William Sote Foundation
William Sote Foundation is a private foundation, based in Buffalo, NY. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $3.2M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 2 grants totaling $235K. Net investment income was $182K.
William Sote Foundation at a glance
In short: William Sote Foundation gave $235K across 2 grants in 2025 (avg $117K), mostly in Pennsylvania. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $234,522
- +9.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 2
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $117,261
- +9.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $117,261
- Total assets
- $3,197,274
- -1.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who William Sote Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Albright College ($117K). Together the top 2 received $235K.
Grant Size Distribution
10 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 6 grants of 10 (60%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How William Sote Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−4%). Method
- In 2025 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
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $75K (2023) to $246K (2022). In 2025 it made 2 grants totaling $235K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Albright College Reading, PA | Educational | $117,261 |
| Lock Haven University Foundation Lock Haven, PA | Educational | $117,261 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3,197,274 | $221,359 | $276,049 | $234,522 | 2 | $234,522 | $182,183 | $255,127 |
| 2024 | $3,252,625 | $266,428 | $251,059 | $214,188 | 2 | $215,688 | $231,227 | $236,021 |
| 2023 | $3,237,027 | $128,808 | $113,988 | $74,870 | 2 | $76,370 | $91,970 | $215,687 |
| 2022 | $3,224,388 | $189,290 | $289,623 | $245,568 | 2 | $245,568 | $148,667 | $226,921 |
| 2021 | $3,326,410 | $304,989 | $233,230 | $193,400 | 2 | — | $264,976 | $228,888 |
| 2020 | $3,256,000 | $109,846 | $255,181 | $217,218 | 2 | — | $73,713 | $195,751 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, William Sote Foundation reported a distributable amount of $255K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
William Sote Foundation's 2025 filing lists 2 officers; 1 of 2 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Carl E. Trettin
Co-Trustee
Co-Ttee → Co-Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$5K (2020) → $0 (2025)
Manufacturers Traders Trust CO
Co-Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
$38K (2025)
Former officers (1)
- Former: MT Bank (2020–2024) — Co-Ttee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $38K, to Manufacturers Traders Trust CO (Co-trustee).
Frequently asked questions about William Sote Foundation
How much does William Sote Foundation give each year?
William Sote Foundation gave $235K across 2 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $214K across 2 grants.
How large is William Sote Foundation?
William Sote Foundation reported $3.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $235K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $255K (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.
Where does William Sote Foundation operate?
William Sote Foundation has awarded grants in Pennsylvania.
What is William Sote Foundation's EIN?
William Sote Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-4668880. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 2, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS January 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS September 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 11, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 5, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Live grants for the work William Sote Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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