Paul A. Saffrin Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Not publicly disclosed (major grants of $1M+ documented)
• Foundation Assets: $10+ million
• Geographic Focus: Buffalo and Western New York
• Foundation Type: Private family foundation
• EIN: 20-8313839
• Application Process: No public application process (trustee discretion)

Contact Details

Mailing Address: 140 Pearl St Ste 100 Buffalo, NY 14202-4014

Phone: 716-848-1237

Key Contact: Catherine B. Eberl, Trustee (Foundation records maintained in her care; she is an attorney at Hodgson Russ LLP)

Note: This foundation does not maintain a public website and does not accept unsolicited grant applications.

Overview

The Paul A. Saffrin Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2007 in Buffalo, New York, originally under the name "Crane Family Foundation." Following the 2014 death of founder J.D. Crane (former owner of Tonawanda Coke and Paul Saffrin's grandfather), the foundation was renamed in honor of Paul Saffrin, who serves as a trustee. The foundation has assets exceeding $10 million and operates as a traditional private foundation making grants through trustee discretion rather than through a public application process.

The foundation has demonstrated a strong commitment to Buffalo and Western New York institutions, with documented major gifts totaling $3.5 million between 2016 and 2023. The foundation's giving pattern reveals focused support for sustainability initiatives, civic engagement, higher education, and children's programming in the Buffalo region. Most notably, the foundation has established a sustained philanthropic relationship with Daemen University, providing transformational gifts that have resulted in the naming of the Paul A. Saffrin Center for Sustainability and Civic Engagement and Saffrin Public Square.

Funding Priorities

Documented Grant Activity

The foundation has made the following major documented grants:

Daemen University (Amherst, NY)

• 2016: $1 million - endowed gift for the Center for Sustainability and Civic Engagement (renamed in the foundation's honor)
• 2023: $1.5 million - construction of Saffrin Public Square on campus
• Total: $2.5 million

Explore & More Children's Museum (Buffalo, NY)

• 2016: $1 million - capital gift for the Play It Forward campaign to build the museum at Canalside; designated to sponsor the "Being Good Neighbors" educational play zone

Priority Areas (Based on Grants Made)

• Sustainability and Environmental Programs: Support for initiatives addressing environmental sustainability and civic responsibility
• Higher Education: Major investments in college/university programs and infrastructure
• Civic Engagement: Programs that build academic-community partnerships and create civic participation opportunities
• Children's Education and Development: Support for children's museums and educational play-based learning
• Community Development: Projects benefiting Western New York communities, particularly underserved populations
• Social Justice: Initiatives addressing needs of marginalized communities, refugees, and educationally disadvantaged students

Geographic Focus

All documented grants have been made to organizations in the Buffalo-Niagara region of Western New York, suggesting a strong preference for local institutions.

Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel

Paul A. Saffrin - Trustee and Foundation Principal

• CEO of Vanocur Refractories
• Vice Chair, Daemen University Board of Trustees (appointed 2017)
• Bachelor's degree in international marketing and psychology from Bradley University
• Received Daemen University Presidential Medal in 2023
• Trustee of Explore & More Children's Museum

Catherine B. Eberl - Trustee

• Attorney at Hodgson Russ LLP, Buffalo, NY
• Foundation records maintained in her care

Foundation Background

The foundation was originally established by J.D. Crane, former owner of Tonawanda Coke and Erie Coke companies, as the Crane Family Foundation in 2007. Following Crane's death in 2014, his grandson Paul Saffrin renamed the foundation and has directed its philanthropic activities since that time. The foundation's IRS ruling year is 2007, and it is classified under NTEE as a Private Grantmaking Foundation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Paul A. Saffrin Foundation operates as a private family foundation that makes grants through trustee discretion. Grants appear to be initiated by the trustees rather than in response to applications from prospective grantees.

All documented grants have been made to organizations where Paul Saffrin subsequently gained or already held board positions, suggesting that grants emerge from existing relationships and trustee involvement rather than competitive application processes.

Organizations seeking funding should be aware that this foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals.

Application Success Factors

Understanding This Foundation's Approach

While this foundation does not accept applications, understanding their giving pattern can be valuable for organizations in Western New York:

1. Geographic Alignment All documented grants have supported Buffalo and Western New York institutions. The foundation demonstrates strong commitment to the local community and appears to focus exclusively on regional impact.

2. Thematic Consistency The foundation's major grants reveal clear priorities:

• Sustainability and environmental responsibility (particularly notable given the Crane family's industrial background)
• Civic engagement and community partnership
• Educational access and advancement
• Support for children and families
• Social justice for marginalized communities

3. Transformational Rather Than Annual Support Documented grants have been major ($1 million+) rather than smaller annual gifts, suggesting the foundation prefers to make significant impact through substantial commitments to select organizations.

4. Long-term Institutional Relationships The foundation has made multiple grants to Daemen University over seven years (2016, 2023), indicating a preference for sustained relationships with proven partners rather than one-time grants to many organizations.

5. Named Recognition Both major grant recipients provided naming opportunities (the Paul A. Saffrin Center for Sustainability and Civic Engagement, and Saffrin Public Square), suggesting recognition may be a consideration in grant decisions.

6. Board Engagement Paul Saffrin serves on the boards of both documented grant recipients (Daemen University and Explore & More Children's Museum), indicating that board involvement and deep institutional knowledge precede or accompany grant decisions.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process exists - This foundation makes grants through trustee discretion, not competitive applications
• Geographic focus is exclusively Western New York - Buffalo-area organizations aligned with foundation priorities
• Relationship-based philanthropy - Grants emerge from trustee board service and deep institutional relationships
• Major transformational gifts - Foundation makes large ($1M+) strategic investments rather than numerous small grants
• Sustainability and civic engagement are core themes - Organizations addressing these areas align with documented priorities
• Consider board connection strategies - Grants have followed trustee board appointments at recipient organizations
• Long-term partnership model - Daemen University received grants seven years apart, suggesting sustained relationships

References

1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Paul A Saffrin Foundation. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/208313839. Accessed February 24, 2026.

2. Charity Navigator - Paul A Saffrin Foundation Profile. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/208313839. Accessed February 24, 2026.

3. Candid Foundation Directory - Paul a Saffrin Foundation. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=CRAN420. Accessed February 24, 2026.

4. Tax Exempt World - Paul A Saffrin Foundation. https://www.taxexemptworld.com/organization.asp?tn=1576182. Accessed February 24, 2026.

5. Daemen University. "Daemen Receives Largest Private Gift in College's History." November 2016. https://www.daemen.edu/news/daemen-receives-largest-private-gift-colleges-history. Accessed February 24, 2026.

6. Daemen University. "Saffrin Named to Daemen Board of Trustees." 2017. https://www.daemen.edu/news/saffrin-named-daemen-board-trustees. Accessed February 24, 2026.

7. Daemen Voice. "Quad to be Named Saffrin Public Square." August 30, 2023. https://voice.daemen.edu/august-30-2023/quad-to-be-named-saffrin-public-square/. Accessed February 24, 2026.

8. Daemen Voice. "Paul Saffrin Honored with Presidential Medal." July 26, 2023. https://voice.daemen.edu/july-26-2023/paul-saffrin-honored-with-presidential-medal/. Accessed February 24, 2026.

9. Explore & More Children's Museum. "$1 Million Gift Brings Museum Closer to Canalside!" December 2016. https://exploreandmore.org/1-million-gift-brings-museum-closer-to-canalside/. Accessed February 24, 2026.

10. Buffalo Rising. "$1 Million Gift for Explore & More Children's Museum." December 2016. https://www.buffalorising.com/2016/12/1-million-gift-for-explore-more-childrens-museum/. Accessed February 24, 2026.

11. Spectrum Local News. "Saffrin Foundation Donates $1M Toward Canalside Kids Museum." December 12, 2016. https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/buffalo/news/2016/12/12/explore-more-museum-canalside-buffalo-paul-a-saffrin-foundation. Accessed February 24, 2026.

12. Daemen University. Paul A. Saffrin Center for Sustainability and Civic Engagement. https://www.daemen.edu/about/centers-and-initiatives/paul-saffrin-center-sustainability-and-civic-engagement. Accessed February 24, 2026.

13. Buffalo News. "Tonawanda Coke CEO earns $400 an hour from his own charity." https://buffalonews.com/business/local/tonawanda-coke-ceo-earns-400-an-hour-from-his-own-charity/article_0d652d56-181c-5b89-8784-cdd667389838.html. Accessed February 24, 2026.

14. LittleSis. "Museum and college donations help clean up Paul Saffrin's image, but not the generations of pollution his company caused." January 27, 2020. https://news.littlesis.org/2020/01/27/museum-and-college-donations-help-clean-up-paul-saffrins-image-but-not-the-generations-of-pollution-his-company-caused/. Accessed February 24, 2026.