Foundations that fund organizations in Amherst, New York
Worked out from where the grants went, not where the foundations sit.
Funding landscape for Amherst nonprofits
115 private foundations gave $4.6M to Amherst organizations in their latest filings; 40 of the 100 that say either way accept applications.
137 grants in total, with a typical foundation's median grant to Amherst around $5,000. 56 of these funders are based in New York; the rest give here from elsewhere.
- Foundations giving here
- 115
- Accept applications
- 40
- of 100 that state a policy
- Dollars to Amherst
- $4.6M
- latest filings
- Grants
- 137
- Typical median grant
- $5,000
- Based in NY
- 56%
- of funders listed
Funders, by dollars given to Amherst organizations
| Foundation | Based in | Grants here | Dollars here | Median | Accepts applications | Typical purposes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freedom Together Foundation | New York, NY | 1 | $1.1M | $1.1M | Preselected only | A collaboratory for a regenerative economy (core): molecule… |
| Scott Bieler Foundation Inc | Orchard Park, NY | 2 | $386K | $193K | Preselected only | Lab equipment and lighting; Building fund for the buffalo house |
| Paul a Saffrin Foundation C/O Catherine B Eberl | Buffalo, NY | 2 | $275K | $138K | Preselected only | General |
| Harry Dent Family Foundation Inc | Buffalo, NY | 1 | $268K | $268K | Yes | Medical research |
| Foundation 214 Inc | Williamsville, NY | 1 | $256K | $256K | Preselected only | Charitable |
| Gates Foundation | Seattle, WA | 1 | $250K | $250K | Yes | Global health and development public awareness and analysis |
| Risen Son Foundation Inc | Amherst, NY | 1 | $220K | $220K | Preselected only | General fund |
| Johnson James Hervey Char Ed Trust | San Diego, CA | 1 | $180K | $180K | Preselected only | General Purposes |
| The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower Foundation | Getzville, NY | 4 | $168K | $39K | Yes | Charitable |
| Rosenau Family Research Foundation | Waseca, MN | 1 | $125K | $125K | Yes | Modulating Oligodendroglial NFkB as a Therapeutic Strategy… |
| The Ralph C Wilson Jr Foundation | Detroit, MI | 1 | $112K | $112K | Yes | Center for Allied and Unified Sport and Exercise (CAUSE) |
| Bernard & Estelle Siegel Foundation | Williamsville, NY | 1 | $108K | $108K | Preselected only | Unrestricted |
| The John R Oishei Foundation | Buffalo, NY | 1 | $100K | $100K | Yes | Institute for mobility innovation & technology |
| Mother Cabrini Health Foundation Inc | New York, NY | 1 | $88K | $88K | Yes | Expand training on how to include students with special nee… |
| Charles Pankow Foundation | Pasadena, CA | 1 | $69K | $69K | Preselected only | Cpf research grant |
| James H Cummings Foundation Inc | Buffalo, NY | 1 | $60K | $60K | Yes | Institute for mobility innovation and technology |
| Patrick P Lee Foundation | Williamsville, NY | 1 | $50K | $50K | Yes | Mental health scholarship program |
| The Spencer Foundation | Chicago, IL | 1 | $47K | $47K | Yes | Examining the impact of anti-lgbtq+ education bills |
| Health Foundation for Western & Central New York | Buffalo, NY | 1 | $42K | $42K | Yes | Movers and makers expansion |
| Pcg Family Philanthropic Foundation Inc | Williamsville, NY | 1 | $38K | $38K | Preselected only | To support the performing arts |
| Dew Foundation | Tyler, TX | 1 | $36K | $36K | Preselected only | Cfi west - feed your brain speaker series for 2025 |
| The Leonard & Robert Weintraub Family Foundation Inc | New York, NY | 1 | $36K | $36K | Preselected only | to further the organization's activities. |
| Reginald a & Elizabeth S Lenna Fdn Inc Dba Lenna Foundation | Lakewood, NY | 1 | $30K | $30K | Yes | Operational support |
| Cullen Foundation of Western New York Inc | Buffalo, NY | 2 | $29K | $15K | Yes | Tuition support for butf 2024 fellows (cohort 2); Capacity building: support of staff positions |
| Noteman-Jones Family Charitable Foundation | Hockessin, DE | 1 | $27K | $27K | Preselected only | Foster a secular society |
| Chur Family Foundation | Williamsville, NY | 2 | $26K | $13K | Preselected only | Charitable |
| The Margaret L Wendt Foundation | Buffalo, NY | 1 | $25K | $25K | Yes | Available upon request |
| The Sheila Dave & Sherry Gold Foundation Co Jeff Gold | Studio City, CA | 1 | $25K | $25K | Preselected only | Support of Scientific Literacy |
| The Paul J Koessler Foundation Inc | Williamsville, NY | 1 | $25K | $25K | Yes | Charitable |
| Ann & Gordon Getty Foundation | San Francisco, CA | 1 | $25K | $25K | Preselected only | To carry out specific charitable, educational, and cultural… |
| Wells Fargo Foundation | Minneapolis, MN | 1 | $25K | $25K | Preselected only | Junior Achievement Financial Literacy Pathway Program |
| Stiefel Freethought Foundation | Wilmington, DE | 1 | $20K | $20K | Preselected only | General & Unrestricted |
| The Percy Fund | Blue Bell, PA | 1 | $20K | $20K | Preselected only | To support the operating budget of the recipient |
| Ralph C Sheldon Foundation Inc | Jamestown, NY | 1 | $20K | $20K | Yes | Programs in so. chautauqua co. |
| The Denker Foundation Co Turtle Creek Trust Company | Dallas, TX | 1 | $15K | $15K | Preselected only | Unrestricted |
| Travelers Foundation | St Paul, MN | 1 | $15K | $15K | Preselected only | Program support for JA in a Day for students at Buffalo Pub… |
| Northwest Charitable Foundation | Warren, PA | 2 | $13K | $6,250 | Preselected only | Youth development |
| Grigg-Lewis Foundation Inc | Lockport, NY | 1 | $12K | $12K | Yes | Education |
| North Pond Foundation | Wilmington, DE | 1 | $10K | $10K | Preselected only | Council for secular |
| Macdonald-Peterson Foundation | Houston, TX | 1 | $10K | $10K | Preselected only | General fund |
| Tower Family Fund Inc | Buffalo, NY | 1 | $10K | $10K | Preselected only | General support |
| The Vera B Arrison Foundation | North Tonawanda, NY | 1 | $10K | $10K | Preselected only | College transition program |
| The Levmar Foundation Inc | McLean, VA | 1 | $10K | $10K | Preselected only | General support |
| Harry S Fredenburgh Scholarship Fund Tr | Chicago, IL | 3 | $8,650 | $3,050 | Preselected only | Scholarship |
| The Vincent & Harriet Palisano Foundation | Buffalo, NY | 2 | $7,000 | $3,500 | Yes | Scholarship |
| Jjr Foundation Inc | Buffalo, NY | 1 | $6,000 | $6,000 | Preselected only | General purpose |
| The Nathan & Lena Seiler Family Fdn C/O Jay Gelbein Cpa | Staten Island, NY | 1 | $6,000 | $6,000 | Preselected only | Tax exempt purpose |
| The Christos Foundation Inc | Orchard Park, NY | 2 | $6,000 | $3,000 | Preselected only | Charitable |
| Nfada Charitable Foundation | Williamsville, NY | 2 | $6,000 | $3,000 | Preselected only | General; Medical |
| Charles Engasser Memorial Foundation Inc | Chanhassen, MN | 1 | $5,800 | $5,800 | Preselected only | Annual scholarship |
| Buffalo Bills Foundation Inc | Orchard Park, NY | 2 | $5,295 | $2,647 | Yes | 50/50 charitable proceeds; Coach of the week |
| The Baird Foundation | Buffalo, NY | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Yes | Unrestricted |
| Mosey Family Foundation | Buffalo, NY | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Preselected only | Chiritable |
| The Allstate Foundation | Northbrook, IL | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Yes | Helping hands group grants |
| The Helen Dent Lenahan Foundation Inc | Buffalo, NY | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Preselected only | Scholarship fund |
| The Frank & Jean Iacovangelo Family Foundation Inc | Wilmington, DE | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Preselected only | Charitable Event |
| The Frank G Raichle Foundation | Williamsville, NY | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Preselected only | General purpose |
| Henry and Norma Gong Family Foundation | Lafayette, CA | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Preselected only | Education |
| Guenther Scholarship Fund the 003307 | Hornell, NY | 1 | $4,000 | $4,000 | Yes | Scholarships |
| The Carol J Adragna Family Foundation | Depew, NY | 1 | $4,000 | $4,000 | Yes | General - unrestricted |
| Marion Park Lewis Foundation for the Arts | Winchester, VA | 1 | $4,000 | $4,000 | Yes | To promote education for the arts |
| Edward & Verna Gerbic Family Foundation | West Hartford, CT | 1 | $4,000 | $4,000 | Preselected only | Current Use for General Charitable Purposes |
| Captain James E Turner Jr Usnr Scholarship Tr | Oneonta, NY | 2 | $3,700 | $1,850 | Yes | Scholarships |
| Naugle Foundation | Clarence, NY | 1 | $3,596 | $3,596 | Yes | physcial repairs to school facilities |
| Cutco Foundation Inc | Olean, NY | 2 | $3,500 | $1,750 | Yes | Annual gift |
| Woldenberg Foundation | Metairie, LA | 1 | $3,000 | $3,000 | Yes | Scholarships |
| Moulton Harold E Scholarship Fund 18362340 | Ithaca, NY | 1 | $3,000 | $3,000 | Yes | Scholarship |
| Children's Foundation of Erie County Inc | Kenmore, NY | 1 | $3,000 | $3,000 | Yes | Programming |
| Buffalo Rehab Group Foundation Inc | North Tonawanda, NY | 1 | $3,000 | $3,000 | Preselected only | Charitable |
| Donald Macdavid Charitable Tr Pf | Buffalo, NY | 1 | $2,899 | $2,899 | Preselected only | Scholarship |
| Jb Philanthropies | San Clemente, CA | 1 | $2,801 | $2,801 | Preselected only | Veteran assistance |
| Florence E Eckhardt Scholarship | St Louis, MO | 1 | $2,715 | $2,715 | Yes | Scholarship |
| Gladstein Family Foundation Inc | Scarsdale, NY | 1 | $2,500 | $2,500 | Preselected only | Further organizations goals |
| Better Future Foundation | Wilmington, DE | 1 | $2,500 | $2,500 | Preselected only | General & Unrestricted |
| Julia M Cullen Foundation | Buffalo, NY | 1 | $2,500 | $2,500 | Yes | Request for donation/education |
| Anspar Foundation | Venice, CA | 1 | $2,368 | $2,368 | Preselected only | Charity |
| Gavin Scholarship Tuw Bernard Gavin 003054 | Olean, NY | 1 | $2,345 | $2,345 | Preselected only | Scholarships |
| Citizens Charitable Foundation | Johnston, RI | 1 | $2,243 | $2,243 | Preselected only | Matching gifts |
| Tr UW J a Burns Scholarship Fund | Norwich, NY | 1 | $2,217 | $2,217 | Preselected only | Scholarship |
| Hebrew Benevolent Loan Association | Getzville, NY | 1 | $2,156 | $2,156 | Yes | Loan forgiveness |
| Elster Foundation Agt | Atlanta, GA | 1 | $2,000 | $2,000 | Preselected only | Charitable |
| Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association | Amherst, NY | 1 | $2,000 | $2,000 | Yes | Scholarship payment to the college on behalf of a scholarsh… |
| Tw Ha Richmond-Teachers Rel Fund | Norwich, NY | 1 | $1,912 | $1,912 | Preselected only | Richmond teachers relief |
| Shell USA Company Foundation | Houston, TX | 2 | $1,750 | $875 | Preselected only | 1450; 300 |
| Dreamcatcher Foundation Inc | Islamorada, FL | 1 | $1,500 | $1,500 | Yes | General donation |
| The Zausner Foundation Inc | New York, NY | 1 | $1,500 | $1,500 | Preselected only | General support |
| Eastman Foundation | Buffalo, NY | 1 | $1,500 | $1,500 | Preselected only | General donation |
| Emanuel and Judith a Klein Family Fdn | Sarasota, FL | 1 | $1,350 | $1,350 | Preselected only | Program support |
| Wny Furtastic Adopt a Thon Inc | Williamsville, NY | 2 | $1,050 | $525 | Preselected only | Animal adoption |
| National Center to Encourage Judaism | Kensington, MD | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Yes | General |
| Gouverneur Foundation | Gouverneur, NY | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Yes | Education |
| Ferguson Electric Foundation | Buffalo, NY | 2 | $1,000 | $500 | Yes | Charitable |
| Pat Boone Foundation Inc | Los Angeles, CA | 1 | $700 | $700 | Preselected only | Assistance to families in need |
| Goff Family Foundation | Phoenix, AZ | 2 | $600 | $300 | Preselected only | Program support |
| Frank and Frances Revoir Foundation C/O Fred S Marty | Marcellus, NY | 1 | $550 | $550 | Yes | Charitable purpose |
| The Forst Foundation | Fort Washington, PA | 1 | $523 | $523 | Preselected only | Operating support |
| Dan Cameron Family Foundation Inc | Wilmington, NC | 1 | $500 | $500 | Yes | General Operating Fund |
| Herbert & Rosalie Goldberg Family Foundation Inc | Wallingford, PA | 1 | $500 | $500 | Preselected only | Unrestricted |
| The Jane and Rabbi Abraham Krantz Family Foundation | Sarasota, FL | 1 | $500 | $500 | Preselected only | General support |
| McKinstry Charitable Foundation | Seattle, WA | 1 | $500 | $500 | Preselected only | Education & STEM |
Source: IRS Form 990-PF Part XV, latest electronic return per foundation (2026-10-28). "Accepts applications" reflects the foundation's own checkbox on Part XV line 2. Grants to individuals excluded.
Common questions
Which foundations give to nonprofits in Amherst, New York?
Freedom Together Foundation, Scott Bieler Foundation Inc, Paul a Saffrin Foundation C/O Catherine B Eberl, Harry Dent Family Foundation Inc, Foundation 214 Inc and 95 others reported grants to Amherst organizations on their latest Form 990-PF.
How do I approach a foundation that doesn't accept applications?
A foundation that checks "contributes only to preselected organizations" on its 990-PF won't review a cold proposal. Look at who it funds, find a shared board member, grantee or advisor, and ask for an introduction. Foundations that accept applications usually list a contact and deadlines in Part XV; we show that text on each foundation's page.
Is this list complete?
No. It covers private foundations (Form 990-PF filers) whose latest electronic return lists at least one grant to an organization in Amherst. Community foundations and corporate giving programs file different forms and are not included yet.