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William & Sheila Konar Foundation

Annual Giving
$6.7M
Grant Range
$0K - $1.2M
Decision Time
2mo

William & Sheila Konar Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $6,730,874 (2023)
  • Number of Grants: 101 awards (2023)
  • Decision Time: 2-6 weeks for LOI; decisions within 1 week after quarterly board meetings
  • Grant Range: $250 - $1,200,000 (first-time applicants typically capped at $25,000)
  • Geographic Focus: Rochester, NY and Monroe County (primary focus), with some grants beyond the region
  • Total Assets: $133 million (2024)

Contact Details

Address:
75 Thruway Park Drive, Lower Level
West Henrietta, NY 14586

Phone: 585.533.2900
Fax: 585.334.9844
Email: info@konarfoundation.org
Website: www.konarfoundation.org

Key Staff:

Overview

Founded in 1982 by William and Sheila Konar, the William & Sheila Konar Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation committed to "conscious philanthropy" that provides measurable benefits to communities. With assets totaling $133 million and annual giving of approximately $6.7 million, the foundation is now led by the founders' son, Howard Konar, and focuses on supporting programs primarily in the Rochester, NY area. The foundation's mission is rooted in the personal experiences of its founders—William, a Holocaust survivor who came to Rochester as an orphaned teenager in 1946, and Sheila, a passionate literacy advocate—both of whom understood firsthand how access to education and healthcare could transform lives. The foundation seeks to improve lives by promoting educational opportunities, access to healthcare, and a more tolerant civil society. The foundation demonstrates significant commitment to long-term community partnerships, establishing multiple endowed professorships and multi-year funding initiatives, particularly in education and healthcare institutions throughout the Rochester region.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates on a quarterly application cycle with a two-step process (Letter of Inquiry followed by full application). Applications are accepted through an online Grant Portal with four deadlines per year.

Grant Size:

  • First-time applicants: Typically capped at $25,000
  • Historical range: $250 - $1,200,000
  • Most grants are one-year awards
  • Multi-year grants available depending on request amount, purpose, and organizational relationship

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on four primary funding areas:

1. Education (Pre-K Through 12)

  • Helping public schools overcome educational challenges
  • Creating opportunities for better learning and advancement for all students
  • Focus on urban education success and literacy programs
  • Supporting community-based instruction programs
  • Professional development for educators
  • Programs serving marginalized students

2. Health Care Access

  • Research and treatment of Alzheimer's disease and dementia
  • Increasing accessibility to healthcare, including palliative and geriatric care
  • Improving patient experience through person-centered care
  • Supporting medical research at University of Rochester Medical Center and Highland Hospital

3. Jewish Life & Culture

  • Supporting Jewish agencies operating in Monroe County and surrounding areas
  • Strengthening the Jewish community locally and globally
  • Supporting organizations like Jewish Community Federation, Jewish Senior Life, and Louis S. Wolk Jewish Community Center

4. Cultural & Civic Organizations

  • Nurturing opportunities for artistic and personal development, especially for youth and older adults
  • Education about the consequences of prejudice and hatred
  • Promoting ethnic, religious, and cultural understanding and tolerance
  • Supporting Holocaust education and human dignity initiatives

What They Don't Fund

While the foundation does not publish explicit exclusions, their focus areas clearly indicate priorities for:

  • 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations only
  • Organizations aligned with their four priority areas
  • Geographic preference for Monroe County and Rochester area (first priority)
  • Organizations must demonstrate alignment with the foundation's mission, vision, and values

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees (all serve without compensation):

  • Howard Konar (Chair): Son of founders; President of Konar Properties, a family-owned real estate development business in Rochester; serves on the Freedom House board
  • Jeremy Konar: Also serves as Program Officer
  • Rachel Guttenberg
  • Donald (Don) Nowill
  • Lawrence (Larry) Fine

Staff:

  • Dr. Lorna Washington: Senior Program Officer (PreK-12 Education), oversees annual portfolio including program evaluation and grant approval recommendations; leads Educational Advisory Council
  • Jeremy Konar: Program Officer
  • Ann Marie Mahoney: Operations Manager

From Howard Konar on his mother's legacy:
"She wanted young people to love reading and learning. The foundation's most recent gifts honor her passion for education."

Foundation's Philosophy on Tolerance Education:
"To avoid repeating the darkest moments of our history, we believe that the lessons of the past must inform our lives today, beginning with each individual and extending through every level of society. Citizens and leaders worldwide must consider what they can do, personally and every day, to confront hatred and promote human dignity."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Konar Foundation uses a two-step online application process through their Grant Portal:

Step 1: Letter of Inquiry (LOI)

  • Submit preliminary information through online portal
  • Designed to provide staff and trustees with enough information to determine eligibility
  • Organizations typically notified within 2-6 weeks
  • Foundation will either decline or invite full application

Step 2: Full Application (by invitation only)

  • Only organizations with approved LOIs are invited to submit comprehensive applications
  • Submit through online Grant Portal
  • Applications reviewed by staff, trustees, and (for education grants) the Pre-K to 12 Education Advisory Council
  • Board of Trustees makes final determination at quarterly meetings

Grant Portal User Guide available on website to assist with navigation.

Decision Timeline

2026 Quarterly Application Schedule:

  • Q1: LOI Deadline January 28 | Board Meeting March 24 | Decisions by March 31
  • Q2: LOI Deadline April 8 | Board Meeting June 16 | Decisions by June 23
  • Q3: LOI Deadline July 8 | Board Meeting September 15 | Decisions by September 22
  • Q4: LOI Deadline September 17 | Board Meeting November 17 | Decisions by November 24

Timeline Summary:

  • LOI review: 2-6 weeks from submission
  • Final decisions: Within 1 week following applicable board meeting
  • Full application to decision: Approximately 8-10 weeks from LOI deadline to notification

Success Rates

Specific success rate statistics are not publicly available. However:

  • 101 grants awarded in 2023
  • 93 grants awarded in 2022
  • 83 grants awarded in 2021
  • Foundation notes that "many organizations request funding, and only a limited amount is available for distribution"
  • First-time applicants typically capped at $25,000 or less

Reapplication Policy

  • No explicit restriction on reapplication frequency stated
  • Organizations can submit multiple applications per year, though receiving more than one grant in a calendar year is uncommon
  • Foundation emphasizes building "long-term partnerships with organizations that share our vision and goals," suggesting repeat applicants are welcomed

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's guidance and documented preferences:

What the Foundation Looks For:

  1. Alignment with Priorities: "Applicants should refer to the Priorities and About tabs to determine if their proposal aligns with the foundation's mission, vision, values, and key funding priorities." Geographic priority given to Monroe County organizations.

  2. Appropriate Budget: "Do not inflate the asking amount." The foundation emphasizes that budgets should be appropriate to the project scope. First-time applicants should be realistic about the $25,000 cap.

  3. Strong Case for Funding: Applications should make a compelling case for why the project needs funding and how it will create measurable community benefits.

  4. Clear, Concise Communication: The foundation advises:

    • "Use brevity and clarity in responses"
    • "Use bullet points where appropriate"
    • "Avoid jargon and acronyms"

  5. Measurable Outcomes: Foundation committed to "conscious philanthropy aimed at providing measurable benefits to the community." Applicants should clearly articulate how success will be measured.

  6. Focus on Marginalized Communities: Recent major grants demonstrate commitment to urban education, students in need, and underserved populations.

Examples of Funded Projects:

  • University of Rochester Warner School: $2.5 million for Center for Urban Education Success; $1.5 million Sheila Konar Professorship for literacy; $275,000 for Project READ Fund
  • Rochester Beacon: $25,000 for general operating expenses with focus on healthcare and education coverage
  • Jewish Family Service: Pencils & Paper Program expanding to grades 4-6 at John Audubon School #33
  • United Way of Greater Rochester: Universal Home Visitation Project
  • Center for Youth Services: Crisis Nursery supporting Owen's House facility
  • Metro Council for Teen Potential: Supports for Youth Success program (reaches 3,500 Monroe County families)
  • Foodlink: Training and internship placement program at Wegmans Food Markets
  • The Arc Foundation of Monroe: $50,000 for construction of accessible housing

Common Themes in Funded Projects:

  • Direct service to Rochester/Monroe County residents
  • Focus on children, youth, and education
  • Literacy and educational advancement
  • Healthcare access for underserved populations
  • Programs serving the Jewish community
  • Tolerance education and human dignity
  • Multi-year relationships with proven organizations

Monitoring Requirements:

  • Grant approvals outline specific monitoring expectations
  • Organizations receiving minimum $25,000 must complete one-time site visit and submit final report
  • Project directors may be asked to attend meetings or provide reports
  • Foundation staff may participate in funded projects

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Start small: First-time applicants should expect grants of $25,000 or less; use this as an opportunity to build a relationship with the foundation
  • Geographic fit is critical: Monroe County organizations receive first priority; clearly articulate local impact
  • Emphasize measurable outcomes: Foundation values "conscious philanthropy" with demonstrable community benefits
  • Connect to founders' legacy: Understanding William's Holocaust survivor background and Sheila's passion for literacy helps frame compelling narratives, especially for tolerance education and literacy programs
  • Build long-term partnerships: Foundation explicitly seeks ongoing relationships; demonstrate how this grant could be the beginning of sustained collaboration
  • Be concise and clear: Follow their explicit guidance to avoid jargon, use bullet points, and don't inflate budget requests
  • Education grants get extra scrutiny: PreK-12 education proposals are reviewed by specialized Education Advisory Council in addition to trustees
  • Timing matters: Plan ahead for quarterly deadlines, allowing 8-10 weeks from LOI submission to final decision

References

  1. Konar Foundation Official Website. "About." Accessed January 14, 2026. https://www.konarfoundation.org/about/
  2. Konar Foundation. "Frequently Asked Questions." Accessed January 14, 2026. https://www.konarfoundation.org/grant-process/frequently-asked-questions/
  3. Konar Foundation. "Grant Application Timeline 2026." Accessed January 14, 2026. https://www.konarfoundation.org/grant-process/timeline/
  4. Konar Foundation. "Staff." Accessed January 14, 2026. https://www.konarfoundation.org/about/staff/
  5. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. "William & Sheila Konar Foundation - Form 990 Filings." Accessed January 14, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/222434846
  6. University of Rochester Advancement. "New gifts from the William & Sheila Konar Foundation support literacy." Accessed January 14, 2026. https://www.rochester.edu/advancement/gifts-from-the-william-sheila-konar-foundation-support-literacy/
  7. University of Rochester Advancement. "$2.5 million gift from the William and Sheila Konar Foundation supports urban education success." Accessed January 14, 2026. https://www.rochester.edu/advancement/2-5-million-gift-from-the-william-and-sheila-konar-foundation-supports-urban-education-success/
  8. Rochester Business Journal. "From war orphan to altruistic entrepreneur." September 30, 2016. https://rbj.net/2016/09/30/from-war-orphan-to-altruistic-entrepreneur/
  9. Instrumentl. "William & Sheila Konar Foundation | 990 Report." Accessed January 14, 2026. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/william-sheila-konar-foundation
  10. CauseIQ. "William & Sheila Konar Foundation | West Henrietta, NY." Accessed January 14, 2026. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/william-sheila-konar-foundation,222434846/
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