Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: $3,559,750 (2025)
- Number of Grants: 86 grants (2025)
- Total Assets: $81,963,351
- Geographic Focus: Long Island, New York region
- Application Process: No public application process (invitation/trustee discretion)
- Established: 1994
Contact Details
Address: 190 Pine Hollow Road, Oyster Bay, NY 11771
Note: The foundation does not maintain a public website or published contact information for grant inquiries. This is a private family foundation that operates primarily through trustee discretion.
Overview
The Bahnik Foundation Inc was established in November 1994 as a private family foundation based in Oyster Bay, New York. With total assets exceeding $81 million and annual grantmaking of approximately $3.6 million, the foundation primarily supports education, community development, human services, and medical research. Led by the Bahnik family—founders of Mill-Max Manufacturing Co.—the foundation has demonstrated particular interest in Long Island institutions and organizations advancing cardiovascular research, biomedical science, and community services. The foundation has shown consistent growth in both assets (from $19 million in 2012 to $82 million in 2025) and grantmaking activity, distributing approximately 78% of annual expenses as charitable disbursements. Known grantees include Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center, where a $3 million commitment was made to establish the Cardiology Innovation Research Fund.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with published guidelines. Instead, grants are awarded through trustee discretion, with giving focused on:
- Major Institutional Grants: Large commitments to established institutions (e.g., $3 million to St. Francis Hospital)
- Education and Research: Support for biomedical research institutions and educational initiatives
- Community Services: Human services and community development programs on Long Island
Based on 86 grants totaling $3,559,750 in 2025, the average grant size is approximately $41,000, though this includes both small community grants and major institutional commitments.
Priority Areas
Medical Research and Innovation
- Cardiovascular research and clinical education
- Biomedical science and laboratory research
- Advanced medical technologies and training programs
- Institutions advancing innovative medical procedures
Education
- Educational institutions and programs
- Research and scientific education initiatives
Community Development
- Human services organizations
- Community-based programs on Long Island
- Youth development (family serves on Boys & Girls Club board)
Geographic Focus
Strong preference for Long Island, New York organizations, particularly those in Nassau County and the Oyster Bay area where the family is based.
Governance and Leadership
Leadership Team:
- Michèle Bahnik Mercier, President of the Bahnik Foundation
- Claude A. Bahnik, Vice President & Treasurer; CEO of Mill-Max Manufacturing Co.
- Lore Bahnik, Secretary
The foundation is a family operation with no paid staff. Officers receive no compensation for their foundation work. The Bahnik family founded Mill-Max Manufacturing Co. in Port Washington in 1971, and the company remains family-owned under Claude Bahnik's leadership as CEO.
Community Involvement: The Bahnik family members serve as advisers and trustees to various nonprofit organizations across Long Island, including Co-President roles at the Boys & Girls Club of Oyster Bay-East Norwich. They have been honored by the Oyster Bay/East Norwich Chamber of Commerce and the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce for their philanthropic work.
Foundation Philosophy (from leadership quotes):
Michèle Bahnik Mercier stated regarding their St. Francis Hospital grant: "We believe this fund will provide critical resources for ongoing innovation that will benefit countless patients."
Claude Bahnik emphasized their interest in "supporting the continuation of efforts that are shaping the field as a whole," particularly highlighting support for world-first TAVR procedures, global OPCI educational programs, and advanced imaging technologies.
Application Process & Timeline
How to Apply
The Bahnik Foundation does not have a public application process. This is a private family foundation that awards grants through trustee discretion. Grants appear to be awarded to:
- Organizations with which the family has existing relationships
- Established institutions in their Long Island community
- Organizations where family members serve on boards or as advisers
There is no online portal, published application form, or open call for proposals.
Getting on Their Radar
The Bahnik family is deeply involved in the Long Island philanthropic community through:
- Board service: Family members serve as Co-Presidents of the Board of Trustees for the Boys & Girls Club of Oyster Bay-East Norwich
- Community engagement: Recognized by the Oyster Bay/East Norwich Chamber of Commerce for community service
- Business connections: Through Mill-Max Manufacturing Co., headquartered in Port Washington
- Institutional relationships: Multi-year relationships with institutions like Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and St. Francis Hospital
Organizations seeking support should focus on:
- Building relationships with Long Island community networks where the Bahnik family is active
- Demonstrating impact in education, medical research, or community services in the Long Island region
- Establishing credibility as an effective, established organization rather than a startup initiative
Application Success Factors
Since there is no formal application process, success factors are based on observed grantmaking patterns:
Geographic Alignment: The foundation strongly favors Long Island organizations, particularly those in Nassau County and the Oyster Bay area.
Institutional Credibility: Known grantees include established institutions like Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (premier biomedical research institution) and St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center (leading cardiac care facility), suggesting preference for proven organizations with strong track records.
Innovation and Impact: The foundation's leadership emphasizes "ongoing innovation" and "efforts that are shaping the field as a whole," indicating interest in transformative rather than maintenance projects.
Mission Alignment: Focus on education, biomedical research, cardiovascular care, and community services reflects the foundation's documented priorities.
Long-term Relationships: Major grants appear to go to organizations with which the family has sustained engagement, not one-time requests.
Scale of Impact: Both small community grants (averaging $41,000) and major institutional commitments ($3 million) are made, suggesting openness to various grant sizes based on project scope.
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- No public application process exists—this foundation operates entirely through trustee discretion and relationship-based grantmaking
- Geographic focus is critical—Long Island organizations, especially in Nassau County, receive priority
- Relationship building is essential—the Bahnik family's board service and community involvement indicate grants flow through established relationships
- Major institutional support available—while average grants are ~$41,000, the foundation makes significant commitments ($3 million to St. Francis Hospital) to established institutions
- Mission alignment matters—demonstrated focus on cardiovascular research, biomedical science, education, and community services
- Innovation is valued—foundation leadership emphasizes supporting "groundbreaking" and "world-first" initiatives that shape entire fields
- Track record expected—known grantees are established, credible institutions rather than new or experimental organizations
References
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Bahnik Foundation Inc (EIN: 11-3216930), https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/113216930, accessed January 7, 2026
- Cause IQ - The Bahnik Foundation, https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/bahnik-foundation,113216930/, accessed January 7, 2026
- Catholic Health Long Island, "Bahnik Foundation Advances Cardiology Innovation and Research at St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center," https://www.catholichealthli.org/news/bahnik-foundation-advances-cardiology-innovation-and-research-st-francis-hospital-heart-center, accessed January 7, 2026
- Herald Community Newspapers, "Bahnik family is about more than just manufacturing," https://www.liherald.com/stories/bahnik-family-is-about-more-than-just-manufacturing,200932, accessed January 7, 2026
- Boys & Girls Club of Oyster Bay-East Norwich, Board of Trustees listing, http://www.bgcoben.org/board-of-trustees.html, accessed January 7, 2026
- Candid Foundation Directory - The Bahnik Foundation Inc, https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=BAHN001, accessed January 7, 2026