info@wrightfamilyfoundation.org

Who We Support

The Wright Family Foundation supports organizations and programs that create opportunities for long-term and sustainable impact. The foundation collaborates with other community resources, both private and public, in common areas of interest to further leverage the impact to communities in Schenectady County, New York. Grants are available for capital projects and program support.

Neighborhoods

Transforming distressed areas into neighborhoods of opportunity by leveraging private, public and community resources.

Jobs & Career Support

Empowering people to overcome adverse circumstances and to gain job skills that provide access to sustainable career opportunities.

Education

Striving to inspire hope in urban youth by supporting not-for-profit educational and empowerment programs.

Trusted Community Partner

In addition to these primary focus areas, the Foundation also supports non-profits that serve the social needs of the communities within Schenectady County.

OR

Who We Are

The Wright Family Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1997 to provide funding in support of neighborhood revitalization, jobs and career support, education, and social needs. Initial funding for the foundation was provided with a generous donation from SI Group, Inc.


Pictured left to right: Chairman, Heather Ward; Assistant Treasurer, Robert McQueen; Secretary, Linda Nizolek; Meghan Frazier and Chad Kilbourne; and Treasurer, Ashley Palm

4

States

500

Grants

$23,300,000

Donated

Grant Giving Guidelines and Eligibility

In order for an organization to be eligible to receive funding from The Wright Family Foundation, it must meet the following criteria:
  • The requesting organization must be designated by the Internal Revenue Code as a tax-exempt organization [501(c)(3), 501(a), or 501(c)(4)], and must provide a copy of its IRS tax exemption letter/certificate at the time of application.
  • The requesting organization must be located in Schenectady County, New York. Or, if the requesting organization is located outside Schenectady County, it must substantiate how its program has a major impact on the citizens who live in Schenectady County.

  • The requesting organization must seek funding that falls within the foundation's main areas of focus, namely: neighborhood revitalization, jobs and career support, and/or education. Funding requests that support social needs will also be considered.
  • The foundation will focus on sustainable impact grants at a minimum of $100,000, which can include smaller multi-year grants that total $100,000. Grants below the $100,000 threshold may be considered with prior approval from the foundation’s trustees.
  • After an organization receives a grant, it must submit a Grant Report Form upon completion of its project before it can be considered for additional funding.
  • Applicants must also wait three years from the previous grant approval date before being eligible to reapply for additional funding.
  • The foundation does not provide grants to religious organizations; however outreach projects and programs sponsored by religious organizations may be considered if they fall within the parameters of the foundation's main focus areas.
  • The foundation only provides funding through its grant program; it does not make charitable contributions, political contributions or provide sponsorships of any kind.
  • Application Deadline Dates
    The foundation meets each May and October to review grant applications. Applications must be submitted online, and may be submitted at any time. Applications submitted by the April 15 deadline will be formally reviewed at the foundation’s May meeting; those submitted by the September 15 deadline will be reviewed at the October meeting.
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    Questions/Comments? Connect with us today to see how we can better support you.

    The Wright Family Foundation

    PO Box 9607

    Schenectady, NY 12309

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