Bruce T Williams Family Foundation

The John R Oishei Foundation

Buffalo, NY

The John R. Oishei Foundation supports community-led work advancing racial equity and financial prosperity, including education, workforce development, arts and technology, and systems change in the Buffalo-Niagara region, with priority for Buffalo’s East Side. Its 2024 grants ranged from $750 to $930,000, with a median of $20,000. It is not accepting new grant requests; organizations interested in partnership can complete its Request to Partner form.

Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo

Buffalo, NY

The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo funds nonprofits and community initiatives addressing racial and ethnic equity, economic mobility, environmental resilience, and regional arts and culture, primarily across Western New York’s eight counties. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,100 to $1,790,661, with a median of $23,220; it accepts applications through its competitive process, which requires a full electronic application.

Enterprise Holdings Foundation

Saint Louis, MO

Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports nonprofits in health, education, arts, disaster relief, reforestation, hunger relief, and community equity, with an emphasis on organizations actively supported by Enterprise employees and their families. Its reported grants range widely: 2024 giving averaged about $7,700 across 9,499 grants, while the foundation also offers awards of up to $40,000; it supports communities where Enterprise operates worldwide. Unsolicited requests are accepted at any time, but eligible applications must be submitted by an Enterprise team member or their spouse or domestic partner on behalf of a nonprofit they actively support.

Greater Houston Community Foundation

Houston, TX

The Foundation makes grants through donor-advised and other donor-established funds for public benefit, human services, education, and health, including initiatives addressing economic mobility and poverty in Harris County. In 2024, its median grant was $25,000; it serves Greater Houston, while grants also go to recipients elsewhere in Texas and beyond. It does not accept proposals for the upcoming High-Impact Grantmaking cycle and plans to invite selected organizations or collaboratives to apply.

Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust

Buffalo, NY

The Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust funds tax-exempt organizations providing community, education, or health-related services, with priority for children and seniors, education, food access, respite care, and public green space. It serves Erie and Niagara Counties, New York, with particular interest in Buffalo’s Black Rock/Riverside area; most grants are $10,000–$25,000. It accepts requests through an online Letter of Inquiry, due May 31 annually.

The Baird Foundation

Buffalo, NY

The Baird Foundation supports nonprofits in health and human services, education, the arts, and diversity, with emphasis on organizations where Baird associates are involved; it prefers funding in Western New York. In 2024, grants ranged from $222 to $40,000, with a median of $2,500. It accepts written applications and does not limit giving to preselected organizations.

The Vera B Arrison Foundation

North Tonawanda, NY

The Vera B Arrison Foundation supports charitable organizations in areas including education, food assistance, disability services, and medical research, with most funding going to New York, especially Western New York. In 2025, grants ranged from $1,000 to $10,000, with a median of $8,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

The Children's Guild Foundation Inc

Buffalo, NY

The Children’s Guild Foundation funds health care, research, education, therapeutic recreation, and related services for children and young adults with special needs, including program, research, capital, and capacity-building work. It supports eligible public charities in eight Western New York counties; recent grants ranged from $8,500 to $375,000, with a median of $25,000. It accepts letters of intent on a rolling basis, with full applications by invitation.

The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower

Getzville, NY

The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation funds services and systems change for young people up to age 26 affected by intellectual or learning disabilities, mental health issues, or substance use disorders in parts of Western New York and Eastern Massachusetts. Its 2025 median grant was about $34,000, though awards varied widely. It accepts preliminary requests or inquiries; full proposals are by invitation only.

Margaret Dermitt Chart TW

Brooklyn, OH

The Ford Foundation

New York, NY

The Ford Foundation funds organizations, individuals, and ideas working to reduce inequality and advance social justice, including work in areas such as immigrant justice, criminal justice reform, gender equity, and arts and culture, through grants around the world. Its 2024 grants had a median of $100,000, with amounts ranging from $45 to $15 million; it does not accept unsolicited requests by mail, email, or phone.