark Schmidt Basketball Camp and Be the Best Sport, a soccer club.
LOOKING FORWARD: Viola and Teresa are avid horse racers (Viola owns some 70 horses), though the Viola Foundation’s grantmaking does not appear to focus on this of late. The couple’s sons are on the books for the Viola Foundation and are involved with the Panthers team as well. Their influence may increase going forward.
CONTACT:
Viola Foundation
900 3rd Ave., Fl. 29
New York City, NY 10022
