Foundations that fund organizations in Lancaster, New York
Worked out from where the grants went, not where the foundations sit.
Funding landscape for Lancaster nonprofits
28 private foundations gave $572K to Lancaster organizations in their latest filings; 11 of the 28 that say either way accept applications.
37 grants in total, with a typical foundation's median grant to Lancaster around $10K. 20 of these funders are based in New York; the rest give here from elsewhere.
- Foundations giving here
- 28
- Accept applications
- 11
- of 28 that state a policy
- Dollars to Lancaster
- $572K
- latest filings
- Grants
- 37
- Typical median grant
- $10K
- Based in NY
- 71%
- of funders listed
Funders, by dollars given to Lancaster organizations
| Foundation | Based in | Grants here | Dollars here | Median | Accepts applications | Typical purposes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Galasso Foundation | Clarence, NY | 3 | $84K | $6,750 | Preselected only | Contribution |
| Wildermuth Memorial Foundation | Kenmore, NY | 1 | $54K | $54K | Yes | Research |
| Tower Family Fund Inc | Buffalo, NY | 1 | $50K | $50K | Preselected only | Leadership council campaign |
| Scott Bieler Foundation Inc | Orchard Park, NY | 1 | $46K | $46K | Preselected only | Donation for the purchase of bicycles |
| Cullen Foundation of Western New York Inc | Buffalo, NY | 2 | $45K | $23K | Yes | Program support for supplemental academic prgm (stem); General operating; staffing |
| Marie C Beers Co Pnc Bank Na - Trustee | Pittsburgh, PA | 1 | $44K | $44K | Preselected only | General support |
| Mayer Dorothy M Trust UW | Dallas, TX | 2 | $41K | $20K | Preselected only | Unrestricted general |
| The William E & Ann L Swan Foundation | Clarence, NY | 1 | $34K | $34K | Preselected only | Charitable |
| Mayr George H - Main | St Louis, MO | 1 | $30K | $30K | Yes | Scholarships |
| Russell J Salvatore Foundation | Williamsville, NY | 1 | $20K | $20K | Yes | General |
| Lakeridge Foundation | Buffalo, NY | 1 | $20K | $20K | Preselected only | To support their mission |
| The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower Foundation | Getzville, NY | 1 | $18K | $18K | Yes | Charitable |
| Donald Macdavid Charitable Tr Pf | Buffalo, NY | 2 | $17K | $8,697 | Preselected only | Educational; Education |
| The Margaret L Wendt Foundation | Buffalo, NY | 1 | $13K | $13K | Yes | Available upon request |
| Msgr Richard S Amico Memorial Charitable Trust | Buffalo, NY | 1 | $10K | $10K | Preselected only | Program services |
| Northwest Charitable Foundation | Warren, PA | 1 | $10K | $10K | Preselected only | Benefit children's hospitals |
| The Carol J Adragna Family Foundation | Depew, NY | 2 | $7,000 | $3,500 | Yes | General - unrestricted |
| Aquino Family Charitable Foundation Inc | Spring Lake, NJ | 3 | $6,540 | $1,500 | Preselected only | General donation for unrestricted use; General donations for unrestricted use |
| Verizon Foundation | Basking Ridge, NJ | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Preselected only | Other civic / community |
| Nfada Charitable Foundation | Williamsville, NY | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Preselected only | General |
| James H Cummings Foundation Inc | Buffalo, NY | 1 | $2,560 | $2,560 | Yes | Greenfield physical therapy pool renovation |
| Buffalo Bills Foundation Inc | Orchard Park, NY | 2 | $2,500 | $1,250 | Yes | Aed grant; Coach of the week |
| Arthur J Gallagher Foundation | Rolling Meadows, IL | 1 | $2,000 | $2,000 | Preselected only | General exempt purpose |
| Tw Ha Richmond-Teachers Rel Fund | Norwich, NY | 1 | $1,912 | $1,912 | Preselected only | Richmond teachers relief |
| Love Like Ben Foundation Inc | Lockport, NY | 1 | $1,500 | $1,500 | Yes | Special Needs Students |
| The Western New York Foundation | Buffalo, NY | 1 | $1,500 | $1,500 | Yes | Operations/Trustee Discretionary |
| Kowalewski Tr D | Buffalo, NY | 1 | $693 | $693 | Preselected only | General support |
| Barr Foundation | Boston, MA | 1 | $510 | $510 | Preselected only | To support the holiday giving program |
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 Lancaster, New York?
The Galasso Foundation, Wildermuth Memorial Foundation, Tower Family Fund Inc, Scott Bieler Foundation Inc, Cullen Foundation of Western New York Inc and 23 others reported grants to Lancaster 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 Lancaster. Community foundations and corporate giving programs file different forms and are not included yet.