Downtown Syracuse Foundation Inc
Downtown Syracuse Foundation Inc. is a public charity based in Syracuse, New York. Formed in 2010, it works to support the revitalization of Downtown Syracuse and administers the Syracuse Cultural Festivals Fund, which provides support for eligible community festivals in Syracuse.
Downtown Syracuse Foundation Inc at a glance
- Total assets
- $598,259
- +24.4% vs 2023
- Revenue (2024)
- $329,189
- +85.8% vs 2023
- Net investment income (2024)
- $10,399
- +159.1% vs 2023
- Expenses (2024)
- $329,538
- +78.1% vs 2023
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Downtown Syracuse Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
For the 2026–27 cycle, the available information identifies the event and applicant requirements but does not provide a submission process or deadline.
- Contact
Mailing address: 115 West Fayette Street, Syracuse, NY 13202
Phone: (315) 470-1800
Website: https://downtownsyracuse.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Downtown Syracuse Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
14 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 13 grants of 14 (93%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is based in Syracuse, New York. The Syracuse Cultural Festivals Fund is designated for events in Syracuse; its 2022 grants listed here went to organizations in Baldwinsville, Syracuse, and Liverpool, New York.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2022 it made 14 grants totaling $290K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Syracuse Jazzfest Productions Inc Baldwinsville, NY | Syracuse Festival Fund | $125,000 |
| Downtown Committee of Syracuse Syracuse, NY | Syracuse Festival Fund | $20,000 |
| Central New York Jazz Arts Foundation Inc Syracuse, NY | Syracuse Festival Fund | $20,000 |
| Operation Northern Comfort Inc Liverpool, NY | Syracuse Festival Fund | $20,000 |
| Syracuse Hibernian Festival Corporation Syracuse, NY | Syracuse Festival Fund | $20,000 |
| St John the Baptist Ukranian Catholic Church Syracuse, NY | Syracuse Festival Fund | $13,200 |
| Polish Scholarship Fund Syracuse, NY | Syracuse Festival Fund | $12,750 |
| La Festa Italiana Inc Liverpool, NY | Syracuse Festival Fund | $10,000 |
| Festival Latino Americano Inc Syracuse, NY | Syracuse Festival Fund | $10,000 |
| Mountain Goat Run Foundation Inc Syracuse, NY | Syracuse Festival Fund | $10,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $598,259 | $329,189 | $329,538 | — | — | $10,399 |
| 2023 | $480,793 | $177,139 | $185,081 | — | — | $4,014 |
| 2022 | $406,793 | $407,316 | $398,333 | $289,950 | 14 | — |
| 2021 | $329,673 | $70,941 | $72,863 | — | — | — |
| 2020 | $337,815 | $99,617 | $54,931 | — | — | — |
| 2019 | $268,822 | $100,658 | $83,536 | — | — | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to conduct research, identify best policies and practices, secure resources, and implement programs and projects to support the revitalization of Downtown Syracuse. Its filing also describes a flower basket campaign intended to help ensure downtown is attractive, clean, and accessible.
Through the Syracuse Cultural Festivals Fund, the foundation administers funding for nonprofit community groups’ themed festivals and events. A 2022 recipient, Syracuse JazzFest Productions Inc., describes its work as presenting touring jazz artists who work with regional student musicians and school and college jazz band directors. Another recipient, La Festa Italiana Inc., describes its mission as promoting educational and cultural events about Italian culture, history, and language.
Grantmaking
The foundation reported 14 grants totaling $289,950 in 2022. Its filings report zero grants in both 2023 and 2024. Among the 2022 grants listed, Syracuse JazzFest Productions Inc. received $125,000, Downtown Committee of Syracuse Inc. received $20,000, and La Festa Italiana Inc. received $10,000.
The foundation administers the Syracuse Cultural Festivals Fund. Its published 2025–26 program offered a total pool of $135,000, with awards of $3,000–$10,000 per festival. The stated eligibility covered nonprofit community groups’ free, themed events with entertainment or activities in public spaces, scheduled from October 2025 through September 2026. Funds were intended to reimburse eligible event expenses, and applications were to be submitted at least two months before the event. The first-round deadline, August 19, 2025, has passed.
A newer announcement describes a 2026–27 festival cycle, with up to $180,000 available and applications of $3,000–$10,000 per festival for events planned from October 2026 through September 2027. It says eligible events must be free to attend, take place within Syracuse, and offer entertainment or activities. The supplied announcement does not state a deadline or application process for this cycle.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Merike Treier as president/CEO; Nicole Samolis as chair; Lindsay Weichert as vice chair/secretary; Brian Petranchuk as treasurer; and Michael Sgro and Steven L. Aiello as members.
Downtown Syracuse Foundation Inc is led by Merike Treier, President & CEO on every filing since 2019; none of the 6 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Merike Treier
President & CEO
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nicole Samolis
Chair
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lindsay Weichert
Vice Chair & Secretary
Secretary & Treasurer → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Vice Chair & Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian Petranchuk
Treasurer
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Sgro
Member
Member → Secretary, 2023
Secretary → Member, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steven L. Aiello
Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Robert Doucette (2019–2022) — Member
- Former: Peter Dunn (2022) — Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "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 Downtown Syracuse Foundation Inc
How large is Downtown Syracuse Foundation Inc?
Downtown Syracuse Foundation Inc reported $598K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $329K.
What does Downtown Syracuse Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to conduct research, identify best policies and practices, secure resources, and implement programs and projects to support the revitalization of Downtown Syracuse. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Downtown Syracuse Foundation Inc?
For the 2026–27 cycle, the available information identifies the event and applicant requirements but does not provide a submission process or deadline. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
Where does Downtown Syracuse Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation is based in Syracuse, New York. The Syracuse Cultural Festivals Fund is designated for events in Syracuse; its 2022 grants listed here went to organizations in Baldwinsville, Syracuse, and Liverpool, New York.
What is Downtown Syracuse Foundation Inc's EIN?
Downtown Syracuse Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-5419583. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-EZ for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 30, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-EZ for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-EZ for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 30, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Live grants for the work Downtown Syracuse Foundation Inc funds
Community Improvement & Capacity Building Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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