Burrows Foundation - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Approximately $437,781 (2024)
• Total Assets: $16.6 million (2024)
• Grant Range: Information not publicly available
• Geographic Focus: New York State, with emphasis on Little Falls and Mohawk Valley communities
• Foundation Type: Private Family Foundation
• Established: 1990

Contact Details

Address: PO Box 1042, Little Falls, NY 13365-1042

Phone: (315) 717-2280

Website: Not available

EIN: 22-3059155

Overview

The Burrows Foundation was established in 1990 by R.W. (Bill) Burrows, fourth-generation leader of Burrows Paper Corporation and prominent Little Falls philanthropist. Following Burrows' passing in 2014, the foundation continues to operate as a private family foundation under the trusteeship of Jane Wang Burrows (his widow) and Carolyn Zaklukiewicz. With assets of $16.6 million as of 2024 (a significant increase from approximately $5 million in previous years), the foundation distributes approximately $200,000-$440,000 annually in grants. The foundation focuses on supporting education, community services, health and hospitals, and youth services, primarily within New York State with a strong concentration in Little Falls and surrounding Mohawk Valley communities. The foundation maintains its founder's legacy of supporting quality of life initiatives in the local community.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Burrows Foundation operates as a private foundation making discretionary grants. Specific grant programs, amounts, and formal application cycles are not publicly advertised.

Priority Areas

Based on the foundation's stated mission and historical giving patterns, priority areas include:

• Education: Support for educational institutions, schools, and student services
• Community Services: Organizations that enhance community quality of life
• Health and Hospitals: Healthcare facilities and services
• Youth Services: Programs serving young people

Geographic Focus

• Primary focus: Little Falls, NY and Mohawk Valley region
• Secondary focus: Other communities in New York State

Known Recipients

Historical grant recipients in Little Falls have included:

• Youth and Family Center (formerly YMCA)
• Little Falls Hospital
• Community Chest
• Community Outreach
• Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts
• Mohawk Valley Choral Society
• Little Falls Public Library
• Little Falls High School clubs
• Little Falls Historical Society
• Rotary Club
• Christmas in Little Falls
• Little Falls Canal Days

The foundation also supports health care and educational facilities outside the immediate local area.

Governance and Leadership

Current Trustees

• Jane Wang Burrows (Trustee) - Widow of founder R.W. (Bill) Burrows
• Carolyn Zaklukiewicz (Trustee)

Founder's Legacy

R.W. (Bill) Burrows (1949-2014) was a fourth-generation papermaker who served as Chairman, CEO, and President of Burrows Paper Corporation. He founded the Burrows Foundation in 1990 and operated it for over 20 years before his death. According to those who knew him, Burrows:

• "Created and ran his own foundation for 40 years supporting more than 100 different charities in the area, ranging from small budget community athletic activities to the local YMCA and hospital."
• "Deliberately chose to give anonymously" and personally reviewed giving opportunities
• Provided "unrestricted annual grants" to nonprofits with proven track records that could be used for operating expenses
• Invested in "shaping community fabric without seeking public recognition"

His approach emphasized supporting organizations that impact community quality of life, and he personally provided guidance to organizational leaders.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Burrows Foundation does not have a public application process. As a private family foundation, grants appear to be made at the discretion of the trustees. There is no online application portal, formal application guidelines, or published deadlines.

Organizations interested in being considered for funding may contact the foundation directly by phone at (315) 717-2280 or by mail at PO Box 1042, Little Falls, NY 13365-1042.

Getting on Their Radar

While the foundation does not publicize specific strategies for grant seekers, based on the founder's documented approach:

• Build a track record: The founder favored "nonprofits with a proven track record"
• Focus on local impact: The foundation has historically shown strong preference for Little Falls and Mohawk Valley organizations
• Community connections: The founder was actively involved in local organizations including founding the Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts and serving in leadership roles at Herkimer County Trust
• Unrestricted operating support: Historically, the foundation provided unrestricted grants rather than project-specific funding, suggesting they value organizational sustainability

Given the foundation's historical pattern of supporting over 100 different local charities, organizations serving Little Falls and the Mohawk Valley in the priority areas of education, community services, health, and youth services may wish to introduce themselves to the foundation.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly available. The foundation files Form 990-PF annually, with recent filings in November.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's history and founder's documented approach:

Mission Alignment

• Organizations serving education, community services, health and hospitals, or youth services
• Focus on quality of life improvements in the community
• Demonstrated track record of service delivery

Geographic Considerations

• Strong preference for Little Falls organizations
• Secondary consideration for Mohawk Valley communities
• Some support for New York State organizations in priority areas

Organizational Characteristics

• Nonprofits with proven track records
• Organizations seeking unrestricted operating support (historically favored)
• Both small community organizations and larger established institutions have received support
• Range from "small budget community athletic activities" to hospitals and cultural centers

Relationship-Based Giving

• The founder's approach emphasized personal review of opportunities
• Anonymous giving was preferred, suggesting focus on impact over recognition
• Guidance provided to organizational leaders suggests relationship-building was valued

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process exists - This is a private family foundation making discretionary grants through trustee decision-making
• Strong local focus - Little Falls and Mohawk Valley organizations appear to be the primary beneficiaries
• Broad priority areas - Education, community services, health, and youth services are all supported
• Proven track record matters - The founder emphasized supporting organizations with demonstrated results
• Unrestricted support historically favored - Rather than project funding, the founder provided flexible operating grants
• Contact directly - Organizations may reach out by phone or mail to introduce themselves
• Substantial assets - With $16.6 million in assets (as of 2024), the foundation has significant capacity, though annual distributions remain in the $200,000-$440,000 range
• Long-term relationships valued - Historical recipients received "annual unrestricted grants," suggesting multi-year support relationships

References

• Burrows Foundation, Charity Navigator Profile. EIN: 22-3059155. Available at: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/223059155 (Accessed February 11, 2026)

• Burrows Foundation, ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Form 990-PF tax filings 2022-2024. Available at: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/223059155 (Accessed February 11, 2026)

• "Little Falls Philanthropy," My Little Falls. Available at: https://mylittlefalls.com/little-falls-philanthropy/ (Accessed February 11, 2026)

• "Tribute to Bill Burrows – Local Entrepreneur Philanthropist," Babinec.com, September 2014. Available at: https://babinec.com/2014/09/burrows-tribute/ (Accessed February 11, 2026)

• "Obituary of R. W. (Bill) Burrows," Chapman-Moser Funeral Home, Inc., August 2014. Available at: https://chapmanmoser.com/tribute/details/4238/R-W-Burrows/obituary.html (Accessed February 11, 2026)

• Grantmakers.io Profile - Burrows Foundation. Available at: https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/223059155-burrows-foundation/ (Accessed February 11, 2026)