The WM M & A Cafaro Family Foundation is a private, independent foundation established in January 1998 and located in Niles, Ohio. The foundation was created by William M. Cafaro, founder of a real estate development and management company, to perpetuate the philanthropic legacy he and his wife Alyce built over more than half a century of charitable giving. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and is classified as a private foundation under IRS regulations.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$24.5M
-4.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.7M
-9.2% YoY
Grant Count
362
-8.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$5K
-0.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The mission of the Cafaro Foundation is rooted in the generosity of William M. Cafaro and his wife Alyce, who enthusiastically but quietly supported churches, schools, hospitals, and other charitable causes throughout their lives. In many instances, the Cafaros insisted on making gifts anonymously.
The foundation's primary funding interests include:
- Education — elementary and secondary education, higher education, and college and university scholarships
- Health — health associations and disease research, including cancer research
- Religion — Christianity, Catholicism, and Roman Catholic organizations and churches
- Human Services — family services, child welfare, children and youth services, and social services
- Community Development
- Arts and Culture
- Animal Welfare
Grantmaking
The foundation makes grants on a rolling basis with no stated application deadlines.
Grant Range
$12 to $500,000
Average Grant
amount: $4,841 to $16,000–$117,000 (depending on source)
Review Cycle
.
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports organizations across 24 states, with particular emphasis on Ohio. Geographic areas of focus include:
- Primary focus: Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia
- Secondary focus: California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and others
The foundation has funded projects in major cities including New York, Boston, and Seattle, as well as smaller communities throughout the United States.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending March 2024:
- Total Assets: $24.5 million to $25.7 million
- Total Revenue: $640,429 to $872,691
- Total Expenses: $1.8 million to $2.0 million
- Investment Income and Dividends: $404,650
- Total Grants Made: $1.4 million to $1.5 million
The foundation maintains a strong financial position with assets substantially exceeding annual expenses, allowing for sustained grantmaking activity.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $24,528,456 | $25,718,642 | $26,829,759 |
| Revenue | $872,691 | $640,429 | $2,248,271 |
| Expenses | $1,803,466 | $2,008,655 | $1,800,170 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,701,660 | $1,872,860 | $1,661,366 |
| Net Investment Income | $769,652 | $523,845 | $2,137,984 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,613,115 | $1,580,474 | $1,878,650 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
200 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is managed by trustees:
- Anthony M. Cafaro — Trustee (5 hours of service per week, unpaid)
- Capri S. Cafaro — Trustee (5 hours of service per week, unpaid)
- William A. Cafaro — Trustee (5 hours of service per week, unpaid)
Application Contact:
- Ruthanne Brown — Program Contact
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 330-747-2661 x170
- Fax: 330-743-2902
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANTHONY M CAFARO | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
| CAPRI S CAFARO | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
| WILLIAM A CAFARO | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has been active in recent years with significant scholarship awards and capital grants:
Cafaro Foundation Awards $135K in ScholarshipsThe foundation awarded record scholarship amounts to college-bound students, including $149,000 in scholarships in one recent year and $135,000 in another
Cafaro Foundation Awards $135K in ScholarshipsThe foundation announced a $400,000 grant to Warren JFK High School
Cafaro Foundation announces $400,000 for Warren JFK High SchoolIn 2025, the foundation awarded scholarships to 50 students from the greater Youngstown area
Cafaro Foundation Awards $135K in ScholarshipsContact Information
Cafaro Foundation 5577 Youngstown-Warren Road Niles, OH 44446 Phone: 330-747-2661 Fax: 330-743-2902
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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