The Cameron and Jane Baird Foundation
The Cameron and Jane Baird Foundation is a private, non-operating family foundation based in Buffalo, New York. Established as a trust in 1960, the foundation operates with a low public profile and does not maintain a website or employ formal paid staff. The foundation was created by Cameron Baird, a former professor and chairman of the music department at the University of Buffalo, and his wife Jane D. Baird. Their children serve as trustees alongside the founders.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$36.7M
-1.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.8M
-11.8% YoY
Grant Count
131
+7.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$21K
-17.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary giving areas include:
- Arts and Culture — The largest funding area, with particular emphasis on music, performing arts, and orchestral music. This reflects Cameron Baird's deep involvement in music and music education.
- Education — Including elementary, secondary, and higher education initiatives
- Health — Particularly reproductive health care and family planning
- Human Services — Social services and humanitarian relief
- Environment — Natural resources and conservation
- International Human Rights — Civil rights and international advocacy
The foundation gives across a broad spectrum of funding interests to organizations of varying sizes, suggesting many grants reflect the personal interests of foundation trustees.
Grantmaking
The foundation made approximately 92 grants totaling $2,417,500 in 2023, with additional grants to organizations including the Sierra Club, NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, Planned Parenthood, and various regional arts institutions.
How to Apply
** Not formally documented in available sources. The foundation maintains an exceptionally low profile and does not publish formal grant guidelines or application procedures.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
While the foundation supports organizations across the United States, Buffalo, New York is a clear area of priority, particularly for arts and culture funding. The foundation also funds organizations in major cities including New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., as well as organizations with national and international scope. Geographic areas of support include Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, and additional states.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $36,662,749 (as of 2024)
Total Revenue: $2,548,713 (2024)
Total Expenses: $3,018,931 (2024)
Net Income: -$470,218 (2024)
Administrative Expense Ratio: Approximately 5.97 percent, indicating the foundation spends minimal resources on administration relative to grant distributions.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $36,662,749 | $37,132,967 | $40,109,756 |
| Revenue | $2,548,713 | $362,463 | $1,277,351 |
| Expenses | $3,018,931 | $3,342,845 | $2,971,638 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,794,886 | $3,168,136 | $2,765,702 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,346,464 | $892,557 | $1,088,400 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,327,557 | $2,163,929 | $2,226,344 |
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
201 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board of Trustees:
- Brian D. Baird
- Sarah M. Baird
- Bruce C. Baird
- Bridget B. Baird
- Martha B. Senturia
- Peter C. Clauson
All trustees serve without compensation. The foundation has no paid employees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRIAN D BAIRD | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| SARAH M BAIRD | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| BRUCE C BAIRD | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| BRIDGET B BAIRD | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| MARTHA B SENTURIA | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| PETER C CLAUSON | TRUSTEE | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation continues active grantmaking across its priority areas. Recent grant activity demonstrates ongoing support for Buffalo-based cultural institutions alongside national and international organizations focused on social justice, environmental conservation, and humanitarian relief. The foundation is a member of the Western New York Grantmakers Association.
Cameron Foundation marks 20th anniversary with new grants in October 2024Related Funders
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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