The John R Oishei Foundation
Historical FunderBuffalo, New York · EIN 16-0874319 · Private foundation · Website
Grants paid (2024)$9.5M
Organizations funded168
Typical grant$20,000
Total assets$330M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $9,000 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 | NATALIE COOK |
|---|---|
| Address | 726 EXCHANGE STREET SUITE 510, BUFFALO NY 14210 |
| Phone | 7168569490 |
| Form and materials | 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. |
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
0% of grants went outside New York.
Grants paid in tax year 2024
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education Collaborative of Wny Inc | Buffalo, NY | 2024-2028 scholarship program | $930,000 |
| Buffalo Center for Arts & Technology (Bcat) | Buffalo, NY | Capital campaign | $500,000 |
| Education Collaborative of Wny Inc | Buffalo, NY | 2023-2024 scholarship program | $420,354 |
| Buffalo Center for Arts & Technology (Bcat) | Buffalo, NY | General operating support 2024-2026 | $400,000 |
| Education Collaborative of Wny Inc | Buffalo, NY | Academic excellence for all (dei) 2024-2028 | $372,000 |
| Buffalo Prep | Buffalo, NY | General operating support | $350,000 |
| Community Connections of NY Inc | Buffalo, NY | Mobile safety-net team (msnt) 2024 | $303,000 |
| Buffalo Fine Arts Academy (Dba Albright-Knox Art Gallery) | Buffalo, NY | Ak360 campus development project (2023-2025) | $300,000 |
| Center for Regional Strategies | Buffalo, NY | Regional revitalization partnership - east side avenues | $300,000 |
| Say Yes Buffalo Scholarship Inc | Buffalo, NY | Boys and men of color initiative 2024-2026 | $300,000 |
| NY Funders Alliance (Grantmakers Forum of New York Inc) | Syracuse, NY | Nonprofit support group 2024-2025 | $275,000 |
| Canisius College | Buffalo, NY | Canisius college science hall | $250,000 |
| Causewave Community Partners | Rochester, NY | Nextwave mission accelerator program | $250,000 |
| Bison Children's Scholarship Fund | Buffalo, NY | Bison K-8 scholarship support | $234,500 |
| Bison Children's Scholarship Fund | Buffalo, NY | General operating support 2024-2026 | $234,500 |
| Buffalo Prep | Buffalo, NY | College prep | $175,000 |
| Education Collaborative of Wny Inc | Buffalo, NY | General operating support 2024-2028 | $175,000 |
| Say Yes Buffalo Scholarship Inc | Buffalo, NY | Boys and men of color initiative | $149,710 |
| Ecmc Foundation Inc | Buffalo, NY | Expansion of innovative outpatient behavioral health programs | $102,118 |
| Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo Inc | Buffalo, NY | John R. oishei college scholarship fund 2024-2026 | $100,000 |
| Daemen College | Amherst, NY | Institute for mobility innovation & technology | $100,000 |
| Feedmore Wny | Buffalo, NY | Basic human needs 2024-2025 | $100,000 |
| Gateway-Longview Inc | Williamsville, NY | Diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (deij) strategic planning initiative | $78,600 |
| Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo Inc | Buffalo, NY | Fund for the arts 2024-2025 | $75,000 |
| Buffalo City Mission | Buffalo, NY | Basic human needs 2024-2025 for the cornerstone manor | $67,500 |
| Assembly House 150 Inc | Buffalo, NY | Jro transition fund | $50,000 |
| Back to Basics Outreach Ministries Inc | Buffalo, NY | Jro transition fund | $50,000 |
| Buffalo Arts Studio | Buffalo, NY | Jro transition fund | $50,000 |
| Buffalo Prenatal-Perinatal Network | Buffalo, NY | Jro transition fund | $50,000 |
| Buffalo String Works Inc | Buffalo, NY | Jro transition fund | $50,000 |
| Clean Air Coalition of Western New York Inc | Buffalo, NY | Jro transition fund | $50,000 |
| Community Connections of NY Inc | Buffalo, NY | Jro transition fund | $50,000 |
| Compeer of Greater Buffalo | Buffalo, NY | Jro transition fund | $50,000 |
| Computers for Children Inc | Buffalo, NY | Jro transition fund | $50,000 |
| Conect | Buffalo, NY | Jro transition fund | $50,000 |
| Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Buffalo Inc | West Seneca, NY | Jro transition fund | $50,000 |
| Family Promise of Wny | Buffalo, NY | Jro transition fund | $50,000 |
| Gerard Place Housing Development Fund Company Inc | Buffalo, NY | Jro transition fund | $50,000 |
| Grassroots Gardens of Western New York | Buffalo, NY | Jro transition fund | $50,000 |
| Heart Love & Soul Inc | Niagara Falls, NY | Jro transition fund | $50,000 |
| Masons Mission Foundation Inc | Lockport, NY | Jro transition fund | $50,000 |
| Mental Health Association of Erie County Inc | Buffalo, NY | Jro transition fund | $50,000 |
| Native American Community Services of Erie and Niagara Counties Inc | Buffalo, NY | Jro transition fund | $50,000 |
| NY Funders Alliance (Grantmakers Forum of New York Inc) | Syracuse, NY | Nonprofit support groups fund development boot camp series | $50,000 |
| Open Buffalo Inc | Buffalo, NY | Jro transition fund | $50,000 |
| Rahama (Resources and Help Against Marital Abuse Inc) | Buffalo, NY | Jro transition fund | $50,000 |
| Read to Succeed Buffalo Inc | Buffalo, NY | Jro transition fund | $50,000 |
| Road Less Traveled Productions Ltd | Buffalo, NY | Jro transition fund | $50,000 |
| Springville Center for the Arts Inc | Springville, NY | Jro transition fund | $50,000 |
| Ujima Company Inc | Buffalo, NY | Jro transition fund | $50,000 |
| Wny Rural Area Health Education Center Inc | Warsaw, NY | Jro transition fund | $50,000 |
| Catholic Charities of Buffalo NY | Buffalo, NY | Basic human needs 2024-2025 | $45,000 |
| Buffalo Funk Fest Foundation | Buffalo, NY | Friday night on jefferson/funk fest | $40,000 |
| Community Missions of Niagara Frontier Inc | Niagara Falls, NY | Basic human needs 2024-2025 | $40,000 |
| Compeer of Greater Buffalo | Buffalo, NY | Staff capacity building | $40,000 |
| The Salvation Army | Buffalo, NY | Basic human needs 2024-2025 | $40,000 |
| Heart Love & Soul Inc | Niagara Falls, NY | Basic human needs 2024-2025 | $35,000 |
| Jericho Road Ministries | Buffalo, NY | Basic human needs 2024-2025 | $35,000 |
| Providence Farm Collective Corp | Orchard Park, NY | Wny foundation/oishei foundation capacity building support | $33,864 |
| Niagara Community Action Program Inc | Niagara Falls, NY | Basic human needs 2024-2025 | $30,000 |
Showing the 60 largest of 168 grants to organizations.
Grants approved for future payment
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education Collaborative of Wny Inc | Buffalo, NY | 2024-2028 scholarship program | $1,490,000 |
| Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo Inc | Buffalo, NY | Buffalo together fund gos | $1,000,000 |
| Buffalo Fine Arts Academy (Dba Albright-Knox Art Gallery) | Buffalo, NY | Ak360 campus development project (2023-2025) | $600,000 |
| Center for Regional Strategies | Buffalo, NY | Regional revitalization partnership - east side avenues | $600,000 |
| Say Yes Buffalo Scholarship Inc | Buffalo, NY | Boys and men of color initiative 2024-2026 | $600,000 |
| Buffalo Prep | Buffalo, NY | General operating support | $550,000 |
| Education Collaborative of Wny Inc | Buffalo, NY | Academic excellence for all (dei) 2024-2028 | $550,000 |
| NY Funders Alliance | Syracuse, NY | Nonprofit support group 2024-2025 | $550,000 |
| Education Collaborative of Wny Inc | Buffalo, NY | General operating support 2024-2028 | $410,000 |
| Rosanna Elizabeth Corey Heckl Foundation for the Arts Inc | Buffalo, NY | Adaptive reuse of the richmond me church | $225,000 |
| Bison Children's Scholarship Fund | Buffalo, NY | General operating support 2024-2026 | $117,250 |
| Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo Inc | Buffalo, NY | Fund for the arts 2024-2025 | $75,000 |
| Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo Inc | Buffalo, NY | John R. oishei college scholarship fund 2024-2026 | $50,000 |
| Feedmore Wny | Buffalo, NY | Basic human needs 2024-2025 | $50,000 |
| Catholic Charities of Buffalo NY | Buffalo, NY | Basic human needs 2024-2025 | $22,500 |
| African Cultural Center of Buffalo Inc | Buffalo, NY | 2025 capacity building micro grant | $20,000 |
| Buffalo Urban League Inc | Buffalo, NY | 2025 capacity building micro grant | $20,000 |
| Community Missions of Niagara Frontier Inc | Niagara, NY | Basic human needs 2024-2025 | $20,000 |
| Confident Girl Mentoring Program Inc | Cheektowaga, NY | 2025 capacity building micro grant | $20,000 |
| Create a Healthier Niagara Falls Collaborative Inc | Niagara, NY | 2025 capacity building micro grant | $20,000 |
| Dumas Rise Providers | Cheektowaga, NY | 2025 capacity building micro grant | $20,000 |
| Erie County Restorative Justice Coalition Inc | Buffalo, NY | 2025 capacity building micro grant | $20,000 |
| Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York Inc | Buffalo, NY | 2025 capacity building micro grant | $20,000 |
| Home Beneath Our Feet | Buffalo, NY | 2025 capacity building micro grant | $20,000 |
| Journey's End Refugee Services Inc | Buffalo, NY | 2025 capacity building micro grant | $20,000 |
| King Urban Life Center | Buffalo, NY | 2025 capacity building micro grant | $20,000 |
| Literacy New York Buffalo-Niagara Inc | Buffalo, NY | 2025 capacity building micro grant | $20,000 |
| National Federation for Just Communities of Wny | Buffalo, NY | 2025 capacity building micro grant | $20,000 |
| Pappy Martin Jazz Legacy Collective | Buffalo, NY | 2025 capacity building micro grant | $20,000 |
| Project Monas House | Buffalo, NY | 2025 capacity building micro grant | $20,000 |
| Resource Council of Wny | Buffalo, NY | 2025 capacity building micro grant | $20,000 |
| The Salvation Army | Buffalo, NY | Basic human needs 2024-2025 | $20,000 |
| Upward Designs for Life | Buffalo, NY | 2025 capacity building micro grant | $20,000 |
| Urban Christian Ministries Inc | Buffalo, NY | 2025 capacity building micro grant | $20,000 |
| Heart Love & Soul Inc | Niagara Falls, NY | Basic human needs 2024-2025 | $17,500 |
| Jericho Road Ministries | Buffalo, NY | Basic human needs 2024-2025 | $17,500 |
| African American Veterans Monument Inc | Buffalo, NY | 2025 capacity building micro grant | $15,000 |
| Niagara Community Action Program Inc | Niagara, NY | Basic human needs 2024-2025 | $15,000 |
| Police Athletic League of Buffalo Inc | Buffalo, NY | 2025 capacity building micro grant | $15,000 |
| The Rural Outreach Center Inc | East Aurora, NY | Basic human needs 2024-2025 | $15,000 |
| St Adalbert's Response to Love Center | Buffalo, NY | Basic human needs 2024-2025 | $13,750 |
| Friends of Night People Inc | Buffalo, NY | Basic human needs 2024-2025 | $12,500 |
| United Way of Buffalo and Erie County | Buffalo, NY | Community resilience fund 2024-2025 | $12,500 |
| Chautauqua County Rural Ministry Inc | Dunkirk, NY | Basic human needs 2024-2025 | $12,000 |
| Word of Life Church Buffalo Ltd | Buffalo, NY | Basic human needs 2024-2025 for the buffalo dream center | $11,250 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo Inc | Buffalo, NY | Basic human needs 2024-2025 | $10,000 |
| Family Help Center Inc | Buffalo, NY | Basic human needs 2024-2025 | $10,000 |
| Gerard Place Housing Development Fund Company Inc | Buffalo, NY | Basic human needs 2024-2025 | $10,000 |
| Journey's End Refugee Services Inc | Buffalo, NY | Basic human needs 2024-2025 | $10,000 |
| Madonna of the Streets Inc | Buffalo, NY | Basic human needs 2024-2025 for st. luke's mission of mercy | $10,000 |
| Polish Community Center of Buffalo Inc | Buffalo, NY | Basic human needs 2024-2025 | $10,000 |
| Rooted in Love Inc | Buffalo, NY | 2025 capacity building micro grant | $10,000 |
| Love Inc of the Greater Gowanda Area | Gowanda, NY | Basic human needs 2024-2025 | $9,000 |
| The Salvation Army of Lockport NY | Lockport, NY | Basic human needs 2024-2025 | $8,500 |
| Restoration Society Inc | Buffalo, NY | Basic human needs 2024-2025 | $8,000 |
| Community Action Organization of Western New York Inc | Buffalo, NY | Basic human needs 2024-2025 | $7,500 |
| Network Religious Communities Inc | Buffalo, NY | Basic human needs 2024-2025 for food for all | $7,500 |
| The Genesis Center of Wny | Buffalo, NY | Basic human needs 2024-2025 for the genesis center | $7,500 |
| West Side Community Services | Buffalo, NY | Basic human needs 2024-2025 for provisions 139 food pantry | $7,500 |
| YWCA of the Niagara Frontier | Lockport, NY | Basic human needs 2024-2025 | $7,500 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $9,466,396 | 277 |
| 2023 | $11,164,401 | 309 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Nov 17, 2025 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202503219349101045
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 16-0874319
- Profile updated Nov 4, 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.