The Polisseni Foundation Inc
The Polisseni Foundation Inc is a private family foundation established in 2001 and based in Rochester, New York. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization dedicated to improving quality of life in upstate New York through strategic philanthropic giving.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4K
-79.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$492K
-11.5% YoY
Grant Count
26
+8.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$19K
-18.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to assist organizations and groups in meeting community need and improving quality of life in upstate New York, with primary focus areas including:
- Education
- Human Services
- Civic Improvement
Grantmaking
The foundation made 26 grants in the most recent fiscal year (ending August 2025), with total giving of $491,700.
Grant Range
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds organizations within upstate New York, with particular emphasis on the Rochester region and surrounding areas.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Fiscal Year (FYE August 2025):
- Total Assets: $4,314
- Total Revenues: $926,720
- Total Expenses: $538,983
- Total Grants Made: $491,700
- Total Grants, Contributions, etc.: $529,237
- Investment Income and Dividends: $2,232
Prior Year (FYE August 2024):
- Total Assets: $21,200
- Total Revenues: $615,000
- Total Expenses: $598,000
Tax Status:
- EIN: 16-1611263
- Tax-exempt since May 2002
- Required to file IRS Form 990-PF
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,314 | $21,226 | $4,105 |
| Revenue | $926,720 | $614,792 | $333,764 |
| Expenses | $538,983 | $597,671 | $324,538 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $511,321 | $577,061 | $293,016 |
| Net Investment Income | $378,247 | $407,649 | $210,089 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
141 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Polisseni Foundation Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Rit ($166,700), St John Fisher College ($150,000), Villa of Hope ($75,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN RED CROSS ROCHESTER, NY | CHARITY | $25,000 |
| ARTISTS UNLIMITED ROCHESTER, NY | CHARITY | $3,500 |
| BEST BUDDIES IN WESTERN NY ROCHESTER, NY | CHARITY | $2,000 |
| CANCER ACTION ROCHESTER, NY | CHARITY | $2,500 |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF HERKIMER COUNTY ILLIO, NY | CHARITY | $1,000 |
| CENTER FOR DISABILITY SERVICES ALBANY, NY | CHARITY | $2,500 |
| CHRIST FOR KIDSS MINISTRY RUSH, NY | CHARITY | $2,500 |
| DAVID HOCHSTEIN MEMORIAL MUSIC SCHOOL ROCHESTER, NY | CHARITY | $3,125 |
| EQUI CENTER HONEOYE FALLS, NY | CHARITY | $2,500 |
| HUNTERS HOPE FOUNDATION ORCHARD PARK, NY | CHARITY | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is led by a board of directors composed of family members and community leaders:
Wanda Polisseni - Board member. Widow of Eugene Polisseni (founder, passed away in 2001). Former Paychex sales representative with extensive board experience including FF Thompson Hospital Foundation, St. John Fisher College, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and New York State Troopers Foundation.
Gary Polisseni - Board member. Owns and operates GP Associates and the Polisseni Agency, specializing in business management and insurance. Serves on boards including Bluetie Inc., Viahealth, and Monroe County Special Olympics.
Valerie Wilcox - Board member. Registered nurse and volunteer. Serves on the board of Bivona Child Advocacy Center and the Nursing Advisory Panel at Rochester General Hospital.
Greg Polisseni - Board member. Involved in various business ventures in the Rochester region. Serves on the board of the National Kidney Foundation and has served on committees of charitable causes throughout upstate New York. Graduate of St. Bonaventure University (1993) with degree in Marketing and Fine Art.
Glenn Pezzulo - Board member. Partner at Culley, Marks, Tanenbaum & Pezzulo, LLP, a litigation practice. Litigation Department Chairman and member of Monroe County, New York State, and American Bar Associations.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| WANDA POLISSENI | PRESIDENT | — | — |
| VALERIE POLISSENI WILCOX | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| GLENN E PEZZOLO | DIRECTOR | — | — |
Contact Information
Address: 120 Linden Oaks, Suite 200 Rochester, NY 14625-2833
Phone: 585-641-0145
Website: polissenifoundation.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Polisseni Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's mission is to assist organizations and groups in meeting community need and improving quality of life in upstate New York, with primary focus areas including: • Education • Human Services • Civic Improvement
How do I apply for a grant from The Polisseni Foundation Inc?
**Grant Activity:** The foundation made 26 grants in the most recent fiscal year (ending August 2025), with total giving of $491,700. **Grant Sizes:** • Typical award range: $1,000–$333,400 • Recent notable grants include: • Chabad at RIT: $166,700 • Psi Chi - St John Fisher College: $150,000 • Villa of Hope: $75,000 **Funding Approach:** The foundation's primary strategy involves using income generated from the sale of securities to create additional income for distribution to charities.
Where does The Polisseni Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation funds organizations within upstate New York, with particular emphasis on the Rochester region and surrounding areas.
What size grants does The Polisseni Foundation Inc award?
In 2025, The Polisseni Foundation Inc awarded 26 grants totaling $492K — an average of about $19K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is The Polisseni Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Polisseni Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 16-1611263. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Polisseni Foundation Inc'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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