The John R Oishei Foundation
Accepts applications
The John R Oishei Foundation is a private foundation in Buffalo, New York. In tax year 2024 it gave $9.5 million in 168 grants; the typical grant was $20,000 and the largest $930,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$9.5 million
- Number of grants168
- Typical grant$20,000
- Largest grant$930,000
- Assets$330 million
- New grantees23%
Giving in 2024 was down from $11.2 million the year before.
23% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $11.2 million | 155 | $316 million |
| 2024 | $9.5 million | 168 | $330 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Natalie Cook 726 Exchange Street Suite 510, Buffalo, NY 14210 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (716) 856-9490 |
| What to submit | No set form |
| Deadlines | Submission deadlines vary based on the project. (see website at www.oishei.org for more information) |
| Restrictions | The foundation provides grants for the purpose of acting as a catalyst for change to enhance economic vitality and the quality of life for the buffalo niagara region. |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What The John R Oishei Foundation funds
Where it gives
All of its grants went to recipients in New York.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 168 | $9.5 million |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Education Collaborative of Wny Inc | 2024-2028 scholarship program | $930,000 |
| Buffalo Center for Arts & Technology (Bcat) | Capital campaign | $500,000 |
| Education Collaborative of Wny Inc | 2023-2024 scholarship program | $420,354 |
| Buffalo Center for Arts & Technology (Bcat) | General operating support 2024-2026 | $400,000 |
| Education Collaborative of Wny Inc | Academic excellence for all (dei) 2024-2028 | $372,000 |
| Buffalo Prep | General operating support | $350,000 |
| Community Connections of Ny Inc | Mobile safety-net team (msnt) 2024 | $303,000 |
| Buffalo Fine Arts Academy (DBA Albright-Knox Art Gallery) | Ak360 campus development project (2023-2025) | $300,000 |
| Center for Regional Strategies | Regional revitalization partnership - east side avenues | $300,000 |
| Say Yes Buffalo Scholarship Inc | Boys and men of color initiative 2024-2026 | $300,000 |
| Ny Funders Alliance (Grantmakers Forum of New York Inc) | Nonprofit support group 2024-2025 | $275,000 |
| Canisius College | Canisius college science hall | $250,000 |
| Causewave Community Partners | Nextwave mission accelerator program | $250,000 |
| Bison Children's Scholarship Fund | Bison k-8 scholarship support | $234,500 |
| Bison Children's Scholarship Fund | General operating support 2024-2026 | $234,500 |
| Buffalo Prep | College prep | $175,000 |
| Education Collaborative of Wny Inc | General operating support 2024-2028 | $175,000 |
| Say Yes Buffalo Scholarship Inc | Boys and men of color initiative | $149,710 |
| Ecmc Foundation Inc | Expansion of innovative outpatient behavioral health programs | $102,118 |
| Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo Inc | John r. Oishei college scholarship fund 2024-2026 | $100,000 |
| Daemen College | Institute for mobility innovation & technology | $100,000 |
| Feedmore Wny | Basic human needs 2024-2025 | $100,000 |
| Gateway-Longview Inc | Diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (deij) strategic planning initiative | $78,600 |
| Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo Inc | Fund for the arts 2024-2025 | $75,000 |
| Buffalo City Mission | Basic human needs 2024-2025 for the cornerstone manor | $67,500 |
| Assembly House 150 Inc | Jro transition fund | $50,000 |
| Back to Basics Outreach Ministries Inc | Jro transition fund | $50,000 |
| Buffalo Arts Studio | Jro transition fund | $50,000 |
| Buffalo Prenatal-Perinatal Network | Jro transition fund | $50,000 |
| Buffalo String Works Inc | Jro transition fund | $50,000 |
| Clean Air Coalition of Western New York Inc | Jro transition fund | $50,000 |
| Community Connections of Ny Inc | Jro transition fund | $50,000 |
| Compeer of Greater Buffalo | Jro transition fund | $50,000 |
| Computers for Children Inc | Jro transition fund | $50,000 |
| Conect | Jro transition fund | $50,000 |
| Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Buffalo Inc | Jro transition fund | $50,000 |
| Family Promise of Wny | Jro transition fund | $50,000 |
| Gerard Place Housing Development Fund Company Inc | Jro transition fund | $50,000 |
| Grassroots Gardens of Western New York | Jro transition fund | $50,000 |
| Heart Love & Soul Inc | Jro transition fund | $50,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Glenn S Jackson
- William G Gisel Jr
- Francisco M Vasquez
- Yvonne S Minor-Ragan
- Donald K Boswell
- Maureen O Hurley
- Luke T Jacobs
- Chandra Redfern
- Michael Ulbrich
- Melva D Visher
- Christina Orsi
- Blythe T Merrill
- Geoffrey Pritchard
Questions people ask
Does The John R Oishei Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: Submission deadlines vary based on the project. (see website at www.oishei.org for more information).
How much does The John R Oishei Foundation give?
$9.5 million in tax year 2024, across 168 grants, with a typical grant of $20,000.
Who runs The John R Oishei Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists Glenn S Jackson (Chair (Eff 5/24)), William G Gisel Jr (Chair (Thru 4/24)), Francisco M Vasquez (Treasurer) and Yvonne S Minor-Ragan (Vice Chair & Secretary) among 13 officers and trustees.
What does The John R Oishei Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, arts and culture and science and research.