Finger Lakes Area Community Endowment

Public charity · Grantmaker Canandaigua, NY EIN: 16-1467675

Finger Lakes Area Community Endowment is a public charity based in Canandaigua, New York. Formed in 1994, it raises funds from private and public sources for area philanthropic purposes and distributes funds to charitable organizations and qualifying individuals.

Finger Lakes Area Community Endowment at a glance

In short: Finger Lakes Area Community Endowment gave $3.0M across 63 grants in 2024 (avg $48K), mostly in New York. 61% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.

Annual giving (2024)
$2,993,797
-17.3% vs 2023
Grants made (2024)
63
-25.9% vs 2023
Average grant
$47,521
+11.6% vs 2023
Median grant
$10,000
Total assets
$20,012,115
-1.5% vs 2023
New grantees (estimate)
61% first-time grantees (38 of 62, 2024)
Primary geography
New York (90% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2024 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).

How to apply to Finger Lakes Area Community Endowment

Contact

Mailing address: 72 South Main Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424
Phone: (585) 394-4260

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who Finger Lakes Area Community Endowment funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

Finger Lakes Cultural & Natural History Museum: $1.1MFinger Lakes Cultural &Natural History Museum$1.1MGreater Canandaigua Civic Center: $359K across 2 grantsGreater Canandaigua CivicCenter$359K · 2 grantsCanandaigua Comfort Care Agency - Light Hill: $245KCanandaigua Comfort CareAgency - Light Hill$245KThe Andes Amazon Conservancy: $150KThe Andes Amazon Conservancy$150KFort Hill Performing Arts Center: $111KFort Hill Performing ArtsCenter$111KUnited Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes: $105KUnited Way of GreaterRochester and the Finger Lakes$105KIron Sculp & Func Metalsmithing: $88KIron Sculp & FuncMetalsmithing$88KSt Mary's Church Account: $50KSt Mary's Church Account$50KSt Mary's School Account: $50KSt Mary's School Account$50KWXXI Public Broadcasting: $50KWXXI Public Broadcasting$50K

The largest 2024 recipient was Finger Lakes Cultural & Natural History Museum ($1.1M). Together the top 10 received $2.3M.

Grant Size Distribution

269 grants across all recorded years

219<$50K17$50–100K22$100–250K7$250–500K3$500K–1M1$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 219 grants of 269 (81%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

In 2024, 90% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York. The remaining reported shares were Massachusetts (6%), New Hampshire (2%), Colorado (1%), and Virginia (1%).

Grant Distribution by State

15states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 63 itemized grants.

Cities

RochesterCanandaiguaGenevaNaplesVictorFarmingtonBranchportIthacaBuffaloHemlockNelsonPittsfordSeattleWatkins GlenBostonLoudonvilleMinneapolisSaint PaulSyracuseDundee

Is Finger Lakes Area Community Endowment open to new grantees?

61%

first-time grantees, 2024

In 2024, 38 of 62 grantees (61%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $25K; repeat grants $85K. How we count

Medians: $10K first-time, $13K repeat.

  • 29% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2018–2024). 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

$0$1M$2M$3M$4M91 grants2018 59 grants2020 Total only2021 62 grants2022 85 grants2023 63 grants2024

From 2018 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2.1M (2020) to $3.9M (2022). In 2024 it made 63 grants totaling $3.0M.

Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Finger Lakes Cultural & Natural History Museum Branchport, NYCharitable Contribution. Support for Local Nonprofit Organization.$1,101,373
The Greater Canandaigua Civic Center Canandaigua, NYCharitable Contribution. Support for Local Nonprofit Organization.$349,316
Canandaigua Comfort Care Agency - Light Hill Canandaigua, NYCharitable Contribution. Support for Local Nonprofit Organization.$245,000
The Andes Amazon Conservancy Montague, MACharitable Contribution. Support for Local Nonprofit Organization.$150,000
Fort Hill Performing Arts Center Canandaigua, NYCharitable Contribution. Support for Local Nonprofit Organization.$111,000
United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes Rochester, NYCharitable Contribution. Support for Local Nonprofit Organization.$105,081
Iron Sculp & Func Metalsmithing Cohocton, NYSupport for Local Flace Nonprofit Organization.$87,520
St Mary's Church Account Canandaigua, NYCharitable Contribution. Support for Local Nonprofit Organization.$50,000
St Mary's School Account Canandaigua, NYCharitable Contribution. Support for Local Nonprofit Organization.$50,000
WXXI Public Broadcasting Rochester, NYCharitable Contribution. Support for Local Nonprofit Organization.$50,000
Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Finger Lakes Area Community Endowment?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsNet Investment Income
2024$20,012,115$5,261,188$5,395,070$2,993,79763$1,467,297
2023$20,327,058$4,562,384$4,770,367$3,617,99085$1,349,421
2022$20,437,572$4,726,079$5,251,549$3,918,62362$1,004,107
2021$22,041,083$6,723,172$3,940,989$3,853,036Total only$883,894
2020$17,790,917$4,658,674$3,333,363$2,139,81659$238,565
2018$11,786,404$4,390,163$4,195,502$2,621,84891$432,873

"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The Endowment’s stated mission is to raise funds from private and public sources for area philanthropic purposes and allocate and distribute funds to qualifying charitable organizations or suitable individual beneficiaries.

Its 2024 grants included support for organizations with varied missions. For example, the Greater Canandaigua Civic Center describes its work as providing a facility for ice skating, hockey, and other activities, along with education for instructors and coaches. Fort Hill Performing Arts Center says it presents visual and performing arts in a historic landmark to enrich and entertain the Finger Lakes region. Foodlink describes its mission as using food to end hunger and build healthier communities.

Grantmaking

In 2024, the Endowment reported 63 grants totaling $2,993,797. Grant amounts ranged from $5,176 to $1,101,373, with a median of $10,000.

Among the largest reported grants were $1,101,373 to Finger Lakes Cultural & Natural History Museum; $349,316 to The Greater Canandaigua Civic Center; $245,000 to Canandaigua Comfort Care Agency - Light Hill; $150,000 to The Andes Amazon Conservancy; and $111,000 to Fort Hill Performing Arts Center. The filing describes these as charitable contributions supporting local nonprofit organizations.

The Endowment states that requests for transfers have supporting documentation and that recipient monitoring does not apply to these contributions. The board approves all grants.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists Franklin Hamlin as Advisory Board/President & CEO and Ginny Ryan as Advisory Board/Director of Community Engagement. It also lists Russ Kenyon as Advisory Board/Chairperson. George Hamlin IV and Deborah Culeton are listed in roles ending May 14, 2024. Other listed advisory board members are Ken Kraus, Michael Stone, Tom Hildebrandt, and Nick Coulter.

Finger Lakes Area Community Endowment is led by Franklin Hamlin, Advisory Board, President & CEO on the 2024 filing; none of the 9 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Franklin Hamlin

    Advisory Board, President & CEO

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • George W. Hamlin IV

    Advisory Board & Chair

    Advisory Board → Advisory Board & Chair, 2024

    On filings since 2018

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Russ Kenyon

    Advisory Board & Chairperson

    Advisory Board → Advisory Board & Chairperson, 2024

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Ginny Ryan

    Advisory Board & Director of Committee Engagement

    Advisory Board → Advisory Board & Director of Committee Engagement, 2024

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Deborah Culeton

    Advisory Board

    On filings since 2018

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Michael Stone

    Advisory Board

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Ken Kraus

    Advisory Board

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Nick Coulter

    Advisory Board

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Tom Hildebrandt

    Advisory Board

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (11)
  • Former: Frank Hamlin (2018–2023) — Advisory Board
  • Former: Kirsten Johnson (2018–2023) — Institutional Trustee
  • Former: Rita Nischal Esq. (2018–2023) — Institutional Trustee
  • Former: Scott Trumbower (2018–2023) — Institutional Trustee
  • Former: Bowee Clark (2022–2023) — Institutional Trustee
  • Former: Megan Barkley (2022–2023) — Institutional Trustee
  • Former: Molly Rodriguez (2022–2023) — Institutional Trustee
  • Former: Frieda O'Hanlon (2018–2021) — Chairperson & Advisory Board
  • Former: Sandy Stone (2018–2021) — Advisory Board
  • Former: Steve Martin (2018–2021) — Institutional Trustee
  • Former: Edward Kenyon (2018–2020) — Advisory Board

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2018–2024. "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 Finger Lakes Area Community Endowment

How much does Finger Lakes Area Community Endowment give each year?

Finger Lakes Area Community Endowment gave $3.0M across 63 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $3.6M across 85 grants.

What is Finger Lakes Area Community Endowment's typical grant size?

Finger Lakes Area Community Endowment's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $47,521, across 63 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Finger Lakes Area Community Endowment that year got $25K on average.

Where does Finger Lakes Area Community Endowment give grants?

Finger Lakes Area Community Endowment gives mostly in New York: 90% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Massachusetts (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Rochester, NY (19 grants), Canandaigua, NY (17 grants), Victor, NY (3 grants) and Farmington, NY (2 grants).

Does Finger Lakes Area Community Endowment give general operating support?

Not in 2024: none of the 63 grants with a stated purpose on Finger Lakes Area Community Endowment's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Support for Local Flace Nonprofit Organization." (8 grants).

Who are Finger Lakes Area Community Endowment's largest grantees?

Finger Lakes Area Community Endowment's largest 2024 grantees include Finger Lakes Cultural & Natural History Museum ($1,101,373), Greater Canandaigua Civic Center ($359,316 across 2 grants) and Canandaigua Comfort Care Agency - Light Hill ($245,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 57% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is Finger Lakes Area Community Endowment?

Finger Lakes Area Community Endowment reported $20.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $5.3M.

What does Finger Lakes Area Community Endowment fund?

The Endowment’s stated mission is to raise funds from private and public sources for area philanthropic purposes and allocate and distribute funds to qualifying charitable organizations or suitable individual beneficiaries. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Finger Lakes Area Community Endowment?

Finger Lakes Area Community Endowment has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.

What is Finger Lakes Area Community Endowment's EIN?

Finger Lakes Area Community Endowment's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 16-1467675. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2018–2024.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

Data update history

(7)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2018 (received by the IRS June 24, 2020)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
  5. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
  6. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 16, 2025)
  7. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Finger Lakes Area Community Endowment's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

Emil Muller Foundation Inc

Penfield, NY

Assets

$10.6M

Grants

8

Total Given

$422K

Aetna Foundation Inc

Hartford, CT

Aetna Foundation supported health and wellness, access to health care, and related community needs; its 2021 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1 million, with a median of $40,000, and went to organizations across multiple states, especially in D.C. and Connecticut. Its 2021 filing was marked final, so it appears to have ended or be winding down grantmaking; that filing said there were no restrictions on who could apply and pointed applicants to its website for application materials.

Assets

—

Grants

65

Total Given

$7.2M

The Florence M Muller Foundation

Penfield, NY

The Florence M Muller Foundation supports eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits working in child well-being, education, health care, and environmental conservation in Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, Wayne, and Yates counties in New York. Typical responsive grants are $5,000–$50,000, and it accepts unsolicited preliminary inquiries by phone, email, or its online form; full applications are by invitation.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$29.1M

Grants

29

Total Given

$1.2M

The Riedman Foundation

Wilmington, DE

The Riedman Foundation supports a wide range of charitable organizations and also operates a fish hatchery for public education and trout preservation and restoration. Its 2024 grants ranged from $250 to $200,000, with a median of $10,000; most funding went to New York, with additional grants in California, Wisconsin, and Connecticut. The profile states there is no prescribed application form or deadline, but does not say whether unsolicited requests are accepted.

Assets

$42.6M

Grants

72

Total Given

$1.4M

ESL Charitable Foundation

Rochester, NY

ESL Charitable Foundation supports 501(c)(3) organizations serving areas where ESL Federal Credit Union members live, with grants for housing, employment, education, health, and other work; its 2025 grants all went to New York recipients. Grants ranged from $500 to $2,815,662, with a median of $50,000. It accepts written requests and does not limit giving to preselected organizations.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$122.1M

Grants

173

Total Given

$22.5M

Greater Rochester Health Foundation

Rochester, NY

The Greater Rochester Health Foundation funds community-centered efforts to improve health and well-being, advance health equity, and address systemic barriers, primarily in nine New York counties around Rochester. Its 2024 grants ranged from $250 to $969,998, with a median of $5,000; when its Responsive Grants Call for Ideas is open, it invites proposals from eligible nonprofits and government entities serving the region.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$273.8M

Grants

204

Total Given

$8.9M

More similar funders

More Funders in New York

Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). Finger Lakes Area Community Endowment funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/finger-lakes-area-community-endowment-morg_b8dbff43311643929afa76e3acd77ffa

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_161467675_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{Finger Lakes Area Community Endowment funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/finger-lakes-area-community-endowment-morg_b8dbff43311643929afa76e3acd77ffa},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Finger Lakes Area Community Endowment'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.

Finger Lakes Area Community Endowment down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?