Russell J Salvatore Foundation
The Russell J Salvatore Foundation is a private foundation based in Williamsville, New York. Established in 2012, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting community improvement and capacity building initiatives, with a particular focus on the Western New York region.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$654K
-45.4% YoY
Grant Count
16
-11.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$41K
-38.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary funding interests include:
- Education — Supporting educational institutions and programs
- Human Services — Funding organizations that serve vulnerable populations
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking — Supporting charitable infrastructure and community engagement
- Youth Development — Investing in programs for children and young people
- Community Development — Supporting neighborhood improvement and capacity building initiatives
Grantmaking
The foundation has also provided multi-year commitments to support major initiatives, such as a six-figure commitment to Mathewson McCarthy Baseball for naming rights to the Russell J. Salvatore Baseball Park.
Ready to take the next step with Russell J Salvatore Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in New York and Texas, with a particular emphasis on the Western New York region, including Buffalo, Williamsville, Depew, and surrounding communities.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2025:
- Total Assets: $3,285,282
- Total Revenues: $872,407
- Total Expenses: $712,225
- Total Giving: $653,850
As of Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total Assets: $2.9 million
- Total Revenues: $673,000
- Total Expenses: $1.27 million
Revenue Sources:
- Grants and contributions: $768,566 (2025)
- Investment income and dividends: $103,841 (2025)
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
86 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Build Promise Inc ($100,000), Villa Maria College ($100,000), The Brothers of Mercy Wellness Campus ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BUILD PROMISE INC BUFFALO, NY | GENERAL | $100,000 |
| DEPEW-LANCASTER BOYS & GIRLS CLUB DEPEW, NY | YOUTH PROGRAM CONSTRUCTION PROJECT | $60,000 |
| ECMC FOUNDATION BUFFALO, NY | HOSPITAL CONSTRUCTION PROJECT | $25,000 |
| HEART LOVE & SOUL NIAGARA FALLS, NY | GENERAL | $10,000 |
| ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE BUFFALO, NY | RELIGIOUS | $10,000 |
| VILLA MARIA COLLEGE BUFFALO, NY | EDUCATION | $100,000 |
| OVARIAN CANCER PROJECT EAST AMHERSET, NY | MEDICAL | $20,000 |
| ARMED FORCES WEEK BUFFALO, NY | GENERAL | $5,000 |
| VARIETY KIDS TELETHON LANCASTER, NY | GENERAL | $20,000 |
| CCI BUFFALO BUFFALO, NY | GENERAL | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is supported by Russell J Salvatore, a Buffalo-area restaurateur and hotel entrepreneur born in 1933. Salvatore built a hospitality empire that includes Salvatore's Italian Gardens banquet complex, Russell's Steaks, and the Grand Hotel. He is recognized for his extensive philanthropic contributions throughout Western New York.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RUSSELL J SALVATORE | PRESIDENT/TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MARK JERGE | TRUSTEE/TREASURER | 1 | — |
| JAMES GALLO | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| NEIL WEINBERG | TRUSTEE | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has demonstrated sustained commitment to community institutions through naming opportunities and major gifts. Named facilities and programs supported by the foundation include:
Russ gives again: Russell J. Salvatore Foundation donates an additionalRussell J. Salvatore Boys & Girls Club of Depew-Lancaster
Russ gives again: Russell J. Salvatore Foundation donates an additionalRussell J. Salvatore Hospitality House at Kevin Guest House
Russ gives again: Russell J. Salvatore Foundation donates an additionalRussell J. Salvatore Orthopaedic Unit at ECMC
Russ gives again: Russell J. Salvatore Foundation donates an additionalRussell J. Salvatore Demonstration Kitchen at Buffalo State College
Russ gives again: Russell J. Salvatore Foundation donates an additionalRussell J. Salvatore School of Hospitality & Business at Trocaire College
Russ gives again: Russell J. Salvatore Foundation donates an additionalRussell J. Salvatore Baseball Park (home to Mathewson McCarthy Baseball League)
Russ gives again: Russell J. Salvatore Foundation donates an additionalThe foundation continues to make significant contributions to education, youth development, and human services organizations throughout Western New York.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Russell J Salvatore Foundation fund?
The foundation's primary funding interests include: • **Education** — Supporting educational institutions and programs • **Human Services** — Funding organizations that serve vulnerable populations • **Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking** — Supporting charitable infrastructure and community engagement • **Youth Development** — Investing in programs for children and young people • **Community Development** — Supporting neighborhood improvement and capacity building initiatives
How do I apply for a grant from Russell J Salvatore Foundation?
**Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $2,850 to $200,000. **Recent Grant Activity:** In the 2025 fiscal year, the foundation made 22 grants with total giving of $653,850. Recent grants include: • Build Promise: $100,000 (General support) • Villa Maria College of Buffalo: $100,000 (Education) • Depew-Lancaster Boys and Girls Club: $60,000 (Youth Program Construction Project) • Buffalo City Mission: $200,000 (2020) The foundation has also provided multi-year commitments to support major in…
Where does Russell J Salvatore Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in **New York and Texas**, with a particular emphasis on the Western New York region, including Buffalo, Williamsville, Depew, and surrounding communities.
What size grants does Russell J Salvatore Foundation award?
In 2025, Russell J Salvatore Foundation awarded 16 grants totaling $654K — an average of about $41K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Russell J Salvatore Foundation's EIN?
Russell J Salvatore Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-7595997. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Russell J Salvatore Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
The Reich Family Charitable Trust
BROOKLYN, NY
Assets
$689K
Grants
1
Total Given
$453K
Launa Beuhler Foundation for
BROOKLYN, NY
Assets
$2K
Grants
4
Total Given
$20K
The Hilary Grace Foundation Inc
EAST AMHERST, NY
Assets
$126K
Grants
2
Total Given
$36K
Uw E J Madden Mem Open Hearts Club 10-214880
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$1.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$307K
Hindy's Foundation
BROOKLYN, NY
Assets
$142K
Grants
8
Total Given
$225K
Jeanne & Thomas Hardy Family Foundation
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$3K
Grants
3
Total Given
$3K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Russell J Salvatore Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Russell J Salvatore Foundation to a real strategy.