James H Cummings Foundation Inc
Historical FunderBuffalo, New York · EIN 16-0864200 · Private foundation · Website
Grants paid (2024)$2.4M
Organizations funded62
Typical grant$30,000
Total assets$46.4M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $18,140 and $50,000.
From the return
How to apply
The foundation filed the following application information (Form 990-PF Part XV, tax year 2024):
| Contact | MARY JO HUNT |
|---|---|
| Address | 120 WEST TUPPER STREET, BUFFALO NY 14201 |
| Phone | 7168740040 |
| Form and materials | NAME, ADDRESS OF TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATION WHICH WOULD BE THE RECIPIENT IF A GRANT WERE MADE; LIST OF CURRENT DIRECTORS; ORGANIZATION'S TAX-EXEMPT CERTIFICATION FROM THE U.S. INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE OR THE DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL REVENUE, OTTAWA; STATE AMOUNT REQUESTED AND THE SPECIFIC PURPOSE OF THE GRANT; WHAT THE GRANT IS EXPECTED TO ACCOMPLISH AND THE NEED OF THE PROJECT; A BUDGET OF THE COSTS AND HOW THE MONEY, IF GRANTED, WOULD BE SPENT; ORGANIZATION'S MOST RECENTLY AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; EVIDENCE THAT THE ORGANIZATION IS QUALIFIED TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT SUCCESSFULLY; STATE WHETHER AID HAS BEEN SOUGHT DURING THE PRECEDING TWO YEARS FROM OTHER FOUNDATIONS AND AMOUNT RECEIVED, IF ANY; LIST THE NAMES OF FOUNDATIONS THE ORGANIZATION PLANS TO APPROACH ON CURRENT PROJECT; A COVER LETTER SIGNED BY AN OFFICER OF THE ORGANIZATION TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WITH A CONCISE SUMMARY PRESENTATION |
| Deadlines | MID-MONTH PRECEEDING FEBRUARY, MAY, SEPTEMBER AND DECEMBER |
| Restrictions | LIMITS SUPPORT TO THE CITIES OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA AND HENDERSONVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA. GRANTS ARE TO BE USED AND APPLIED EXCLUSIVELY FOR CHARITABLE PURPOSES IN ADVANCING MEDICAL SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND EDUCATION IN THE U.S. AND CANADA, AND FOR CHARITABLE WORK AMONG VULNERABLE CHILDREN AND OLDER AND VULNERABLE ADULTS. FUNDS ARE DISTRIBUTED ONLY TO NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS WITH THE GREAT MAJORITY OF GRANTS AWARDED BEING OF A CAPITAL NATURE, PARTICULARLY EQUIPMENT NEEDS OF VARIOUS KINDS. HIGHER PRIORITY PROJECTS INCLUDE THOSE THAT ARE NOT NORMALLY FINANCED BY PUBLIC TAX FUNDS. APPLICATIONS FOR ENDOWMENTS, CONTINGENCY, RESERVE PURPOSES, OPERATING EXPENSES OR DEFICIT FINANCING ARE NOT CONSIDERED. REQUESTS FOR GRANTS TO INDIVIDUALS ARE NOT CONSIDERED NOR DOES THE FOUNDATION FUND SCHOLARSHIPS. |
Copied as filed. Deadlines on a tax return describe the foundation's usual process; they are not confirmation of a current open cycle.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
15% of grants went outside New York.
Grants paid in tax year 2024
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cradle Beach | Angola, NY | Inclusive swimming pool renovations | $115,600 |
| Research Foundation for Suny at Ub | Buffalo, NY | Flow cytometry equipment | $104,189 |
| Feedmore Wny of Buffalo | Buffalo, NY | A permanent home for feedmore | $100,000 |
| United Way of Henderson County | Hendersonville, NC | Helene emergency response rapid home inspection/repairs | $100,000 |
| Ministry Seven | Hendersonville, NC | Roof replacement for homeless shelter | $87,297 |
| Brothers of Mercy | Clarence, NY | Call light installation for nursing facility | $84,463 |
| Jacobs Institute | Buffalo, NY | Expansion of prototyping capabilities in i2r center | $80,196 |
| Adventhealth Hendersonville | Hendersonville, NC | Adolescent girls recovery center | $74,667 |
| Sinai Health Foundation | CA | High content imaging system | $72,337 |
| Rahama Inc | Buffalo, NY | Building program space & ada compliance | $67,871 |
| Daemen University | Amherst, NY | Institute for mobility innovation and technology | $60,000 |
| Forest Lawn Heritage Foundation | Buffalo, NY | James H. cummings trolley 2.0 | $57,407 |
| United Way of Buffalo & Erie County | Buffalo, NY | Youth opportunity | $55,000 |
| Gateway Longview | Williamsville, NY | Critical health and safety upgrades for residential | $54,805 |
| Buffalo Center for the Arts and Technology | Buffalo, NY | Open tech innovation studio at bcat | $51,520 |
| Assembly House 150 | Buffalo, NY | Roof replacement | $50,000 |
| Buffalo Prep | Buffalo, NY | Laptops and updated technology | $50,000 |
| Build Promise | Buffalo, NY | Community access center on buffalo's east side | $50,000 |
| Providence Farm Collective | Orchard Park, NY | Rebuilding the barn at pfc | $50,000 |
| The Tool Library | Buffalo, NY | Borrowing and building a legacy: 2626 main st | $50,000 |
| United Way of Henderson County | Hendersonville, NC | Support for older vulnerable adults in hendersonville | $50,000 |
| United Way of Henderson County | Hendersonville, NC | Disaster relief fund | $50,000 |
| Wny Medical Scholarship | Buffalo, NY | Wny medical scholarship: buffalo initiative | $50,000 |
| Explore and More Children's Museum | Buffalo, NY | Inclusive soft play exhibit | $46,873 |
| Church Mission of Help | Buffalo, NY | Air conditioning | $45,348 |
| Learning Disabilities of Wny | Buffalo, NY | Diversified labor solutions transport van | $44,482 |
| Wny Heroes | Buffalo, NY | Van for service dogs | $44,000 |
| Habitat for Humanity Buffalo | Buffalo, NY | Aging in place home repairs | $40,000 |
| Habitat for Humanity Buffalo | Buffalo, NY | Neighborhood preservation through home repair | $35,000 |
| Boys and Girls Club Buffalo | Buffalo, NY | Providing building security upgrades for safety & protection | $33,264 |
| Foundry | Buffalo, NY | Facility upgrade project | $30,390 |
| Mercy Flight | Buffalo, NY | Sapphire multi-therapy infusion pump kits | $30,000 |
| King Urban Life Center | Buffalo, NY | Kulc steam program 2025 | $28,000 |
| Bestself Behavioral Health | Buffalo, NY | Relocation of safe space dropin center | $26,634 |
| Crossnore School and Children's Home | Crossnore, NC | Putting down roots in hendersonville | $25,000 |
| Home of My Own | East Amherst, NY | Home improvements to 30 linwood | $25,000 |
| Jewish Family Services | Buffalo, NY | Refugee partnership crisis response fund | $25,000 |
| Buffalo String Works | Buffalo, NY | String instruments for vulnerable children | $24,998 |
| Friends of Little Portion Friary | Buffalo, NY | Technology/ furnishings for daytime program space | $24,000 |
| Medical Loan Closet | Hendersonville, NC | Helene disaster grant restoration fund | $23,191 |
| University District Community Development Association Inc | Buffalo, NY | Gloria parks community ctr gym floor | $22,612 |
| Lord of Life Lutheran | Depew, NY | Replacement flooring for adult and child center | $21,038 |
| City Year Buffalo | Buffalo, NY | Technology & data security update | $19,994 |
| Sunnybrook Foundation | CA | Developing therapies to stop neurodegeneration | $19,917 |
| Mental Health Advocates of Wny | Buffalo, NY | Mha data dashboard | $19,713 |
| Villa Maria College | Buffalo, NY | Say yes library | $19,500 |
| Hope Coalition Corp | Hendersonville, NC | Youth connections center | $18,140 |
| Community Services for Every1 | Buffalo, NY | Lyceum community empowerment center | $15,000 |
| Ken-Ton Meals on Wheels | Tonawanda, NY | Meals on wheels food truck | $15,000 |
| Buffalo Wrestling Federation | Buffalo, NY | Wrestling mats | $14,655 |
| Hauptman-Woodward Research Institute | Buffalo, NY | Supporting research at hwi-capabilities for new discovery | $13,788 |
| Buffalo Hearing and Speech | Buffalo, NY | Audiology clinic upgrades | $13,710 |
| Gerard Place | Buffalo, NY | Education building | $13,100 |
| Plymouth Crossroads | West Seneca, NY | Critical items for transitional living | $12,170 |
| Neighborhood Health Center of Wny | Buffalo, NY | Risk-Based care management at nhc mattina | $11,670 |
| James V & Fay P Ryan Paramedic Foundation | Tonawanda, NY | Aed distribution | $10,000 |
| Housing Assistance Corp | Hendersonville, NC | Technology assistance items | $8,945 |
| Buffalo Arts Studio | Buffalo, NY | Technology equipment for arts education | $7,882 |
| Buffalo Urban League | Buffalo, NY | Reopen family preservation services in kingsley neighborhood | $6,900 |
| King Urban Life Center | Buffalo, NY | White boards for kulc stream | $4,981 |
Showing the 60 largest of 62 grants to organizations.
Grants approved for future payment
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Botanical Gardens | Buffalo, NY | Capital campaign | $250,000 |
| Salvation Army Buffalo | Buffalo, NY | Hope on main emergency family shelter | $250,000 |
| Kaleida Health Foundation | Buffalo, NY | Focused ultrasound technology | $200,000 |
| Cradle Beach | Angola, NY | Pool marcite repair and replacement | $159,400 |
| Research Foundation for Suny at Ub | Buffalo, NY | Microscope for dental lab | $145,503 |
| Arc of Erie County | Williamsville, NY | Black water acres | $125,000 |
| Niagara Falls Medical Center | Niagara Falls, NY | Care for niagara's hearts- heart monitor equipment | $125,000 |
| Sickkids Foundation | Death after cardiac death transplant | $109,000 | |
| Buffalo Go Green | Buffalo, NY | Hydroponic farm | $100,000 |
| Family Promise | Buffalo, NY | Future family shelter | $100,000 |
| Kenmore Mercy | Buffalo, NY | Hospital icu renovation | $100,000 |
| Roswell Park Alliance Foundation | Buffalo, NY | Clean rooms: cell therapy manufacturing facility | $100,000 |
| Safelight Inc | Hendersonville, NC | Shelter expansion for displaced helene survivors | $100,000 |
| Wny Medical Scholarship | Buffalo, NY | Ub medical school scholarship | $100,000 |
| YMCA Buffalo Niagara | Buffalo, NY | Capital campaign | $100,000 |
| Ryerson University | Cell imaging multi-mode reader | $73,000 | |
| Foundry | Buffalo, NY | Facility upgrade project | $69,610 |
| Forest Lawn Heritage Foundation | Buffalo, NY | Trolley 2.0 | $67,593 |
| Providence Farm Collective | Orchard Park, NY | Community kitchen | $55,500 |
| Buffalo State College Foundation Inc | Buffalo, NY | Biology dept. medical research equipment | $55,039 |
| Plymouth Crossroads | West Seneca, NY | A permanent home for transitional living | $50,000 |
| Via | Buffalo, NY | Installing ada accessible parking lot | $50,000 |
| Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood | Buffalo, NY | Roof for fruit belt human services building | $42,300 |
| Hope Coalition | Hendersonville, NC | Youth connections center | $36,860 |
| Buffalo Urban League | Buffalo, NY | Reopen family services in kingsley neighborhood | $33,100 |
| Buffalo Hearing and Speech | Buffalo, NY | Audiology clinic upgrades | $30,290 |
| Boys and Girls Club of Buffalo | Buffalo, NY | Upgrades to building security | $30,236 |
| Summit Center | Getzville, NY | Enhancing learning for autism students | $30,000 |
| Explore and More Children's Museum | Buffalo, NY | Inclusive soft play exhibit | $28,127 |
| Medical Loan Closet | Hendersonville, NC | Helene disaster recovery | $26,809 |
| Lord of Life Lutheran | Depew, NY | Flooring for adult and child centers | $26,012 |
| Boys and Girls Club of East Aurora | East Aurora, NY | Capital campaign to build forever home | $25,000 |
| Buffalo & Erie County History Museum | Buffalo, NY | Reinstein center relocation | $25,000 |
| Buffalo String Works | Buffalo, NY | Core improvements at niagara street | $25,000 |
| Community Missions of Niagara Frontier | Niagara Falls, NY | Upgrades to laundry and dishwasher rooms | $25,000 |
| Hospice and Palliative Care | Cheektowaga, NY | Campus enhancement project | $25,000 |
| Metro Community Development Corp | Buffalo, NY | Writing and literacy lab | $25,000 |
| South Buffalo Community Association | Buffalo, NY | Transportation van | $25,000 |
| West Side Community Services | Buffalo, NY | Transportation van for seniors | $25,000 |
| Westminster Economic Development Initiative | Buffalo, NY | Kitchen at the monroe | $25,000 |
| Life Impactresurrection Food Pantry | Cheektowaga, NY | New walk in cooler | $24,900 |
| Pisgah Legal Services | Asheville, NC | Upgrade copiers and laptops | $18,000 |
| Wnedwbfo | Buffalo, NY | Media roadshow equipment | $15,000 |
| Villa Maria College | Buffalo, NY | Library space for say yes students | $12,500 |
| Buffalo Wrestling Federation | Buffalo, NY | Buffalo roam program equipment | $10,345 |
| Theatre of Youth | Buffalo, NY | Workshop hall improvements | $10,000 |
| Bestself Behavioral Health | Buffalo, NY | Relocation of safe space drop in center | $8,366 |
| Rahama Inc | Buffalo, NY | Program space and ada compliance | $7,129 |
| Buffalo Center for the Arts and Technology | Buffalo, NY | Open tech innovation studio at bcat | $6,173 |
| Gerard Place | Buffalo, NY | Education building | $3,974 |
| Every Bottom Covered | Buffalo, NY | Monitoring mom's health | $22 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,412,785 | 113 |
| 2023 | $2,586,790 | 102 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Oct 14, 2025 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202512879349100021
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 16-0864200
- Profile updated Nov 5, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.