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Sands Family Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$10.5M
Grant Range
$1K - $4.6M

Sands Family Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $10.4 million (2023)
  • Total Assets: $280.7 million (2023)
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $4,600,000
  • Median Grant Size: $25,000
  • Geographic Focus: New York (primary - Rochester/Finger Lakes), Florida, Colorado
  • Application Status: Does not accept unsolicited applications

Contact Details

  • Address: 241 NE 4th St, Suite C, Delray Beach, FL 33444-3805
  • EIN: 54-6052978
  • Executive Director: Ginny Clark

Note: This foundation does not maintain a public website or publicly listed contact information for grant inquiries, as they do not accept unsolicited applications.

Overview

The Sands Family Foundation Inc is a private family foundation established in 1959 in New York. With total assets of approximately $280.7 million and annual giving exceeding $10 million, it is one of the more substantial family foundations operating in the northeastern United States. The foundation is the philanthropic vehicle of the Sands family, founders of Constellation Brands, Inc., a Fortune 500 multinational producer and marketer of beer, wine, and spirits.

The foundation was created to continue the legacy of giving begun by Marvin Sands (1924-1999), who founded Canandaigua Wine Company in 1945, which later became Constellation Brands. Marvin was known for saying, "You can't save the world, but you can take care of your own community." This community-focused philosophy continues to guide the foundation's grantmaking, with a strong emphasis on healthcare, education, and the arts, particularly in the Rochester/Finger Lakes region of New York and South Florida.

The foundation is led by Robert Sands (President) and Richard Sands (Vice President), sons of Marvin and Mickey Sands, with professional management by Executive Director Ginny Clark. In 2023, the foundation distributed $10.45 million across 51 grants.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Sands Family Foundation focuses its philanthropic investments in three core areas:

Healthcare

  • Hospital capital campaigns and facilities
  • Community health centers
  • Healthcare education and workforce development
  • Example: $1.75 million to Boca Raton Regional Hospital's Keeping the Promise Campaign

Education

  • Higher education institutions
  • Community colleges and workforce training
  • K-12 education initiatives
  • Example: $3 million to Finger Lakes Community College (largest gift in college history) for the Sands Center for Allied Health

Arts & Culture

  • Museums and performing arts centers
  • Cultural institutions
  • Community arts programming
  • Example: $3 million (with Bennetts) to Memorial Art Gallery for free admission endowment

Largest Known Grants (2023)

  • Rochester Area Community Foundation: $4.6 million
  • Rochester Regional Health: $1.0 million
  • Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester: $900,000
  • Greater Rochester Chamber Foundation: $625,000
  • Finger Lakes Community College: $600,000

Priority Areas

  • Organizations serving the Rochester, NY and Finger Lakes region
  • Healthcare institutions in South Florida (Boca Raton area)
  • Projects addressing underserved needs in education and health
  • Capital campaigns for established institutions
  • Youth development programs (YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs)

What They Don't Fund

Based on their preselected approach, the foundation does not fund:

  • Unsolicited grant requests
  • Organizations without existing relationships with the Sands family or Constellation Brands
  • Start-up organizations without established track records (implied)
  • Organizations outside their geographic focus areas (primarily)

Governance and Leadership

Officers

  • Robert Sands - President (Executive Chair of Constellation Brands; net worth estimated at $4 billion)
  • Richard Sands - Vice President (Chairman of Constellation Brands; University of Rochester trustee)
  • Ginny Clark - Executive Director (Compensation: $204,241 + $13,507 other; former VP at Constellation Brands; joined 2019; RIT Master's degree)
  • Jennifer Garsin - Treasurer
  • Meghan Schubmehl - Assistant Secretary

Family Philosophy

The Sands family's philanthropic approach was shaped by founder Marvin Sands, who believed strongly in supporting the communities where Constellation Brands operates. Rob Sands has stated: "When our father founded Constellation Brands 70 years ago, he knew that our business would only be successful if we could also make a positive and lasting difference in our local community."

Rob and his wife Pamela have focused their Florida-based philanthropy on healthcare, "rooted in their belief that a healthy population is the backbone of a vibrant community."

The next generation is now being involved, with niece Abigail "Abby" Bennett serving on related foundation boards, ensuring the continuation of the family's philanthropic legacy.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation has explicitly indicated that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

Grants are made at the discretion of the foundation officers, typically to organizations with which the Sands family or Constellation Brands has an existing relationship.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the lack of a public application process, organizations seeking support should consider these strategies based on documented patterns:

  1. Constellation Brands Connection: The foundation has strong ties to Constellation Brands. Organizations in communities where Constellation operates (particularly Canandaigua, NY and the Finger Lakes region) may have opportunities through corporate community relations.

  2. Board Relationships: Both Robert and Richard Sands serve on institutional boards. Richard serves on the University of Rochester Board of Trustees. Organizations connected to these institutions may have access points.

  3. Community Foundation Partnership: The Sands Family Supporting Foundation (a related entity) operates through the Rochester Area Community Foundation and has a grants program for Monroe, Ontario, and Livingston Counties. Organizations in these counties may apply through that channel.

  4. Healthcare Institutions: In Florida, the Sands have demonstrated strong commitment to Boca Raton Regional Hospital Foundation, where Rob Sands serves as a trustee. Healthcare organizations in South Florida may explore connections through this network.

  5. YMCA Network: The family has decades-long support of YMCA programs, particularly in the Finger Lakes region. YMCA affiliates may have relationship-building opportunities.

Decision Timeline

No formal application timeline exists. Grants appear to be made on a rolling basis based on trustee decisions and relationship development.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, so traditional success rate metrics do not apply.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - as the foundation does not accept applications.

Application Success Factors

While direct applications are not accepted, organizations that have received funding share common characteristics:

Characteristics of Funded Organizations

  • Long-standing relationships with the Sands family or Constellation Brands
  • Location in key geographic areas (Rochester/Finger Lakes, Boca Raton)
  • Focus on healthcare, education, or arts/culture
  • Established institutional track records
  • Leadership connection to Sands family networks
  • Capital campaigns for transformational projects

Examples of Funded Projects

  • Sands Family YMCA: $13.5 million for new 75,000 sq ft facility in Canandaigua (opened 2023)
  • Finger Lakes Community College: $3 million for nursing program expansion and Sands Center for Allied Health
  • Memorial Art Gallery: $3 million for free admission endowment (with Bennetts)
  • Boca Raton Regional Hospital: Multiple $1+ million gifts for capital campaign

Key Themes in Funding Decisions

  • Community impact in areas where family lives and works
  • Addressing underserved needs
  • Building permanent infrastructure/facilities
  • Creating named spaces or programs
  • Multi-year, transformational support

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. No public application process exists - This foundation only funds preselected organizations, so standard grant applications will not be considered.

  2. Relationship-driven grantmaking - All funding flows from existing connections to the Sands family, Constellation Brands, or related networks. Focus on building genuine relationships over time.

  3. Geographic focus is paramount - Virtually all grants go to New York (particularly Rochester/Finger Lakes) or Florida (Boca Raton area). Organizations outside these regions are unlikely to receive funding.

  4. Consider the related Supporting Foundation - The Sands Family Supporting Foundation, operated through Rochester Area Community Foundation, does accept applications for Monroe, Ontario, and Livingston County organizations focused on education, healthcare, or arts.

  5. Think transformational - When relationships do exist, the foundation favors major capital gifts ($1-13 million) for lasting impact rather than small program grants.

  6. Corporate connection matters - Organizations with ties to Constellation Brands communities and employees may have stronger pathways to consideration.

  7. Patience is required - Building the relationships necessary to be considered by this foundation takes years, not months.

References

Research compiled December 2025

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