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Erie Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$12.7M
Grant Range
$25K - $6.7M

Erie Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $12,717,200 - $17,100,000
  • Total Assets: $325,000,000
  • Grant Range: $25,000 - $6,719,400
  • Geographic Focus: Information not publicly available
  • Application Method: Does not accept unsolicited applications

Contact Details

Address:
C/O Resnick
230 Park Avenue, 3rd Floor West
New York, NY 10169-0000

EIN: 52-2339484

Note: No public phone number, email, or website is available for this private foundation.

Overview

The Erie Family Foundation is a private independent foundation established in 2002 (IRS ruling year) and based in New York, NY. Led by President Elisabeth R. Wilmers, the foundation manages substantial assets of approximately $325 million and distributes between $12.7 million and $17.1 million annually in charitable grants. The foundation's grant-making focuses on Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Health Care. The foundation is connected to the legacy of Robert G. Wilmers, the late Chairman and CEO of M&T Bank, who was known for his significant philanthropic contributions. Between 2012 and 2017, Wilmers' two private charitable trusts (The Interlaken Foundation and the Roche Foundation) awarded $16.4 million in grants. The Erie Family Foundation operates as a continuation of this philanthropic tradition under the leadership of his widow, Elisabeth Roche Wilmers.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate structured grant programs with published guidelines. Grant-making is conducted through trustee discretion, with typical awards ranging from $25,000 to $6,719,400.

Priority Areas

Based on IRS Form 990 classifications, the foundation focuses on:

  • Education: Support for educational institutions and initiatives
  • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking: Supporting other foundations and grant-making entities
  • Health Care: Health-related organizations and programs

What They Don't Fund

Information about specific exclusions is not publicly available. As a private family foundation that does not accept unsolicited applications, funding decisions are made at the discretion of the trustees.

Governance and Leadership

President: Elisabeth R. Wilmers (serves without compensation)

Elisabeth Roche Wilmers is a philanthropist and widow of the late Robert G. Wilmers. She also serves as Chair of the Board of The Robert G. Wilmers Integrity Prize, established in 2019 to recognize individuals working with exceptional integrity to better the world. As President Emerita and Honorary Trustee, she continues the philanthropic legacy of her late husband.

Late Founder Connection: Robert G. Wilmers (deceased December 2017) served as Chairman and CEO of M&T Bank and was known for his extensive philanthropy. Under his leadership, the M&T Charitable Foundation received $50 million in 2017, the largest annual giving amount in the bank's history at that time.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Erie Family Foundation operates as a private family foundation and does not accept unsolicited applications. Grant decisions are made by the trustees based on their own identification of beneficiaries and causes to support.

All grants are awarded through trustee discretion rather than through a competitive application process. Organizations seeking funding from this foundation would need a pre-existing relationship with the trustees or be identified by them independently.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable, as the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation makes grants throughout the year as determined by trustees.

Success Rates

Not applicable for unsolicited applications. The foundation reports "0 live grant opportunities" in public databases, indicating no open application cycles.

Application Success Factors

Given that this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. Organizations receiving grants are typically:

  • Identified directly by trustees based on their philanthropic priorities
  • Organizations with which trustees have existing relationships
  • Institutions aligned with the family's legacy interests in education, healthcare, and community development

The foundation's connection to Robert G. Wilmers' legacy suggests a potential interest in organizations that align with his values of integrity, community impact, and institutional excellence, particularly those serving Western New York or connected to M&T Bank's footprint, though this cannot be confirmed without access to detailed grant recipient lists.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals or applications
  • Trustee-driven grant-making: All funding decisions are made by trustees, primarily Elisabeth R. Wilmers
  • Substantial grants: When the foundation does make grants, they can be significant, ranging from $25,000 to over $6 million
  • Focus areas: Education, healthcare, and philanthropic/grantmaking institutions appear to be priorities based on IRS classifications
  • Family legacy: The foundation continues the philanthropic tradition of Robert G. Wilmers, suggesting potential alignment with his values of integrity and community impact
  • Private operation: With no website, public contact information, or application guidelines, this foundation maintains a very private profile
  • Research foundation grants: Organizations may want to review the foundation's Form 990-PF filings through ProPublica to see if similar organizations have received grants, though this does not guarantee future funding opportunities

References

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