Pioneer Bank Charitable Foundation
The Pioneer Bank Charitable Foundation is a private foundation based in Albany, New York. Its stated mission is “Helping Kids Be Kids,” and it partners with local charitable organizations that provide opportunities for children and improve their lives.
Pioneer Bank Charitable Foundation at a glance
In short: Pioneer Bank Charitable Foundation gave $386K across 135 grants in 2024 (avg $3K), mostly in New York. 33% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $386,180
- +41.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 135
- -2.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $2,861
- +44.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $6,561,566
- +18.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 33% first-time grantees (37 of 111, 2024)
- Primary geography
- New York (99% 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 Pioneer Bank Charitable Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s filing says applications can be made in person at any Pioneer Bank branch and lists no restrictions or limitations on awards. The foundation’s website says a requester must establish an employee link before submitting a request to the committee for consideration.
- Review Cycle
- No submission deadlines.
- Deadline
- No submission deadlines.
- Contact
Application contact: Thomas L Amell
Mailing address: 652 Albany Shaker Road, Albany, NY 12211
Phone: (518) 730-3000
Website: https://pioneerny.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Pioneer Bank Charitable Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Siena College ($56K across 4 grants). Together the top 10 received $211K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($9,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
600 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 599 grants of 600 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says it works with local charitable organizations in its communities and identifies the Capital Region as a focus of its community work. In 2024, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York, 1% to Connecticut, and less than 1% to Pennsylvania.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 135 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Pioneer Bank Charitable Foundation open to new grantees?
33%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 37 of 111 grantees (33%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $2K; repeat grants $4K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $1K repeat.
- 59% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 46% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 145% 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 $186K (2020) to $386K (2024). In 2024 it made 135 grants totaling $386K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Hudson Valley Community College Foundation Troy, NY | 25 in 25 Sponsor | $50,000 |
| Siena College Loudonville, NY | 2024 Pioneer Scholarship | $47,500 |
| Special Olympics New York Albany, NY | 2024 Unified Sponsorship | $15,000 |
| Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Albany, NY | 2024 Premier Sponsorship | $15,000 |
| Make-a-Wish of Northeast New York Saratoga Springs, NY | 2024 Wish Sponsorship | $12,000 |
| Empire Center for Public Policy Inc Albany, NY | 2024 Donation | $10,000 |
| Vanderheyden Wynantskill, NY | 2024 Sponsor 190TH Anniversary | $10,000 |
| Make-a-Wish of Northeast New York Saratoga Springs, NY | 2024 Donation for the Wishing Space | $10,000 |
| 1 grant to individuals Recipients not named | — | $9,000 |
| Jewish Family Services Albany, NY | 2024 Donation | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Pioneer Bank Charitable Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $6,561,566 | $698,281 | $408,693 | $386,180 | 135 | $400,128 | $275,883 |
| 2023 | $5,517,452 | $285,634 | $371,271 | $272,445 | 138 | $288,860 | $252,732 |
| 2022 | $6,275,269 | $678,548 | $333,224 | $286,934 | 140 | $301,510 | $267,931 |
| 2021 | $5,888,380 | $46,127 | $274,066 | $263,766 | 114 | $274,066 | $308,853 |
| 2020 | $5,726,654 | $52,021 | $186,015 | $186,015 | 73 | — | $282,276 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Pioneer Bank Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $276K 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’s mission is “Helping Kids Be Kids.” Its stated giving areas include education and learning opportunities, food, shelter and aid, school supplies, youth sports sponsorships, lifesaving services, and wellness initiatives.
Its 2024 grants included support for varied organizations. For example, Special Olympics New York says its mission is to provide athletic instruction and competition for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Friends of Hudson Youth says it supports out-of-school activities in sports, creative expression, and academic enrichment. Lifeworks Community Action says it helps neighbors meet immediate needs and build economic security.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 135 grants totaling $386,180. Awards ranged from $50 to $50,000, with a median grant of $1,000. Among the largest grants were $50,000 to an individual recipient Community College Foundation for a “25 in 25” sponsorship and $47,500 to Siena College for a 2024 scholarship. Other notable awards included $15,000 each to Special Olympics New York and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and $12,000 to Make-A-Wish of Northeast New York.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Thomas L. Amell and Susan M. Hollister as co-chairpersons; Patrick J. Hughes as treasurer; Annmarie Perechinsky, Jesse A. Tomczak, and Dr. Farzad Sani as directors; and Kelli Arnold as vice-chairperson and secretary.
Pioneer Bank Charitable Foundation is led by Susan M. Hollister, Co-Chairperson on every filing since 2020; none of the 7 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Susan M. Hollister
Co-Chairperson
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thomas L. Amell
Co-Chairperson
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Annmarie Perechinsky
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Farzad Sani
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jesse A. Tomczak
Director
Vice Chairperson → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patrick J. Hughes
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kelli Arnold
Vice Chairperson & Secretary
Director → Vice Chairperson & Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Frank C. Sarratori (2020–2021) — Vice Chairperson & Secretary
- Former: Nancy Scarchilli (2020–2021) — Director
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.
Frequently asked questions about Pioneer Bank Charitable Foundation
How much does Pioneer Bank Charitable Foundation give each year?
Pioneer Bank Charitable Foundation gave $386K across 135 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $272K across 138 grants.
What is Pioneer Bank Charitable Foundation's typical grant size?
Pioneer Bank Charitable Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $1,000, and its average grant was $2,861, across 135 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Pioneer Bank Charitable Foundation that year got $2K on average.
Where does Pioneer Bank Charitable Foundation give grants?
Pioneer Bank Charitable Foundation gives mostly in New York: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Albany, NY (40 grants), Troy, NY (17 grants), Schenectady, NY (11 grants) and Saratoga Springs, NY (10 grants).
Does Pioneer Bank Charitable Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 135 grants with a stated purpose on Pioneer Bank Charitable Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "2024 Sponsor" (16 grants), "2024 Donation" (13 grants) and "2024 Sponsorship" (4 grants).
Who are Pioneer Bank Charitable Foundation's largest grantees?
Pioneer Bank Charitable Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Siena College ($56,000 across 4 grants), Hudson Valley Community College Foundation ($50,000) and Make-a-Wish of Northeast New York ($23,000 across 3 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($9,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 33% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Pioneer Bank Charitable Foundation?
Pioneer Bank Charitable Foundation reported $6.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $400K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $276K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Pioneer Bank Charitable Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is “Helping Kids Be Kids.” Its stated giving areas include education and learning opportunities, food, shelter and aid, school supplies, youth sports sponsorships, lifesaving services, and wellness initiatives. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Pioneer Bank Charitable Foundation?
The foundation’s filing says applications can be made in person at any Pioneer Bank branch and lists no restrictions or limitations on awards. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Pioneer Bank Charitable Foundation's EIN?
Pioneer Bank Charitable Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-5039080. 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). Pioneer Bank Charitable Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/pioneer-bank-charitable-foundation-morg_50f3bc8e685e4c8ba6e7d8300d8ffd57
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_475039080_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Pioneer Bank Charitable Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/pioneer-bank-charitable-foundation-morg_50f3bc8e685e4c8ba6e7d8300d8ffd57},
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 Pioneer Bank Charitable Foundation'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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