The Baird Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 1947 and based in Buffalo, New York. Operating as a 501(c)(3) organization, it has been tax-exempt since August 1957. The foundation primarily supports nonprofit organizations in the western New York area, with particular emphasis on Buffalo.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$12.5M
+5.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$598K
+8.6% YoY
Grant Count
116
+26.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$5K
-13.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Baird Foundation gives primarily for:
- Arts and culture
- Children and youth
- Social services
- Health and medical research
- Education
- Civic affairs
- Environmental causes
- Historical preservation
- Museums
- Animal welfare
The foundation provides support for special projects and capital needs of nonprofit organizations.
Grantmaking
The foundation provides unrestricted grants to qualified nonprofit organizations.
Ready to take the next step with The Baird Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily supports nonprofit organizations in the western New York area, with emphasis on Buffalo. Grant activity also extends to Maine and Vermont.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $12,513,088
- Total revenue: $709,932
- Total expenses: $849,560
- Net income: -$139,628
- Total liabilities: $5,000
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $12,513,088 | $11,874,500 | $10,353,322 |
| Revenue | $709,932 | $822,852 | $857,599 |
| Expenses | $849,560 | $819,652 | $750,933 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $736,562 | $704,965 | $636,338 |
| Net Investment Income | $606,755 | $720,298 | $752,512 |
| Distributable Amount | $571,592 | $502,142 | $607,509 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARTHUR W CRYER | Trustee | 2 | — |
| WILLIAM B IRWIN | Trustee | 2 | — |
| CATHERINE F SCHWEITZER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | — |
| Cynthia B Stark | Trustee | 2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Baird Foundation administers the Paul Purcell "Kids Win!" Annual Education Grant, established in 2020 to benefit qualified nonprofit educational organizations. In 2024, this grant program awarded funds to 18 nonprofits. In 2025, the program expanded to award grants to 32 nonprofits.
Baird FoundationThe foundation also receives support from other funders, including the Rowboat Family Foundation and The Cameron and Jane Baird Foundation.
Baird FoundationSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Launa Beuhler Foundation for
BROOKLYN, NY
Assets
$2K
Grants
4
Total Given
$20K
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
Ramsleg Foundation
BRIGHTWATERS, NY
Assets
$543
Grants
1
Total Given
$500
Druckenmiller Foundation
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$1.8B
Grants
58
Total Given
$135.7M
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Baird 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