Wasily Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $9,800,000 (2023)
• Total Assets: $50,005,155 (June 2023)
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified
• Geographic Focus: New York City metropolitan area (primary); selected national organizations (secondary)
• Decision Time: Not publicly specified
• Application Deadline: March 1 (annual)

Contact Details

Address: 2801 Centerville Road, PMB 1041, 1st Floor, Wilmington, DE 19808

Phone: 631-979-2142

Email: grfwfamilyf@yahoo.com

Contact Person: Denise Moloney, Secretary

Overview

The Wasily Family Foundation is a private independent foundation established in 1988 and granted charitable status in July 1989. With assets exceeding $50 million and annual giving of approximately $9.8 million, the foundation is a significant funder in the health and human services sector. Originally established in New York, the foundation is now administratively based in Wilmington, Delaware, while maintaining its primary grantmaking focus on nonprofit organizations serving the New York City metropolitan area. The foundation's major donors include Anne V. Wasily and H. Vira Kolisch. All of the foundation's activities entail making grants to other charitable organizations, with a strategic emphasis on supporting health care and social and human services programs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single grant program with an annual application deadline of March 1. While specific grant ranges are not publicly disclosed, the foundation distributed $9.8 million across its grant portfolio in 2023. According to grant tracking data, the foundation has funded 3 major grants totaling $22.2 million over recent years, suggesting the capacity for substantial individual awards alongside smaller grants.

Priority Areas

Primary Focus:

• Health and healthcare services
• Social and human services

Geographic Priority:

• New York City metropolitan area organizations (primary)
• Selected national organizations with compelling missions aligned with foundation priorities (secondary)

The foundation appears to take a concentrated approach to grantmaking, with records showing 1 award made in both 2023 and 2022, suggesting they may make fewer, larger grants rather than numerous small awards.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. However, as a foundation focused on health and human services in the NYC metropolitan area, organizations outside these focus areas or geographic regions are less likely to be considered unless they represent exceptional national programs aligned with the foundation's mission.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees and Officers:

• Margaret Moloney - President
• Kenneth Gheno - Treasurer
• Denise Moloney - Secretary
• Margaret Murray - Trustee

The foundation operates with a lean governance structure typical of family foundations, allowing for efficient decision-making while maintaining strong oversight. The Moloney family appears to play a significant leadership role in the foundation's operations.

Major Donors: Anne V. Wasily and H. Vira Kolisch

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Wasily Family Foundation accepts proposals submitted both electronically and by regular mail. Applications must be submitted by March 1 annually.

Required Materials:

• Complete grant proposal describing the specific request
• Organization's most recent tax return
• Audited financial statements
• Any additional supporting documentation relevant to the request

Submission:

• Email proposals to: grfwfamilyf@yahoo.com
• Mail hard copies to: Denise Moloney, Secretary, Wasily Family Foundation, 2801 Centerville Road, PMB 1041, 1st Floor, Wilmington, DE 19808

Decision Timeline

The foundation does not publicly disclose its decision timeline. Given the March 1 annual deadline, applicants should anticipate decisions being made within the foundation's fiscal year (which ends in June based on their 990 filings), though specific notification timeframes are not documented.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. However, the foundation's grantmaking pattern of 1 award in 2023 and 1 award in 2022 suggests a highly selective process. With annual giving of $9.8 million concentrated in very few grants, the foundation appears to make strategic, substantial investments in selected organizations rather than distributing funds widely.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly documented. Organizations are advised to contact Denise Moloney directly to inquire about reapplication guidelines if an initial proposal is declined.

Application Success Factors

While the foundation does not publish detailed application guidance, several factors can be inferred from their funding profile:

Geographic Alignment: Organizations based in or primarily serving the New York City metropolitan area are strongly preferred. National organizations should demonstrate exceptional alignment with the foundation's health and human services mission to overcome the geographic preference.

Health and Human Services Focus: Proposals should clearly articulate how the organization advances health care access, health outcomes, or social and human services that improve community well-being. The foundation's consistent focus on these sectors over its 35+ year history suggests deep commitment to these areas.

Financial Stability and Accountability: The requirement for audited financial statements and recent tax returns indicates the foundation values fiscal responsibility and transparency. Organizations should be prepared to demonstrate sound financial management and governance.

Substantial Programmatic Impact: Given the foundation's pattern of making fewer, larger grants, proposals should articulate significant programmatic impact and the potential for transformational outcomes rather than incremental improvements.

Complete and Professional Applications: Ensure all required materials are included and submitted by both email and regular mail by the March 1 deadline. Incomplete applications are unlikely to receive consideration.

Pre-Application Contact: While not required, organizations may benefit from preliminary contact with Denise Moloney at 631-979-2142 to assess whether their organization and proposal align with current foundation priorities before investing time in a full application.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Strategic, Concentrated Grantmaking: With only 1-2 grants awarded annually but $9.8 million in total giving, the foundation makes substantial investments in carefully selected organizations. Proposals should request meaningful funding levels commensurate with significant programmatic impact.

• Geographic Focus Matters: NYC metro area organizations have a clear advantage. National organizations must present compelling cases for why their work merits exception to the geographic preference.

• Health and Human Services Priority: Stay within the foundation's established focus areas. The foundation has maintained this mission for over three decades, indicating it is not seeking to expand into new program areas.

• March 1 Deadline is Firm: This annual deadline suggests applications are reviewed once per year. Missing the deadline likely means waiting a full year for the next opportunity.

• Financial Documentation is Essential: Have audited financial statements and recent tax returns ready. These requirements suggest the foundation conducts thorough due diligence on prospective grantees.

• Dual Submission Required: Follow instructions to submit both by email and regular mail to ensure your application is received through both channels.

• Contact Before Applying: Consider reaching out to Denise Moloney before submitting to confirm your organization's fit and ensure you understand current priorities and any unpublished guidelines.

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Wasily Family Foundation. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/133503227 (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory - The Wasily Family Foundation Inc. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=WASI002 (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• GrantStation - The Wasily Family Foundation. https://grantstation.com/grantmakers/wasily-family-foundation (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• Cause IQ - Wasily Family Foundation Profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/wasily-family-foundation,133503227/ (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• Instrumentl - Wasily Family Foundation 990 Report. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/wasily-family-foundation (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• GuideStar Profile - Wasily Family Foundation. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/13-3503227 (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• The Shareway - The Wasily Family Foundation Inc. https://www.theshareway.com/funder/wasily-family-93748 (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• FoundationSearch - Wasily Family Foundation Summary. https://www.foundationsearch.com/topsp/1/wasily-family-foundation-133503227.html (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• The Grantsmanship Center - The Wasily Family Foundation. https://www.tgci.com/funder/wasily-family-foundation (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• Grantmakers.io - Wasily Family Foundation Profile. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/133503227-wasily-family-foundation/ (Accessed February 24, 2026)