UpMobility Foundation Inc
UpMobility Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Little Falls, New York. It makes contributions to charitable organizations and describes its work as bringing organizations together to amplify impact, with a particular interest in the Mohawk Valley and New York State causes.
UpMobility Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: UpMobility Foundation Inc gave $6.1M across 55 grants in 2024 (avg $111K), mostly in New York. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $6,100,871
- +38.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 55
- +22.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $110,925
- +12.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $40,000
- Total assets
- $21,216,143
- -12.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- New York (78% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to UpMobility Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The website describes grant-round applications for eligible nonprofits and advises organizations outside the Mohawk Valley to contact staff before applying to assess alignment. The filing states that the foundation does not accept unsolicited requests.
- Review Cycle
- The 2026 Capacity Building Grant Round 2 application period is listed as October 1–31, 2026.
- Deadline
- The 2026 Capacity Building Grant Round 2 application period is listed as October 1–31, 2026.
- Contact
Mailing address: 28 Waverly Pl, Little Falls, NY 13365
Phone: (315) 823-2200
Website: https://upmobility.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who UpMobility Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Cnty ($1.2M). Together the top 10 received $4.4M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($3,333), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
175 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 106 grants of 175 (61%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is based in Little Falls, New York, and says it is primarily interested in funding organizations serving the Mohawk Valley, generally defined as Herkimer and Oneida counties. It is also open to organizations outside the region that bring programming or expertise to the Mohawk Valley. The website identifies strengthening democracy, entrepreneurship, and international development as exceptions to its usual regional emphasis; democracy applicants should have a significant New York State focus and a desire to partner with Unite New York.
In 2024, 78% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York, 7% to Kansas, 6% to Colorado, 2% to Virginia, and 2% to Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 55 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How UpMobility Foundation Inc gives
- 45% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 161% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 615% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (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 $1.2M (2020) to $6.1M (2024). In 2024 it made 55 grants totaling $6.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Cnty Utica, NY | General Charitable Purposes | $1,166,263 |
| Little Falls City School District Little Falls, NY | General Charitable Purposes | $1,102,746 |
| Herkimer County Children's Center Herkimer, NY | General Charitable Purposes | $450,000 |
| Right to Start Overland Park, KS | General Charitable Purposes | $400,000 |
| Unite America Institute Denver, CO | General Charitable Purposes | $250,000 |
| Civics Unplugged Inc New York, NY | General Charitable Purposes | $250,000 |
| Blacque Acres Utica, NY | General Charitable Purposes | $216,000 |
| Upstate Venture Connect Little Falls, NY | General Charitable Purposes | $200,000 |
| Little Falls Youth & Family Center Little Falls, NY | General Charitable Purposes | $185,612 |
| The Resolution Project New York, NY | General Charitable Purposes | $175,000 |
Ready to take the next step with UpMobility Foundation Inc?
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 | $21,216,143 | $5,417,379 | $6,771,875 | $6,100,871 | 55 | $6,271,825 | $2,678,201 | $1,020,418 |
| 2023 | $24,202,521 | $21,658,900 | $4,738,721 | $4,420,455 | 45 | $4,640,953 | $13,178,082 | $698,925 |
| 2022 | $15,318,727 | $9,748,970 | $2,501,221 | $2,204,853 | 43 | $2,436,450 | $6,174,384 | $711,468 |
| 2021 | $5,261,934 | $7,929,096 | $2,502,812 | $2,340,723 | 31 | $2,387,723 | $3,773,367 | $741,386 |
| 2020 | $3,984,450 | $6,388,611 | $1,459,932 | $1,201,020 | 1 | — | $4,159,960 | $433,277 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, UpMobility Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.0M 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 describes its approach as leveraging connections and contacts, fostering community, and facilitating collaboration. It funds registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits working in one or more of these areas: advancing education, strengthening democracy, entrepreneurship, building strong families, community building, healthcare and support for people with special needs, international development, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Its 2026 capacity-building grants are intended to strengthen nonprofits’ internal effectiveness and long-term sustainability, rather than fund a specific program or service. Eligible activities described in the guidelines include leadership and board development, staff professional development, fundraising capacity, technology, evaluation, strategic planning, communications, and other operational needs. The guidelines describe these as short-term investments, defined as two-to-three-year grants, and state that requests for strictly programmatic support are not eligible.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of work among grantees. Right to Start describes its mission as improving welfare through entrepreneurship education, training, mentoring, and engagement. Unite America Institute says it promotes nonpartisan civic engagement and studies political polarization. Civics Unplugged says it prepares young people for civic participation, while Upstate Venture Connect describes itself as building a regional startup community and connecting founders with resources. The Resolution Project focuses on developing socially responsible young leaders; Students for Liberty on educating and empowering leaders of liberty; Empire Center for Public Policy on policy reforms in New York; and America On Tech on preparing students from underestimated communities for technology careers.
Grantmaking
The foundation reported 55 grants totaling $6,100,871 in 2024, 45 grants totaling $4,420,455 in 2023, and 45 grants totaling $2,160,154 in 2022. For 2024, grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $1,166,263, with a median grant of $40,000.
Among the largest 2024 grants were $1,166,263 to The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Cnty and $1,102,746 to Little Falls City School District, both for general charitable purposes. Other major grants included $450,000 to Herkimer County Children’s Center, $400,000 to Right to Start, $250,000 each to Unite America Institute and Civics Unplugged, $216,000 to Blacque Acres, and $200,000 to Upstate Venture Connect.
The foundation’s website describes application rounds for capacity building and coalition building, as well as Mohawk Valley Gives matching grants. Its 2026 schedule lists a second capacity-building round from October 1 through October 31, with notification expected in mid-December. The foundation says eligible applicants are registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits; applications are reviewed for alignment with its strategic objectives and goals and for potential impact. The website says applications for strengthening democracy, entrepreneurship, and international development are by invitation only and rolling. The foundation’s 2024 filing states that it does not accept unsolicited requests and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Martin Babinec as Director, President, and Treasurer; Michael Sciotti as Chief Financial Officer; Peggy O’Shea as Interim Executive Director; and Kevin Crosley and Randall VanWagoner as board members. The foundation’s website identifies Babinec as its founder.
UpMobility Foundation Inc is led by Peggy O'Shea, Interim Executive Director since 2023 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 5 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Peggy O'Shea
Interim Executive Director
Director → Director & Corporate Secretary, 2022
Director & Corporate Secretary → Interim Executive Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$47K (2021) → $122K (2024)
Martin Babinec
Director, President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Sciotti
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$14K (2022) → $0 (2024)
Kevin Crosley
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Randall VanWagoner
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Dave Read (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Andrea Babinec (2020–2022) — Advisor
- Former: Kevin Langley (2020–2022) — Secretary & Executive Director
- Former: Krista Babinec (2020–2022) — Advisor
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 $122K, to Peggy O'Shea (Interim Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about UpMobility Foundation Inc
How much does UpMobility Foundation Inc give each year?
UpMobility Foundation Inc gave $6.1M across 55 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $4.4M across 45 grants.
What is UpMobility Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
UpMobility Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $40,000, and its average grant was $110,925, across 55 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does UpMobility Foundation Inc give grants?
UpMobility Foundation Inc gives mostly in New York: 78% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Kansas (7%) and Colorado (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Utica, NY (9 grants), Little Falls, NY (6 grants), New York, NY (6 grants) and Herkimer, NY (3 grants).
Does UpMobility Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of UpMobility Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (55 of 55) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are UpMobility Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
UpMobility Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Cnty ($1,166,263), Little Falls City School District ($1,102,746) and Herkimer County Children's Center ($450,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($3,333), which are not listed by name. Together they received 45% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is UpMobility Foundation Inc?
UpMobility Foundation Inc reported $21.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $6.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.0M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does UpMobility Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation describes its approach as leveraging connections and contacts, fostering community, and facilitating collaboration. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from UpMobility Foundation Inc?
The website describes grant-round applications for eligible nonprofits and advises organizations outside the Mohawk Valley to contact staff before applying to assess alignment. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is UpMobility Foundation Inc's EIN?
UpMobility Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-1689125. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does UpMobility Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 4, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 27, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 26, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). UpMobility Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/upmobility-foundation-inc-morg_3ef72f9fd42b4853a6091ce3f0e134fd
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_471689125_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{UpMobility Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/upmobility-foundation-inc-morg_3ef72f9fd42b4853a6091ce3f0e134fd},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 UpMobility Foundation Inc'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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