SOURCE OF WEALTH: CIBC Oppenheimer Corp, EXOP Capital
FUNDING AREAS: Education & Youth, Health, Community
OVERVIEW: William and Patricia Finneran family move their philanthropy through the Finneran Family Foundation, which, according to recent tax filings, gave away around $1.1 million between 2016 and 2017. Finneran has directed millions to his alma mater Villanova University. Another interest is health, driven in part by personal forces.
BACKGROUND: William B. Finneran graduated from Villanova University with a degree in economics. He spent three decades at CIBC Oppenheimer Corp., an investment banking and securities brokerage firm. He was managing director of Wachovia Securities and went on to form EXOP Capital.
ISSUES:
EDUCATION & YOUTH: Finneran is a longtime supporter of his school Villanova University. He was member of the board of trustees for a decade. He gave a $22.6 million leadership gift to support renovations and programmatic initiatives for the Villanova Men’s Basketball program. He also endowed the men’s basketball head coaching position. Finneran is vice chairman of the Partnership for Inner-City Education of the Archdiocese of New York, which the family supports. Other grantees have included Sacred Heart School, where Finneran is a founding member of the board; Children’s Home Society Florida; and New York Law School.
HEALTH: Finneran and his wife Patricia’s grandaughter Annie was diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA), a debilitating, life-shortening, degenerative neuromuscular disorder. The family has directed strong support to the Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA). They’ve also helped fund the FA Center of Excellence at CHOP/UPenn, a “translation research and clinical care center funded by a $7.4 million gift by the Hamilton/Finneran families and in partnership with the Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA).” Apart from this deeply personal cause, the family has also supported Autism Speaks, Operation Smile, Hope for Depression Foundation, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Prostate Cancer Foundation.
COMMUNITY: The Finnerans have given strong and steady support to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. They’ve supported select organizations in the Palm Beach area, including Palm Beach United Way. The Finnerans also support select Irish organizations, including American Ireland Fund Palm Beach.
LOOKING FORWARD: Expect the family’s support of Villanova and research into Friedreich’s ataxia to continue.
CONTACT:
The Finneran Family Foundation does not provide a clear avenue of contact but below is an address:
Finneran Family Foundation
1375 Broadway
New York, NY 10018
