First Niagara Foundation
First Niagara Foundation is a private foundation based in Buffalo, New York. Its 2022 filing reports 81 grants totaling $7,363,601, with most grant dollars going to organizations in New York. The most recent filing on record is for 2022, and nothing has been filed since; the foundation appears to have wound down or stopped grantmaking.
First Niagara Foundation at a glance
In short: First Niagara Foundation gave $7.4M across 81 grants in 2022 (avg $91K), mostly in New York. 43% of 2022 grantees were new. Source: 2022 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2022)
- $7,363,601
- +3.3% vs 2021
- Grants made (2022)
- 81
- -33.6% vs 2021
- Average grant
- $90,909
- +55.6% vs 2021
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $1,027,758
- -87.9% vs 2021
- New grantees (estimate)
- 43% first-time grantees (32 of 75, 2022)
- Primary geography
- New York (99% of itemized 2022 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2022 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2022; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to First Niagara Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 726 Exchange Street 701, Buffalo, NY 14210
Phone: (716) 819-5500
Website: https://www.firstniagarafoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who First Niagara Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2022
The largest 2022 recipient was The Women and Childrens Hospital of Buffalo Foundation ($1.5M). Together the top 10 received $4.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
377 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 261 grants of 377 (69%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2022, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York. The filing also lists recipients in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, each accounting for 0% of grant dollars.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2022 grant dollars across all 81 itemized grants.
Cities
Is First Niagara Foundation open to new grantees?
43%
first-time grantees, 2022
In 2022, 32 of 75 grantees (43%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $92K; repeat grants $103K. How we count
Medians: $33K first-time, $30K repeat.
- 39% of 2022 grantees were also funded in 2021. Method
- In 2022 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2022). 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 2022, annual grant giving ranged from $7.1M (2021) to $11.3M (2020). In 2022 it made 81 grants totaling $7.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Women and Childrens Hospital of Buffalo Foundation Buffalo, NY | Community Development | $1,500,000 |
| Research Foundation of State University of New York Buffalo, NY | Community Development | $625,000 |
| Mount St Marys Hospital Foundation Inc Lewiston, NY | Community Development | $500,000 |
| Buffalo Arts and Technology Center Inc Buffalo, NY | Education | $250,000 |
| Gerard Place Housing Development Fund Company Inc Buffalo, NY | Community Development | $250,000 |
| The Economic Development Group Buffalo, NY | Workforce Development | $250,000 |
| Young Mens Christian Association Buffalo Niagara Buffalo, NY | Community Development | $250,000 |
| Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus Inc Buffalo, NY | Community Development | $200,000 |
| City Year Inc Buffalo, NY | Education | $200,000 |
| Feedmore Foundation of Western New York Inc Buffalo, NY | Community Development | $200,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $1,027,758 | $23,974 | $5,152,341 | $7,363,601 | 81 | $7,460,569 | $22,439 | $146,038 |
| 2021 | $8,466,550 | $2,184,344 | $8,216,250 | $7,129,000 | 122 | $7,167,192 | $2,136,012 | $537,552 |
| 2020 | $15,321,383 | $1,531,565 | $10,932,137 | $11,297,575 | 174 | — | $1,425,867 | $978,635 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, First Niagara Foundation reported a distributable amount of $146K for 2022 — 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 available information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2022 grants were designated for community development, education, and workforce development. The grantees’ own descriptions illustrate the types of organizations supported: Mount St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation raises funds for a hospital in Lewiston; Buffalo Arts and Technology Center provides cost-free workforce training and afterschool arts and technology programs; and The Economic Development Group describes its Northland Working Training Center as developing a skilled workforce and pathways to employment in Western New York.
Other 2022 recipients included the YMCA Buffalo Niagara, which describes its work as providing programs for healthy spirit, mind, and body; Providence Farm Collective, which works on farmer-led agriculture and equitable access to food and farmland; and Heart Love & Soul, which says it feeds people in need and offers self-help and educational programs.
Grantmaking
In 2022, the foundation made 81 grants totaling $7,363,601. Grants ranged from $26 to $1,500,000, with a median grant of $25,000. Notable awards included $1,500,000 to The Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo Foundation, $625,000 to the Research Foundation of State University of New York, and $500,000 to Mount St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation. Other awards included $250,000 each to Buffalo Arts and Technology Center, Gerard Place Housing Development Fund Company, The Economic Development Group, and the YMCA Buffalo Niagara.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2022 filing lists Gary Crosby as president; Ann Segarra as treasurer; Buford Sears as secretary; Trina Evans, Gary Quenneville, David Zebro, and Leslie Zemsky as directors; and Elizabeth Gurney as executive director.
First Niagara Foundation is led by Elizabeth Gurney, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 8 officers listed in 2022 report compensation.
Officers on the 2022 filing
Elizabeth Gurney
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gary Crosby
President
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Zebro
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gary Quenneville
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leslie Zemsky
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Trina Evans
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ann Segarra
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Buford Sears
Secretary
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2022. "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 First Niagara Foundation
How much does First Niagara Foundation give each year?
First Niagara Foundation gave $7.4M across 81 grants in 2022, according to its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2021 it gave $7.1M across 122 grants.
What is First Niagara Foundation's typical grant size?
First Niagara Foundation's median grant in 2022 was $25,000, and its average grant was $90,909, across 81 grants on its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from First Niagara Foundation that year got $92K on average.
Where does First Niagara Foundation give grants?
First Niagara Foundation gives mostly in New York: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Buffalo, NY (54 grants), Niagara Falls, NY (3 grants), Jamestown, NY (3 grants) and Orchard Park, NY (2 grants).
Does First Niagara Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2022: none of the 81 grants with a stated purpose on First Niagara Foundation's 2022 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Community Development" (40 grants), "Education" (27 grants) and "Workforce Development" (9 grants).
Who are First Niagara Foundation's largest grantees?
First Niagara Foundation's largest 2022 grantees include The Women and Childrens Hospital of Buffalo Foundation ($1,500,000), Research Foundation of State University of New York ($625,000) and Mount St Marys Hospital Foundation Inc ($500,000), according to its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 36% of its itemized 2022 grant dollars.
How large is First Niagara Foundation?
First Niagara Foundation reported $1.0M in total assets on its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $7.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $146K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does First Niagara Foundation fund?
The available information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2022 grants were designated for community development, education, and workforce development. The grantees’ own descriptions illustrate the types of organizations supported: Mount St. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from First Niagara Foundation?
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is First Niagara Foundation's EIN?
First Niagara Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 16-1549641. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2022.
Does First Niagara Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2022
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First Niagara Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?