The Polisseni Foundation Inc
The Polisseni Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Rochester, New York. Its mission is to help organizations and groups meet community needs and improve quality of life in upstate New York, particularly in education, human services, and civic improvement.
The Polisseni Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Polisseni Foundation Inc gave $492K across 26 grants in 2025 (avg $19K), mostly in New York. 31% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $491,700
- -11.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 26
- +8.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $18,912
- -18.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $3,125
- Total assets
- $4,314
- -79.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 31% first-time grantees (8 of 26, 2025)
- Primary geography
- New York (100% 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 Polisseni Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
Submit the required materials in the foundation’s approved format for consideration at a board meeting.
- Review Cycle
- The 2024 filing lists no deadlines; the website says applications must be received two weeks before the scheduled board meeting.
- Deadline
- The 2024 filing lists no deadlines; the website says applications must be received two weeks before the scheduled…
- Contact
Application contact: The Polisseni Foundation
Mailing address: C/O Vpw Associates 120 Linden Oaks, Rochester, NY 14625
Phone: (585) 641-0151
Website: https://polissenifoundation.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 Polisseni Foundation Inc
Who The Polisseni Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Rit ($167K). Together the top 10 received $451K.
Grant Size Distribution
141 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 130 grants of 141 (92%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s mission specifies upstate New York. All 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in New York State, with many listed recipients based in Rochester and nearby communities.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 26 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Polisseni Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
31%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 8 of 26 grantees (31%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $3K; repeat grants $26K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 46% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+11%). 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 $276K (2023) to $556K (2024). In 2025 it made 26 grants totaling $492K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Rit Rochester, NY | Charity | $166,700 |
| St John Fisher College Rochester, NY | Charity | $150,000 |
| Villa of Hope Rochester, NY | Charity | $75,000 |
| American Red Cross Rochester, NY | Charity | $25,000 |
| The Salvation Army Rochester, NY | Charity | $10,000 |
| Hunters Hope Foundation Orchard Park, NY | Charity | $5,000 |
| Keys Sherill, NY | Charity | $5,000 |
| Mercy Flight Central Canandaigua, NY | Charity | $5,000 |
| Rocovery Fitness Rochester, NY | Charity | $5,000 |
| The Margaret Home Fairport, NY | Charity | $4,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Polisseni Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $4,314 | $926,720 | $538,983 | $491,700 | 26 | $511,321 | $378,247 |
| 2024 | $21,226 | $614,792 | $597,671 | $555,900 | 24 | $577,061 | $407,649 |
| 2023 | $4,105 | $333,764 | $324,538 | $276,133 | 29 | $293,016 | $210,089 |
| 2022 | $6,430 | $465,938 | $488,934 | $444,700 | 29 | $464,914 | $322,835 |
| 2021 | $21,460 | $569,828 | $561,174 | $522,440 | 33 | — | $278,687 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to assist organizations and groups in meeting community need and improving quality of life in the areas of education, human services, and civic improvement within upstate New York.
Its 2025 grants included organizations whose own missions illustrate a range of work. Villa of Hope says it partners with individuals, families, and communities to rebuild relationships, recover potential, and renew hope. Rocovery Fitness describes itself as a supportive community centered on sober living and recovery. Mercy Flight Central says it provides critical care to the sick and injured. Nativity Preparatory Academy’s stated mission is to conduct a Catholic middle school for disadvantaged children in the Rochester area.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 26 grants totaling $491,700. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $166,700, with a median grant of $3,125. The largest listed awards were $166,700 to RIT, $150,000 to St. John Fisher College, and $75,000 to Villa of Hope, all in Rochester. Other listed awards included $25,000 to the American Red Cross and $10,000 to the Salvation Army, both in Rochester.
The foundation’s 2024 filing states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Applications must use an approved format and include a grant application form, proposal, project budget, organizational operating budget, board of directors listing, most recent financial statement, and a copy of the organization’s IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter. The filing lists no award restrictions. The foundation’s website says applications must be received two weeks before the scheduled board meeting.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Wanda Polisseni as president and Valerie Polisseni Wilcox and Glenn E Pezzolo as directors. The foundation’s website also lists Gary Polisseni and Greg Polisseni among its board of directors.
The Polisseni Foundation Inc is led by Wanda Polisseni, President on every filing since 2021; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Wanda Polisseni
President
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Glenn E. Pezzolo
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Valerie Polisseni Wilcox
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Gary Polisseni (2021–2022) — Director
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.
Frequently asked questions about The Polisseni Foundation Inc
How much does The Polisseni Foundation Inc give each year?
The Polisseni Foundation Inc gave $492K across 26 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $556K across 24 grants.
What is The Polisseni Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Polisseni Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $3,125, and its average grant was $18,912, across 26 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Polisseni Foundation Inc that year got $3K on average.
Where does The Polisseni Foundation Inc give grants?
The Polisseni Foundation Inc gives mostly in New York: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Rochester, NY (17 grants).
Does The Polisseni Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 26 grants with a stated purpose on The Polisseni Foundation Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charity" (26 grants).
Who are The Polisseni Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Polisseni Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Rit ($166,700), St John Fisher College ($150,000) and Villa of Hope ($75,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 80% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Polisseni Foundation Inc?
The Polisseni Foundation Inc reported $4K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $927K.
What does The Polisseni Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to assist organizations and groups in meeting community need and improving quality of life in the areas of education, human services, and civic improvement within upstate New York. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Polisseni Foundation Inc?
Submit the required materials in the foundation’s approved format for consideration at a board meeting. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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.
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
Live grants for the work The Polisseni Foundation Inc funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Polisseni Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Polisseni Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-polisseni-foundation-inc-morg_7a3fcdeb8a364a51a2173d9fd869d472
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_161611263_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Polisseni Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-polisseni-foundation-inc-morg_7a3fcdeb8a364a51a2173d9fd869d472},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. 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 Polisseni Foundation 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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