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Interlaken Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$16.6M
Grant Range
$200K - $10.0M

Interlaken Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $16.6 million (2023)
  • Total Assets: $364-379 million (2023)
  • Grant Range: $200,000 - $10,000,000
  • Median Grant: $3.2 million
  • Number of Grants (2023): 4
  • Geographic Focus: National (with historical ties to Western New York and Santa Cruz, California)
  • Application Status: Closed to unsolicited applications

Contact Details

  • Address: c/o Resnick, 230 Park Ave, 3rd Floor West, New York, NY 10169
  • Website: None
  • Phone: Not publicly available
  • Email: Not publicly available

Overview

Interlaken Foundation Inc is a private family foundation established in 2002 (IRS ruling year) by Robert G. Wilmers, the late chairman and CEO of M&T Bank. Following Wilmers' death in December 2017, leadership of the foundation passed to his son, Christopher Wilmers, a wildlife ecologist and professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz. The foundation has grown substantially from approximately $19 million in assets (2012) to over $364 million (2023), reflecting significant capital contributions from Robert Wilmers' estate (which totaled approximately $750 million).

The foundation operates as a classic private grantmaking vehicle, distributing approximately 82% of its annual expenses toward charitable purposes. Under Christopher Wilmers' leadership, the foundation has demonstrated a significant focus on wildlife conservation and environmental causes, aligning with his professional expertise in wildlife ecology and mountain lion research. The foundation also maintains support for educational institutions and community foundations, reflecting the broader philanthropic interests established by its founder.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Based on 2023 grantmaking:

  • Major Conservation Grants: $10,000,000 (largest single grant to Wildlife Conservation Network)
  • Community Foundation Support: $6,150,000 (to Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County)
  • Regional Philanthropy: $250,000 (to New Hampshire Charitable Foundation)
  • Educational Institutions: $200,000 (to Williams College)

Priority Areas

  • Wildlife Conservation: Particularly through the Wildlife Conservation Network, reflecting President Christopher Wilmers' expertise in wildlife ecology
  • Community Foundations: Supporting regional philanthropy through community foundations
  • Higher Education: Grants to educational institutions with family connections
  • Environmental Research: Aligned with the president's academic work on wildlife ecology and habitat preservation

Historical Giving (under Robert G. Wilmers, 2012-2017)

The foundation previously supported:

  • Educational institutions (University at Buffalo, Canisius College, Westminster Charter School)
  • Cultural institutions (Albright Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra)
  • Healthcare (Buffalo Women and Children's Hospital, Roswell Park Cancer Institute)
  • Social services (PUSH Buffalo, Journey's End Refugee Services, Catholic Charities)

What They Don't Fund

  • Unsolicited grant applications
  • Organizations not preselected by foundation leadership

Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership

  • President: Christopher Wilmers (volunteer, uncompensated)
    • Professor of Environmental Studies, University of California, Santa Cruz
    • Lead Investigator, Santa Cruz Puma Project
    • Expert in wildlife conservation, predator ecology, and climate change impacts on biodiversity
    • Member, Science Advisory Panel for Sempervirens Fund

Founder (Deceased)

  • Robert G. Wilmers (April 20, 1934 – December 16, 2017)
    • Chairman and CEO of M&T Bank (1983-2017)
    • Grew M&T Bank from $2 billion to over $120 billion in assets
    • Major philanthropist in Western New York
    • Owner of Château Haut-Bailly (Bordeaux vineyard)
    • Williams College alumnus

Family Connection

Robert Wilmers' will stipulated that the residual remainder of his estate be divided equally between the Interlaken Foundation and the Roche Foundation, both solely funded by Wilmers.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

The foundation explicitly states it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." All grants are made at the discretion of foundation leadership based on pre-existing relationships and strategic priorities.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the closed nature of this foundation, organizations seeking funding should consider:

  1. Wildlife Conservation Network Connection: The $10 million grant to Wildlife Conservation Network (based in San Francisco) suggests this organization serves as a key intermediary. Organizations working in wildlife conservation may benefit from partnership or affiliation with WCN's programs.

  2. Community Foundation Pathway: The substantial grant to Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County ($6.15 million) indicates the foundation uses community foundations as intermediaries. Organizations in the Santa Cruz area may benefit from relationships with CFSCC.

  3. Academic/Research Connections: Given Christopher Wilmers' academic position at UC Santa Cruz and his role in the Santa Cruz Puma Project, organizations with connections to environmental research at universities may find alignment.

  4. Regional Environmental Organizations: Organizations like the Sempervirens Fund, where Christopher Wilmers serves on the Science Advisory Panel, represent potential relationship-building opportunities.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable for unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable—foundation does not accept applications.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, based on giving patterns, organizations that may attract foundation interest share these characteristics:

  • Strong alignment with wildlife conservation, particularly large carnivore research and habitat connectivity
  • Established track record and national or regional prominence in their field
  • Connection to the Santa Cruz/Bay Area region where Christopher Wilmers is based
  • Capacity to absorb and deploy large grants effectively (median grant is $3.2 million)
  • Partnership with intermediary organizations already in the foundation's grantee portfolio

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Closed to unsolicited applications: This foundation explicitly does not accept grant requests from organizations it has not preselected

  2. Very large, concentrated grants: With only 4 grants totaling $16.6 million in 2023, the foundation makes very few, very large grants—median grant is $3.2 million

  3. Wildlife conservation focus under current leadership: Christopher Wilmers' professional expertise has clearly shaped grantmaking toward conservation causes

  4. Community foundations as intermediaries: Consider whether your organization might be supported through the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County or New Hampshire Charitable Foundation

  5. Family foundation dynamics: Grantmaking reflects the personal interests and networks of the Wilmers family

  6. Geographic shift: Under Robert Wilmers, significant giving went to Western New York; under Christopher Wilmers, focus has shifted toward California and conservation causes

  7. Long-term relationship building required: Organizations interested in this foundation should focus on building visibility within wildlife conservation networks and the Santa Cruz philanthropic community

References

Information compiled December 2025

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