The Josephine Goodyear Foundation traces its origins back to 1912 when Mrs. Frank Goodyear established the Josephine Goodyear Convalescent Home in Williamsville, New York. The home served disadvantaged women and children, providing pre-operative and post-operative care to prepare them for and assist in recovery from early surgical procedures. With advancements in medical care, particularly antibiotics after World War II, the need for the home diminished, leading to its sale and the establishment of the foundation. Today, the Josephine Goodyear Foundation continues its legacy by funding nonprofit organizations that support indigent women and children, particularly in addressing their physical needs.
The foundation provides approximately 50 grants each year, totaling around $300,000 in funding. While the foundation originally focused on medical facilities, its scope has expanded over the years to support a broader range of initiatives that assist disadvantaged women and children in various ways. The foundation’s funding is primarily directed toward organizations operating within the Greater Buffalo, New York area.
Grant applications are reviewed and decided upon during Advisory Council meetings, which are held in May and September each year. Nonprofit organizations seeking funding must submit their applications to the Josephine Goodyear Foundation via mail. The application should be addressed to Edward F. Walsh, Jr. at the foundation’s Buffalo, NY office.
Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations that serve disadvantaged women and children. While the foundation has historically focused on medical-related support, it has since expanded its funding priorities to include other services that meet the physical needs of these populations. There are no specific details provided about additional application requirements or evaluation criteria.
Interested organizations should send their applications to the Josephine Goodyear Foundation at 801 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14203. Additional inquiries may be directed to the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, which administers the foundation’s grantmaking. The contact phone number is (716) 852-2857, and the fax number is (716) 852-2861.
