The Grigg-Lewis Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 1968 through a gift by Henrietta Grigg Lewis. Based in Lockport, New York, the Foundation maintains a low-profile approach to philanthropy while directing substantial resources toward charitable causes. The Foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and has been tax-exempt since November 1998.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$48.2M
-5.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.6M
+4.1% YoY
Grant Count
91
+35.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$17K
-23.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Grigg-lewis Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $2.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation's mission is to provide charitable giving for the benefit of residents of Eastern Niagara County in New York. The Foundation is dedicated to supporting and strengthening local nonprofits in Niagara County through grant funding and advocacy of local agencies' missions.
The Foundation champions local nonprofits that have made considerable impacts in the region and are actively engaged in the community. Primary funding focus areas include nonprofit human services, poverty alleviation, community health, health and wellness, and school health initiatives.
Grantmaking
Since 2001, the Foundation has provided annual funding to select agencies through its Core Group Grants program. These annual grants are awarded to nonprofits noted for their service, history, and reputation. Core Group Grant recipients do not need to apply for funding; grants are awarded at the discretion of the Board of Directors if the agency's financials are in good order.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation's funding is concentrated in Eastern Niagara County, New York, with particular focus on the Lockport area and surrounding Niagara County communities.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $50.8 million
- Total Revenue: $2.17 million
- Total Expenses: $1.98 million
- Total Liabilities: $5.79 million
- Total Giving: $1,587,347
EIN: 16-1550858
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $48,162,535 | $50,798,998 | $46,364,782 |
| Revenue | $4,315,004 | $2,173,586 | $2,155,097 |
| Expenses | $2,687,930 | $1,975,685 | $1,687,213 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,270,314 | $2,059,785 | $1,843,818 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,672,255 | $1,601,729 | $3,970,316 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,154,366 | $2,086,815 | $1,974,199 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Grigg-lewis Foundation Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Dale Association Inc ($159,762), Cazenovia Recovery Systems Inc ($75,000), Feed More Wny ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMELIA'S BACKPACK PROJECT INC LOCKPORT, NY | YOUTH | $500 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS WNY CHAPTER BUFFALO, NY | HUMAN SERVICE | $10,000 |
| ANNIE LEEDS ADVENTURE FOUNDATION LOCKPORT, NY | HUMAN SERVICE | $500 |
| BROTHER'S KEEPER OUTREACH LOCKPORT, NY | HUMAN SERVICE | $2,000 |
| BUFFALO INNER CITY BALLET CO INC BUFFALO, NY | ART & CULTURE | $1,000 |
| CAMP GOOD DAYS & SPECIAL TIMES INC DEPEW, NY | HUMAN SERVICE | $1,000 |
| CAMP HAPPINESS LOCKPORT, NY | HUMAN SERVICE | $500 |
| CAZENOVIA RECOVERY SYSTEMS INC BUFFALO, NY | COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT | $75,000 |
| CHALLENGER LEARNING CENTER OF ONE INC LOCKPORT, NY | YOUTH | $22,284 |
| CHRIST COMMUNITY CHURCH LOCKPORT, NY | COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT | $1,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The Foundation's founder and primary benefactor was Henrietta G. Lewis (1906-2003), a long-time volunteer and philanthropist who was deeply involved with many local nonprofits. Mrs. Lewis was known for her modesty and generous spirit, serving on various boards, founding the Lockport Junior Service League, serving as a trustee of Wyndham Lawn Home for Children, and creating a scholarship program through the First Presbyterian Church. She received the Paul Harris Fellowship from the Lockport Rotary Club.
Since Mrs. Lewis's passing on May 16, 2003, the Foundation has worked to complement her personal philanthropic efforts and carry on her legacy.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHRIS SMITH | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $120,443 |
| DAN L WILSON | PRESIDENT | 2 | $15,000 |
| MARY F MURPHY | VICE PRESIDENT | 2 | $11,000 |
| ERIC W CONNOR | TREASURER | 2 | $13,000 |
| BRIAN F COSTELLO | SECRETARY | 2 | $11,000 |
| JOAN AUL | DIRECTOR | 2 | $11,000 |
| CHRISTA CALDWELL | DIRECTOR (THRU MAY 2024) | 2 | — |
| PAUL REID | DIRECTOR | 2 | $11,000 |
| R THOMAS WEEKS | DIRECTOR | 2 | $11,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Foundation continues to expand its impact throughout Eastern Niagara County. Recent activities include supporting local nonprofits through both Core Group Grants and project-specific funding. The Foundation actively shares wish lists of local organizations it champions, encouraging community members to support these agencies. Notable supported organizations include the Lockport Ice Arena and Sports Center, which promotes physical fitness and combats juvenile delinquency through supervised athletic events and skating programs.
Grigg Lewis Foundation's 2021 Grants \u2013 US - fundsforNGOsSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Grigg-lewis Foundation Inc fund?
The Foundation's mission is to provide charitable giving for the benefit of residents of Eastern Niagara County in New York. The Foundation is dedicated to supporting and strengthening local nonprofits in Niagara County through grant funding and advocacy of local agencies' missions. The Foundation champions local nonprofits that have made considerable impacts in the region and are actively engaged in the community. Primary funding focus areas include nonprofit human services, poverty alleviatio…
How do I apply for a grant from Grigg-lewis Foundation Inc?
Since 2001, the Foundation has provided annual funding to select agencies through its Core Group Grants program. These annual grants are awarded to nonprofits noted for their service, history, and reputation. Core Group Grant recipients do not need to apply for funding; grants are awarded at the discretion of the Board of Directors if the agency's financials are in good order. Core Group Grant recipients are required to: • Login to the Core Group Process • Complete a Previous Year Follow Up Form
Where does Grigg-lewis Foundation Inc make grants?
The Foundation's funding is concentrated in Eastern Niagara County, New York, with particular focus on the Lockport area and surrounding Niagara County communities.
What size grants does Grigg-lewis Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Grigg-lewis Foundation Inc awarded 91 grants totaling $1.6M — an average of about $17K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Grigg-lewis Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Grigg-lewis Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $2.2M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Grigg-lewis Foundation Inc's EIN?
Grigg-lewis Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 16-1550858. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Grigg-lewis Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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