John R. Oishei Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The John R. Oishei Foundation supports nonprofits in Western New York in the areas of education, self-sufficiency, stable neighborhoods, healthcare, and arts and culture.
FUNDING AREAS: Education, self-sufficiency, stable neighborhoods, healthcare, arts and culture
IP TAKE: Contact this foundation for local education funding needs, as this continues the top priority for the Oishei staff and board.
PROFILE: Established in 1940, the John R. Oishei Foundation is based in Buffalo, New York and the largest private foundation in the region. John R. Oishei founded Trico Products Corporation, which became a leading manufacturer of automotive windshield wipers. He serves as president of the foundation until his death in 1968. Today, the foundation aims to enhance “the economic vitality and quality of life for the Buffalo Niagara region through grantmaking, leadership, and network building.” Grant funding areas include education, self-sufficiency, stable neighborhoods, healthcare, and arts and culture.
As part of the Oishei Foundation’s strategic plan, it supports these interest areas through leadership development, network building, convening, strategic grantmaking, organizational capacity building, and advocacy. Education grants suppot strengthening the P-20 education continuum with cradle-to-career grants. The foundation awards self-sufficiency grants to support basic human needs and remove barriers to rising above poverty. Stable neighborhood grants go towards affordable housing, transportation, access to healthy food, and vibrant commercial districts. Meanwhile, health grants focus on primary care, behavioral and mental health, and people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Finally, the foundation awards arts and culture grants to stimulate economic development, enhance tourism, and integrate the arts into its other four focus areas.
Oishei grants typically range from $10,000 to $150,000. The largest grantmaking category is education, followed by self-sufficiency. Grantseekers can view a list of past grants awarded on the What We Fund Overview page of the funder’s website. The foundation geographically focuses its grantmaking on Western New York, specifically on Buffalo and Niagara Falls. Nonprofits in the counties of Erie, Niagara, Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming are eligible to apply for support. Overall, this foundation provides support in the form of expansion and improvement support, creation and implementation support, and core operations improvement support.
This foundation accepts unsolicited letters of inquiry and applications throughout the year with no deadlines. Grantseekers must submit all documentation online and wait to submit a full application until receiving a response to a LOI. Submit a LOI before calling the staff so that they have advance knowledge of the request. Grantseekers can direct general questions to the staff at 716-856-9490 or info@oishei.org.
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