William & Sheila Konar Foundation
The William & Sheila Konar Foundation is a private grant-making foundation established in 1982 and based in West Henrietta, New York. The foundation supports programs, institutions, and organizations guided by the philanthropic goals and priorities of its founders, William and Sheila Konar. The foundation operates with a commitment to "conscious philanthropy"—providing measurable benefits to the community and supporting the collective capacity of communities to improve quality of life for all citizens.
Key facts about William & Sheila Konar Foundation
In short: William & Sheila Konar Foundation gave $5.9M across 100 grants in 2024 (avg $59K), mostly in New York. 27% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 22-2434846
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $5,882,293
- Grants made (2024)
- 100
- Average grant
- $58,823
- Median grant
- $25,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 27% first-time grantees (27 of 100, 2024)
- Total assets
- $133,116,566
- Primary geography
- New York (71% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The foundation maintains an active grant application process. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; 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.
Quick answers about William & Sheila Konar Foundation
How much does William & Sheila Konar Foundation give each year?
William & Sheila Konar Foundation gave $5.9M across 100 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $6.7M across 101 grants.
What is William & Sheila Konar Foundation's typical grant size?
William & Sheila Konar Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $58,823, across 100 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from William & Sheila Konar Foundation that year got $35K on average.
Where does William & Sheila Konar Foundation give grants?
William & Sheila Konar Foundation gives mostly in New York: 71% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Illinois (17%) and District of Columbia (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Rochester, NY (78 grants) and Washington, DC (4 grants).
Does William & Sheila Konar Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 8% of William & Sheila Konar Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (8 of 100) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (7 grants) and "Program services" (7 grants).
Who are William & Sheila Konar Foundation's largest grantees?
William & Sheila Konar Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Alzheimer's Association ($1,000,000), Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester ($500,000) and Jewish Family Services ($257,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 30% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
Is William & Sheila Konar Foundation open to new grantees?
27%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 27 of 100 grantees (27%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $35K; repeat grants $68K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $36K repeat.
- 66% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+1%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 92% 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 (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with William & Sheila Konar Foundation
- How to evaluate William & Sheila Konar Foundation as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
- Draft an LOI to William & Sheila Konar Foundation with AI
AI grant writing that drafts from your organization’s own materials, in your voice.
- Track this opportunity in a free grant tracker
A free Google Sheets or Excel template for deadlines, award terms, and reports due.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$133.1M
+2.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$5.9M
-12.6% YoY
Grant Count
100
-1.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$59K
-11.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, William & Sheila Konar Foundation reported a distributable amount of $7.0M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission centers on enhancing communities through philanthropic giving. The driving force behind its giving is William and Sheila Konar's commitment to opportunity and their desire to help others in their community grow and prosper.
Primary funding areas include:
- Pre-K Through 12 Education
- Education
- Human Services
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
The foundation supports organizations in Rochester, New York, and elsewhere, with particular emphasis on the Rochester area and surrounding regions.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
s & Activity:**
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with William & Sheila Konar Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily supports organizations in:
- Rochester, New York
- New York State
- Massachusetts
- District of Columbia
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 100 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2023):
- Total assets: $129,948,284
- Total revenues: $9,687,964
- Total expenses: $7,798,232
Assets (2024):
- Total assets: $133,116,566
The foundation is supported by the William B Konar Estate.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $133,116,566 | $129,948,284 | $128,058,646 |
| Revenue | $10,009,940 | $9,687,964 | $10,046,155 |
| Expenses | $6,843,230 | $7,798,232 | $7,772,998 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $6,383,279 | $7,160,520 | $14,560,603 |
| Net Investment Income | $9,556,769 | $3,774,327 | $9,363,256 |
| Distributable Amount | $6,962,404 | $6,453,979 | $6,317,757 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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
469 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from William & Sheila Konar Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer's Association Chicago, IL | Health Services Research Initiative | $1,000,000 |
| Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester Rochester, NY | Support Program Services | $500,000 |
| Jewish Family Services Rochester, NY | Services for Jewish families, pencils & paper program, mental wellness, future preparedness | $257,500 |
| Greater Rochester Housing Project Rochester, NY | Regional Revitalization Partnership Award | $250,000 |
| US Holocaust Museum Washington, DC | Denial & Antisemitism Initiative | $200,000 |
| University of Rochester East EPO Rochester, NY | Annual Donation - Step to College | $200,000 |
| Common Ground Foundation Inc Fairport, NY | Millcreek citizen assembly | $175,000 |
| JCC of Greater Rochester Rochester, NY | Grant Support | $150,000 |
| Greater Rochester Enterprise Foundation Rochester, NY | Economic Gardening Program & general program support | $150,000 |
| WXXI Public Broadcasting Council Rochester, NY | Journalism Initiative | $150,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation employs 4 staff members and is guided by a board of trustees.
William & Sheila Konar Foundation's 2024 filing lists 5 officers; none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Donald Nowill
Trustee & Hours - As Required
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Howard Konar
Trustee & Hours - As Required
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Lawrence Fine
Trustee & Hours - As Required
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Rachael Guttenberg
Trustee & Hours - As Required
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Jeremy Konar
Trustee & Hours - As Required
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Sheila Konar (2020) — Trustee & Hours - As Required
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.
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Recent grants and activities include:
**RochesterWorks Downtown Career Center:** Awarded $5.5 million from a public-private partnership (2024)
RochesterWorks Downtown Career Center awarded $5.5M**Carthage University Education Department:** Received a Konar Foundation grant award
Education Department earns another Konar Foundation Grant Award**University of Rochester:** Received gifts supporting literacy initiatives
New gifts from the William & Sheila Konar Foundation support literacy - Advancement**University of Rochester Medical Center:** Received a gift supporting clinical research on Alzheimer's Disease
Gift from William and Sheila Konar Supports Clinical Research on Alzheimer\u2019\**Regional Revitalization Partnership:** Supported through foundation grants
Frequently Asked Questions
What does William & Sheila Konar Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission centers on enhancing communities through philanthropic giving. The driving force behind its giving is William and Sheila Konar's commitment to opportunity and their desire to help others in their community grow and prosper. Primary funding areas include: • Pre-K Through 12 Education • Education • Human Services • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking The foundation supports organizations in Rochester, New York, and elsewhere, with particular emphasis on the Rochester …
How do I apply for a grant from William & Sheila Konar Foundation?
The foundation maintains an active grant application process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
How much is William & Sheila Konar Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, William & Sheila Konar Foundation reported a distributable amount of $7.0M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is William & Sheila Konar Foundation's EIN?
William & Sheila Konar Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-2434846. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in William & Sheila Konar Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Rochester Area Community Foundation
Rochester, NY
Assets
$510.7M
Grants
554
Total Given
$22.9M
Esl Charitable Foundation
Rochester, NY
Assets
$106.8M
Grants
197
Total Given
$21.7M
Max and Marian Farash Charitable
Rochester, NY
Assets
$341.9M
Grants
139
Total Given
$13.0M
Greater Rochester Health Foundation
Rochester, NY
Assets
$273.8M
Grants
204
Total Given
$8.9M
United Way of Greater Rochester and
Rochester, NY
Assets
$183.2M
Grants
329
Total Given
$18.1M
Rochester Area Community Foundation
Rochester, NY
Assets
$5.4M
Grants
130
Total Given
$2.9M
Daisy Marquis Jones Foundation
Rochester, NY
Assets
$48.0M
Grants
85
Total Given
$2.7M
Paychex Charitable Foundation Inc
Rochester, NY
Assets
—
Grants
121
Total Given
$2.6M
The Pfizer Foundation Inc
New York, NY
Assets
$255.3M
Grants
9,306
Total Given
$23.2M
The Ford Foundation
New York, NY
Assets
$17.5B
Grants
4,007
Total Given
$844.7M
The Ojc Fund
Brooklyn, NY
Assets
$58.5M
Grants
3,714
Total Given
$448.3M
Jpmorgan Chase Foundation
New York, NY
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
10,334
Total Given
$202.5M
More Funders in New York
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.