Grigg-Lewis Foundation Inc
The Grigg-Lewis Foundation Inc. is a private foundation based in Lockport, New York. It funds nonprofit programs that benefit residents of Eastern Niagara County, with consideration also given to programs serving broader Niagara County and Western New York.
Grigg-Lewis Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Grigg-Lewis Foundation Inc gave $1.6M across 91 grants in 2024 (avg $17K), mostly in New York. 32% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,587,347
- +4.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 91
- +35.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $17,443
- -23.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $48,162,535
- -5.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 32% first-time grantees (26 of 82, 2024)
- Primary geography
- New York (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Grigg-Lewis Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts applications through its online Grant Portal. Applicants submit a Letter of Inquiry and then an application; paper and emailed applications are no longer accepted. Applicants must be able to provide a 501(c)(3) IRS determination letter. Requests from tax-supported agencies, or from agencies outside Niagara County delivering an unmet program or service within Niagara County, require unanimous board approval. Grants of $90,000 or more are reviewed at the third-quarter board meeting; smaller requests are scheduled at staff discretion.
- Review Cycle
- For 2026, Letters of Inquiry are due January 11, April 19, July 12, and October 4. Application deadlines are February 1, May 3, July 26, and October 18, respectively.
- Deadline
- For 2026, Letters of Inquiry are due January 11, April 19, July 12, and October 4.
- Contact
Application contact: Chris Smith
Mailing address: 1 East Avenue Suite 303, Lockport, NY 14094
Phone: (716) 478-0002
Website: https://www.grigglewis.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Grigg-Lewis Foundation Inc
Who Grigg-Lewis Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Dale Association Inc ($189K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $768K.
Grant Size Distribution
396 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 361 grants of 396 (91%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated priority is Eastern Niagara County. It also considers projects elsewhere in Niagara County and in Western New York when they are not duplicative and show a clear, proven need. All itemized 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in New York State.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 91 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Grigg-Lewis Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
32%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 26 of 82 grantees (32%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $16K; repeat grants $21K. How we count
Medians: $8K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 60% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 47% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 105% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.3M (2020) to $3.0M (2021). In 2024 it made 91 grants totaling $1.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Dale Association Inc Lockport, NY | Community Improvement | $159,762 |
| New Directions Youth & Family Lockport, NY | Education | $89,250 |
| Cazenovia Recovery Systems Inc Buffalo, NY | Community Improvement | $75,000 |
| Niagara Falls Boys & Girls Club Niagara Falls, NY | YOUTH | $60,000 |
| Niagara County Historical Society Inc Lockport, NY | History & Preservation | $52,300 |
| Feed More WNY Buffalo, NY | Community Improvement | $50,000 |
| Greater Lockport Development Corp Lockport, NY | Community Improvement | $50,000 |
| Orleans Community Health Foundation Medina, NY | Community Improvement | $50,000 |
| Somerset Union Museum Barker, NY | Community Improvement | $50,000 |
| Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center Niagara Falls, NY | Health & Wellness | $48,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Grigg-Lewis Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The foundation’s website reports 2025 financial assets of $45,721,710 and 118 grants awarded with a total value of $2,724,836.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $48,162,535 | $4,315,004 | $2,687,930 | $1,587,347 | 91 | $2,270,314 | $3,672,255 | $2,154,366 |
| 2023 | $50,798,998 | $2,173,586 | $1,975,685 | $1,525,559 | 67 | $2,059,785 | $1,601,729 | $2,086,815 |
| 2022 | $46,364,782 | $2,155,097 | $1,687,213 | $1,427,379 | 69 | $1,843,818 | $3,970,316 | $1,974,199 |
| 2021 | $51,419,636 | $4,176,168 | $3,807,225 | $3,011,279 | 70 | $2,150,821 | $3,381,273 | $2,588,305 |
| 2020 | $49,133,405 | $9,260,340 | $2,173,756 | $1,276,860 | 99 | — | $8,863,016 | $1,884,130 |
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.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation says it reviews requests with the aim of serving Eastern Niagara County and Western New York residents over the long term. It considers projects or programs that primarily serve Eastern Niagara County; it may also consider broader Niagara County or Western New York proposals if they are not duplicative and demonstrate a clear, proven need.
Its primary funding areas are arts and cultural programs, community improvement, educational programming, local historical preservation, non-clinical health and wellness, human services, senior programs, and youth programs. The foundation values nonprofit collaborations and says applicants should identify additional funding sources and demonstrate sustainability. It does not typically fund scholarships or religious organizations.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of work funded. Cazenovia Recovery Systems says it empowers people with substance use disorders to build healthier lives. The Niagara Falls Boys & Girls Club describes its work as youth services that include education and social development, health, and physical education. The Niagara County Historical Society says it preserves, promotes, and interprets the region’s heritage and provides lifelong learning. Kenan Center describes its work as providing cultural, educational, and recreational opportunities.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 91 grants totaling $1,587,347. Grant amounts ranged from $200 to $159,762, with a median of $10,000. The largest awards included $159,762 to Dale Association Inc. for community improvement; $89,250 to New Directions Youth & Family for education; and $75,000 to Cazenovia Recovery Systems Inc. for community improvement. Other notable awards included $60,000 to Niagara Falls Boys & Girls Club for youth programs, $52,300 to Niagara County Historical Society for history and preservation, and $50,000 each to Feed More WNY, Greater Lockport Development Corp., Orleans Community Health Foundation, and Somerset Union Museum for community improvement.
The foundation also has a Core Group Grants program, established in 2001, for selected nonprofits. Recipients do not apply for these annual grants; awards are made at the board’s discretion, subject to the agency’s financials being in good order. Core Group recipients must complete a previous-year follow-up form and submit third-quarter financial statements, including a profit and loss statement and balance sheet, before a new grant is released.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Chris Smith as executive director; Dan Wilson as president; Mary Murphy as vice president; Eric Connor as treasurer; and Brian Costello as secretary. It also lists Joan Aul, Paul Reid, and R. Thomas Weeks as directors, and Christa Caldwell as a director through May 2024.
The foundation’s board website lists Dan Wilson as president; Mary Murphy as vice president; Eric Connor as treasurer; Brian Costello as secretary; and Joan Aul, Paul Reid, and R. Thomas Weeks as directors.
Grigg-Lewis Foundation Inc is led by Chris Smith, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 8 of 9 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Chris Smith
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$86K (2020) → $120K (2024)
Dan L. Wilson
President
Treasurer → President, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$13K (2020) → $15K (2024)
Christa Caldwell
Director
President → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$15K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Joan Aul
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$11K (2020) → $11K (2024)
Paul Reid
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$11K (2020) → $11K (2024)
R. Thomas Weeks
Director
Vice President → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$11K (2020) → $11K (2024)
Brian F. Costello
Secretary
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$11K (2020) → $11K (2024)
Eric W. Connor
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$11K (2020) → $13K (2024)
Mary F. Murphy
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$11K (2020) → $11K (2024)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $120K, to Chris Smith (Executive Director). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Grigg-Lewis Foundation Inc
How much does Grigg-Lewis Foundation Inc give each year?
Grigg-Lewis Foundation Inc gave $1.6M across 91 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.5M across 67 grants.
What is Grigg-Lewis Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Grigg-Lewis Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $17,443, across 91 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Grigg-Lewis Foundation Inc that year got $16K on average.
Where does Grigg-Lewis Foundation Inc give grants?
Grigg-Lewis Foundation Inc gives mostly in New York: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Lockport, NY (52 grants), Buffalo, NY (11 grants), Niagara Falls, NY (6 grants) and Medina, NY (2 grants).
Does Grigg-Lewis Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 91 grants with a stated purpose on Grigg-Lewis Foundation Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Community Improvement" (19 grants), "Human Service" (18 grants) and "Youth" (17 grants).
Who are Grigg-Lewis Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Grigg-Lewis Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Dale Association Inc ($188,842 across 2 grants), Kenan Center Inc ($92,228 across 3 grants) and New Directions Youth & Family ($90,250 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 23% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Grigg-Lewis Foundation Inc?
Grigg-Lewis Foundation Inc reported $48.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Grigg-Lewis Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation says it reviews requests with the aim of serving Eastern Niagara County and Western New York residents over the long term. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Grigg-Lewis Foundation Inc?
The foundation accepts applications through its online Grant Portal. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Grigg-Lewis Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/grigg-lewis-foundation-inc-morg_cf5c13834cdf43c896ad4e344a5c6e44
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_161550858_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Grigg-Lewis Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/grigg-lewis-foundation-inc-morg_cf5c13834cdf43c896ad4e344a5c6e44},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Grigg-Lewis Foundation Inc'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.
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