The John R Oishei Foundation
The John R. Oishei Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) grantmaking foundation established in 1942 and based in Buffalo, New York. The foundation operates as a major philanthropic institution in Western New York, serving as a catalyst for systemic change and community development in the Buffalo-Niagara region.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$330.0M
+4.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$9.5M
-15.2% YoY
Grant Count
168
+8.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$56K
-21.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The John R Oishei Foundation reported a distributable amount of $15.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to work with communities to change systems and build financial prosperity for a racially just, vibrant Buffalo-Niagara region. The foundation envisions a thriving, prosperous community for all, where diversity is a strength.
The foundation's strategic approach centers on Community Power Building as systems change, working alongside those shaping change from the ground up. Key focus areas include:
- Racial equity and justice initiatives
- Supporting Black communities and addressing racial inequities
- Systems change for community prosperity
- Buffalo's East Side community development
- Building financial prosperity for underserved communities
- Education and STEM initiatives
The foundation practices trust-based philanthropy, emphasizing relationship-building, reducing barriers, and working with greater openness, accountability, care, and trust. This approach aims to allow partners to spend more time leading change rather than completing extensive paperwork.
Grantmaking
The foundation may provide organizational capacity building and technical support services through consultants, including board/policy development, strategic planning, grant writing, and administrative support. In 2023, approximately $47,400 was allocated for these services.
Grant Range
$20,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's primary geographic focus is the Buffalo-Niagara region, with particular emphasis on Buffalo's East Side. The foundation acknowledges the racial inequities that have shaped Buffalo's East Side while honoring the abundance, power, and strength of its residents.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (as of 2024):
- Total assets: $329,976,631
- Total revenue: $18,999,236
- Total expenses: $16,542,605
- Net income: $2,456,631
- Net assets: $329,976,631
Financial Position: The foundation ranks in the top 1% of foundations by asset size (#608 of 159,550 foundations nationally). The foundation has been tax-exempt since March 1942.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $329,976,631 | $315,667,488 | $299,615,783 |
| Revenue | $18,999,236 | $5,069,390 | $15,989,814 |
| Expenses | $16,542,605 | $18,132,688 | $18,413,618 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $12,996,844 | $14,627,695 | $14,934,378 |
| Net Investment Income | $44,360,506 | $20,211,815 | $12,714,406 |
| Distributable Amount | $15,663,500 | $14,331,042 | $14,342,684 |
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
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The John R Oishei Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Buffalo Center for Arts & Technology (bcat) ($500,000), Buffalo Center for Arts & Technology (bcat) ($400,000), Buffalo Prep ($350,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AFRICAN CULTURAL CENTER OF BUFFALO INC BUFFALO, NY | 2024 CAPACITY BUILDING MICRO GRANT | $20,000 |
| AFRICAN CULTURAL CENTER OF BUFFALO INC BUFFALO, NY | 2024 PINE GRILL REUNION | $20,000 |
| AKRON NEWSTEAD SENIOR CITIZENS INC AKRON, NY | BASIC HUMAN NEEDS 2024-2025 | $4,000 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS BUFFALO, NY | BASIC HUMAN NEEDS 2024-2025 | $13,000 |
| ASSEMBLY HOUSE 150 INC BUFFALO, NY | JRO TRANSITION FUND | $50,000 |
| BACK TO BASICS OUTREACH MINISTRIES INC BUFFALO, NY | JRO TRANSITION FUND | $50,000 |
| BISON CHILDREN'S SCHOLARSHIP FUND BUFFALO, NY | BISON K-8 SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT | $234,500 |
| BISON CHILDREN'S SCHOLARSHIP FUND BUFFALO, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT 2024-2026 | $234,500 |
| BLESSED TRINITY RC CHURCH BUFFALO, NY | BASIC HUMAN NEEDS 2024-2025 FOR HELPING HANDS FOOD PANTRY | $2,000 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF BUFFALO INC BUFFALO, NY | BASIC HUMAN NEEDS 2024-2025 | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board & Executive Leadership:
- Christina P. Orsi – President (compensation: $303,255 in 2024)
- Glenn S. Jackson – Chair (effective May 2024)
- Yvonne S. Minor-Ragan – Vice Chair & Secretary
- Francisco M. Vasquez – Treasurer
- Donald K. Boswell – Director
- Maureen O. Hurley – Director
- Luke T. Jacobs – Director
- Chandra Redfern – Director (effective May 2024)
- Michael Ulbrich – Director
- Melva D. Visher – Director
The foundation maintains a staff of approximately 11-15 employees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| GLENN S JACKSON | CHAIR (EFF 5/24) | 8 | $28,125 |
| WILLIAM G GISEL JR | CHAIR (THRU 4/24) | 8 | $28,125 |
| FRANCISCO M VASQUEZ | TREASURER | 12 | $25,000 |
| YVONNE S MINOR-RAGAN | VICE CHAIR & SECRETARY | 12 | $25,000 |
| DONALD K BOSWELL | DIRECTOR | 12 | $25,000 |
| MAUREEN O HURLEY | DIRECTOR | 8 | $25,000 |
| LUKE T JACOBS | DIRECTOR | 10 | $25,000 |
| CHANDRA REDFERN | DIRECTOR (EFF 5/24) | 8 | $6,250 |
| MICHAEL ULBRICH | DIRECTOR | 8 | $25,000 |
| MELVA D VISHER | DIRECTOR | 10 | $25,000 |
| CHRISTINA ORSI | PRESIDENT | 40 | $303,255 |
| BLYTHE T MERRILL | EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT (THRU 3/24) | 40 | $40,160 |
| GEOFFREY PRITCHARD | CFO & IMPACT INVESTMENT OFFICER | 40 | $198,770 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has announced the **WNY Forward Fund**, a new initiative supporting exploration of strategic alliances in the nonprofit sector. This reflects the foundation's commitment to systems change and strengthening partnerships within the region.
WNY Forward Fund Announces Grants to Support Exploration of ...The foundation continues to advance its racial equity mission despite evolving national conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusion, maintaining its commitment to real change and community power building.
JOHN R. OISHEI FOUNDATION AWARD TO HELP ESTABLISH COMMUNITY SERVICES FORSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The John R Oishei Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission is to work with communities to change systems and build financial prosperity for a racially just, vibrant Buffalo-Niagara region. The foundation envisions a thriving, prosperous community for all, where diversity is a strength. The foundation's strategic approach centers on **Community Power Building** as systems change, working alongside those shaping change from the ground up. Key focus areas include: • Racial equity and justice initiatives • Supporting Black communit…
How do I apply for a grant from The John R Oishei Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • 168 grants made in the most recent reporting period • Median grant size: $20,000 • Grant range: $750 to $930,000 • Annual giving: approximately $13 million (2024) • Total giving: $9,466,396 (2024) **Recent Grants (2023):** • Education Collaborative of WNY: $572,000 (Academic Excellence for All) • The BISON Children's Scholarship Fund: $469,000 (K-8 Scholarship Support) • Education Collaborative of WNY: $436,000 (2022-2023 Scholarship Program) **Additional Support:** The fo…
Where does The John R Oishei Foundation make grants?
The foundation's primary geographic focus is the Buffalo-Niagara region, with particular emphasis on Buffalo's East Side. The foundation acknowledges the racial inequities that have shaped Buffalo's East Side while honoring the abundance, power, and strength of its residents.
What size grants does The John R Oishei Foundation award?
In 2024, The John R Oishei Foundation awarded 168 grants totaling $9.5M — an average of about $56K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The John R Oishei Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The John R Oishei Foundation reported a distributable amount of $15.7M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The John R Oishei Foundation's EIN?
The John R Oishei Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 16-0874319. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The John R Oishei 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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