The Center for Regional Strategies Inc
The Center for Regional Strategies Inc. (CRS) is a public charity based in Buffalo, New York, that plans, develops, and implements collaborative economic growth initiatives. Its stated goal is to build sustainable community wealth, especially in underserved areas.
The Center for Regional Strategies Inc at a glance
In short: The Center for Regional Strategies Inc gave $833K across 20 grants in 2025 (avg $42K), mostly in New York. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $833,041
- -14.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 20
- -48.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $41,652
- +67.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $34,500
- Total assets
- $12,155,610
- +4.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- New York (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Center for Regional Strategies Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: 726 Exchange Street 802, Buffalo, NY 14210
Phone: (716) 259-1050
Website: https://centerforregionalstrategies.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Center for Regional Strategies Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Niagara Arts & Cultural Center ($190K). Together the top 10 received $662K.
Grant Size Distribution
61 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 55 grants of 61 (90%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars reported for filing year 2025 went to recipients in an individual recipient CRS describes its work as regional, connecting greater Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and Rochester.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 20 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Center for Regional Strategies Inc gives
- 28% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2025). 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 2023 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $335K (2023) to $972K (2024). In 2025 it made 20 grants totaling $833K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Niagara Arts & Cultural Center Niagara Falls, NY | Regional revitalization partnership intermediary capacity nacc phase1 theatre restoration | $190,000 |
| Upstate Venture Connect Corporation Little Falls, NY | Springboard prize award winner year 2 to further company development | $100,000 |
| Endeavor Western New York Inc Buffalo, NY | Springboard prize award winner year 2 to further company development | $63,750 |
| Olean Business Development Corporation Olean, NY | Springboard prize award winner year 2 to further company development | $47,600 |
| Urban League of Rochester NY Inc Rochester, NY | Springboard prize award winner year 2 to further company development | $42,500 |
| 19 Ideas Inc Buffalo, NY | Springboard prize award winner year 2 to further company development | $42,500 |
| Devups Co (Start up Grind) Fairport, NY | Springboard prize award winner year 2 to further company development | $42,500 |
| Net Positive Inc Buffalo, NY | Springboard prize award winner year 2 to further company development | $42,500 |
| Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission Buffalo, NY | Regional Revitalization Partnership Intermediary Capacity | $40,000 |
| Broadway Market Management Inc Buffalo, NY | To fund the first year of general liability insurance coverage required under the lease agreement with the city of buffalo | $35,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $12,155,610 | $4,028,916 | $3,277,444 | $833,041 | 20 | $233,154 |
| 2024 | $11,610,388 | $5,093,652 | $2,662,736 | $971,795 | 39 | $107,371 |
| 2023 | $9,052,661 | $8,581,705 | $452,990 | $335,000 | 2 | $11,018 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
CRS’s stated mission is to plan, develop, and implement collaborative economic growth strategies to build sustainable community wealth, especially in underserved areas. Its website identifies three focus areas: placemaking, workforce, and small business. The organization’s 2025 filing describes core services that include strategic planning with partners, capacity building, program and project management, problem-solving, developing evaluation metrics, and assessing progress.
The 2025 grants included support for organizations working in entrepreneurship, business development, community assets, and economic opportunity. For example, Upstate Venture Connect describes its mission as building a region-wide startup community and connecting high-growth company founders with resources. Endeavor Western New York says it supports high-impact entrepreneurs by connecting them with markets, industry leaders, investors, and talent. Net Positive describes providing youth and adults with space, equipment, and business assistance to pursue business ideas. Broadway Market Management says it works to foster jobs and economic opportunities for Buffalo and the local economy.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, CRS reported 20 grants totaling $833,041. Grant amounts ranged from $5,100 to $190,000, with a median of $34,500. Listed grants include:
No application process, application materials, restrictions, or deadline are stated in the available information.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Sharon Jones as chair; Emmanuel Frimpong Boamah, PhD, and Daniel Hess as board members; Laurence Rubin as secretary; Brad Dossinger as treasurer; and Laura Quebral as CEO. The CRS website lists Monique Sullivan James as operations director, responsible for fiscal management and coordination of subawards, contracts, and financial reporting.
The Center for Regional Strategies Inc is led by Laura Quebral, CEO on every filing since 2024; 1 of 6 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Laura Quebral
CEO
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$175K (2024) → $186K (2025)
Sharon Jones
Chair
President & Treasurer → President, 2024
President → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Emmanuel Frimpong Boamah PhD
Board Member
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laurence Rubin
Secretary
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brad Dossinger
Treasurer
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Hess
Board Member
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Linda Batycki (2023) — Vice President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2023–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $186K, to Laura Quebral (CEO).
Frequently asked questions about The Center for Regional Strategies Inc
How much does The Center for Regional Strategies Inc give each year?
The Center for Regional Strategies Inc gave $833K across 20 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $972K across 39 grants.
What is The Center for Regional Strategies Inc's typical grant size?
The Center for Regional Strategies Inc's median grant in 2025 was $34,500, and its average grant was $41,652, across 20 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Center for Regional Strategies Inc give grants?
The Center for Regional Strategies Inc gives mostly in New York: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Buffalo, NY (13 grants) and Rochester, NY (2 grants).
Does The Center for Regional Strategies Inc give general operating support?
Occasionally: 5% of The Center for Regional Strategies Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 20) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are The Center for Regional Strategies Inc's largest grantees?
The Center for Regional Strategies Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Niagara Arts & Cultural Center ($190,000), Upstate Venture Connect Corporation ($100,000) and Endeavor Western New York Inc ($63,750), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 42% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Center for Regional Strategies Inc?
The Center for Regional Strategies Inc reported $12.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $4.0M.
What does The Center for Regional Strategies Inc fund?
CRS’s stated mission is to plan, develop, and implement collaborative economic growth strategies to build sustainable community wealth, especially in underserved areas. Its website identifies three focus areas: placemaking, workforce, and small business. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Center for Regional Strategies Inc?
The Center for Regional Strategies Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check centerforregionalstrategies.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is The Center for Regional Strategies Inc's EIN?
The Center for Regional Strategies Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 92-1953714. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2023–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 16, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 27, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2023–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Center for Regional Strategies Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Center for Regional Strategies Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-center-for-regional-strategies-inc-morg_ee0b89aab7c1486eaa755c78b4f5108b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_921953714_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Center for Regional Strategies Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-center-for-regional-strategies-inc-morg_ee0b89aab7c1486eaa755c78b4f5108b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 Center for Regional Strategies Inc'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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