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Joy Family Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Joy Family Foundation

Its FY2025 filing reports that it accepted unsolicited grant applications.

$65k
Granted FY2025still arriving
5
Grants FY2025still arriving
2
States reached
$25k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
01What it funds
0191% classified

What it funded, over time

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

Arts & Culture$332kHealth$261kPhilanthropy$132kHuman Services$129kEnvironment$42kInternational$20kEducation$5kReligion$2kOther$0
02FY2025 · 5 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • Under $10k2 grants · $10k
  • $10k–50k3 grants · $55k
$13,271
Median grant
2
States reached
$1.3M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
Hospice & Palliative Care Buffalo$25,330
WNY Womans Fund$16,000
Burchfield-Penney Art Center$13,271
Ocean Reef Art League Palette Society$5,000
Ocean Reef Medical Center Foundation$5,000
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 (FY17–21, $108k) land where the poverty rate runs at 13%, against an area that typically sits at 13%. 100% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 13%WNY Women's Foundation: $36k → 13%WNY Women's Foundation: $30k → 13%WNY Women's Foundation: $22k → 13%WNY Women's Foundation: $10k → 13%WNY Women's Foundation: $10k → 13%Buffalo City Mission: $500 → 13%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.

91%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$901k · 14 repeat orgs$88k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +51% since the first grant, against +7% for those funded once.

14 repeat relationships: 4 still active in FY2025, 10 since wound down; 1 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

14
12

Total granted

$901k
$83k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+51%
+7%

Still filing today

43%
58%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 92% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $5k 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
Arts & CultureHuman ServicesHealthEnvironmentRecreation & SportsOther
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

  • BURCHFIELD PENNEY ART CENTER
    9× · 2017–2025 · $211k · revenue +51%
  • HP
    HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE BUFFALO INC
    7× · 2019–2025 · $182k · revenue +57%
  • WW
    WNY WOMEN'S FOUNDATION INC
    5× · 2017–2021 · $108k · revenue +19%

Funded once

  • WH
    WHITE HOUSE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONgraduated
    one grant, 2021 · $45k · revenue +97%
  • HF
    Hospice Foundation
    one grant, 2017 · $14k
  • TK
    The Kind Clinic Austin
    one grant, 2024 · $5k
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
Zoological Society of Buffalo Inc

Building community; creating connections; saving wildlife through a collaboration for change: the buffalo zoo will be a center of conservation excellence, providing leadership to secure a future where wildlife thrives. we embody our…

Animals
2
Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences

Inspire joyful exploration of science and nature through engaging experiences, unique resources, and exceptional staff.

Arts & Culture
3
Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy Inc

The organization was formed for the specific purpose of operating, maintaining and protecting parks and public spaces in the city of buffalo, new york, including but not limited to parks and public spaces owned or operated by the city of…

Recreation & Sports
4
Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corp

To manage the brooklyn navy yard for the city of new york, specifically to expand job opportunities for new yorkers by fostering the development of small businesses.

Community Improvement
5
Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers Inc

To improve the quality of life of the people and neighborhoods we serve by preparing, equipping and empowering them to meet the challenges of contemporary urban life and realize their full potential.

—
6
The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo

The legal aid bureau of buffalo, inc., a not-for-profit organization, provides legal representation to financially needy men, women and children in western new york. through its skilled staff, the legal aid bureau seeks equal justice for…

Crime & Legal
7
Buffalo Lighthouse Association Inc

Preservation, protection and restoration of the buffalo new york lighthouses and to maintain and develop the area surrounding them in accordance with their historical significance.

—
8
Buffalo Niagara River Land Trust Inc

To acquire, remediate, and steward lands along wny's waterfronts prioritizing public access.

Environment
9
The Whaling Museum Society Inc

The Museum engages the community in exploring the diversity of our whaling heritage and its impacts to enrich and inform our lives.

Arts & Culture
10
Wmc-New York Inc

Wmc new york, inc. shall at all times be operated exclusively for charitable, scientific, and educational purposes within the meaning of section 170(c)(2)(b) and 501(c)(3) of the code, and for the purpose of engaging in various activities…

Health
11
Invest Buffalo Niagara Foundation Inc

Invest buffalo niagara foundation, inc. is a vehicle to solicit charitable contributions to develop programs, collaborate with, and provide funding to organizations that advance and encourage economic development in western new york.

Community Improvement
12
University At Buffalo Surgeons Inc

University at buffalo surgeons, inc., is a large team of surgeons dedicated to the improvement of the health of our patients, cutting edge research, and the professional development of our students and residents. we are committed to…

Education
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is The Children's Hospital of Buffalo Foundation; the most unlike its peers is City Mission Society 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

16 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. 16 of the 28 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)
2
Early backer (in before they grew)
15/16
Grantees still filing
10/16
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

Individual grant recipient: $140,649 · OtherIndividual grant recipientWNY Womans Fund: $34,733 · OtherWNY Womans FundOcean Reef Art League Palette Society: $31,375 · OtherOcean Reef Art League Palette Soci…THE SALVATION ARMY: $21,250 · OtherTHE SALVATION ARMYOcean Reef All Charities: $21,075 · OtherOcean Reef All CharitiesSisters of Mercy Haiti Project: $20,000 · OtherSisters of Mercy Haiti ProjectBuffalo Philharmonic Orchestra: $17,500 · OtherBuffalo Philharmonic OrchestraHospice Foundation: $14,167 · Other+7 more: $22,685 · Other+7 moreBURCHFIELD PENNEY ART CENTER: $211,331 · Arts & CultureBURCHFIELD PENNEY ART CENTERWHITE HOUSE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION: $45,000 · Arts & CultureWHITE HOUSE HISTORICAL ASSOCI…SOCIETY FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC EDUCATION: $20,000 · Arts & CultureSOCIETY FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC EDUC…+2 more: $1,400 · Arts & CultureHOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE BUFFALO INC: $181,620 · HealthHOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CAR…THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF BUFFALO FOUNDATION: $50,000 · HealthTHE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL …WNY WOMEN'S FOUNDATION INC: $107,710 · Human ServicesWNY WOMEN'S…+2 more: $1,000 · Human ServicesOCEAN REEF COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC: $76,000 · PhilanthropyBUFFALO NIAGARA WATERKEEPER INC: $41,975 · EnvironmentBUFFALO MARITIME CENTER INC: $5,000 · Recreation & Sports
Other$323,434Arts & Culture$277,731Health$231,620Human Services$108,710Philanthropy$76,000Environment$41,975Recreation & Sports$5,000

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

25%50%75%100%$100k$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetBURCHFIELD PENNEY ART CENTER: $211,331 over 9y, 1.8% of budgetHOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE BUFFALO INC: $181,620 over 7y, 0.2% of budgetWNY WOMEN'S FOUNDATION INC: $107,710 over 5y, 5.8% of budgetOCEAN REEF COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC: $76,000 over 6y, 0.1% of budgetTHE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF BUFFALO FOUNDATION: $50,000 over 5y, 0.1% of budgetWHITE HOUSE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION: $45,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetBUFFALO NIAGARA WATERKEEPER INC: $41,975 over 5y, 0.4% of budgetSOCIETY FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC EDUCATION: $20,000 over 3y, 1.9% of budgetOCEAN REEF MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetBUFFALO MARITIME CENTER INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.5% of budgetST MARY'S SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF: $4,685 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetJUST BUFFALO LITERARY CENTER INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetIT HAPPENED TO ALEXA FOUNDATION INC: $1,000 over 1y, 1.1% of budgetCITY MISSION SOCIETY INC: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetWOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT INC: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetBUFFALO FINE ARTS ACADEMY: $400 over 1y, 0.0% 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 BURCHFIELD PENNEY ART CENTER ↗
  • Who funds HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE BUFFALO INC ↗
  • Who funds WNY WOMEN'S FOUNDATION INC ↗
  • Who funds OCEAN REEF COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC ↗
  • Who funds THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF BUFFALO FOUNDATION ↗
  • Who funds WHITE HOUSE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION ↗
  • Who funds BUFFALO NIAGARA WATERKEEPER INC ↗
  • Who funds SOCIETY FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC EDUCATION ↗
  • Who funds OCEAN REEF MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION INC ↗
  • Who funds BUFFALO MARITIME CENTER INC ↗
  • Who funds ST MARY'S SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF ↗
  • Who funds JUST BUFFALO LITERARY CENTER INC ↗
  • Who funds IT HAPPENED TO ALEXA FOUNDATION INC ↗
  • Who funds CITY MISSION SOCIETY INC ↗
  • Who funds WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT INC ↗
  • Who funds BUFFALO FINE ARTS ACADEMY ↗

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.

Community Foundation …The Marks Family Foun…Children's Foundation…The Osc Charitable Fo…The Western New York …The John R Oishei Fou…The Ralph C Wilson Jr…Cullen Foundation of …Cullen FoundationThe Bank of America C…National Philanthropi…Network for Good
Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo IncNY19.5× affinity7 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo Inc · The Marks Family Foundation · Children's Foundation of Erie County Inc · The Osc Charitable Foundation · The Western New York Foundation · The John R Oishei Foundation · The Ralph C Wilson Jr Foundation · Cullen Foundation of Western New York Inc · Cullen Foundation · The Bank of America Charitable Foundation Inc · National Philanthropic Trust · Network for Good

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 Joy Family Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Joy Family Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 20%1%3%6%10%funder's share of their income ↑0%10%20%30%40%share of the org’s income from government →median 0%
  • Wounded Warrior Project Inc: 0% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
2get no government money at all
3report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
0rely on government for over half their income
⤢ axis zoomed · 0–40%
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 28 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 Joy Family’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