Building Brighter Days Foundation Inc
Building Brighter Days Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Rochester, New York, dedicated to the well-being of children, primarily in Rochester and the surrounding area. It supports selected programs and organizations serving children, youth, and families.
Building Brighter Days Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Building Brighter Days Foundation Inc gave $626K across 19 grants in 2024 (avg $33K), mostly in New York. 18% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $625,516
- +21.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 19
- -5.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $32,922
- +27.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $12,236,247
- +7.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 18% first-time grantees (3 of 17, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- New York (96% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Building Brighter Days Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Contact
Mailing address: 2540 Brighton Henrietta Tl Rd, Rochester, NY 14623
Phone: (585) 272-7007
Website: HTTPS://BUILDINGBRIGHTERDAYSFOUNDATION.ORG/
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Building Brighter Days Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Daystar ($125K). Together the top 10 received $525K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($4,536), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
75 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 54 grants of 75 (72%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website identifies Rochester and neighboring communities as its primary geographic focus. In 2024, 96% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York and 4% to recipients in North Carolina.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 19 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Building Brighter Days Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
18%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 3 of 17 grantees (18%) were first-time recipients. With only 17 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $19K; repeat grants $41K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $28K repeat.
- 76% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+10%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 94% 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 (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $473K (2022) to $626K (2024). In 2024 it made 19 grants totaling $626K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Daystar Rochester, NY | Daystar kids new pediatric complex care and learning center | $125,000 |
| Strong Memorial Hospital Rochester, NY | New Pediatric Er Waiting Room | $100,000 |
| Center for Youth Rochester, NY | Emotional and Crisis Intervention at School #33 | $50,000 |
| Mary Cariola Rochester, NY | Start of New Day Habilitation Program | $50,000 |
| The Childrens Agenda Rochester, NY | General Support | $35,000 |
| Greater Rochester Summer Learning Assoc Rochester, NY | Summer Leap/Literacy | $30,000 |
| Bivona Child Advocacy Center Rochester, NY | CAC Intervention Services | $25,000 |
| Childrens Institute Rochester, NY | Behavorial Supports | $25,000 |
| Golisano Children's Hospital Rochester, NY | Pediatric Oncology Research | $25,000 |
| Ronald McDonald House Charities Rochester, NY | Continuum of Care | $25,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $12,236,247 | $1,620,934 | $722,422 | $625,516 | 19 | $625,516 | $607,777 | $668,715 |
| 2023 | $11,339,803 | $1,203,051 | $645,275 | $515,037 | 20 | $515,037 | $203,126 | $570,412 |
| 2022 | $10,779,959 | $1,126,900 | $605,320 | $473,412 | 16 | $473,412 | $139,080 | $547,663 |
| 2021 | $10,258,379 | $1,751,276 | $674,906 | $570,000 | 10 | $570,000 | $778,058 | $552,304 |
| 2020 | $9,182,009 | $1,144,336 | $604,797 | $515,000 | 10 | — | $181,443 | $451,708 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Building Brighter Days Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $669K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation describes its purpose as supporting children’s and families’ access to programs that promote well-being and a promising future. Its website says it supports qualified organizations exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; its homepage specifies that eligible organizations must not be private foundations.
Its 2024 grantees illustrate the range of organizations it supported. The Children’s Agenda says it advocates for effective policies and evidence-based solutions for children’s health, education, and success, with particular commitment to children affected by poverty, racism, health disparities, and trauma. Children’s Institute describes its mission as “joining together to raise every child’s complete wellbeing.” EquiCenter says it fosters growth, wellness, and educational opportunities through horses, horticulture, and nature-based experiences. Ronald McDonald House Albany says it provides programs and services to meet the needs of sick and injured children and their families, at no charge to families.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation gave $625,516 through 19 grants. Grant amounts ranged from $4,536 to $125,000, with a median grant of $25,000. Among the largest awards were $125,000 to DAYSTAR for its new pediatric complex care and learning center; $100,000 to Strong Memorial Hospital for a new pediatric ER waiting room; $50,000 to Center for Youth for emotional and crisis intervention at School #33; and $50,000 to Mary Cariola for the start of a new habilitation program. Other awards included $35,000 to The Children’s Agenda for general support and $25,000 each to Bivona Child Advocacy Center, Children’s Institute, Golisano Children’s Hospital, Ronald McDonald House Charities, and YMCA Camp Gorham, for the purposes listed in the filing.
The foundation’s 2024 filing states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Its website describes a letter-of-interest process for seeking approval to submit a full application. It says a letter of interest is needed for first-time applicants, organizations applying after more than three years since their last grant, organizations with major changes, or requests for a different program or significantly different amount. Applications are accepted year-round after approval to submit a full application; the board reviews applications three times per year. The website lists recent annual reports, year-end financial statements, and an IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter as required supporting documents.
The website says the foundation does not fund individual projects, endowments, private-school or religious projects, organizations without 501(c)(3) exemption, or scholarships.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists:
- Max T. Stoner — President and Director
- Howard Gordon — Vice-President and Director
- Kathleen G. York — Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Director
- Amy A. Panepinto — Director
Building Brighter Days Foundation Inc is led by Max T. Stoner, President & Director since 2024 (on filings since 2020); none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Max T. Stoner
President & Director
President → President & Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Howard Gordon
Vice President & Director
Vice President & CFO → Vice President & Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy A. Panepinto
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kathleen G. York
Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary & Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Kathy Garen York (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Annette Weld (2020–2021) — Secretary & Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Building Brighter Days Foundation Inc
How much does Building Brighter Days Foundation Inc give each year?
Building Brighter Days Foundation Inc gave $626K across 19 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $515K across 20 grants.
What is Building Brighter Days Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Building Brighter Days Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $32,922, across 19 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Building Brighter Days Foundation Inc that year got $19K on average.
Where does Building Brighter Days Foundation Inc give grants?
Building Brighter Days Foundation Inc gives mostly in New York: 96% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Rochester, NY (14 grants).
Does Building Brighter Days Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 11% of Building Brighter Days Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 19) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Building Brighter Days Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Building Brighter Days Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Daystar ($125,000), Strong Memorial Hospital ($100,000) and Center for Youth ($60,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($4,536), which are not listed by name. Together they received 46% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Building Brighter Days Foundation Inc?
Building Brighter Days Foundation Inc reported $12.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $626K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $669K (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 Building Brighter Days Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation describes its purpose as supporting children’s and families’ access to programs that promote well-being and a promising future. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Building Brighter Days Foundation Inc?
Building Brighter Days Foundation Inc does not accept unsolicited proposals, according to Grantable's research on its published guidelines. Check buildingbrighterdaysfoundation.org for any change to that policy.
What is Building Brighter Days Foundation Inc's EIN?
Building Brighter Days Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-1210310. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Building Brighter Days 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.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Building Brighter Days Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/building-brighter-days-foundation-inc-morg_d79b415df3164d22b528564cb2a00645
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_261210310_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Building Brighter Days Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/building-brighter-days-foundation-inc-morg_d79b415df3164d22b528564cb2a00645},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Building Brighter Days Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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