The Western New York Foundation
The Western New York Foundation is a private foundation based in Buffalo, New York. Its 2026 filing reports 127 grants totaling $1,451,796. Its grant programs include support for nonprofit capacity building and projects related to regional food systems.
Key facts about The Western New York Foundation
In short: The Western New York Foundation gave $1.5M across 127 grants in 2026 (avg $11K), mostly in New York. 34% of 2026 grantees were new. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 16-0845962
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2026
- Annual giving (2026)
- $1,451,796
- Grants made (2026)
- 127
- Average grant
- $11,431
- Median grant
- $3,500
- New grantees (estimate)
- 34% first-time grantees (28 of 82, 2026)
- Total assets
- $25,767,754
- Primary geography
- New York (93% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The 2025 filing lists Beth K Gosch as the contact, requires electronic submission, and directs applicants to the foundation’s website for forms, materials, and award restrictions. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2026; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2026 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$25.8M
+13.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.5M
+19.1% YoY
Grant Count
127
-5.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$11K
+25.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Western New York Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.3M for 2026 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is The Western New York Foundation open to new grantees?
34%
first-time grantees, 2026
In 2026, 28 of 82 grantees (34%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $23K; repeat grants $15K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 51% of 2026 grantees were also funded in 2025. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2023 to 2026 (+8%). Method
- In 2026 it paid out 150% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2026). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s listed programs address nonprofit capacity building and food systems. Its iCAP Core program is designed for emerging and smaller nonprofits, offering coaching, board education, a capacity-building plan, and a stipend to offset administrative costs. Food for Thought invites organizations to propose arts- or education-based projects that raise awareness and encourage participation around food-system issues. The Cultivator of Change program recognizes food-system leaders and provides grants to selected individuals.
Grantees’ stated missions illustrate the range of organizations supported. West Side Community Services says it promotes Buffalo residents’ stability, security, and well-being through youth development, older adult engagement, food access, and community events. The WNY Women’s Foundation says it works to transform systems, culture, and policy to create opportunities for women. Buffalo Prep says it promotes educational access and opportunity for students throughout Western New York. Other 2026 grantees include organizations whose stated missions involve historic preservation, community food systems, community organizing, racial healing, and literary arts.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2026, the foundation made 127 grants totaling $1,451,796. Grants ranged from $50 to $500,000, with a median grant of $3,500.
Review Cycle
.
Open Grants
5 open opportunities from The Western New York Foundation
Cultivator of Change Grant Program
The Western New York Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Food for Thought Grant Program
The Western New York Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
iCAP Implementation Grant Program
The Western New York Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Ready to take the next step with The Western New York Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2026 filing reports that 93% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York and 6% to recipients in Nebraska. The foundation’s Cultivator of Change program describes service to seven counties.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2026 grant dollars across all 127 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $730K (2020) to $1.6M (2022). In 2026 it made 127 grants totaling $1.5M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2026
The largest 2026 recipient was Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo1 ($505K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $1.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
579 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 553 grants of 579 (96%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo1 Buffalo, NY | WNY Forward Fund | $500,000 |
| United Way of Buffalo & Erie County Buffalo, NY | iCAP Consulting | $108,500 |
| Massachusetts Avenue Project Buffalo, NE | Operations Director & Communications Manager | $72,464 |
| NY Funders Alliance Syracuse, NY | NonProfit Support Group Annual Operations | $50,409 |
| Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation Olean, NY | CA BOCES Sprouting Knowledge Farm | $50,000 |
| United Way of Buffalo & Erie County Buffalo, NY | Consulting | $48,930 |
| West Side Community Services Buffalo, NY | Marketing and Rebranding | $41,000 |
| Cornell Cooperative Extension of Wyoming County Warsaw, NY | Seed of Sustainability / Capacity Building: Wyoming County Food System and Market Capacity Report | $25,000 |
| WNY Women's Foundation Buffalo, NY | Phase I; Special Proj Mgr and Knowledge Mgmt/Applied Res Mgr | $25,000 |
| Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension Albion, NY | Communications Coordinator: Phase II | $23,500 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $25,767,754 | $1,989,711 | $1,964,691 | $1,451,796 |
| 2025 | $22,789,937 | $479,306 | $1,580,707 | $1,219,199 |
| 2024 | $23,070,642 | $1,935,828 | $1,179,523 | $749,904 |
The foundation’s filing type is Form 990-PF.
| Metric | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $25,767,754 | $22,789,937 | $23,070,642 |
| Revenue | $1,989,711 | $479,306 | $1,935,828 |
| Expenses | $1,964,691 | $1,580,707 | $1,179,523 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,883,059 | $1,513,902 | $1,119,084 |
| Net Investment Income | $956,914 | $379,648 | $969,310 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,257,252 | $1,164,964 | $989,979 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS July 1, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2026 filing lists Beth K Gosch as Executive Director. It also lists Bernie A Tolbert, Anthony Johnson, Tammy Alsace, and Kathy Granchelli as trustees; BRIELYNN BELL as Treasurer; LIZ BUERGER as Secretary; Paulette M Crooke as Vice President; SHARON J MATHE as President; and theodore v buerger as Chairperson.
The Western New York Foundation is led by Beth K Gosch, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 13 officers listed in 2026 is compensated.
Officers on the 2026 filing
Beth K Gosch
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
$122K (2020) → $155K (2026)
Sharon J. Mathe
President
Treasurer & Secretary → Vice President, 2022
Vice President → President, 2025
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
theodore v buerger
Chairperson
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Bernie A Tolbert
Trustee
Vice President → President, 2022
President → Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Tammy Alsace
Trustee
On filings since 2025
No compensation reported
Anthony Johnson
Trustee
New on the 2026 filing
No compensation reported
John N Walsh III
Honorary Trustee
New on the 2026 filing
No compensation reported
Judge James AW McLeod
Honorary Trustee
New on the 2026 filing
No compensation reported
Kathy Granchelli
Trustee
New on the 2026 filing
No compensation reported
Timothy Hogues
Trustee
New on the 2026 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Liz Buerger
Secretary
Trustee → Interim Trustee, 2021
Interim Trustee → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Paulette M Crooke
Vice President
Secretary → Trustee, 2021
Trustee → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Brielynn Bell
Treasurer
Trustee Associate → Trustee, 2025
Trustee → Treasurer, 2026
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Former officers (10)
- Former: Andrew W. Dorn Jr. (2020–2025) — Treasurer
- Former: Jennifer S. Johnson (2020–2025) — Trustee
- Former: Andrea Spako (2025) — Trustee Associate
- Former: Blaine Johnson (2025) — Trustee Associate
- Former: James A. W. McLeod (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Alexa Joan Wajed (2024) — Trustee Associate
- Former: John Behm (2024) — Trustee Associate
- Former: Miles Gresham (2024) — Trustee
- Former: Amey D. Moot (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Shelley M. Kimelberg (2020–2023) — Secretary
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2026. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2026 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2026 filing was $155K, to Beth K Gosch (Executive Director).
Contact
Application contact: Beth K Gosch
Mailing address: 2495 Main Street Ste 464, Buffalo, NY 14214
Phone: (716) 839-4225
Website: https://westernnewyork.pga.com
Frequently asked questions about The Western New York Foundation
How much does The Western New York Foundation give each year?
The Western New York Foundation gave $1.5M across 127 grants in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2025 it gave $1.2M across 134 grants.
What is The Western New York Foundation's typical grant size?
The Western New York Foundation's median grant in 2026 was $3,500, and its average grant was $11,431, across 127 grants on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Western New York Foundation that year got $23K on average.
Where does The Western New York Foundation give grants?
The Western New York Foundation gives mostly in New York: 93% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Nebraska (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Buffalo, NY (65 grants), Jamestown, NY (10 grants), Orchard Park, NY (6 grants) and Olean, NY (5 grants).
Does The Western New York Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 1% of The Western New York Foundation's 2026 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 127) were for general or operating support, per its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Operations" (15 grants), "Social Justice and Equity" (12 grants) and "Give 716 Match" (11 grants).
Who are The Western New York Foundation's largest grantees?
The Western New York Foundation's largest 2026 grantees include Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo1 ($505,000 across 2 grants), United Way of Buffalo & Erie County ($172,230 across 6 grants) and Massachusetts Avenue Project ($86,864 across 6 grants), according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 53% of its itemized 2026 grant dollars.
How large is The Western New York Foundation?
The Western New York Foundation reported $25.8M in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.3M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Western New York Foundation fund?
The foundation’s listed programs address nonprofit capacity building and food systems. Its iCAP Core program is designed for emerging and smaller nonprofits, offering coaching, board education, a capacity-building plan, and a stipend to offset administrative costs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Western New York Foundation?
The 2025 filing lists Beth K Gosch as the contact, requires electronic submission, and directs applicants to the foundation’s website for forms, materials, and award restrictions. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Western New York Foundation's EIN?
The Western New York Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 16-0845962. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2026.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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