The Marks Family Foundation
The Marks Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Buffalo, New York. Established in 1991 by Western New York business leader Randolph “Randy” Marks, it supports organizations providing programs in education, arts, or health for under-represented populations, especially young people.
The Marks Family Foundation at a glance
In short: The Marks Family Foundation gave $179K across 27 grants in 2025 (avg $7K), mostly in New York. 19% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $178,599
- +45.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 27
- -48.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $6,615
- +179.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $1,308,533
- +2.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 19% first-time grantees (5 of 27, 2025)
- Primary geography
- New York (95% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Marks Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Its website says applications for 2026 are suspended while it fulfills current grant commitments.
- Contact
Mailing address: 108 Lexington Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14222
Phone: (716) 877-1618
Website: https://marksfamilyfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Marks Family Foundation
Who The Marks Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Westminster Economic Development Initiative ($40K). Together the top 10 received $140K.
Grant Size Distribution
192 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 192 grants of 192 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation identifies Western New York—specifically Erie and Niagara Counties—as its grantmaking area. Its program description says it gives preference to requests from Western New York and Vermont, with occasional awards elsewhere. In 2025, reported grant dollars were distributed among recipients in New York (95%), Vermont (4%), Washington, D.C. (1%), and Massachusetts (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 27 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Marks Family Foundation open to new grantees?
19%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 27 grantees (19%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $6K; repeat grants $7K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 67% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 65% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 132% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $109K (2022) to $179K (2025). In 2025 it made 27 grants totaling $179K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Westminster Economic Development Initiative Buffalo, NY | West side bazaar expansion project (3 and 4 of 5) | $40,000 |
| Feedmore Foundation of WNY Buffalo, NY | Setting the table to fight food insecurity capital campaign | $20,250 |
| United Way of Buffalo and Erie County Buffalo, NY | Family Stability Initiative (Year 4 of 5) | $20,000 |
| Homespace Corporation Buffalo, NY | Nutritional & Academic Education for Foster Youth | $10,000 |
| Child and Family Services of Erie County Buffalo, NY | Haven House Domestic Violence Shelter Children's Program | $10,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club of the Northtowns Buffalo, NY | Town Clubhouse Teen Center Repairs | $8,375 |
| Buffalo Prep Buffalo, NY | College Prep | $8,222 |
| Family Promise of WNY Buffalo, NY | Food Programs | $8,000 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County Buffalo, NY | Mentoring Program | $7,500 |
| Buffalo Arts and Technology Center Inc Buffalo, NY | Academic and Social-Emotional Support | $7,500 |
Ready to take the next step with The Marks Family 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,308,533 | $243,140 | $213,259 | $178,599 | 27 | $188,939 | $218,020 | $142,808 |
| 2024 | $1,278,652 | $59,333 | $159,343 | $122,981 | 52 | $139,363 | $39,153 | $130,560 |
| 2023 | $1,378,662 | $-16,073 | $156,899 | $126,798 | 48 | $132,760 | $29,235 | $120,420 |
| 2022 | $1,551,634 | $148,225 | $152,601 | $108,509 | 34 | $115,791 | $113,623 | $136,088 |
| 2021 | $1,556,010 | $299,432 | $181,243 | $142,900 | 31 | — | $267,449 | $127,458 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Marks Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $143K for 2025 — 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 states that it supports organizations providing access, opportunity, and education for under-represented, minority, and low-income populations, with funding for education, arts, and health programs, especially those serving youth. Its program description also includes environmental sustainability.
Recent grantees illustrate the range of organizations it has supported. Westminster Economic Development Initiative says it strengthens communities through educational and financial resources for Western New Yorkers. FeedMore WNY Foundation describes its work as providing nutritious food, friendship, and skills training to neighbors in need. Child and Family Services of Erie County says it strengthens families and promotes children’s well-being through prevention, education, and advocacy. Homespace Corporation describes providing services to youth and families affected by foster care and other health disparities.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 27 grants totaling $178,599. Grant amounts ranged from $150 to $40,000, with a median of $5,000.
Among its largest reported 2025 grants were $40,000 to Westminster Economic Development Initiative for the West Side Bazaar Expansion Project, $20,250 to FeedMore Foundation of WNY for its Setting the Table to Fight Food Insecurity capital campaign, and $20,000 to United Way of Buffalo and Erie County for the Family Stability Initiative. Other grants included $10,000 each to Homespace Corporation for nutritional and academic education for foster youth and Child and Family Services of Erie County for the Haven House Domestic Violence Shelter Children’s Program.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Theodore E. Marks, Joshua R. Marks, Sally Marks, Wendelyn W. Duquette, and Heather Palmer as trustees. The foundation’s website identifies Wendelyn Duquette as President of QuickStart, LLC; Joshua R. Marks as President of 136 Winthrop LLC; Sally Marks as a community volunteer; Theodore E. Marks as President of Fowler’s Chocolates; and Heather Marks Palmer as President of HMP Web Consulting. The website also identifies Elizabeth C. Marks as executive director.
The Marks Family Foundation's 2025 filing lists 5 officers; 3 of 5 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Joshua R. Marks
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
$1K (2024) → $1K (2025)
Sally Marks
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
$1K (2024) → $0 (2025)
Theodore E. Marks
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
$1K (2024) → $1K (2025)
Wendelyn W. Duquette
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
$1K (2024) → $0 (2025)
Heather Palmer
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
$1K (2025)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Heather A. Marks (2021–2024) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 $1K, to Theodore E Marks (Trustee). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Marks Family Foundation
How much does The Marks Family Foundation give each year?
The Marks Family Foundation gave $179K across 27 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $123K across 52 grants.
What is The Marks Family Foundation's typical grant size?
The Marks Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $6,615, across 27 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Marks Family Foundation that year got $6K on average.
Where does The Marks Family Foundation give grants?
The Marks Family Foundation gives mostly in New York: 95% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Buffalo, NY (17 grants) and Morrisville, VT (3 grants).
Does The Marks Family Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 27 grants with a stated purpose on The Marks Family Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable" (10 grants).
Who are The Marks Family Foundation's largest grantees?
The Marks Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Westminster Economic Development Initiative ($40,000), Feedmore Foundation of WNY ($20,250) and United Way of Buffalo and Erie County ($20,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 45% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Marks Family Foundation?
The Marks Family Foundation reported $1.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $189K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $143K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Marks Family Foundation fund?
The foundation states that it supports organizations providing access, opportunity, and education for under-represented, minority, and low-income populations, with funding for education, arts, and health programs, especially those serving youth. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Marks Family Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Marks Family Foundation's EIN?
The Marks Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 16-1385716. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does The Marks Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
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 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Marks Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Marks Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-marks-family-foundation-morg_133e205e29654112beabf8fafd32973c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_161385716_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Marks Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-marks-family-foundation-morg_133e205e29654112beabf8fafd32973c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Marks Family 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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