Skip to content
Elf Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Elf Foundation

Its FY2025 filing reports that it accepted unsolicited grant applications.

$187k
Granted FY2025still arriving
6
Grants FY2025still arriving
2
States reached
$70k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
01What it funds
0196% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2025.

Health$1.0MEducation$125kAnimals$31kHuman Services$12kFood & Nutrition$11kPhilanthropy$11kReligion$6kRecreation & Sports$3kOther$0
02FY2025 · 6 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • Under $10k2 grants · $2k
  • $10k–50k1 grant · $10k
  • $50k–250k3 grants · $175k
$50,000
Median grant
2
States reached
$2.6M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
SISTERS HOSPITAL FOUNDATION$70,000
ROSWELL PARK ALLIANCE FOUNDATION$55,000
HOSPICE FOUNDATION BUFFALO$50,000
FF THOMPSON FOUNDATION INC$10,000
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION$1,000
FEEDMORE WNY FOUNDATION$1,000
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY17–25, $18k) land where the poverty rate runs at 14%, against an area that typically sits at 12%. 100% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 12%WOUNDED WARRIORS PROJECT: $1k → 14%PROJECT MOTHERPATH: $2k → 15%WNY WOMEN'S FOUNDATION: $4k → 13%WNY WOMEN'S FOUNDATION: $2k → 13%BUFFALO CITY MISSION: $2k → 13%FEEDMORE WNY FOUNDATION: $1k → 13%FEEDMORE WNY FOUNDATION: $1k → 13%WILLOW DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CENTER: $1k → 14%DAYSTAR FOR MEDICALLY FRAGILE: $3k → 14%LIFESPAN: $1k → 14%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

96%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$1.2M · 21 repeat orgs$47k to everyone else

21 repeat relationships: 5 still active in FY2025, 16 since wound down; 1 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

21
35

Total granted

$1.2M
$46k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+41%
+83%

Still filing today

62%
31%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 99% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $1k went to new ones.

50%100%’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Human ServicesEducationHealthInternationalYouth DevelopmentPhilanthropyOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • RP
    ROSWELL PARK ALLIANCE FOUNDATION
    2× · 2023–2025 · $155k · revenue +19%
  • UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
    4× · 2018–2022 · $121k · revenue +65%
  • MF
    MERCY FLIGHT CENTRAL INC
    4× · 2019–2022 · $44k · revenue +41%

Funded once

  • HF
    HIRSHBERG FOUNDATION FOR PA
    one grant, 2020 · $5k
  • DF
    DAYSTAR FOR MEDICALLY FRAGILE CHILDREN D/B/A DAYSTAR KIDSgraduated
    one grant, 2017 · $3k · revenue +578%
  • CM
    CITY MISSION SOCIETY INC
    one grant, 2021 · $2k · revenue -22%
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
The Rochester General Hospital

To establish, erect and maintain a general hospital and dispensary in the county of monroe, ny for medical and surgical aid, care and treatment of persons in need thereof; to carry on and conduct a training school for nurses; to promote…

Health
2
Rochester Regional Health

The organization is organized and operated for the benefit of all of the affiliates within rochester regional health system. the organization supports and assists the affiliates by reviewing and monitoring their missions, objectives,…

Health
3
The Unity Hospital of Rochester

See schedule oto make a positive difference in the lives and health status of individuals in the city of rochester, ny and western monroe county. we will educate our community, our providers, and future health care professionals in order…

Health
4
Gouverneur Hospital

Our mission is to provide skilled, compassionate, cost-effective care that promotes wellness and meets the community's healthcare needs.

Health
5
Canton-Potsdam Hospital

Canton potsdam hospital's mission is to provide skilled, compassionate, cost-effective care that promotes wellness and meets community needs.

Health
6
United Memorial Medical Center

United memorial medical center is the only acute care hospital in genesee county, with 131 licensed acute care beds that provide the necessary healthcare services to a regional population of approximately 138,000 residents and operates the…

Health
7
Newark-Wayne Community Hospital

To operate an inpatient and outpatient hospital, clinics and treatment centers for the delivery of acute medical, surgical and preventative health care services.

Health
8
Rochester General Health System

Rochester general health system, provides patient care, senior housing, laboratory services, and community outreach to residents and other clients in monroe county, new york and several surrounding counties.

Health
9
Clifton Springs Sanitarium Co

Healthcare on a nonprofit basis to promote the health of the community as a whole.

Health
10
Massena Hospital Inc

Massena hospital's mission is to provide quality healthcare and the best patient experience.

Health
11
University Associates in Obstetrics and Gynecology University Faculty Pract ice Corporation

Provide clinical instruction to and supervision of medical school students, interns and residents and, incident thereto, rendering professional services.

Health
12
New York Genome Center Inc

Operate a state-of-the-art, world-class genomic research center that creates and uses advanced genomics to understand the genetic basis of disease. for more information, see schedule o.

Health
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Sisters of Charity Hospital Foundation; the most unlike its peers is Project Motherpath Inc. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

26 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 26 of the 58 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

0
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
7
Early backer (in before they grew)
26/26
Grantees still filing
21/26
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

HOSPICE FOUNDATION BUFFALO: $250,000 · OtherHOSPICE FOUNDATION BUFFALOROSWELL PARK CANCER INSTITUTE: $245,000 · OtherROSWELL PARK CANCER INSTITUTESISTERS OF CHARITY HOSPITAL FOUNDATION: $170,000 · OtherSISTERS OF CHARITY HOSPITAL FOUNDATIONPLUTA CANCER CENTER: $33,000 · OtherMERCY FLIGHT OF CANANDAIGUA: $32,176 · OtherTHOMPSON HEALTH FOUNDATION: $30,000 · Other+35 more: $73,750 · Other+35 moreROSWELL PARK ALLIANCE FOUNDATION: $155,000 · PhilanthropyROSWELL PARK A…+1 more: $1,000 · PhilanthropyUNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER: $121,000 · EducationUNIVERSITY OF…THE SUMMIT CENTER INC: $25,000 · EducationTHE SUMMIT CE…+1 more: $1,000 · EducationMERCY FLIGHT CENTRAL INC: $44,000 · Community ImprovementERIE COUNTY SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS: $30,500 · AnimalsWNY WOMEN'S FOUNDATION INC: $6,000 · Human ServicesDAYSTAR FOR MEDICALLY FRAGILE CHILDREN D/B/A DAYSTAR KIDS: $3,000 · Human ServicesCITY MISSION SOCIETY INC: $2,000 · Human ServicesFEEDMORE WNY FOUNDATION INC: $2,000 · Human ServicesPROJECT MOTHERPATH INC: $1,500 · Human ServicesWOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT INC: $1,000 · Human ServicesWILLOW DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CENTER OF GREATER ROCHESTER INC: $1,000 · Human ServicesLIFESPAN OF GREATER ROCHESTER INC: $1,000 · Human ServicesHUGS FOUNDATION INC: $15,000 · InternationalAMERICARES FOUNDATION INC: $1,000 · International
Other$833,926Philanthropy$156,000Education$147,000Community Improvement$44,000Animals$30,500Human Services$17,500International$16,000

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetSISTERS OF CHARITY HOSPITAL FOUNDATION: $170,000 over 2y, 9.5% of budgetROSWELL PARK ALLIANCE FOUNDATION: $155,000 over 2y, 0.4% of budgetUNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER: $121,000 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetMERCY FLIGHT CENTRAL INC: $44,000 over 4y, 0.1% of budgetERIE COUNTY SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS: $30,500 over 2y, 0.3% of budgetTHE SUMMIT CENTER INC: $25,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetHUGS FOUNDATION INC: $15,000 over 3y, 1.4% of budgetF F THOMPSON HOSPITAL FOUNDATION INC: $12,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC: $12,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetHARRY CHAPIN FOOD BANK OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA INC: $7,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetWNY WOMEN'S FOUNDATION INC: $6,000 over 2y, 0.6% of budgetDAYSTAR FOR MEDICALLY FRAGILE CHILDREN D/B/A DAYSTAR KIDS: $3,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetCITY MISSION SOCIETY INC: $2,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetFEEDMORE WNY FOUNDATION INC: $2,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetPROJECT MOTHERPATH INC: $1,500 over 1y, 1.8% of budgetPARKINSON'S FOUNDATION INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetWOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetAmerican Heart Association Inc: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetONTARIO COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY: $1,000 over 2y, 0.3% of budgetAMERICARES FOUNDATION INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetROCHESTER SCHOOL OF THE HOLY CHILDHOOD I: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetLIFESPAN OF GREATER ROCHESTER INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetFOREST LAWN HERITAGE FOUNDATION INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.5% of budgetGIRLS ON THE RUN OF BUFFALO INC: $500 over 1y, 0.1% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

  • Who funds SISTERS OF CHARITY HOSPITAL FOUNDATION ↗
  • Who funds ROSWELL PARK ALLIANCE FOUNDATION ↗
  • Who funds UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER ↗
  • Who funds MERCY FLIGHT CENTRAL INC ↗
  • Who funds ERIE COUNTY SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS ↗
  • Who funds THE SUMMIT CENTER INC ↗
  • Who funds HUGS FOUNDATION INC ↗
  • Who funds F F THOMPSON HOSPITAL FOUNDATION INC ↗
  • Who funds ST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC ↗
  • Who funds HARRY CHAPIN FOOD BANK OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA INC ↗
  • Who funds WNY WOMEN'S FOUNDATION INC ↗
  • Who funds DAYSTAR FOR MEDICALLY FRAGILE CHILDREN D/B/A DAYSTAR KIDS ↗
  • Who funds CITY MISSION SOCIETY INC ↗
  • Who funds FEEDMORE WNY FOUNDATION INC ↗
  • Who funds PROJECT MOTHERPATH INC ↗
  • Who funds PARKINSON'S FOUNDATION INC ↗
  • Who funds WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT INC ↗
  • Who funds American Heart Association Inc ↗
  • Who funds ONTARIO COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY ↗
  • Who funds ROCHESTER AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ↗

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

Rochester Area Commun…Mother Cabrini Health…Summers Foundation IncThe Ralph C Wilson Jr…Community Foundation …Max and Marian Farash…United Way of Greater…The Riedman FoundationFoundation for Jewish…Esl Charitable Founda…JM McDonald Foundatio…Wegman Family Charita…
Rochester Area Community FoundationNY24.5× affinity10 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Rochester Area Community Foundation · Mother Cabrini Health Foundation Inc · Summers Foundation Inc · The Ralph C Wilson Jr Foundation · Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo Inc · Max and Marian Farash Charitable Foundation · United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes Inc · The Riedman Foundation · Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies Inc · Esl Charitable Foundation · JM McDonald Foundation Inc · Wegman Family Charitable Foundation

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization Elf Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Elf Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 10%1%3%6%10%funder's share of their income ↑0%15%30%45%60%share of the org’s income from government →median 0%
  • Americares Foundation Inc: 0% of income from government
  • Wounded Warrior Project Inc: 0% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
1get no government money at all
9report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
0rely on government for over half their income
⤢ axis zoomed · 0–60%
typical government reliance, FY20–25
How this is measured
Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.

On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 58 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

How this is measured
Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2025, released 2025. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Source object · view filing

Play a game based on Elf’s filings →

More from the funding graph

The unnamed billions
grants reported with no recipient in the public record
The regranting layer
51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
The DAF merry-go-round
$9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
The endowment market
who holds foundation money, and what just moved
The camps
funders cluster by geography, not ideology
By state
where grant money is based, and what stays home