Wright Family Foundation Inc
The Wright Family Foundation Inc is a private family foundation established in 1997 and based in Schenectady, New York. The foundation was created to provide funding in support of neighborhood revitalization, jobs and career support, education, and social needs within Schenectady County. Initial funding for the foundation was provided through a generous donation from SI Group, Inc.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$22.0M
+14.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.1M
+349.2% YoY
Grant Count
27
+17.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$114K
+282.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Wright Family Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $990K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to provide funding in support of neighborhood revitalization, jobs and career support, education, and social needs. The foundation supports organizations and programs that create opportunities for long-term and sustainable impact.
Primary focus areas include:
- Neighborhoods: Transforming distressed areas into neighborhoods of opportunity by leveraging private, public and community resources
- Jobs & Career Support: Empowering people to overcome adverse circumstances and to gain job skills that provide access to sustainable career opportunities
- Education: Striving to inspire hope in urban youth by supporting not-for-profit educational and empowerment programs
- Social Needs: Supporting non-profits that serve the social needs of communities within Schenectady County
Grantmaking
The foundation makes grants available for both capital projects and program support.
Average Grant
amount varying by funding cycle.
How to Apply
** Organizations interested in applying should visit the foundation's website for current guidelines and eligibility requirements.
Ready to take the next step with Wright Family Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Wright Family Foundation focuses its grantmaking on Schenectady County, New York. The foundation collaborates with other community resources, both private and public, in common areas of interest to further leverage impact to communities in the region.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of fiscal year ending September 2024:
- Total Assets: $22,046,199
- Total Giving: $1,983,059
- Total Revenues: $4,881,762
- Total Expenses: $3,241,010
- Investment Income and Dividends: $412,394
- Net Gain from Sale of Non-Inventory Assets: $1,117,484
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $22,046,199 | $19,311,748 | $17,430,907 |
| Revenue | $4,881,762 | $2,769,339 | $-2,856,258 |
| Expenses | $3,241,010 | $1,743,515 | $646,418 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,983,059 | $726,758 | $883,059 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,368,723 | $322,278 | $742,547 |
| Distributable Amount | $990,465 | $950,004 | $998,198 |
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
89 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Wright Family Foundation Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Ellis Hospital Foundation ($942,750), YWCA of Schenectady ($476,750), Schenectady Inner City Ministry ($330,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Schenectady Inner City Ministry Schenectady, NY | Urban Farms Organic Waste Composting Project | $330,000 |
| Animal Protective Foundation Glenville, NY | Humane Housing for dogs | $250,000 |
| CREATE Community Studios Schenectady, NY | CREATE Community Studio Expansion and Ceramics Studio | $15,000 |
| Homeless Travelers Aid Society Albany, NY | Capital Region Furniture Bank | $50,000 |
| X-Quest Inc Schenectady, NY | Keep It Running Program | $70,000 |
| Food Pantries of the Capital Dist Albany, NY | Access to Healthy Food for Schenectady Residents | $100,000 |
| Lake George Association Lake George, NY | Septic Tank Inspection Program | $250,000 |
| Reading Is Fun Schenectady, NY | Funding for RIF Program | $40,000 |
| Better Community Neighborhoods Inc Schenectady, NY | Support for pre-construction work for housing project in City of Schenectady | $100,000 |
| City of Schenectady dba Music Haven Schenectady, NY | Funding for stage improvements | $21,630 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Heather Ward: Chairman
- Ashley Palm: Vice Chairman/Treasurer
- Linda Nizolek: Secretary
- Robert McQueen: Assistant Treasurer
- Meghan Frazier and Chad Kilbourne: Board members
The foundation was originally established under the leadership of Adeline Graham, who served as the first chairwoman of the family-run foundation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashley G Palm | Treasurer | 2 | — |
| Heather M Ward | President | 2 | — |
| Linda Nizolek | Secretary | 2 | — |
| Meghan Frazier | Vice President | 2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation continues to carry on the philanthropic tradition established by W. Howard Wright, founder of Schenectady International Group. The foundation's work reflects the values of community care and employee welfare that characterized Wright's leadership, including his commitment to maintaining employment during the Great Depression.
The foundation remains actively engaged in supporting community organizations and programs throughout Schenectady County, with recent grants supporting healthcare infrastructure, early childhood education, and environmental sustainability initiatives.
Wright Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation awards $227,000 in grantsSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Wright Family Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's mission is to provide funding in support of neighborhood revitalization, jobs and career support, education, and social needs. The foundation supports organizations and programs that create opportunities for long-term and sustainable impact. **Primary focus areas include:** • **Neighborhoods**: Transforming distressed areas into neighborhoods of opportunity by leveraging private, public and community resources • **Jobs & Career Support**: Empowering people to overcome adverse c…
How do I apply for a grant from Wright Family Foundation Inc?
The foundation makes grants available for both capital projects and program support. **Grant amounts:** Typical awards range from $383 to $942,750, with an average grant amount varying by funding cycle. **Recent grants (2024):** • Ellis Hospital Foundation: $942,750 (Capital Improvements) • YWCA of Schenectady: $476,750 (Early Learning Expansion Project) • Schenectady Inner City Ministry: $330,000 (Urban Farms Organic Waste Composting Project) **Grant activity:** The foundation has made 677 gra…
Where does Wright Family Foundation Inc make grants?
The Wright Family Foundation focuses its grantmaking on Schenectady County, New York. The foundation collaborates with other community resources, both private and public, in common areas of interest to further leverage impact to communities in the region.
What size grants does Wright Family Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Wright Family Foundation Inc awarded 27 grants totaling $3.1M — an average of about $114K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Wright Family Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Wright Family Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $990K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Wright Family Foundation Inc's EIN?
Wright Family Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 14-1798255. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Wright Family Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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