Erie Canalway Heritage Fund Inc
Erie Canalway Heritage Fund Inc is a public charity based in Cohoes, New York. It supports preservation and sharing of canal heritage, tourism, recreation, conservation, education, economic development, and community engagement along the Erie Canalway.
Key facts about Erie Canalway Heritage Fund Inc
In short: Erie Canalway Heritage Fund Inc gave $231K across 10 grants in 2025 (avg $23K), mostly in New York. 60% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 26-0372982
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $230,529
- Grants made (2025)
- 10
- Average grant
- $23,053
- Median grant
- $16,176
- New grantees (estimate)
- 60% first-time grantees (6 of 10, 2025; small sample)
- Total assets
- $1,470,168
- Primary geography
- New York (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to apply
- The Fund’s filing describes an announced application process with a deadline and committee review, so it accepts unsolicited requests. Full details ↓
- Next open deadline
- November 21, 2026 (Event Support)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 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 · View filing
Total Assets
$1.5M
+10.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$231K
+12.5% YoY
Grant Count
10
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$23K
+12.5% YoY
Is Erie Canalway Heritage Fund Inc open to new grantees?
60%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 6 of 10 grantees (60%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. First grants averaged $26K; repeat grants $18K. How we count
Medians: $22K first-time, $11K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Fund’s stated mission is to preserve and share canal heritage, promote the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor as a world-class tourism destination, and foster vibrant communities connected by the waterway. Its stated focus areas include promoting heritage tourism, fostering diverse and accessible recreation, and conserving canal heritage.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Fund reported 10 grants totaling $230,529. Grants ranged from $8,250 to $65,495, with a median of $16,176. The largest awards included $65,495 to 35 GRANTS 5000, $42,750 to the Canal Society of NYS, $26,500 to The Arc of Wayne, $24,000 to the Schenectady County Historical Society, and $19,552 to the Village of Fort Edward.
The Fund’s 2023 filing describes an application process in which grant opportunities are announced with a deadline, applications are scored and ranked using a common score sheet and matrix, and a committee discusses applications before selecting awards up to the funding available in the fiscal-year budget. The committee includes key staff, board members, volunteers, and representatives from the New York State Canal Corporation. The filing says grantees sign two-year contracts.
How to Apply
The Fund’s filing describes an announced application process with a deadline and committee review, so it accepts unsolicited requests.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Erie Canalway Heritage Fund Inc
Erie Canalway Heritage Award of Excellence
Erie Canalway Heritage Fund Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Event Support
Erie Canalway Heritage Fund Inc
Amount
$500 - $3,000
Deadline
Expected ~November
Based on past cycles
Tourism Infrastructure & Amenity Support
Erie Canalway Heritage Fund Inc
Amount
$5,000 - $24,000
Deadline
Expected ~November
Based on past cycles
Ready to take the next step with Erie Canalway Heritage Fund Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Fund states that its work supports communities along the 500-mile Canalway Corridor. Its 2025 filing reports that all grant dollars went to recipients in New York State.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $27K (2019) to $231K (2025). In 2025 it made 10 grants totaling $231K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was 35 Grants 5000 ($65K). Together the top 10 received $231K.
Grant Size Distribution
48 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 45 grants of 48 (94%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 35 Grants 5000 Waterford, NY | Program | $65,495 |
| Canal Society of NYS Manlius, NY | Amenities | $42,750 |
| The Arc of Wayne Newark, NY | Amenities | $26,500 |
| Schenectady Co Historical Society Schenectady, NY | Amenities | $24,000 |
| Village of Fort Edward Fort Edward, NY | Amenities | $19,552 |
| Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Muse Chittenango, NY | Amenities | $12,800 |
| Town of Lyons Lyons, NY | Amenities | $12,760 |
| Village of Brockport Brockport, NY | Program | $9,500 |
| The Village of Schuylerville Schuylerville, NY | Amenities | $8,922 |
| Corn Hill Navigation Rochester, NY | Program | $8,250 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,470,168 | $2,855,777 | $2,477,304 | $230,529 |
| 2024 | $1,335,651 | $2,106,485 | $2,041,595 | $204,926 |
| 2023 | $817,124 | $1,496,346 | $1,399,038 | $167,178 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,470,168 | $1,335,651 | $817,124 |
| Revenue | $2,855,777 | $2,106,485 | $1,496,346 |
| Expenses | $2,477,304 | $2,041,595 | $1,399,038 |
| Net Investment Income | $30,837 | $28,792 | $6,948 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 28, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS February 12, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 26, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 16, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 19, 2022)
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2025 filing are Robert Radliff (Executive DI), Aimee Messier (Director of), Brad Packard (Chair), Kate Morse (Vice Chair), Mark Hettler (Secretary), Erin Tobin (Treasurer), Judy McKinney Cherry, Carl Blowers, Bonney Hartley, and Susan Herlands-Holland (members).
Erie Canalway Heritage Fund Inc is led by Brad Packard, Chair since 2024 (on filings since 2019); 2 of 17 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Brad Packard
Chair
Vice Chair → Secretary, 2023
Secretary → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Aimee Messier
Director of
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$8K (2024) → $28K (2025)
Robert Radliff
Executive Di
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$111K (2019) → $134K (2025)
Carl H. Blowers
Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Harry R. Sicherman
Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Judy McKinney Cherry
Member
Secretary → Chair, 2021
Chair → Member, 2024
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kal Wysokowski
Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Hettler
Secretary
Member → Treasurer, 2021
Treasurer → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paul Neureuter
Member
Member → Immediate Pa, 2022
Immediate Pa → Member, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marilyn Higgins
Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Erin Tobin
Treasurer
Member → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kate Morse
Vice Chair
Member → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan Herlands-Holland
Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bonney Hartley
Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jack Leslie
Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nicole Mahoney
Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Keegan
Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (9)
- Former: Rosemary Button (2019–2024) — Former Director O
- Former: Paul Comstock (2019–2023) — Vice Chair
- Former: Kimberly M. Seager (2019–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Robert Elliott (2019–2022) — Member
- Former: Barbara Blanchard (2019–2021) — Member
- Former: John R. McGlone (2019–2021) — Member
- Former: Thomas D. Blanchard (2019–2021) — Member
- Former: Joe Finan (2020–2021) — Member
- Former: Kent Barwick (2019–2020) — Member
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 $134K, to Robert Radliff (Executive Di). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 1 Delaware Avenue, Cohoes, NY 12047
Phone: (518) 237-7000
Website: https://eriecanalway.org
Frequently asked questions about Erie Canalway Heritage Fund Inc
How much does Erie Canalway Heritage Fund Inc give each year?
Erie Canalway Heritage Fund Inc gave $231K across 10 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $205K across 10 grants.
What is Erie Canalway Heritage Fund Inc's typical grant size?
Erie Canalway Heritage Fund Inc's median grant in 2025 was $16,176, and its average grant was $23,053, across 10 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Erie Canalway Heritage Fund Inc that year got $26K on average.
Where does Erie Canalway Heritage Fund Inc give grants?
Erie Canalway Heritage Fund Inc gives mostly in New York: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there.
Does Erie Canalway Heritage Fund Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 10 grants with a stated purpose on Erie Canalway Heritage Fund Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Amenities" (7 grants) and "Program" (3 grants).
Who are Erie Canalway Heritage Fund Inc's largest grantees?
Erie Canalway Heritage Fund Inc's largest 2025 grantees include 35 Grants 5000 ($65,495), Canal Society of NYS ($42,750) and The Arc of Wayne ($26,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 58% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Erie Canalway Heritage Fund Inc?
Erie Canalway Heritage Fund Inc reported $1.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.9M.
What does Erie Canalway Heritage Fund Inc fund?
The Fund’s stated mission is to preserve and share canal heritage, promote the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor as a world-class tourism destination, and foster vibrant communities connected by the waterway. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Erie Canalway Heritage Fund Inc?
The Fund’s filing describes an announced application process with a deadline and committee review, so it accepts unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Erie Canalway Heritage Fund Inc's EIN?
Erie Canalway Heritage Fund Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-0372982. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does Erie Canalway Heritage Fund Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Erie Canalway Heritage Fund Inc by hand.
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