Lou and Maura Rosso

SOURCE OF WEALTH: Beckman Coulter

FUNDING AREAS: Health & Human Services, Education, Arts & Culture

OVERVIEW: Lou and Maura Rosso move philanthropy through the Rosso Family Foundation, which gave away around $500,000 in a recent year. Grantmaking focuses on San Diego county.

BACKGROUND: Lou Rosso joined Beckman Coulter in 1959, initially working in product marketing in the biomedical instrumentation division. He assumed the role of COO and president of SmithKline Beckman in 1982.

ISSUES:

HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES: Rosso is on the board of trustees of St. Joseph Heritage Healthcare Foundation. Grantees have included Rady Children’s Hospital, Salvation Army, Wounded Warrior Project, Susan G. Komen Foundation, and Casa de Amparo, which deals with child abuse.

EDUCATION: Rosso is a former Board member of Harvey Mudd College in Claremont and trustee emeritus of the Keck Graduate Institute of Applied Life Sciences at the Claremont Colleges. The family have supported places like Kellogg School of Management, USC Marshall School of Business, and Diegueno Esteem Foundation, which supports Diegueno Country School, an elementary school.

OTHER: The Rosso family also support other causes, including arts and culture. Grantees have included New Children’s Museum and San Diego Symphony.

LOOKING FORWARD: It’s unclear how much money is waiting in the wings, but expect this family to continue to support established interest areas.

CONTACT:

The application process begins with a written solicitation to:

The Rosso Family Foundation
P.O. Box 75888
New River, AZ 85087
(623) 322-7351
stevehopper@cox.net