Margaret L. Wendt Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $2,679,446 (2023)
Total Assets: $64,615,125
Grant Range: $1,641 - $500,000
Number of Grants (2023): 37 awards
Geographic Focus: Western New York, with emphasis on Buffalo area
Application Deadline: Quarterly (next deadline January 1, 2025 - subject to change)

Contact Details

Website: www.themlwendtfoundation.org
Phone: (716) 855-2146
Email: mlwendt@themlwendtfoundation.org
Location: Buffalo, NY

Overview

The Margaret L. Wendt Foundation is a private, grant-making foundation established in 1956 and dedicated to charitable and public-service purposes in the Western New York area. With assets of over $64 million and annual giving of approximately $2.7 million, the foundation continues the legacy of its namesake, Margaret L. Wendt, who supported various community causes during her lifetime. The foundation made 37 grants in 2023, with awards ranging from approximately $1,600 to $500,000. The foundation operates with a broad philanthropic approach, with trustees meeting quarterly to review applications. There is no single area the foundation focuses on exclusively, allowing for diverse support across the Western New York nonprofit sector.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single grant program with a quarterly review cycle. Grant amounts typically range from $1,641 to $500,000, with the average award reflecting the foundation's flexible approach to meeting community needs. Applications are reviewed quarterly by trustees.

Priority Areas

The foundation emphasizes the following areas:

Education: Elementary and secondary education, higher education, special needs education, education services, equal opportunity in education
Arts and Culture: Orchestral music, theater, arts organizations
Human Services: Child welfare, family services, youth agencies, social services
Religious Organizations: Churches, Christianity, Lutheranism, Protestantism, theology
Community Development: Community and economic development, community improvement, historic preservation
Natural Resources: Environmental conservation
Public Interest Organizations: Various community benefit organizations

Notable Recent Grants

ECMC Hospital (2024): $250,000 for Trauma Center/Emergency Department modernization
University at Buffalo (2002): $4.5 million for Buffalo Life Sciences Complex

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. Organizations should contact the foundation directly to confirm eligibility for specific project types.

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees who meet quarterly to review grant applications. Known trustees include:

Thomas D. Lunt, Trustee
Robert J. Kresse, Trustee
Janet L. Day, Trustee
Margaret Hardy (listed in governance role)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Any 501(c)3 organization in the Western New York region may apply for funding. The application process is as follows:

Request Application: Contact the foundation at (716) 855-2146 or mlwendt@themlwendtfoundation.org to request a copy of the grant application form
Complete Application: Fill out the application form (the foundation does NOT accept letters of intent)
Submit by Deadline: Submit your completed application by the quarterly deadline (next deadline: January 1, 2025 - subject to change)
Await Review: The Board of Trustees meets quarterly to review applications

Important: The foundation does not accept letters of intent. All applications must be submitted using the foundation's official application form.

Decision Timeline

Review Schedule: Trustees meet quarterly
Specific Decision Timeframes: Not publicly documented; applicants should contact the foundation for expected notification timeline

Success Rates

Based on available data, the foundation received applications and made 37 grants in 2023. Specific acceptance rates are not publicly published.

Reapplication Policy

Critical Requirement: If you are awarded a grant, you must wait three years before reapplying to the foundation. This is a firm policy that applicants should factor into their funding planning.

Application Success Factors

Geographic Alignment

The foundation is dedicated exclusively to Western New York, with particular emphasis on the Buffalo area. Ensure your organization serves this geographic region and can clearly articulate your local impact.

Broad Scope of Support

Unlike many foundations with narrow focus areas, the Margaret L. Wendt Foundation maintains that "there is no one area the Foundation focuses on in its gifts." This means applications should focus on demonstrating community need and organizational capacity rather than trying to match specific programmatic priorities.

Organizational Eligibility

Your organization must be a qualified 501(c)3 nonprofit. The foundation has supported organizations across multiple sectors, including small community organizations and major institutions like universities and hospitals.

Grant Size Flexibility

With awards ranging from under $2,000 to $500,000, the foundation appears to consider projects of various scales. Tailor your request to your actual need rather than trying to hit a "sweet spot."

Examples of Funded Work

Major capital projects (e.g., $4.5 million for Buffalo Life Sciences Complex, $250,000 for hospital emergency department modernization)
Program-related investments such as below-market interest rate loans for historic building renovation in deteriorated urban areas of downtown Buffalo
Education, arts, human services, and religious organizations across the spectrum

Key Success Factors

Clear demonstration of Western New York focus and impact
Strong organizational capacity and track record
Compelling articulation of community need
Alignment with at least one of the foundation's broad priority areas
Adherence to application format requirements

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Geographic Focus is Critical: Your organization must serve Western New York, particularly the Buffalo area. This is non-negotiable.
Broad Eligibility Works in Your Favor: The foundation explicitly states there is "no one area" they focus on, so don't eliminate yourself based on program area—focus on demonstrating impact and need.
Follow Process Exactly: Request the official application form and use it. The foundation does NOT accept letters of intent.
Plan for the Three-Year Gap: If funded, you cannot reapply for three years. Consider this in your funding strategy and make your request count.
Quarterly Review Cycle: With trustees meeting four times per year, timing your application strategically around the foundation's schedule can be important.
Wide Range of Grant Sizes: The foundation has made grants from under $2,000 to $500,000, suggesting flexibility to support both small projects and major initiatives.
Capital Projects Welcomed: Recent major grants to ECMC and University at Buffalo indicate the foundation supports significant capital projects alongside programmatic work.

References

Information accessed December 2025