Children’s Foundation of Erie County Inc. is a private foundation based in Kenmore, New York, that makes grants to nonprofit agencies serving the direct needs of children whose permanent residence is in Erie County. It focuses on improving quality of life for at-risk children up to age 21 and does not make grants to individuals.
Key facts about Children's Foundation of Erie County Inc
In short: Children's Foundation of Erie County Inc gave $425K across 73 grants in 2025 (avg $6K), mostly in New York. 7% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 16-6000171
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $424,500
- Grants made (2025)
- 73
- Average grant
- $5,815
- Median grant
- $5,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 7% first-time grantees (5 of 70, 2025)
- Total assets
- $3,616,594
- Primary geography
- New York (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The foundation’s filing says applications are not restricted to preselected organizations. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- The foundation’s grant-program listing identifies the currently open cycle’s deadline as January 30, 2027.
- Next open deadline
- January 30, 2027 (Children's Foundation of Erie County Grant)
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
$3.6M
-7.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$425K
+8.6% YoY
Grant Count
73
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$6K
+8.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Children's Foundation of Erie County Inc reported a distributable amount of $437K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Children's Foundation of Erie County Inc open to new grantees?
7%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 70 grantees (7%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $4K; repeat grants $6K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 84% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 22% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 100% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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
The foundation’s mission is to support nonprofit organizations committed to improving the quality of life for at-risk children in Erie County. Its grants focus on organizations with a proven record of assisting, protecting, or enhancing the lives and potential of children up to age 21.
The foundation says it aims to expend funds to benefit children directly rather than fund endowments. Its 2025 grants included support for after-school and summer programs, arts and technology programming, educational preparation, refugee school support, and children’s health-related services. Among the grantees, Buffalo Prep says it promotes educational access and opportunity through programming for students, while Buffalo String Works says it provides music education to diverse youth. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation awarded 73 grants totaling $424,500. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $19,000, with a median of $5,000. The foundation says grants are generally between $2,000 and $10,000.
Among the larger 2025 awards were $19,000 to Westminster Economic Development Initiative for salaries, benefits, transportation, and operating expenses; $17,500 to Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York for medical instruction and operating expenses; and $15,500 each to Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology for an arts and technology program and operating expenses, and Buffalo Prep for high school preparation and operating expenses. Other 2025 grants included $12,500 to Jericho Road Ministries and $12,000 to Hasek’s Heroes.
The foundation’s website describes an application process for agencies with IRS 501(c)(3) status. Applications are emailed as a single PDF and must include a cover sheet, a narrative of up to three pages, project and organizational budgets, a list of board members or key staff involved, the organization’s most recent IRS determination letter, and information about other funding requests. The narrative should describe the need, children to be served, project goals and timeline, collaborators, evaluation, and plans for funding after the grant period. Funds must be used by the end of the calendar year in which they are awarded.
Review Cycle
The foundation’s grant-program listing identifies the currently open cycle’s deadline as January 30, 2027.
How to Apply
The foundation’s filing says applications are not restricted to preselected organizations. Applicants must be exempt organizations serving needy children in Erie County, New York. The website lists a January 30 application deadline and says trustees review applications in February, with decisions usually made by the end of May. The 2025 filing states that applications for the current year must be submitted by January 31.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Children's Foundation of Erie County Inc
Children's Foundation of Erie County Grant
Children's Foundation of Erie County Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Expected ~January
Based on past cycles
Children's Foundation of Erie County Grant
Children's Foundation of Erie County Inc
Amount
US $2,000 - US $10,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Ready to take the next step with Children's Foundation of Erie County Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds agencies serving children whose permanent residence is in Erie County, New York. All 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in New York State.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 73 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $314K (2020) to $425K (2025). In 2025 it made 73 grants totaling $425K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Westminster Economic Devp Init ($19K). Together the top 10 received $126K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($6,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
366 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 366 grants of 366 (100%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Westminster Economic Devp Init Buffalo, NY | Salaries, Benefits & Transportation / Operating Expenses | $19,000 |
| Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York Inc Buffalo, NY | Medical Instruction & Operating Expenses | $17,500 |
| Buffalo Center for Art & Technology Buffalo, NY | Arts & Technology Program & Operating Expenses | $15,500 |
| Buffalo Prep Buffalo, NY | High School Prep/ Operating Expenses | $15,500 |
| Jericho Road Ministries Buffalo, NY | Summer and Break Programs & Vive Program | $12,500 |
| Hasek's Heroes Buffalo, NY | Transportation & Operating Expenses | $12,000 |
| Willie Hutch Jones Sports Clinic Buffalo, NY | After School/Summer | $9,500 |
| Epic Buffalo, NY | Storytime at Canalside & Operating Expenses | $9,000 |
| Buffalo String Works Buffalo, NY | After School Program | $7,500 |
| International Institute of Buffalo Buffalo, NY | Global Kids Programs | $7,500 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants | Grant count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3,616,594 | $193,301 | $466,333 | $424,500 | 73 |
| 2024 | $3,889,626 | $755,508 | $428,753 | $390,900 | 73 |
| 2023 | $3,562,871 | $510,976 | $388,661 | $361,770 | 72 |
The filing type is Form 990-PF (a private foundation).
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,616,594 | $3,889,626 | $3,562,871 |
| Revenue | $193,301 | $755,508 | $510,976 |
| Expenses | $466,333 | $428,753 | $388,661 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $438,541 | $403,155 | $374,272 |
| Net Investment Income | $179,300 | $742,153 | $498,045 |
| Distributable Amount | $436,715 | $395,521 | $348,031 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 30, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Elizabeth S. Gurney as president; Anne Denman as foundation administrator; W. Lawrence Buck as treasurer; and Liza Keenan as secretary. It lists Elizabeth Mitchell, David Edmunds, and Linwood Roberts as trustees.
Children's Foundation of Erie County Inc is led by Elizabeth S. Gurney, President since 2025 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 7 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Elizabeth S. Gurney
President
Vice President → President, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Edmunds Esq.
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Mitchell
Trustee
President → Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Linwood Roberts
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anne Denman
Foundation Administrator
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$12K (2020) → $18K (2025)
Liza Keenan
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
W. Lawrence Buck
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Mary Gresham PhD (2020–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Matthew Collard (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Rosa Gonzalez PhD (2020–2024) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 $18K, to Anne Denman (Foundation Administrator).
Contact
Application contact: Ms Anne M Denman
Mailing address: PO Box 560, Kenmore, NY 14217
Phone: (716) 877-0418
Email: anne@childrensfoundationerie.org
Website: https://childrensfoundationerie.org
Frequently asked questions about Children's Foundation of Erie County Inc
How much does Children's Foundation of Erie County Inc give each year?
Children's Foundation of Erie County Inc gave $425K across 73 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $391K across 73 grants.
What is Children's Foundation of Erie County Inc's typical grant size?
Children's Foundation of Erie County Inc's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $5,815, across 73 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Children's Foundation of Erie County Inc that year got $4K on average.
Where does Children's Foundation of Erie County Inc give grants?
Children's Foundation of Erie County Inc gives mostly in New York: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Buffalo, NY (64 grants), W Seneca, NY (2 grants) and Williamsville, NY (2 grants).
Does Children's Foundation of Erie County Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 15% of Children's Foundation of Erie County Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (11 of 73) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Programming" (6 grants), "Scholarships" (4 grants) and "After School Program" (3 grants).
Who are Children's Foundation of Erie County Inc's largest grantees?
Children's Foundation of Erie County Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Westminster Economic Devp Init ($19,000), Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York Inc ($17,500) and Buffalo Center for Art & Technology ($15,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($6,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 12% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Children's Foundation of Erie County Inc?
Children's Foundation of Erie County Inc reported $3.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $439K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $437K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Children's Foundation of Erie County Inc fund?
The foundation’s mission is to support nonprofit organizations committed to improving the quality of life for at-risk children in Erie County. Its grants focus on organizations with a proven record of assisting, protecting, or enhancing the lives and potential of children up to age 21. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Children's Foundation of Erie County Inc?
The foundation’s filing says applications are not restricted to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Children's Foundation of Erie County Inc's EIN?
Children's Foundation of Erie County Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 16-6000171. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Here's the math on researching Children's Foundation of Erie County Inc by hand.
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