The John R. Oishei Foundation
At a glance
Key takeaways
- The John R. Oishei Foundation focuses its funding on Buffalo's East Side, so grant writers outside that priority area should weigh whether their work genuinely fits before applying.
- Its work centres on community power-building and systems change, so proposals should speak to one or more of its seven focus areas such as organisational infrastructure, individual power among people of colour, community control of housing, land or business, Black joy and healing, grassroots organising, narrative change, or policy work on inequity.
- About 8 in 10 of its 496 grants fall between $3,500 and $200,000, with a median grant of $20,000, so a modest request in that range is realistic, though the largest grant made was $1,000,000.
- The foundation accepts applications on a rolling basis, starting with its Request to Partner form, which it uses to learn about an organisation's work and connect it with the right team member.
- A high share of its grant dollars, 87%, went to organisations it had also funded in the two previous filings, which suggests it leans towards long-term partnership, so new applicants might see this as a relationship built over time rather than a one-off transaction.
Overview
The John R. Oishei Foundation is a US private foundation based in Buffalo, NY.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The foundation’s work centres on community power-building and systems change, supporting neighbourhood residents, leaders and organisations that challenge systems and address the root causes of inequities. It frames its work around building financial prosperity for a racially just, vibrant Buffalo-Niagara region, with a focus beginning on Buffalo’s East Side. Its seven connected focus areas include organisational infrastructure for community-driven solutions; individual power among people of colour; community control of housing, land and business; Black joy, restoration and healing; grassroots organising; narrative change; and policies and practices that address inequity. Its partnership approach values community priorities, racial and economic justice, leadership by those most impacted, authentic relationships and long-term partnership.
Themes
- Organizational power
- Individual power
- Community asset control
- Joy, restoration, resilience
- Collective community organising
- Narrative change
- Policies and practices
Geographic Focus
Priority: Buffalo’s East Side.
How to apply
Organisations should begin by completing the Request to Partner form, which helps the Foundation learn about their work and connect them with the right team member.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 87% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 496 grants to organisations were $20,000 or less.
What the foundation says:
- It prioritises investments rooted in community.
- It values proximity to the community and guidance from those most impacted, including grassroots groups.
- It prioritises racial equity in leadership, staff, board, and practices.
- It favours work advancing financial prosperity, including economic mobility and financial well-being.
- It prioritises work aligned with at least one focus area of power-building.
- It favours work addressing the root causes of systemic barriers.
- It values joy, restoration, and resilience in the work.
- It values opportunities to build authentic relationships and long-term partnerships.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
- The largest single recipient received 15% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 87% of grant dollars went to organisations The John R. Oishei Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 6% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 168 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $20,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Education Collaborative Of Wny Inc · 2024-2028 scholarship program$930,0002024 tax year
- Buffalo Center for Arts & Technology · Capital campaign$500,0002024 tax year
- Education Collaborative Of Wny Inc · 2023-2024 scholarship program$420,3542024 tax year
- Buffalo Center for Arts & Technology · General operating support 2024-2026$400,0002024 tax year
- Education Collaborative Of Wny Inc · Academic excellence for all (dei) 2024-2028$372,0002024 tax year
- Buffalo Prep · General operating support$350,0002024 tax year
- Community Connections Of Ny Inc · Mobile safety-net team (msnt) 2024$303,0002024 tax year
- Center for Regional Strategies · Regional revitalization partnership - east side avenues$300,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Geoffrey Pritchard — CFO & Impact Investment Officer
- Christina Orsi — President
- Melva D Visher — Director
- Michael Ulbrich — Director
- Chandra Redfern — Director (Eff 5/24)
- Luke T Jacobs — Director
- Maureen O Hurley — Director
- Donald K Boswell — Director
- Yvonne S Minor-Ragan — Vice Chair & Secretary
- Francisco M Vasquez — Treasurer
- Glenn S Jackson — Chair (Eff 5/24)
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $18,413,618 | $11,928,155 | $299,615,783 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $18,132,688 | $11,164,401 | $315,667,488 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $16,542,605 | $9,466,396 | $329,976,631 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
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At a glance
Applying to The John R. Oishei Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (716) 856-9490
- Buffalo, NY
- oishei.org
Applying to The John R. Oishei Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (716) 856-9490
- Buffalo, NY
- oishei.org