Saunders Foundation
The Saunders Foundation is a private foundation based in Rochester, New York, established in 1987. Led by University of Rochester Trustee Emeritus E. Philip (Phil) Saunders, the foundation maintains a strong educational orientation and supports nonprofit organizations through strategic philanthropic giving.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$5.9M
-5.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$6.8M
+387.9% YoY
Grant Count
31
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$218K
+387.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Saunders Foundation reported a distributable amount of $392K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation seeks to perpetuate the wishes of its founders by maintaining a strong educational orientation. Primary areas of interest include:
- Literacy
- Science
- Programs affecting the general welfare of the community
- Education
- Human services
The foundation may award or meet matching grants to maximize the impact of its funds.
Grantmaking
The foundation typically selects grantees rather than accepting unsolicited proposals. It makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations only.
Grant Range
$3,000
Average Grant
$7,900–$21,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in New York, with some grants distributed to organizations in Ohio, Georgia, and Connecticut.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2024):
- Total Assets: $5,874,037
- Total Revenue: $5,433,536
- Total Expenses: $6,821,166
- Annual Giving: $245,500–$690,000 (varies by year)
Historical Growth: Total assets have grown from $777,000 in 2011 to $5.9 million in 2024.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $5,874,037 | $6,223,804 | $5,279,615 |
| Revenue | $5,433,536 | $3,120,604 | $3,007,062 |
| Expenses | $6,821,166 | $1,420,667 | $288,674 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $6,767,354 | $1,399,260 | $259,835 |
| Net Investment Income | $249,445 | $2,093,741 | $167,685 |
| Distributable Amount | $391,571 | $341,234 | $276,033 |
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
160 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include University of Rochester ($5,356,057), Saunders Museum ($997,611), Hope Hall School ($55,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Rochester Museum & Science Center Rochester, NY | for Cumming Nature Center | $1,000 |
| Genesee Country Village & Museum Mumford, NY | program funding | $5,000 |
| Saunders Museum Branchport, NY | value of donated stocks to Saunders Museum | $997,611 |
| Footin' It For Family Cohocton, NY | program sponsor | $200 |
| Bivona Child Advocacy Center Rochester, NY | program funding | $10,000 |
| St John Fisher College Rochester, NY | White Coat Scholarship-School of Pharmacy | $50,000 |
| Hope Hall School Rochester, NY | program funding-Dolce Method | $55,000 |
| Town of Ossian Historical Society Dansville, NY | rebuild historical Ossian School House | $1,500 |
| Education Success Foundation Rochester, NY | annual program funding | $50,000 |
| Five Rivers Council--BSA Elmira, NY | annual giving-Dansville Troop in ThunderBird District of Five Rivers Council | $1,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- E. Philip (Phil) Saunders – Chairman Emeritus
- Patricia Redding – President and Chief Executive Officer
- Robert Jr. Sant – Secretary and General Counsel
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| E Philip Saunders | Chairman Emeritus | 0.25 | — |
| Patricia Redding | President and Chief Executive Officer | 2 | — |
| Robert Jr Sant | Secretary and General Counsel | 0.25 | — |
| Sheri LeFrois | Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer | 0.25 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In 2024, the Saunders Foundation made a significant $30 million commitment to the University of Rochester Medical Center. This represents the largest gift in the Department of Orthopaedics' 50-year history. The gift supports research and clinical programs in orthopaedics, establishes a named professorship, and provides educational funding and scholarships to the School of Nursing. In recognition of this support, the University named its facility at 10 Miracle Mile Drive the Saunders Center for Orthopaedics & Physical Performance.
$30 Million Gift from Saunders Foundation Supports Department of Orthopaedics,Frequently Asked Questions
What does Saunders Foundation fund?
The foundation seeks to perpetuate the wishes of its founders by maintaining a strong educational orientation. Primary areas of interest include: • Literacy • Science • Programs affecting the general welfare of the community • Education • Human services The foundation may award or meet matching grants to maximize the impact of its funds.
How do I apply for a grant from Saunders Foundation?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Median grant size: $3,000 • Average grant size: $7,900–$21,000 • Grant range: $100 to $192,000 • Total grants awarded: 64 grants totaling $936,000 (based on available records) **Application Process:** The foundation typically selects grantees rather than accepting unsolicited proposals. It makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations only. **Recent Major Gifts:** • $30 million commitment to University of Rochester Medical Center (2024), including: • $…
Where does Saunders Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in New York, with some grants distributed to organizations in Ohio, Georgia, and Connecticut.
What size grants does Saunders Foundation award?
In 2024, Saunders Foundation awarded 31 grants totaling $6.8M — an average of about $218K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Saunders Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Saunders Foundation reported a distributable amount of $392K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Saunders Foundation's EIN?
Saunders Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 16-1289330. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Saunders Foundation'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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