Fred L Emerson Foundation Inc
Accepts applications
Fred L Emerson Foundation Inc is a private foundation in Auburn, New York. In tax year 2025 it gave $7.9 million in 70 grants; the typical grant was $10,750 and the largest $5.5 million. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$7.9 million
- Number of grants70
- Typical grant$10,750
- Largest grant$5.5 million
- Assets$120 million
- New grantees50%
Giving in 2025 was up from $2.5 million the year before.
50% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $8.4 million | 78 | $116 million |
| 2023 | $2.4 million | 91 | $108 million |
| 2024 | $2.5 million | 87 | $113 million |
| 2025 | $7.9 million | 70 | $120 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Daniel J Fessenden Executive Direct 5654 South Street Road, Auburn, NY 13021 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (315) 253-9621 |
| What to submit | All organizations submitting a proposal must complete the emerson foundation grant application form. |
| Deadlines | Proposals are accepted and considered on an ongoing basis. |
| Restrictions | Fred l. Emerson foundation, inc. Does not make grants to individuals of for profit organization and does not sponsor fundraising or political activities. Proposals seeking support solely for recurring operating expenses of an organization are strongly discouraged. Grant recipients will be expected to provide the foundation with an evaluation report upon completion of the project for which the funding was provided. |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Fred L Emerson Foundation Inc funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 8 states, the most to New York.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 56 | $7.8 million |
| Connecticut | 4 | $30,000 |
| Tennessee | 1 | $25,000 |
| Idaho | 1 | $22,500 |
| North Carolina | 2 | $20,000 |
| District of Columbia | 3 | $9,850 |
| Pennsylvania | 2 | $7,000 |
| Colorado | 1 | $3,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Seward House Museum | Toward endowment ($4.9m); capital restricted ($500k); seward carriage ($100k) | $5.5 million |
| Skidmore College | Mccaffery-wagman tennis and wellness center | $450,000 |
| The Rev Theater Company | Programming ($175k); unrestricted ($175k); tribute band event ($10k) | $360,000 |
| Causewave Community Partners | Capacity navigation with streamlined access to capacity building support | $259,475 |
| Booker T Washington Community Center | Toward before and after school feeding program, unrestricted | $121,000 |
| Food Bank of Central New York | Capacity expansion project ($50,000); support cayuga county food programs ($45,000); unrestricted ($15,000) | $110,000 |
| Catalyst Cayuga | Investing in peer-to-peer networking and learning in cayuga county | $100,000 |
| Syracuse Area Landmark Theatre | Toward the centennial capital campaign | $75,000 |
| E John Gavras Center | Preschool capacity building grant ($44,000); dolly parton imagination library sustainability project ($30,000) | $74,000 |
| Friends of Emerson Park | Toward development mgmt ($50k); unrestricted ($3k); easter 2025 event ($2.5k); sunday funday ($1k) | $56,500 |
| Auburn Public Theater | Toward 2025 gap support | $50,000 |
| Hazard Library Association | Toward hazard library building project | $50,000 |
| Seymour Public Library District | Toward interior renovation and improvements | $50,000 |
| Cayuga Co Emerson Park | Emerson park programming support grant 2024-2026 | $38,255 |
| Cayuga Bombers Youth Baseball Inc | Toward the outfield fence | $25,000 |
| Cayuga County Treasurer | Toward ward o'hara museum - replacement of museum log cabin | $25,000 |
| Ducks Unlimited Inc | Toward wetland restoration at owasco flats inlet | $25,000 |
| Saunders Finger Lakes Museum | Saunders finger lakes museum's capital project | $25,000 |
| Southern Cayuga Instant Aid Inc | Toward scia building renovation and improvements project | $25,000 |
| Union Springs Fire Department | Toward 2025 neoteric hovercraft | $25,000 |
| Sleep in Heavenly Peace-Ny Auburn | Toward no kid sleeps on the floor ($15,000); unrestricted ($7,500) | $22,500 |
| First Presbyterian Church | Toward case mansion ballroom roof restoration | $20,000 |
| Hamilton College | Toward the mary mclean evans '82 scholarship fund | $20,000 |
| Musical Associates of Cny | Toward july 3 patriotic celebration in emerson park 2025 | $20,000 |
| University of Rochester | Toward river campus libraries excellence fund | $20,000 |
| Tyburn Academy | Toward the science lab remodel | $18,500 |
| City of Auburn | Toward city of auburn summer recreation program for kids | $17,500 |
| Moravia Hope Pantry | Toward backpack program ($10,000); toward general support ($5,000) | $15,000 |
| Syracuse Model Neighborhood Facility | Toward syracuse community connections | $15,000 |
| West Genoa Cemetery Association | Toward civil war soldier monument repair | $15,000 |
| Powers Library Association | Unrestricted | $14,000 |
| Finger Lakes SPCA of Cny | Toward laundry room needs ($8,500); unrestricted ($5,000) | $13,500 |
| Matthew House | Unrestricted | $12,500 |
| Greenwich Alliance for Education Foundation | Toward strategic planning ($10,000); toward board retreat ($2,000) | $12,000 |
| Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce Foundation | Specifically toward costs to create the strategic plan | $11,500 |
| Abc Cayuga Inc | Toward play space - in honor of meg o'connell | $10,000 |
| Clear Path for Veterans Inc | Unrestricted, for use with the canine program | $10,000 |
| Cornell University | Toward cals annual fund | $10,000 |
| Hope for Heather | Toward ovarian cancer research and awareness | $10,000 |
| Indian Mound Cemetery Assoc | For combatting community deterioration (public areas) | $10,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Daniel J Fessenden
- Kristen E Rubacka
- W Gary Emerson
- Lori E Robinson
- Heather A Emerson
- Sally E Wagner
- W Eric Emerson
- Alex Kinal-Wagner
- Katelyn M Perkins
- Mary McLean Evans
- Ann M Huston
- Darlene G Motley
Questions people ask
Does Fred L Emerson Foundation Inc accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: Proposals are accepted and considered on an ongoing basis..
How much does Fred L Emerson Foundation Inc give?
$7.9 million in tax year 2025, across 70 grants, with a typical grant of $10,750.
Who runs Fred L Emerson Foundation Inc?
Its 2025 filing lists Daniel J Fessenden (Executive Director), Kristen E Rubacka (Director), W Gary Emerson (Director) and Lori E Robinson (President) among 12 officers and trustees.
What does Fred L Emerson Foundation Inc fund?
Based on its grants, mainly arts and culture, education and health.