The Wm M & a Cafaro Family Foundation
The WM M & A Cafaro Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Niles, Ohio. Formed by William M. Cafaro in 1996 after the death of his wife, Alyce, it continues the charitable legacy of the Cafaros, who supported churches, schools, hospitals, and other charitable causes.
The Wm M & a Cafaro Family Foundation at a glance
In short: The Wm M & a Cafaro Family Foundation gave $1.7M across 377 grants in 2026 (avg $5K), mostly in Ohio. 32% of 2026 grantees were new. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2026)
- $1,739,831
- +22.3% vs 2025
- Grants made (2026)
- 377
- -12.7% vs 2025
- Average grant
- $4,615
- +40.1% vs 2025
- Median grant
- $500
- Total assets
- $23,263,994
- -7.0% vs 2025
- New grantees (estimate)
- 32% first-time grantees (99 of 310, 2026)
- Primary geography
- Ohio (86% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2026; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Wm M & a Cafaro Family Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s 2025 filing says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Applications should include the organization’s name, address, and brief history; a copy of its tax-exemption letter; its tax ID number; and the reason for the grant and amount requested. The filing lists no restrictions on awards.
- Review Cycle
- None stated.
- Deadline
- None stated.
- Contact
Application contact: Am Fm Cafaro Cs Cafaro
Mailing address: 5577 Youngstown Warren Rd, Niles, OH 44446
Phone: (330) 747-2661
Website: https://cafarocompany.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Wm M & a Cafaro Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2026
The largest 2026 recipient was Youngstown State University ($337K across 7 grants). Together the top 10 received $1.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
1,905 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,866 grants of 1,905 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is based in Niles, Ohio. In filing year 2026, 86% of grant dollars went to recipients in Ohio, 6% to Pennsylvania, and 5% to West Virginia. The filing also reports 0% for Virginia and Washington.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2026 grant dollars across all 377 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Wm M & a Cafaro Family Foundation open to new grantees?
32%
first-time grantees, 2026
In 2026, 99 of 310 grantees (32%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $4K; repeat grants $6K. How we count
Medians: $500 first-time, $500 repeat.
- 40% of 2026 grantees were also funded in 2025. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2023 to 2026 (−6%). Method
- In 2026 it paid out 93% 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 (2021–2026). 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 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $1.4M (2025) to $1.8M (2023). In 2026 it made 377 grants totaling $1.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Youngstown State University Youngstown, OH | General Purpose | $300,000 |
| JFK Catholic High School Warren, OH | General Purpose | $100,000 |
| JFK Catholic High School Warren, OH | General Purpose | $100,000 |
| Vienna Township Vienna, OH | General Purpose | $100,000 |
| Lake to River Foundation Youngstown, OH | General Purpose | $50,000 |
| United Way of Trumbull County Warren, OH | General Purpose | $50,000 |
| Vienna Township Vienna, OH | General Purpose | $50,000 |
| Youngstown State University Youngstown, OH | General Purpose | $31,000 |
| Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce Foundation Youngstown, OH | General Purpose | $30,000 |
| Youngstownwarren Regional Chamber of Commerce Foundation Youngstown, OH | General Purpose | $30,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Wm M & a Cafaro Family Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $23,263,994 | — | $1,739,831 | $1,739,831 | 377 | $1,739,831 | — | $1,865,332 |
| 2025 | $25,003,825 | $2,035,401 | $1,560,549 | $1,422,621 | 432 | $1,447,337 | $1,919,399 | $1,734,213 |
| 2024 | $24,528,456 | $872,691 | $1,803,466 | $1,675,948 | 362 | $1,701,660 | $769,652 | $1,613,115 |
| 2023 | $25,718,642 | $640,429 | $2,008,655 | $1,844,869 | 396 | $1,872,860 | $523,845 | $1,580,474 |
| 2022 | $26,829,759 | $2,248,271 | $1,800,170 | $1,629,877 | 338 | $1,661,366 | $2,137,984 | $1,878,650 |
| 2021 | $26,399,747 | $1,821,046 | $1,691,783 | $1,519,770 | 282 | — | $1,713,655 | $1,655,351 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Wm M & a Cafaro Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.9M for 2026 — 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 website describes its origins in the generosity of William M. and Alyce Cafaro and their support for churches, schools, hospitals, and other charitable causes. It does not identify a narrower set of funding priorities.
Recipients listed in the 2026 filing illustrate the range of organizations it supports. Lake to River Foundation describes its work as helping eastern Ohio’s Lake to River region meet economic development goals. United Way of Trumbull County says its mission is to help children and families thrive. Valley Economic Development Partners says it supports small-business creation and expansion and local jobs through education and lending solutions. Coleman Professional Services describes its work as providing behavioral health, crisis management, adult care, and employment services.
The foundation’s website reported that in 2024 it awarded $149,000 in scholarships to 56 students from eastern Ohio. It said recipients were selected primarily for academic merit, with financial need and recommendations from teachers and guidance counselors also considered.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2026, the foundation reported 377 grants totaling $1,739,831. Grant amounts ranged from $50 to $300,000, with a median of $500.
The largest reported grant was $300,000 to Youngstown State University for general purposes. Other large grants included two separate $100,000 grants to JFK Catholic High School, $100,000 to Vienna Township, and $50,000 each to Lake to River Foundation and United Way of Trumbull County. The filing also listed grants of $25,000 to Kennedy Catholic Family of Schools and NEOMED Foundation.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2026 filing lists Anthony M. Cafaro, Capri S. Cafaro, and William A. Cafaro as trustees.
The Wm M & a Cafaro Family Foundation's 2026 filing lists 3 officers; none of the 3 officers listed in 2026 report compensation.
Officers on the 2026 filing
Anthony M. Cafaro
Trustee
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Capri S. Cafaro
Trustee
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William A. Cafaro
Trustee
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2026. "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 Wm M & a Cafaro Family Foundation
How much does The Wm M & a Cafaro Family Foundation give each year?
The Wm M & a Cafaro Family Foundation gave $1.7M across 377 grants in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2025 it gave $1.4M across 432 grants.
What is The Wm M & a Cafaro Family Foundation's typical grant size?
The Wm M & a Cafaro Family Foundation's median grant in 2026 was $500, and its average grant was $4,615, across 377 grants on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Wm M & a Cafaro Family Foundation that year got $4K on average.
Where does The Wm M & a Cafaro Family Foundation give grants?
The Wm M & a Cafaro Family Foundation gives mostly in Ohio: 86% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Pennsylvania (6%) and West Virginia (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Youngstown, OH (49 grants), Warren, OH (44 grants), Niles, OH (19 grants) and Wheeling, WV (16 grants).
Does The Wm M & a Cafaro Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Wm M & a Cafaro Family Foundation's 2026 grants with a stated purpose (377 of 377) were for general or operating support, per its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Wm M & a Cafaro Family Foundation's largest grantees?
The Wm M & a Cafaro Family Foundation's largest 2026 grantees include Youngstown State University ($337,150 across 7 grants), JFK Catholic High School ($212,500 across 4 grants) and Vienna Township ($150,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 40% of its itemized 2026 grant dollars.
How large is The Wm M & a Cafaro Family Foundation?
The Wm M & a Cafaro Family Foundation reported $23.3M in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.7M 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 Wm M & a Cafaro Family Foundation fund?
The foundation’s website describes its origins in the generosity of William M. and Alyce Cafaro and their support for churches, schools, hospitals, and other charitable causes. It does not identify a narrower set of funding priorities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Wm M & a Cafaro Family Foundation?
The foundation’s 2025 filing says it 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 Wm M & a Cafaro Family Foundation's EIN?
The Wm M & a Cafaro Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1550874. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2026.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS August 6, 2026)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 3, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 9, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS January 25, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 11, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 12, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Live grants for the work The Wm M & a Cafaro Family Foundation funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Wm M & a Cafaro Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Ohio
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
Firstenergy Foundation
Akron, OH
The FirstEnergy Foundation supports eligible nonprofits working on community needs such as housing stability, hunger relief, workforce development, education, safety and STEM in FirstEnergy’s service area and other places where it does business. Its 2024 grants ranged from $25 to $5.3 million, with a median of $1,375. It does not accept unsolicited grant applications.
Assets
$124.9M
Grants
151
Total Given
$7.2M
Premier Bank Foundation
Canfield, OH
The foundation supports qualified charitable organizations and community efforts, with 2025 grants spanning neighborhood development, social equity, entrepreneurship, revitalization, and local services. Grants ranged from $30 to $60,000, with a median of $1,682, and most funding went to Ohio, followed by Indiana, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. Its filing says it does not limit giving to preselected organizations; awards are determined by its Distribution Committee, and no application form or materials are listed.
Assets
$14.5M
Grants
388
Total Given
$1.4M
Columbus Foundation
Columbus, OH
The Columbus Foundation supports a broad range of nonprofit work, including arts, education, health, basic needs, neighborhoods, and capacity building, primarily in central Ohio. Its 2024 grants had a median of $21,471, though amounts varied widely. Most grants are directed by donors and aren’t made through an application process, but some specific programs accept applications.
Assets
$2.8B
Grants
1,747
Total Given
$242.7M
The Greater Cincinnati Foundation
Cincinnati, OH
The Greater Cincinnati Foundation funds nonprofits working on education, housing, community and cultural vibrancy, and related regional needs, with responsive grants focused on its eight-county Greater Cincinnati service area. Its 2024 median grant was $20,000, though amounts vary widely; specific opportunities include awards of up to $35,000 for Resilient Communities and up to $450,000 through the Neighborhood Development Fund. It lists RFP and letter-of-intent opportunities but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.0B
Grants
1,408
Total Given
$184.4M
The Cleveland Foundation
Cleveland, OH
The Cleveland Foundation funds education, human services, neighborhoods and housing, health, arts and culture, the environment, economic development, and other community priorities, primarily through grants to nonprofits in Cuyahoga, Lake and Geauga counties. Its 2024 grants ranged from about $5,000 to $17.5 million, with a median of about $30,700. It accepts applications year-round through its standard grant process, with deadlines determining which cycle an application enters.
Assets
$3.3B
Grants
1,016
Total Given
$184.2M
More similar funders
More Funders in Ohio
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Wm M & a Cafaro Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-wm-m-and-a-cafaro-family-foundation-morg_209d48b5732e47f19e25715405188b5e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_311550874_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Wm M \& a Cafaro Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-wm-m-and-a-cafaro-family-foundation-morg_209d48b5732e47f19e25715405188b5e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-24. 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 Wm M & a Cafaro Family 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.
The Wm M & a Cafaro Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?