Robert & Patricia Colby Foundation 115319998
The Robert & Patricia Colby Foundation is a private foundation based in Buffalo, New York. It made grants to charitable organizations, including a school, a theater, and opera organizations.
Robert & Patricia Colby Foundation 115319998 at a glance
In short: Robert & Patricia Colby Foundation 115319998 gave $129K across 5 grants in 2024 (avg $26K), mostly in New York. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $128,542
- -85.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 5
- -78.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $25,708
- -32.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $14,500
- Primary geography
- New York (66% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Robert & Patricia Colby Foundation 115319998
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The filing states that the foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Its 2024 filing is marked final.
- Contact
Mailing address: 140 Pearl St Suite 100, Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: (716) 848-1230
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Robert & Patricia Colby Foundation 115319998 funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Emma Willard School ($83K). Together the top 5 received $129K.
Grant Size Distribution
81 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 76 grants of 81 (94%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in New York (66%), Michigan (19%), Florida (11%), and Illinois (4%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
Cities
How Robert & Patricia Colby Foundation 115319998 gives
- Giving fell 26% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $129K (2024) to $877K (2023). In 2024 it made 5 grants totaling $129K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Emma Willard School Troy, NY | General | $83,296 |
| Lakeside Shakespeare Theater Frankfort, MI | General | $25,000 |
| Sarasota Opera Sarasota, FL | General | $14,500 |
| Lyric Opera Chicago Chicago, IL | General | $4,500 |
| Mulroy Family Foundation Buffalo, NY | General | $1,246 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | — | $1,419 | $128,600 | $128,542 | 5 | $128,571 | $1,390 | $1,330 |
| 2023 | $127,181 | $164,198 | $894,756 | $877,378 | 23 | $883,385 | $152,826 | $45,806 |
| 2022 | $841,310 | $48,354 | $178,168 | $158,000 | 12 | $161,834 | $36,554 | $49,699 |
| 2021 | $971,632 | $184,439 | $189,699 | $174,500 | 18 | $187,355 | $182,302 | $63,395 |
| 2020 | $977,259 | $53,119 | $324,844 | $309,000 | 23 | — | $50,855 | $65,527 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Robert & Patricia Colby Foundation 115319998 reported a distributable amount of $1K 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
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants went to Emma Willard School, Lakeside Shakespeare Theater, Sarasota Opera, Lyric Opera Chicago, and the Mulroy Family Foundation.
Emma Willard School describes its mission as operating a privately run school for girls in grades 9 through 12, with boarding and day students.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported five grants totaling $128,542. Grants ranged from $1,246 to $83,296, with a median of $14,500. The largest grants were $83,296 to Emma Willard School, $25,000 to Lakeside Shakespeare Theater, $14,500 to Sarasota Opera, $4,500 to Lyric Opera Chicago, and $1,246 to the Mulroy Family Foundation. All were listed for general purposes.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists James M. Wadsworth and Michal Wadsworth as co-trustees.
Robert & Patricia Colby Foundation 115319998's 2024 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
James M. Wadsworth
Co-Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michal Wadsworth
Co-Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
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 Robert & Patricia Colby Foundation 115319998
How much does Robert & Patricia Colby Foundation 115319998 give each year?
Robert & Patricia Colby Foundation 115319998 gave $129K across 5 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $877K across 23 grants.
What is Robert & Patricia Colby Foundation 115319998's typical grant size?
Robert & Patricia Colby Foundation 115319998's median grant in 2024 was $14,500, and its average grant was $25,708, across 5 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Robert & Patricia Colby Foundation 115319998 give grants?
Robert & Patricia Colby Foundation 115319998 gives mostly in New York: 66% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Michigan (19%) and Florida (11%).
Does Robert & Patricia Colby Foundation 115319998 give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Robert & Patricia Colby Foundation 115319998's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 5) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Robert & Patricia Colby Foundation 115319998's largest grantees?
Robert & Patricia Colby Foundation 115319998's largest 2024 grantees include Emma Willard School ($83,296), Lakeside Shakespeare Theater ($25,000) and Sarasota Opera ($14,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 96% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
What does Robert & Patricia Colby Foundation 115319998 fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants went to Emma Willard School, Lakeside Shakespeare Theater, Sarasota Opera, Lyric Opera Chicago, and the Mulroy Family Foundation. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Robert & Patricia Colby Foundation 115319998?
The filing states that the foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
How much is Robert & Patricia Colby Foundation 115319998 required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Robert & Patricia Colby Foundation 115319998 reported a distributable amount of $1K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Robert & Patricia Colby Foundation 115319998's EIN?
Robert & Patricia Colby Foundation 115319998's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 16-1315877. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Robert & Patricia Colby Foundation 115319998 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 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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