The Marks Family Foundation
The Marks Family Foundation is a private foundation focused on Arts and culture, based in Buffalo, NY. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.3M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 27 grants totaling $179K. Net investment income was $218K.
Key facts about The Marks Family Foundation
- EIN
- 16-1385716
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $178,599
- Grants made (2025)
- 27
- Average grant
- $6,615
- Median grant
- $5,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 19% first-time grantees (5 of 27, 2025)
- Total assets
- $1,308,533
- Primary geography
- New York (95% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who The Marks Family Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for The Marks Family Foundation's 27 itemized 2025 grants were New York (95%). The most frequent recipient cities were Buffalo, NY (17 grants) and Morrisville, VT (3 grants). None of its 27 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable" (10 grants).
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 IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with The Marks Family Foundation
- How to evaluate The Marks Family Foundation as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
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Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.3M
+2.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$179K
+45.2% YoY
Grant Count
27
-48.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$7K
+179.7% YoY
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.
About The Marks Family Foundation
Based on IRS filings
The Marks Family Foundation is a private foundation focused on Arts and culture, based in Buffalo, NY. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.3M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 27 grants totaling $179K. Net investment income was $218K.
Focus Areas
Ready to take the next step with The Marks Family Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 27 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,308,533 | $1,278,652 | $1,378,662 |
| Revenue | $243,140 | $59,333 | $-16,073 |
| Expenses | $213,259 | $159,343 | $156,899 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $188,939 | $139,363 | $132,760 |
| Net Investment Income | $218,020 | $39,153 | $29,235 |
| Distributable Amount | $142,808 | $130,560 | $120,420 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
192 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Marks Family Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest recipients include Westminster Economic Development Initiative ($40,000), Feedmore Foundation of Wny ($20,250), United Way of Buffalo and Erie County ($20,000).
| 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 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theodore E Marks | Trustee | 0.5 | $1,000 |
| Joshua R Marks | Trustee | 0.5 | $1,000 |
| Sally Marks | Trustee | 0.5 | — |
| Wendelyn W Duquette | Trustee | 0.5 | — |
| Heather Palmer | Trustee | 0.5 | $1,000 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Marks Family Foundation?
The Marks Family Foundation is a private foundation focused on Arts and culture, based in Buffalo, NY. It holds $1.3M in total assets as of 2025.
How large is The Marks Family Foundation?
As of 2025, The Marks Family Foundation holds $1.3M in total assets with $243K in annual revenue. It awarded 27 grants totaling $179K in 2025.
Where does The Marks Family Foundation operate?
The Marks Family Foundation has awarded grants in Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, Texas, Virginia, Vermont.
What size grants does The Marks Family Foundation award?
In 2025, The Marks Family Foundation awarded 27 grants totaling $179K — an average of about $7K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Marks Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, The Marks Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $143K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Marks Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.