The Western New York Foundation
Accepts applications
The Western New York Foundation is a private foundation in Buffalo, New York. In tax year 2025 it gave $1.5 million in 127 grants; the typical grant was $3,500 and the largest $500,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$1.5 million
- Number of grants127
- Typical grant$3,500
- Largest grant$500,000
- Assets$25.8 million
- New grantees49%
Giving in 2025 was up from $1.1 million the year before.
49% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $749,904 | 84 | $23.1 million |
| 2024 | $1.1 million | 134 | $22.8 million |
| 2025 | $1.5 million | 127 | $25.8 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Beth K Gosch 2495 Main Street Ste 464, Buffalo, NY 14214 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (716) 839-4225 |
| What to submit | See Foundation's Website - Electronic Submission Required |
| Deadlines | June 30th and November 30th |
| Restrictions | See Foundation's Website |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What The Western New York Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 5 states, the most to New York.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 119 | $1.4 million |
| Nebraska | 4 | $84,964 |
| Illinois | 1 | $5,049 |
| California | 1 | $2,500 |
| District of Columbia | 2 | $2,070 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo1 | WNY Forward Fund | $500,000 |
| United Way of Buffalo & Erie County | iCAP Consulting | $108,500 |
| Massachusetts Avenue Project | Operations Director & Communications Manager | $72,464 |
| NY Funders Alliance | NonProfit Support Group Annual Operations | $50,409 |
| Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation | CA BOCES Sprouting Knowledge Farm | $50,000 |
| United Way of Buffalo & Erie County | Consulting | $48,930 |
| West Side Community Services | Marketing and Rebranding | $41,000 |
| Cornell Cooperative Extension of Wyoming County | Seed of Sustainability / Capacity Building: Wyoming County Food System and Market Capacity Report | $25,000 |
| WNY Women's Foundation | Phase I; Special Proj Mgr and Knowledge Mgmt/Applied Res Mgr | $25,000 |
| Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension | Communications Coordinator: Phase II | $23,500 |
| Cornell Cooperative Extension of Niagara | Regional Project Grant Writing Support | $21,000 |
| Seneca Street CDC | Youth Program Support | $20,000 |
| Infinity Visual and Performing Arts Inc | iCAP implemntation 2/3; Bldg Staff Capacity Phase 1 | $15,000 |
| Preservation Buffalo Niagara | Staffing Support | $15,000 |
| Canticle Farm | Organizational Development Plan Implementation, Phase II | $13,979 |
| Buffalo Prep | Phase I: LMSW, Training and Support | $13,000 |
| North Star Fund | Seeding Powers Fellows | $12,500 |
| Food for the Spirit | Buffalo Bypass Network | $11,850 |
| Mental Health Advocates | iCAP Implementation: Development and Marketing Associate | $10,200 |
| Ardent Solutions | iCAP Stipend | $10,000 |
| Arts Council for Wyoming County | Stipend | $10,000 |
| Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County | iCAP Stipend | $10,000 |
| Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County | Stipend | $10,000 |
| Hallwalls Inc | iCAP Stipend Phase II | $10,000 |
| Just Buffalo Literary Center | iCAP Stipend | $10,000 |
| Wedi | General Operations | $10,000 |
| YWCA of Genesee County | iCAP Stipend | $10,000 |
| Chautauqua County Community Cultural Educational a | iCAP Stipend | $10,000 |
| Partnership for the Public Good | iCAP Stipend: Phase II | $10,000 |
| Providence Farm Collective | Phase I: Staffing and Consulting Support | $9,518 |
| United Way of Buffalo & Erie County | Carolyn Human Communications w/ EPIC | $6,300 |
| CCNY Inc | ICAP Evaluation | $5,833 |
| BoardSource | Board Source Assessment | $5,490 |
| Wedi | Donor Development: Phase I | $5,049 |
| Alianza Agricola | Equity and Social Justice | $5,000 |
| Black Farmer Fund | Social Justice and Equity | $5,000 |
| Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens | Trustee Discretionary | $5,000 |
| Buffalo Bills Foundation | To reimburse Bills Foundation for Wilson Grant Stipend paid by Bills for CCE Chautauqua Stipend | $5,000 |
| Buffalo Prep | Equity Alliance of WNY Social Justice and Equity Grant | $5,000 |
| Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo1 | Fund for the Arts | $5,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Bernie A Tolbert
- Beth K Gosch
- Brielynn Bell
- Anthony Johnson
- Liz Buerger
- Paulette M Crooke
- Sharon J Mathe
- Tammy Alsace
- theodore v buerger
- Kathy Granchelli
- Timothy Hogues
- John N Walsh III
- Judge James AW McLeod
Questions people ask
Does The Western New York Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: June 30th and November 30th.
How much does The Western New York Foundation give?
$1.5 million in tax year 2025, across 127 grants, with a typical grant of $3,500.
Who runs The Western New York Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Bernie A Tolbert (Trustee), Beth K Gosch (Executive Director), Brielynn Bell (Treasurer) and Anthony Johnson (Trustee) among 13 officers and trustees.
What does The Western New York Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly community development, human services and arts and culture.