East Hill Foundation
East Hill Foundation is a private foundation based in North Tonawanda, New York. It funds charitable projects intended to enhance quality of life in Western New York, primarily in Erie and Niagara counties, with a stated focus on basic human needs. The family foundation also supports projects sponsored by founders’ family members regardless of where they live.
East Hill Foundation at a glance
In short: East Hill Foundation gave $646K across 42 grants in 2025 (avg $15K), mostly in New York. 33% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $646,010
- -0.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 42
- +23.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $15,381
- -19.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $24,685,161
- +6.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 33% first-time grantees (14 of 42, 2025)
- Primary geography
- New York (100% 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 East Hill Foundation
- Invitation Only
-
The foundation’s website describes the Western New York program as beginning with a Letter of Intent, with invited applicants proceeding to a full online application. North Tonawanda and family, board, and staff-sponsored applications are by invitation only and require an access code. The filing states that application deadlines vary.
- Review Cycle
- The website-listed 2026 deadlines are past: February 9 and June 1 for family, board, and staff-sponsored applications; April 13 for North Tonawanda applications; and May 11 for the Western New York Letter of Intent.
- Deadline
- The website-listed 2026 deadlines are past: February 9 and June 1 for family, board, and staff-sponsored applications;…
- Contact
Application contact: Michele R Schmidt
Mailing address: PO Box 547, North Tonawanda, NY 14120
Phone: (716) 204-0204
Website: https://easthillfdn.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from East Hill Foundation
Who East Hill Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Feedmore WNY ($150K). Together the top 10 received $371K.
Grant Size Distribution
185 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 178 grants of 185 (96%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s general Western New York program covers Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming counties, with particular emphasis on basic human needs in Erie and Niagara counties. Its 2025 filing reports that 100% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York. Separate North Tonawanda grants are for eligible organizations headquartered in and serving the city. Family, board, and staff-sponsored projects may be located elsewhere.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 42 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is East Hill Foundation open to new grantees?
33%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 14 of 42 grantees (33%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $12K; repeat grants $17K. How we count
Medians: $9K first-time, $11K repeat.
- 31% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+1%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 98% 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 (2020–2025). 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $549K (2021) to $646K (2024). In 2025 it made 42 grants totaling $646K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Feedmore WNY Buffalo, NY | New Bulk Repack Room Yr 1 of 3 | $150,000 |
| Mercy Flight Inc Buffalo, NY | Two Hamilton-T1 Ventilators | $42,765 |
| Family Promise of Western New York Buffalo, NY | Mattresses and Appliances for Homeless Families | $25,100 |
| Providence Farm Collective Orchard Park, NY | Refrigerated Trailer | $25,000 |
| Alternative Care Services of WNY Alden, NY | Two Freezers, 1 Refrigerator, Packing Supplies | $24,190 |
| Revive Wesleyan the Trading Post Springville, NY | New Flooring at Trading Post | $22,480 |
| The Newstead Fire Company Inc Akron, NY | Mobile Two-Way Radio Units | $21,000 |
| Habitat for Humanity Buffalo Buffalo, NY | Purchase Forklift (Used) | $20,225 |
| Martin House Restoration Corporation Buffalo, NY | For capital and maintenance costs at visitors center year 4 of 5 | $20,000 |
| Response to Love Center Buffalo, NY | Fresh Produce and Dairy Products | $20,000 |
Ready to take the next step with East Hill Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The 2025 filing reports 42 grants, compared with 34 in 2024 and 42 in 2023.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $24,685,161 | $1,732,208 | $1,472,468 | $646,010 | 42 | $1,118,264 | $1,398,404 | $1,138,813 |
| 2024 | $23,106,238 | $1,042,213 | $1,433,078 | $646,199 | 34 | $1,110,230 | $727,763 | $1,108,157 |
| 2023 | $21,899,486 | $657,633 | $1,376,094 | $618,040 | 42 | $1,069,366 | $350,905 | $1,028,041 |
| 2022 | $20,897,914 | $388,850 | $1,389,924 | $640,676 | 33 | $1,085,543 | $140,930 | $1,080,401 |
| 2021 | $24,934,119 | $1,354,334 | $1,315,182 | $549,202 | 34 | $975,220 | $1,037,772 | $1,153,677 |
| 2020 | $23,031,236 | $1,062,817 | $1,328,852 | $642,778 | 40 | — | $767,886 | $1,015,631 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, East Hill Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.1M 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 foundation says it identifies and funds innovative charitable projects to enhance the quality of life of Western New York residents. Its stated priorities include basic human needs, especially food, clothing, and shelter for people in need. Its website invites applications from qualified 501(c)(3) organizations in eight Western New York counties: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming. It also has a separate invitation-only program for eligible organizations headquartered in and serving North Tonawanda.
Its 2025 grants included projects involving food storage and distribution, shelter and housing, medical and emergency-response equipment, and community facilities. For example, the foundation funded equipment for Mercy Flight, whose mission is community medical emergency response; Family Promise of Western New York, which describes its work as supporting families experiencing homelessness; and Providence Farm Collective, which describes its work as cultivating community-rooted agriculture and equitable access to food and farmland.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 42 grants totaling $646,010. Grant amounts ranged from $2,000 to $150,000, with a median of $10,000. Its largest reported grants included $150,000 to FeedMore WNY for the first year of a new bulk repack room project; $42,765 to Mercy Flight for two ventilators; and $25,100 to Family Promise of Western New York for mattresses and appliances for homeless families. Other grants included $25,000 to Providence Farm Collective for a refrigerated trailer and $24,190 to Alternative Care Services of WNY for freezers, a refrigerator, and packing supplies.
The foundation’s website describes the Western New York application process as a two-step process: submit an online Letter of Intent, then, if invited, complete an online grant application. Applications are reviewed by the board; site visits may be requested, and recipients must sign a grant contract and submit a final report. Interim reports may also be required. The website says eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations and that private foundations are ineligible. It generally does not fund ongoing operating expenses, endowments, private education, salaries, scholarships, sponsorships, travel, technology, security deposits, or rent assistance. It does not make grants to individuals, religious organizations for religious purposes, grantmaking organizations, or applicants seeking support for lobbying or political advocacy. The foundation’s filing describes its grants as project-specific and focused on basic needs.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Ami Greatbatch as president, Warren Greatbatch as vice president, John Siegel as director and secretary, Cheryl Jankowski as director and treasurer, David Pierce, MD, and James Chadbourne as directors, and Kenneth Dulian as executive director. It lists Michele Schmidt as administrative director; the foundation’s staff page identifies her as grants director.
East Hill Foundation is led by Kenneth Dulian, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 2 of 8 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Kenneth Dulian
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$148K (2020) → $169K (2025)
Ami Greatbatch
President
On filings since 2020
15 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michele Schmidt
Administrator Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$112K (2020) → $132K (2025)
David Pierce MD
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Siegel
Director & Secretary
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cheryl Jankowski
Director & Treasurer
Director & Treasurer From → Director & Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2021
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James Chadbourne
Director
Director Starting → Director, 2023
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Warren Greatbatch
Vice President
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Jennifer Greatbatch Danitz (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Michael Kelly (2020–2021) — Director & Treasurer
- Former: Julia Spitz (2020) — Director
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 $169K, to Kenneth Dulian (Executive Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about East Hill Foundation
How much does East Hill Foundation give each year?
East Hill Foundation gave $646K across 42 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $646K across 34 grants.
What is East Hill Foundation's typical grant size?
East Hill Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $15,381, across 42 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from East Hill Foundation that year got $12K on average.
Where does East Hill Foundation give grants?
East Hill Foundation 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 (12 grants), North Tonawanda, NY (6 grants), Clarence, NY (4 grants) and N Tonawanda, NY (4 grants).
Does East Hill Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 42 grants with a stated purpose on East Hill Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are East Hill Foundation's largest grantees?
East Hill Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Feedmore WNY ($150,000), Mercy Flight Inc ($42,765) and Family Promise of Western New York ($25,100), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 34% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is East Hill Foundation?
East Hill Foundation reported $24.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.1M (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 East Hill Foundation fund?
The foundation says it identifies and funds innovative charitable projects to enhance the quality of life of Western New York residents. Its stated priorities include basic human needs, especially food, clothing, and shelter for people in need. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from East Hill Foundation?
The foundation’s website describes the Western New York program as beginning with a Letter of Intent, with invited applicants proceeding to a full online application. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is East Hill Foundation's EIN?
East Hill Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 16-1441497. 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.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 26, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work East Hill Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in East Hill Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). East Hill Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/east-hill-foundation-morg_61e789f5adec48c9bcd9e2ccd0f2674d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_161441497_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{East Hill Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/east-hill-foundation-morg_61e789f5adec48c9bcd9e2ccd0f2674d},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. 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 East Hill Foundation'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.
East Hill Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?