Garman Family Foundation Grants

The Garman Family Foundation Grants, administered by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, support nonprofit organizations serving Western New York. With a focus on addressing key issues affecting community well-being, the Foundation’s mission is to enhance quality of life through strategic investments that foster long-term positive outcomes. The Foundation prioritizes initiatives within three core areas: Mental Health, Food Security, and Housing. Two funding cycles are offered annually, with the Spring 2026 cycle opening January 26 and closing February 23 at 4:00 PM. Funding from the Garman Family Foundation can be used for capital expenses, general operations, or program-specific needs. The maximum grant request allowed is $50,000. Organizations seeking more than this amount must obtain prior approval through direct communication with the Foundation’s Special Advisor. While the majority of grants are single-year, limited two-year funding may be available, contingent on outcomes from the first year. Importantly, the Foundation does not retroactively fund projects or reimburse for expenses incurred prior to a grant decision. Grantees must close out grants within one year of funding unless granted a rare extension. Eligibility is limited to 501(c)(3) organizations that are either based in or provide services to one or more of the eight Western New York counties: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming. Organizations with an active Garman Family Foundation grant are not eligible to reapply until the existing grant has been fully closed. The Foundation explicitly excludes funding for religious activities, higher education scholarships, annual events, festivals, and any organizations engaged in discriminatory practices. It also avoids funding schools not registered with the New York State Education Department and activities with partisan political intent. Applications must be submitted electronically via the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo’s online Foundant Grant Lifecycle Manager. Paper and email submissions are not accepted. Key application elements include project details, financial background, a project budget, and an explanation of how the proposal aligns with one or more of the Foundation’s core focus areas. Applicants are expected to describe the problem being addressed, outline the activities proposed, present measurable outcomes, and demonstrate alignment with the Foundation’s long-term goals. The Foundation encourages collaboration, sustainability planning, and community integration. Evaluation of proposals will consider factors such as project relevance, potential for long-term impact, strength of partnerships, organizational capacity, and financial transparency. Grant recipients are required to report outcomes and close their grant within a 12-month period unless otherwise specified. The Foundation reserves the right to conduct evaluations up to four years post-award and requires documentation supporting all expenditures. Non-compliance with these terms may affect future funding eligibility or result in repayment of grant funds. Applicants with program-related questions are encouraged to contact Jean McKeown, Special Advisor to the President/CEO, by email or phone. For technical support and general inquiries, Alexandra Osberg serves as the primary contact. The Foundation provides a downloadable set of guidelines, a budget template, and an additional funding sources worksheet to assist in preparing the application. Final funding decisions for the Spring 2026 cycle are expected to be announced by mid-June 2026.