THE RALPH C WILSON JR FOUNDATION
Annual Giving
$141.2M+2% YoY
Grants
413
Median Grant
$100K
Organizations Funded
340
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Foundation Overview
Mission
The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation is a grantmaking organization dedicated primarily to sustained investment in the quality of life of the people of Southeast Michigan and Western New York; We leverage good work already underway in Western New York and Southeast Michigan, collaborating with organizations, communities and one another to disrupt the cycle of need immediately—and lay the groundwork for change that lasts
Focus Areas
Grant Types
Funded Initiatives
$100 million investment in both Southeast Michigan and Western New York for signature legacy parks in Buffalo and Detroit; Arts & Culture $100M commitment to transform financial strength of Western New York arts and culture community; Memory Café Programs $323,000 to 11 arts and culture organizations; Buffalo Together Fund community response initiatives
How to Apply
Three-step process: 1) Register account on Fluxx Online Grants Portal 2) Submit LOI - if meets program interests, staff will invite Full Proposal 3) Complete Full Proposal with detailed project information; Applications accepted year-round from nonprofit organizations in Western New York and Southeast Michigan
Does Not Fund
Does not make grants to individuals, fundraising social events, conferences or exhibits; Programs located outside Southeast Michigan and Western New York generally not encouraged; Projects outside core funding areas generally not encouraged; No taxable expenditures per Section 4945 of Internal Revenue Code
Based on publicly available information from the foundation's 990 filings and website.
Giving History
$141.2M
Grants
413
Median
$100K
States
23
$138.1M
Grants
528
Median
$20K
States
24
$155.9M
Grants
533
Median
$25K
States
24
Grant Size Distribution
$109K
Typical Grant (Median)
$81
Smallest
$36K
25th Pctile
$350K
75th Pctile
$10.0M
Largest
Excludes grants ≤ $5K. Half fall between $36K and $350K.
Largest Recent Grants
$10.0M
2024
Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo
NY · City Within a Park Fund
$7.5M
2024
Southeast Michigan Foundation for Public Spaces
MI · Detroit Riverfront Finishline Fund
$6.5M
2024
Detroit Riverfront Conservancy
MI · Construction Support - Ralph Wilson Park
$5.0M
2024
Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan
MI · RCWJRF Inclusive Arts & Culture Initiative
$5.0M
2024
Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo
NY · RCWJRF Inclusive Arts & Culture Initiative
Geographic Focus
Top states by total grant dollars. Based on IRS filing data.
Financial Overview
Grants paid shown as percentage of total assets
Data sourced from IRS 990 and 990-PF filings and publicly available foundation websites. Grant data, financial figures, and organizational details reflect historical filings and may not represent current operations or funding priorities. Verify directly with the foundation before applying. See an issue? Let us know.