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The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation

Annual Giving
$100.0M
Grant Range
$10K - $5.0M
Decision Time
2mo

The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Total Assets: $1.2 billion (spend-down by 2035)
  • Annual Giving: Approximately $100+ million annually
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - multi-million (no set minimum or maximum)
  • Decision Time: Rolling basis, varies by program
  • Geographic Focus: Southeast Michigan (7 counties) and Western New York
  • Foundation Type: 20-year limited-life foundation (expires January 8, 2035)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.ralphcwilsonjrfoundation.org/

Email: info@ralphcwilsonjrfoundation.org

Phone: Contact information available through website

Application Portal: Online Grants Portal powered by Fluxx (registration required)

Pre-Application Support: Foundation encourages contacting staff before submitting Letter of Inquiry

Overview

The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation was established following the 2014 death of Ralph C. Wilson Jr., founder and owner of the Buffalo Bills. As a 20-year limited-life foundation, it is dedicated to spending down its $1.2 billion in assets by January 8, 2035. The Foundation focuses on improving quality of life in the communities Ralph Wilson loved and called home—Southeast Michigan (Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, Washtenaw, St. Clair, and Livingston counties) and Western New York. From 2015 to 2024, the Foundation made more than 1,300 grants totaling $1.2 billion, with plans to invest an additional $1 billion by 2035. Under President and CEO David Egner's leadership since 2016, the Foundation emphasizes collaborative public-private partnerships, community empowerment, and innovative approaches to grantmaking. Major initiatives include a $200 million investment in parks and trails split equally between both regions, development of Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Parks in Buffalo and Detroit, and the Exhale Family Caregiver Initiative.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Youth Sports & Recreation

  • Supporting developmentally appropriate programs from free play for younger children to organized leagues for teens
  • Focus on access to safe spaces and programs promoting physical activity and lifelong healthy habits
  • Legacy Fund grants: $10,000 - $25,000
  • Note: Sports facilities (including large facilities, fields, courts), playgrounds, and community gardens are ineligible

Parks, Trails & Green Design

  • $200 million flagship investment ($100 million per region) for signature legacy parks and regional trail systems
  • Support for improvements and climate resiliency for existing parks, trails, and public greenspaces
  • Legacy Fund grants for Design and Access: $10,000 - $50,000
  • Recent example: $5.47 million to improve trails in Western New York State Parks; $1.25 million toward $6.25 million Genesee Valley Greenway Bridges project

Caregivers

  • Supporting paid, voluntary, or family caregivers of persons unable to fully care for themselves
  • Preference for caregivers of older adults in underserved communities
  • Exhale Family Caregiver Initiative: Nearly $2.2 million distributed in 2024 to 50 organizations across Southeast Michigan
  • Memory café programs: $323,000+ to 11 arts organizations in Western New York (2024)
  • Legacy Fund grants: $10,000 - $25,000

Arts & Culture Initiative

  • Capacity-building and general operating funds up to $15,000 for arts organizations
  • Micro grants up to $2,500 for smaller organizations
  • 13 organizations receiving direct yearly funding from Ralph C. Wilson Jr. are not eligible for this initiative

Entrepreneurship & Economic Development

  • Supporting economic opportunity in both regions
  • Application method varies by specific initiative

Nonprofit Support & Innovation

  • Center for Nonprofit Support vision to build greater capacity within partner organizations

Priority Areas

  • Active Lifestyles: Physical activity and recreation access regardless of zip code
  • Preparing for Success: Supporting youth development and education
  • Caregivers: Elevating the often-hidden value and contributions of caregivers
  • Entrepreneurship & Economic Development: Economic opportunity and community development

What They Don't Fund

  • Sports facilities, fields, courts, playgrounds, and community gardens (under Youth Sports programs)
  • Organizations outside Southeast Michigan and Western New York geographic regions
  • The 13 organizations receiving direct yearly funding (ineligible for Arts & Culture Initiative)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Life Trustees:

  • Mary M. Owen, Board Chair & Life Trustee (Ralph C. Wilson Jr.'s niece)
  • Mary M. Wilson, Life Trustee (Ralph C. Wilson Jr.'s widow)
  • Jeffrey C. Littmann, Life Trustee
  • Eugene Driker, Life Trustee

At-Large Trustees:

  • David Colligan
  • Elizabeth Woike
  • Ramesh "Ray" Telang
  • Hon. Victoria A. Roberts (Ret.)
  • W. Frank Fountain, Jr. (added to board)

Leadership Team

David Egner, President & CEO (since 2016)

  • Previously served as CEO of Hudson-Webber Foundation
  • Philosophy: "Ultimately, it will be the empowerment of community leaders and the creation of a shared vision of progress that will determine whether we were successful."
  • On youth sports access: "We want to see greater participation in sports and recreation, regardless of zip code. Whether you are urban or rural, you should have access."

Jim Boyle, Vice President of Programs and Strategy

  • One of the first executives hired in 2016
  • Oversees Youth Sports & Recreation; Parks, Trails, & Green Design; Entrepreneurship & Economic Development; Nonprofit Support & Innovation; and Communications
  • Has managed over $750 million in grant commitments

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Foundation uses a two-step application process through their Online Grants Portal powered by Fluxx. Applications are accepted year-round on a rolling basis with no deadlines, except for specific Special Initiatives or Requests for Proposals.

Step 1: Register for an Account

  • Complete a short eligibility questionnaire when creating account
  • After submitting account request, receive registration link and temporary password within 1-3 days
  • Note: Foundation does not accept applications or materials through mail or email

Step 2: Submit Letter of Inquiry (LOI)

  • If LOI fits within current program interests and strategy, Foundation staff will invite you to submit Full Proposal
  • Recommendation: Contact Foundation staff before submitting LOI to discuss project alignment

Step 3: Complete Full Proposal (if invited)

  • Project description including target population and benefits
  • Bios and partners
  • Staffing and oversight
  • Post-grant funding plans
  • Programmatic support including sustainability and other funding sources

Legacy Fund Programs (through Regional Community Foundations)

Some programs are administered through regional community foundations with different timelines:

  • Application Deadline: December 1 (4 p.m.)
  • Funding Decisions Announced: Mid-April

Decision Timeline

Foundation Grants: Rolling basis, timeline varies by project size and complexity

Legacy Fund Grants: Applications December 1, decisions mid-April (approximately 4.5 months)

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly published. The Foundation uses a two-step process (LOI then full proposal by invitation), which pre-screens applications for alignment with current strategies.

From 2015-2019, the Foundation made 573 grants totaling $614.6 million, indicating significant grantmaking activity.

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation accepts applications on a rolling basis year-round, suggesting organizations can reapply. Specific waiting periods or restrictions for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly documented. Applicants are encouraged to contact Foundation staff to discuss reapplication timing and strategy adjustments.

Application Success Factors

What the Foundation Values

Innovation and Bold Approaches The Foundation explicitly states: "The Foundation is particularly interested in projects that are creative and visionary, bold and dynamic, as well as feasible and realistic. The Foundation acknowledges that some experiments may not succeed, but prefers the risks involved in the new methods and approaches as opposed to the resolute acceptance of the status quo."

Leverage and Trendsetting Opportunities The Foundation "desires to support projects that offer substantial leverage and trendsetting opportunities." Jim Boyle has managed grants that "leveraged hundreds of millions in additional funding towards transformational regional efforts."

Established Track Record with Flexibility "The Foundation prefers to support established organizations that have a record of success. On occasion, however, the Foundation will support a new organization where it is believed that no established organization is appropriate to fulfill a needed service for the community."

Collaborative Coalition Efforts "The Foundation likes to encourage coalition efforts of agencies addressing significant community problems of mutual concern." CEO David Egner believes "the most impactful community strategies center on collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors."

Community Empowerment Egner's philosophy centers on "the empowerment of community leaders and the creation of shared visions" as key to successful philanthropy.

Recent Funded Projects as Examples

  • Exhale Family Caregiver Initiative (2024): 11 respite programs, 50 organizations, $2.2 million across all seven Southeast Michigan counties
  • Memory Cafés (2024): 11 arts and culture organizations, $323,000+ in Western New York
  • Genesee Valley Greenway Bridges: $1.25 million of $6.25 million total for 22 miles of continuous trail
  • Community Events: Puerto Rican Day Parade and Funk Fest support during Ralph Wilson Park construction
  • Arts & Culture Capacity Building (2025): Up to $15,000 for established organizations, up to $2,500 micro grants

Strategic Timing Consideration

As a spend-down foundation operating until 2035, CEO Egner notes "the clock is ticking" and emphasizes "finding the balance between learning with grantees and adjusting grantmaking so we can get the best use of our resources and be as transparent as possible with our partners with the time we have left."

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Contact staff before applying: The Foundation explicitly encourages reaching out before submitting LOI to discuss alignment and potentially strengthen your proposal
  • Emphasize collaboration and leverage: Demonstrate how your project involves coalition efforts, public-private partnerships, or will leverage additional funding beyond the Foundation's investment
  • Be bold but realistic: The Foundation values creative, visionary approaches and acknowledges some experiments may fail—don't be afraid to propose innovative solutions while showing feasibility
  • Show community empowerment: Emphasize how your project empowers community leaders and creates shared visions rather than top-down solutions
  • Geographic specificity matters: Clearly demonstrate impact in Southeast Michigan (7 specific counties) or Western New York—don't assume broader Michigan/New York qualifies
  • No grant size limits: There is no minimum or maximum, so request what the project truly needs rather than constraining to perceived ranges
  • Understand the spend-down timeline: The Foundation is actively deploying significant resources with urgency before 2035—well-designed, ready-to-implement projects may be particularly attractive
  • Prove your track record: While they occasionally support new organizations, established organizations with demonstrated success are preferred

References

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