The Baird Foundation
The Baird Foundation is a private foundation based in Buffalo, New York. It supports nonprofit organizations in health and human services, education, the arts, and diversity, with giving shaped by Baird associates’ involvement in the organizations they support.
The Baird Foundation at a glance
In short: The Baird Foundation gave $598K across 116 grants in 2024 (avg $5K), mostly in New York. 25% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $597,573
- +8.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 116
- +26.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $5,151
- -13.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $2,500
- Total assets
- $12,513,088
- +5.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 25% first-time grantees (29 of 116, 2024)
- Primary geography
- New York (81% 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 The Baird Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. The filing describes a written application stating the amount and purpose of the request, accompanied by proof of 501(c)(3) exemption, financial statements, and a list of the organization’s board of directors. The application must be signed by a governing-board member who receives no compensation from the organization. The Foundation prefers awards in Western New York.
- Contact
Application contact: Ms Catherine Schweitzer
Mailing address: 936 Delaware Avenue Suite 207, Buffalo, NY 14209
Phone: (716) 883-2428
Website: https://rwbaird.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Baird Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was US National Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame ($40K). Together the top 10 received $223K.
Grant Size Distribution
588 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 585 grants of 588 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation states a preference for awards in Western New York. In 2024, 81% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York; other listed recipient states were Michigan (7%), Maine (5%), Florida (3%), and Minnesota (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 116 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Baird Foundation open to new grantees?
25%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 29 of 116 grantees (25%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $6K; repeat grants $5K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $2K repeat.
- 66% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−9%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 129% 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 $493K (2022) to $655K (2021). In 2024 it made 116 grants totaling $598K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| US National Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame Ishpeming, MI | Unrestricted | $40,000 |
| The Buffalo Seminary Buffalo, NY | Unrestricted | $27,500 |
| Buffalo ReUse Buffalo, NY | Unrestricted | $25,000 |
| Graycliff Conservancy Inc Derby, NY | Unrestricted | $23,250 |
| Burchfield Penney Art Center Buffalo, NY | Unrestricted | $21,840 |
| Niagara Aerospace Museum Niagara Falls, NY | Unrestricted | $20,000 |
| Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Society Inc Buffalo, NY | Unrestricted | $19,250 |
| Investigative Post Buffalo, NY | Unrestricted | $16,426 |
| Carousel Society of the Niagara Frontier Inc North Tonawanda, NY | Unrestricted | $15,135 |
| Artpark & Company Lewiston, NY | Unrestricted | $15,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Baird Foundation?
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 | $12,513,088 | $709,932 | $849,560 | $597,573 | 116 | $736,562 | $606,755 | $571,592 |
| 2023 | $11,874,500 | $822,852 | $819,652 | $550,287 | 92 | $704,965 | $720,298 | $502,142 |
| 2022 | $10,353,322 | $857,599 | $750,933 | $493,145 | 141 | $636,338 | $752,512 | $607,509 |
| 2021 | $12,970,667 | $794,685 | $905,988 | $655,102 | 146 | $787,868 | $689,646 | $575,056 |
| 2020 | $12,004,390 | $930,953 | $802,799 | $544,510 | 93 | — | $837,623 | $530,543 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Baird Foundation reported a distributable amount of $572K 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 stated focus areas are health and human services, education, the arts, and diversity. Its giving model emphasizes organizations where Baird associates are actively engaged.
Its 2024 grantees illustrate a range of activities. Buffalo ReUse describes its work as focused on job creation, material reuse and recycling, and community betterment. The Burchfield Penney Art Center says it operates a museum dedicated to the art and vision of Charles E. Burchfield and distinguished artists of Buffalo, Niagara, and Western New York. The Niagara Aerospace Museum describes preserving and displaying the heritage of Western New York aerospace workers and pioneers. Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo says it works to provide a safe and stable experience for members, supporting their high-school graduation plans and healthy lifestyles.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the Foundation reported 116 grants totaling $597,573. Awards ranged from $222 to $40,000, with a median grant of $2,500. The largest grants included $40,000 to the US National Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame, $27,500 to The Buffalo Seminary, $25,000 to Buffalo ReUse, $23,250 to Graycliff Conservancy, and $21,840 to the Burchfield Penney Art Center. Other notable awards included $20,000 to the Niagara Aerospace Museum, $16,426 to Investigative Post, and $15,000 each to Artpark & Company and Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Arthur W. Cryer, William B. Irwin, and Cynthia B. Stark as trustees, and Catherine F. Schweitzer as executive director.
The Baird Foundation is led by Catherine F. Schweitzer, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Catherine F. Schweitzer
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$70K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Arthur W. Cryer
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cynthia B Stark
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William B. Irwin
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/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.
Compensation Overview
From 2022 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2022 filing was $66K, to Catherine F Schweitzer (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about The Baird Foundation
How much does The Baird Foundation give each year?
The Baird Foundation gave $598K across 116 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $550K across 92 grants.
What is The Baird Foundation's typical grant size?
The Baird Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $2,500, and its average grant was $5,151, across 116 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Baird Foundation that year got $6K on average.
Where does The Baird Foundation give grants?
The Baird Foundation gives mostly in New York: 81% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Michigan (7%) and Maine (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Buffalo, NY (59 grants), Niagara Falls, NY (4 grants), Rochester, NY (3 grants) and ELY, MN (2 grants).
Does The Baird Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Baird Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (116 of 116) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Baird Foundation's largest grantees?
The Baird Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include US National Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame ($40,000), The Buffalo Seminary ($27,500) and Buffalo ReUse ($25,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 15% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Baird Foundation?
The Baird Foundation reported $12.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $737K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $572K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Baird Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s stated focus areas are health and human services, education, the arts, and diversity. Its giving model emphasizes organizations where Baird associates are actively engaged. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Baird Foundation?
The Foundation states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Baird Foundation's EIN?
The Baird Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 16-6023080. 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
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Baird Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Baird Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-baird-foundation-morg_a0463a2cb5b84203989ca62fb05daf1d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_166023080_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Baird Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-baird-foundation-morg_a0463a2cb5b84203989ca62fb05daf1d},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. 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 The Baird 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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