Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association
The Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association is a Form 990-PF private foundation based in Amherst, New York. Founded in 1988 by former Buffalo Sabres players, it says its goal is to give back to the community that treated its members like family during their playing days.
Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association at a glance
In short: Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association gave $35K across 26 grants in 2025 (avg $1K), mostly in New York. 23% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $35,000
- -2.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 26
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $1,346
- -2.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $650,575
- +6.5% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 23% first-time grantees (5 of 22, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- New York (56% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association
- How to Apply
-
The filing says the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Applications should be submitted in writing on the organization’s letterhead and include the amount requested and detailed information about the purpose. The filing lists no deadlines and states that contributions are limited to the Western New York region.
- Contact
Application contact: Robert Travis Buffalo Sabres Alumni
Mailing address: 45 Bryant Woods North, Amherst, NY 14228
Phone: (716) 630-2400
Website: https://www.sabresalumni.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Rochester Institute of Technology ($3K). Together the top 10 received $15K.
Organizations only. It also paid 4 individual scholarships ($8,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
129 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 128 grants of 129 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 filing reports that 56% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York, 16% to Ohio, and 9% to Pennsylvania. It also lists smaller shares for Tennessee and an unspecified state. The reported Western New York restriction appears alongside grants listed to recipients in several other states.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 26 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association open to new grantees?
23%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 22 grantees (23%) were first-time recipients. With only 22 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $1K; repeat grants $1K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $1K repeat.
- 73% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+5%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 89% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $33K (2022) to $135K (2019). In 2025 it made 26 grants totaling $35K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NY | Scholarship payment to the college on behalf of a scholarship winner. | $3,000 |
| 4 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $8,000 |
| Iona University New Rochelle, NY | Scholarship payment to the college on behalf of a scholarship winner. | $2,000 |
| Ohio State University Columbus, OH | Scholarship payment to the college on behalf of a scholarship winner. | $2,000 |
| University at Buffalo Amherst, NY | Scholarship payment to the college on behalf of a scholarship winner. | $2,000 |
| Arcadia University Glenside, PA | Scholarship payment to the college on behalf of a scholarship winner. | $1,000 |
| Binghamton University Binghamton, NY | Scholarship payment to the college on behalf of a scholarship winner. | $1,000 |
| Brock University | Scholarship payment to the college on behalf of a scholarship winner. | $1,000 |
| Crown College Powell, TN | Scholarship payment to the college on behalf of a scholarship winner. | $1,000 |
| Flagler College St Augustine, FL | Scholarship payment to the college on behalf of a scholarship winner. | $1,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $650,575 | $394,285 | $362,353 | $35,000 | 26 | $35,000 | $7,598 | $39,400 |
| 2024 | $610,836 | $394,541 | $370,992 | $36,000 | 26 | $36,100 | $495 | $27,255 |
| 2023 | $593,770 | $455,983 | $454,031 | $116,876 | 27 | $116,976 | — | $26,722 |
| 2022 | $573,415 | $423,425 | $343,879 | $33,250 | 27 | $33,350 | — | $24,106 |
| 2021 | $501,261 | $181,140 | $187,158 | $35,000 | 23 | $76,648 | — | $23,140 |
| 2020 | $495,401 | $62,895 | $144,902 | $35,000 | 20 | — | — | $25,728 |
| 2019 | $575,408 | $412,159 | $459,976 | $134,545 | 25 | — | — | $25,046 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association reported a distributable amount of $39K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The association’s stated mission is to give back to the community that supported its members during their playing careers. It reports that its golf tournament and hockey exhibitions are primary ways it carries out its charitable purposes, with proceeds used for grants.
The 2025 grants include scholarship payments made to colleges on behalf of scholarship winners. Supported institutions describe a range of educational missions: Rochester Institute of Technology says it advances creativity and innovation for the greater good, while Iona University describes a commitment to education, community engagement, and diversity. Other listed recipients include colleges and universities with Catholic, Jesuit, or faith-based educational missions.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the association reported 26 grants totaling $35,000. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $3,000, with a median of $1,000. The listed purposes describe scholarship payments made to colleges on behalf of scholarship winners.
Among the largest reported grants were $3,000 each to Rochester Institute of Technology and an individual recipient; $2,500 to an individual recipient; and $2,000 each to Iona University, Ohio State University, and the University at Buffalo. Other listed recipients include an individual recipient, Arcadia University, Binghamton University, Brock University, Crown College, and Flagler College.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Rob Ray as president, Derek Smith as vice president, Robert Travis as treasurer, and David Elibol as secretary. Directors listed are Darryl Shannon, Andrew Peters, Ric Seiling, Michael Peca, Craig Muni, and Larry Playfair.
Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association is led by Rob Ray, President on every filing since 2019; 6 of 13 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Rob Ray
President
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
$6K (2024) → $0 (2025)
Andrew Peters
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$6K (2019) → $750 (2025)
Craig Muni
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$4K (2019) → $1K (2025)
Don Luce
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$4K (2019) → $5K (2025)
Larry Playfair
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$2K (2019) → $5K (2025)
Martin Biron
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$3K (2019) → $7K (2025)
Michael Peca
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$2K (2019) → $0 (2025)
Darryl Shannon
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ric Seiling
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rich Jureller
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Derek Smith
Vice President
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
$4K (2019) → $3K (2025)
David Elibol
Secretary
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert Travis
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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 $7K, to Martin Biron (Director). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association
How much does Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association give each year?
Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association gave $35K across 26 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $36K across 26 grants.
What is Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association's typical grant size?
Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association's median grant in 2025 was $1,000, and its average grant was $1,346, across 26 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association that year got $1K on average.
Where does Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association give grants?
Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association gives mostly in New York: 56% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Ohio (16%) and Pennsylvania (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Buffalo, NY (2 grants).
Does Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 26 grants with a stated purpose on Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association's largest grantees?
Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association's largest 2025 grantees include Rochester Institute of Technology ($3,000), Iona University ($2,000) and Ohio State University ($2,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 4 individual scholarships ($8,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 20% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association?
Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association reported $651K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $35K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $39K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association fund?
The association’s stated mission is to give back to the community that supported its members during their playing careers. It reports that its golf tournament and hockey exhibitions are primary ways it carries out its charitable purposes, with proceeds used for grants. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association?
The filing says the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association's EIN?
Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 16-1356116. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 15, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 24, 2023)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 20, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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