The Vincent & Harriet Palisano
The Vincent & Harriet Palisano is a private foundation based in Buffalo, New York. Its 2025 grants supported educational institutions, cancer research, and cultural organizations in New York.
The Vincent & Harriet Palisano at a glance
In short: The Vincent & Harriet Palisano gave $166K across 22 grants in 2025 (avg $8K), mostly in New York. 0% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $165,500
- -5.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 22
- -8.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $7,523
- +3.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $3,875
- Total assets
- $1,960,682
- -1.5% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 16, 2025; small sample)
- 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 Vincent & Harriet Palisano
- How to Apply
-
The 2024 filing states that the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It lists “THE VINCENT AND HARRIET PALISANO FO” as the contact, specifies no particular application format, and identifies the restrictions as contributions to Western New York educational institutions for scholarships, equipment, and other purposes, plus grants for medical research and library support.
- Contact
Application contact: The Vincent And Harriet Palisano Fo
Mailing address: PO Box 1133, Buffalo, NY 14205
Phone: (716) 882-3488
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Vincent & Harriet Palisano funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Roswell Park Alliance Foundation ($40K). Together the top 10 received $125K.
Organizations only. It also paid 6 individual scholarships ($22,500), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
121 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 119 grants of 121 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in New York. The foundation’s stated restrictions include contributions to Western New York educational institutions.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 22 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Vincent & Harriet Palisano open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 0 of 16 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. With only 16 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. How we count
- 100% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving fell 28% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 158% 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 $146K (2023) to $259K (2021). In 2025 it made 22 grants totaling $166K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Roswell Park Alliance Foundation Buffalo, NY | Cancer Research | $40,000 |
| Villa Maria College Cheektowaga, NY | Education | $25,000 |
| Buffalo Philharmonic Buffalo, NY | Educational Program | $20,000 |
| Mount Mercy Academy Buffalo, NY | Scholarship | $7,500 |
| Canisius University Buffalo, NY | Scholarship | $5,000 |
| Kleinhans Music Hall Buffalo, NY | Restoration | $5,000 |
| Trocaire College Buffalo, NY | Scholarship | $5,000 |
| D'Youville University Buffalo, NY | Scholarship | $4,500 |
| Hilbert College Hamburg, NY | Scholarship | $4,500 |
| Niagara University Lewiston, NY | Scholarship | $4,500 |
Ready to take the next step with The Vincent & Harriet Palisano?
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 | $1,960,682 | $176,574 | $205,601 | $165,500 | 22 | $180,253 | $157,667 | $113,845 |
| 2024 | $1,989,709 | $249,171 | $210,213 | $175,250 | 24 | $189,776 | $229,117 | $109,199 |
| 2023 | $1,950,751 | $47,025 | $180,779 | $146,250 | 23 | $161,251 | $37,456 | $109,393 |
| 2022 | $2,084,505 | $168,811 | $268,021 | $229,250 | 26 | $245,339 | $148,064 | $129,755 |
| 2021 | $2,183,715 | $166,392 | $295,143 | $259,250 | 26 | — | $145,722 | $129,608 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Vincent & Harriet Palisano reported a distributable amount of $114K 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
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for scholarships and other educational purposes, cancer research, an educational program, and restoration.
Some grantees describe their own work as follows: Roswell Park Alliance Foundation says it supports promising research, treatment, and prevention programs at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, as well as patients and families affected by cancer. Canisius University describes itself as an independent Catholic university with liberal arts, graduate, business, and education programs. Trocaire College describes its work as career-oriented and liberal arts education, while D’Youville University says it offers undergraduate and graduate programs emphasizing leadership and service. Niagara University cites liberal arts and career preparation informed by Catholic and Vincentian traditions; Hilbert College describes liberal arts and professional education grounded in its Catholic Franciscan heritage; and Daemen University describes its work as higher education and preparation for professional excellence.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation made 22 grants totaling $165,500. Grants ranged from $3,000 to $40,000, with a median of $3,875. Notable awards included $40,000 to Roswell Park Alliance Foundation for cancer research; $25,000 to Villa Maria College for education; and $20,000 to the Buffalo Philharmonic for an educational program. Other listed awards included $7,500 to Mount Mercy Academy for a scholarship; $5,000 each to Canisius University for a scholarship, Kleinhans Music Hall for restoration, and Trocaire College for a scholarship; and $4,500 each to D’Youville University, Hilbert College, and Niagara University for scholarships.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists James M Beardsley and Kelly A Leek as trustees.
The Vincent & Harriet Palisano's 2025 filing lists 2 officers; all 2 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
James M. Beardsley
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$4K (2021) → $5K (2025)
Kelly A. Leek
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$4K (2021) → $5K (2025)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Sharon S. Heseltine (2021) — 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 $5K, to James M Beardsley (Trustee). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Vincent & Harriet Palisano
How much does The Vincent & Harriet Palisano give each year?
The Vincent & Harriet Palisano gave $166K across 22 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $175K across 24 grants.
What is The Vincent & Harriet Palisano's typical grant size?
The Vincent & Harriet Palisano's median grant in 2025 was $3,875, and its average grant was $7,523, across 22 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Vincent & Harriet Palisano give grants?
The Vincent & Harriet Palisano 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 Buffalo, NY (10 grants), Cheektowaga, NY (2 grants) and Amherst, NY (2 grants).
Does The Vincent & Harriet Palisano give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 22 grants with a stated purpose on The Vincent & Harriet Palisano's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship" (18 grants).
Who are The Vincent & Harriet Palisano's largest grantees?
The Vincent & Harriet Palisano's largest 2025 grantees include Roswell Park Alliance Foundation ($40,000), Villa Maria College ($29,000 across 2 grants) and Buffalo Philharmonic ($20,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 6 individual scholarships ($22,500), which are not listed by name. Together they received 54% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Vincent & Harriet Palisano?
The Vincent & Harriet Palisano reported $2.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $180K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $114K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Vincent & Harriet Palisano fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for scholarships and other educational purposes, cancer research, an educational program, and restoration. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Vincent & Harriet Palisano?
The 2024 filing states that the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Vincent & Harriet Palisano's EIN?
The Vincent & Harriet Palisano's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 16-6052186. 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
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Vincent & Harriet Palisano funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-vincent-and-harriet-palisano-morg_50aec584627746478449b3cb07625f4d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_166052186_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Vincent \& Harriet Palisano funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-vincent-and-harriet-palisano-morg_50aec584627746478449b3cb07625f4d},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. 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 Vincent & Harriet Palisano'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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