The Statler Foundation
The Statler Foundation is a private foundation based in Buffalo, New York, dedicated to advancing the hotel industry and future hotel professionals. Established in 1934 through the directives in Ellsworth M. Statler’s will, it supports education and institutions working in the hotel industry.
The Statler Foundation at a glance
In short: The Statler Foundation gave $1.3M across 20 grants in 2024 (avg $66K), mostly in New York. 10% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,325,471
- +16.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 20
- -28.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $66,274
- +63.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $54,740
- Total assets
- $38,549,481
- +4.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 10% first-time grantees (2 of 20, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- New York (68% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Statler Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Contact Donna Gioia. The Foundation states that inquiries about forms and materials, deadlines, and award restrictions should be sent to the contact listed for inquiries. It does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.
- Contact
Application contact: Donna Gioia
Mailing address: 1207 Delaware Avenue Suite 104, Buffalo, NY 14209
Phone: (716) 852-1104
Email: emstatler@statlerfoundation.com
Website: https://statlerfoundation.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Statler Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Culinary Institute of America ($168K). Together the top 10 received $965K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($90,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
110 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 76 grants of 110 (69%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation is based in Buffalo, New York. In 2024, 68% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York, 15% to Pennsylvania, 10% to South Carolina, 4% to Colorado, and 2% to Florida.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 20 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Statler Foundation open to new grantees?
10%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 2 of 20 grantees (10%) were first-time recipients. With only 20 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $63K; repeat grants $67K. How we count
Medians: $63K first-time, $55K repeat.
- 90% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 23% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 91% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $154K (2020) to $1.3M (2024). In 2024 it made 20 grants totaling $1.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Culinary Institute of America Hyde Park, NY | Scholarships and Support | $167,644 |
| University of South Carolina Columbia, SC | Scholarships and Support | $131,247 |
| Erie Community College Foundation Buffalo, NY | Scholarships and Support | $126,000 |
| The Pennsylvania State Universisty University Park, PA | Scholarships and Support | $122,924 |
| Cornell University Ithaca, NY | Scholarships and Support | $116,492 |
| 1 individual scholarship Recipients not named | — | $90,000 |
| Niagara University Niagara University, NY | Scholarships and Support | $72,600 |
| Paul Smith's College Paul Smiths, NY | Scholarships and Support | $60,010 |
| Niagara County Community College Sanborn, NY | Scholarships and Support | $59,100 |
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania Indiana, PA | Scholarships and Support | $55,341 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $38,549,481 | $1,256,387 | $1,928,874 | $1,325,471 | 20 | $1,758,292 | $1,256,665 | $1,935,215 |
| 2023 | $36,754,971 | $491,436 | $2,202,636 | $1,137,893 | 28 | $1,876,547 | $339,063 | $1,816,689 |
| 2022 | $35,652,836 | $734,135 | $1,747,340 | $1,040,206 | 30 | $1,461,718 | $229,603 | $1,863,104 |
| 2021 | $39,347,870 | $3,752,558 | $1,924,954 | $1,075,136 | 27 | $1,436,378 | $3,263,982 | $1,833,219 |
| 2020 | $34,962,809 | $-498,010 | $831,546 | $153,618 | 5 | — | — | $1,565,708 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Statler Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.9M for 2024 — 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’s stated purpose is to advance the hotel industry through education. Its programs include grants to higher education institutions, Scholarships of Excellence, small scholarships, and study-abroad scholarships. The Scholarship of Excellence is for third- and fourth-year students in hotel or hotel-management programs; awards may be used for tuition, fees, and books.
Recipients include colleges and universities. For example, Erie Community College Foundation says it raises funds for scholarships, capital projects, faculty enrichment, and educational and workforce-development initiatives. Paul Smith’s College describes its approach as an active, hands-on educational environment that encourages students’ creative, ethical, and intellectual growth.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Foundation reported 20 grants totaling $1,325,471. Grants ranged from $5,891 to $167,644, with a median of $54,740. All listed 2024 grant purposes were “scholarships and support.”
Among the largest grants were $167,644 to The Culinary Institute of America, $131,247 to the University of South Carolina, $126,000 to Erie Community College Foundation, $122,924 to Pennsylvania State University, and $116,492 to Cornell University. Other recipients included an individual recipient High School ($90,000), Niagara University ($72,600), Paul Smith’s College ($60,010), Niagara County Community College ($59,100), Indiana University of Pennsylvania ($55,341), and the University of Denver ($54,138).
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists these trustees: Jay C. Bauer, Robert M. Bennett, Marguerite Collesano, Donna M. Gioia, Ernestine R. Green, Barbara Howe, Ralph C. Lorigo, Arthur F. Musarra, Elyse Nemoyer, and Phillip J. Tantillo. The Foundation’s website identifies Donna M. Gioia as chairwoman in 2022.
The Statler Foundation's 2024 filing lists 11 officers; all 11 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Arthur F. Musarra
Trustee
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$17K (2020) → $27K (2024)
Bernard A. Tolbert
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$17K (2020) → $27K (2024)
Donna M. Gioia
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$17K (2020) → $27K (2024)
Elyse Nemoyer
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$17K (2020) → $27K (2024)
Ernestine R. Green
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$17K (2020) → $27K (2024)
Marguerite Collesano
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$17K (2020) → $27K (2024)
Phillip J. Tantillo
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$17K (2020) → $27K (2024)
Ralph C. Lorigo
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$17K (2020) → $27K (2024)
Robert M. Bennett
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$17K (2020) → $27K (2024)
Barbara Howe
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$7K (2021) → $27K (2024)
Jay C. Bauer
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$7K (2021) → $27K (2024)
Former officers (5)
- Former: Arthur V. Sabia (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Herbert M. Siegel (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Peter J. Fiorella Jr. (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Edward M. Flynn (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Peter A. Vinolus (2020–2021) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $27K, to Jay C Bauer (Trustee). 11 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Statler Foundation
How much does The Statler Foundation give each year?
The Statler Foundation gave $1.3M across 20 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.1M across 28 grants.
What is The Statler Foundation's typical grant size?
The Statler Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $54,740, and its average grant was $66,274, across 20 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Statler Foundation that year got $63K on average.
Where does The Statler Foundation give grants?
The Statler Foundation gives mostly in New York: 68% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Pennsylvania (15%) and South Carolina (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Buffalo, NY (3 grants) and Rochester, NY (2 grants).
Does The Statler Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 20 grants with a stated purpose on The Statler Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Scholarships and Support" (20 grants).
Who are The Statler Foundation's largest grantees?
The Statler Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include The Culinary Institute of America ($167,644), University of South Carolina ($131,247) and Erie Community College Foundation ($126,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($90,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 32% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Statler Foundation?
The Statler Foundation reported $38.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.9M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The Statler Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s stated purpose is to advance the hotel industry through education. Its programs include grants to higher education institutions, Scholarships of Excellence, small scholarships, and study-abroad scholarships. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Statler Foundation?
Contact Donna Gioia. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Statler Foundation's EIN?
The Statler Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-1889077. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Statler Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-statler-foundation-morg_f1abbccc00eb4c0fb916f5fe508186af
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_131889077_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Statler Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-statler-foundation-morg_f1abbccc00eb4c0fb916f5fe508186af},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. 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 Statler 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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