Bernard & Estelle Siegel Foundation Inc
The Bernard & Estelle Siegel Foundation is a private foundation based in Williamsville, New York. It made 20 grants totaling $819,500 in filing year 2025, supporting charitable organizations that include education, food assistance, social services, workforce training, and veterans’ services organizations.
Key facts about Bernard & Estelle Siegel Foundation Inc
In short: Bernard & Estelle Siegel Foundation Inc gave $820K across 20 grants in 2025 (avg $41K), mostly in New York. 5% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 23-7015786
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $819,500
- Grants made (2025)
- 20
- Average grant
- $40,975
- Median grant
- $22,500
- New grantees (estimate)
- 5% first-time grantees (1 of 19, 2025)
- Total assets
- $7,719,969
- Primary geography
- New York (99% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$7.7M
-6.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$820K
+1.7% YoY
Grant Count
20
-13.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$41K
+17.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Bernard & Estelle Siegel Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $416K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Bernard & Estelle Siegel Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
5%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 1 of 19 grantees (5%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $5K; repeat grants $45K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $35K repeat.
- 95% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 1949% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 206% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2022–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for a range of charitable organizations. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul describes its mission as serving people in need in Western New York through services including a dining room and discount store. FeedMore WNY Foundation says it supports organizations providing nutritious food, friendship, and skills training to neighbors in need. Friends of Night People describes its work as providing food and services to homeless and working-poor people.
Other 2025 recipients include Daemen University, which describes its mission as preparing students for professional excellence and meaningful contributions to society, and WNY Heroes, which says it provides veterans, service members, and families of deceased veterans with access to essential services, financial assistance, and resources.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation awarded 20 grants totaling $819,500. Grants ranged from $2,000 to $150,000, with a median grant of $22,500. Its largest grants included $150,000 to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, $108,000 to Daemen University, and $100,000 each to FeedMore WNY Foundation and The Salvation Army. Other notable awards included $75,000 to Jericho Road Community Health Center, $60,000 to Friends of Night People, and $50,000 each to Goodwill of Western New York and WNY Heroes.
How to Apply
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
Ready to take the next step with Bernard & Estelle Siegel Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In filing year 2025, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York and 1% to recipients in Nebraska.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 20 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2022 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $40K (2022) to $820K (2025). In 2025 it made 20 grants totaling $820K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Society of St Vincent De Paul ($150K). Together the top 10 received $763K.
Grant Size Distribution
67 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 49 grants of 67 (73%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Society of St Vincent De Paul Buffalo, NY | Unrestricted | $150,000 |
| Daemen University Amherst, NY | Unrestricted | $108,000 |
| Feedmore WNY Foundation Buffalo, NY | Unrestricted | $100,000 |
| The Salvation Army West Nyack, NY | Buffalo Area Unrestricted | $100,000 |
| Jericho Road Community Health Ctr Buffalo, NY | Unrestricted | $75,000 |
| Friends of Night People Inc Buffalo, NY | Unrestricted | $60,000 |
| Goodwill of Western New York Buffalo, NY | Goodskills Career Builder Progr | $50,000 |
| WNY Heroes Inc Buffalo, NY | Heroes Bridge Program | $50,000 |
| Northland Workforce Training Center Buffalo, NY | Academic Advancement Supp Prog | $25,000 |
| Northland Workforce Training Center Buffalo, NY | Automotive Technician Program | $25,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $7,719,969 | $368,865 | $904,505 | $819,500 |
| 2024 | $8,260,854 | $1,126,126 | $875,010 | $805,500 |
| 2023 | $8,027,561 | $7,104,871 | $243,113 | $210,500 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $7,719,969 | $8,260,854 | $8,027,561 |
| Revenue | $368,865 | $1,126,126 | $7,104,871 |
| Expenses | $904,505 | $875,010 | $243,113 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $857,932 | $835,202 | $226,748 |
| Net Investment Income | $328,997 | $414,600 | $345,452 |
| Distributable Amount | $415,706 | $411,902 | $213,149 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 7, 2020)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Joanne L. Wasinger as president, Dean M. Drew as secretary, and Christopher R. Bechtel as treasurer.
Bernard & Estelle Siegel Foundation Inc is led by Joanne L. Wasinger, President on every filing since 2021; all 3 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Joanne L. Wasinger
President
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$2K (2022) → $12K (2025)
Christopher R. Bechtel
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$2K (2022) → $12K (2025)
Dean M. Drew
Secretary
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$2K (2022) → $12K (2025)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Estelle Siegel (2019–2020) — Vice President
- Former: Bernard Siegel (2019) — President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $12K, to Christopher R Bechtel (Treasurer). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 5350 Main Street, Williamsville, NY 14221
Phone: (716) 204-8366
Frequently asked questions about Bernard & Estelle Siegel Foundation Inc
How much does Bernard & Estelle Siegel Foundation Inc give each year?
Bernard & Estelle Siegel Foundation Inc gave $820K across 20 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $806K across 23 grants.
What is Bernard & Estelle Siegel Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Bernard & Estelle Siegel Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $22,500, and its average grant was $40,975, across 20 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Bernard & Estelle Siegel Foundation Inc that year got $5K on average.
Where does Bernard & Estelle Siegel Foundation Inc give grants?
Bernard & Estelle Siegel Foundation Inc gives mostly in New York: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Buffalo, NY (12 grants).
Does Bernard & Estelle Siegel Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 65% of Bernard & Estelle Siegel Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (13 of 20) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Bernard & Estelle Siegel Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Bernard & Estelle Siegel Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Society of St Vincent De Paul ($150,000), Daemen University ($108,000) and Feedmore WNY Foundation ($100,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 44% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Bernard & Estelle Siegel Foundation Inc?
Bernard & Estelle Siegel Foundation Inc reported $7.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $858K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $416K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Bernard & Estelle Siegel Foundation Inc fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for a range of charitable organizations. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul describes its mission as serving people in need in Western New York through services including a dining room and discount store. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Bernard & Estelle Siegel Foundation Inc?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Bernard & Estelle Siegel Foundation Inc's EIN?
Bernard & Estelle Siegel Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7015786. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does Bernard & Estelle Siegel Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Bernard & Estelle Siegel Foundation Inc by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Bernard & Estelle Siegel Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in New York
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
Aetna Foundation Inc
Hartford, CT
Aetna Foundation supported health and wellness, access to health care, and related community needs; its 2021 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1 million, with a median of $40,000, and went to organizations across multiple states, especially in D.C. and Connecticut. Its 2021 filing was marked final, so it appears to have ended or be winding down grantmaking; that filing said there were no restrictions on who could apply and pointed applicants to its website for application materials.
Assets
—
Grants
65
Total Given
$7.2M
Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo Inc
Buffalo, NY
The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo funds racial and ethnic equity, education and economic mobility, environmental stewardship and climate resilience, and regional arts and culture, primarily in Western New York; its donor-directed funds may also support organizations nationally. Its 2026 competitive grants were expected to average $18,000–$20,000, with a maximum of $50,000; the listed application process is closed, and the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$944.0M
Grants
562
Total Given
$33.4M
The Ford Foundation
New York, NY
The Ford Foundation funds organizations and initiatives working to reduce inequality and advance social justice, including work on civic engagement, civil rights, climate justice, disability rights, and technology and society. In 2024, its grants ranged from $45 to $15 million, with a median of $100,000, supporting work in the U.S. and internationally. It says most grants are identified by the foundation and it does not accept unsolicited proposals by mail, email, or phone; limited opportunities may be offered separately.
Assets
$17.5B
Grants
4,007
Total Given
$844.7M
The New York Community Trust
New York, NY
The New York Community Trust funds nonprofit programs in areas such as arts, education, health, the environment, workforce development, and youth development, including projects that improve services, build organizational capacity, or advance policy and systems change. Its competitive grants mainly serve New York City, Long Island, and Westchester, with some national and international environmental funding; the 2024 median grant was $20,000. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$3.5B
Grants
2,748
Total Given
$193.8M
The Simons Foundation Inc
New York, NY
The Simons Foundation funds research and public engagement in mathematics and the physical, life, autism, and neuroscience sciences. In 2024, it made 1,727 grants, with a median award of $72,000 and amounts ranging from $1,480 to $20 million, supporting organizations in the U.S. and internationally. It states that it funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$4.5B
Grants
1,727
Total Given
$272.0M
More Funders in New York
Bernard & Estelle Siegel Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?