The Columbian Foundation focuses on place-based community support in Auburn and greater Cayuga County, funding local nonprofits that provide arts and cultural programming, early childhood and literacy services, and basic needs like food pantries. Grants frequently target capital projects and equipment purchases—helping buildings, spaces, and program infrastructure—rather than unrestricted operating endowments. The foundation gives repeatedly to many of the same local organizations and favors modest to mid-sized awards that make tangible, visible community improvements.
Columbian Foundation Inc repeatedly backs the same Auburn-area organizations with modest project grants, and its recent record shows a clear preference for tangible improvements to local facilities and services. A $10,000 award to Cayuga Community College Foundation for program support is the largest recent grant in the data, but the foundation’s pattern is broader than one-off gifts: it also returned to Skaneateles Early Childhood Center, The Rev, Auburn Public Theater, and United Way of Cayuga County with additional support in later years. That repetition points to a funder working through familiar local partners rather than making scattered bets. The foundation’s recent awards touch arts and culture, early childhood education, literacy, food access, and community services across Cayuga County. In several cases, the funding is tied to specific uses such as capital improvements, equipment purchases, or program support, suggesting a practical approach to strengthening organizations’ day-to-day capacity and physical infrastructure. Grants to places like Auburn Public Theater, Literacy Volunteers of Cayuga County, and King Ferry Food Pantry fit that pattern, as do awards to Matthew House and Community Action Program. With annual grants of $245,400 and total assets of $1,921,093, the funder operates at a local scale with repeated attention to core community institutions.
Columbian Foundation Inc gives across a small set of community needs, with each award tied to a defined purpose. In education, it gave $10,000 to Cayuga Community College Foundation for program support and $7,500 to Skaneateles Early Childhood Center for capital improvements, showing attention to both learning programs and facilities. Arts and cultural organizations also appear regularly. Auburn Public Theater received $5,100 for capital improvements, while Schweinfurth Art Center Inc received $5,000 for capital improvements. The foundation also supported Master Works Chorale with $5,000 for program support, which places performing arts alongside bricks-and-mortar cultural assets. Basic-needs organizations are another thread. King Ferry Food Pantry received $5,000 for program support, and Calvary Food Pantry received $5,000 for equipment purchases. In literacy and service delivery, Literacy Volunteers of Cayuga County received $6,500 for equipment purchases, linking grant dollars to the tools organizations use to serve residents.
$85K
$1.9M
$105K
$132K
Most grants fall between $2K and $5K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$5K
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Concentrated, local giving with many repeat grantees; predominantly small-to-mid-size grants focused on capital improvements and equipment purchases rather than large multi-year operating grants. The portfolio is place-focused and project-specific, favoring tangible facility and program investments.
Notable grantees: Cayuga Community College Foundation, Skaneateless Early Childhood Center, Auburn Public Theater, King Ferry Food Pantry, Literacy Volunteers of Cayuga County
Typical awards are modest: the 25th percentile is $2,000, the median is $3,000, and the 75th percentile is $5,000. The recent grants list shows a dense cluster around $5,000, with a smaller number of larger project awards. Recipients also appear across multiple years, including Cayuga Community College Foundation, Skaneateles Early Childhood Center, Auburn Public Theater, United Way of Cayuga County, Matthew House, Abc Cayuga Playspace, and The Rev, which indicates recurring support rather than isolated gifts. Columbian Foundation Inc funds organizations, not individuals, and the pattern in the data is project-specific support through operating, capital, and equipment grants.
Grantmaking is concentrated entirely in New York, with 100% of grants to recipients in the state. The distribution is local rather than statewide, centered on Auburn and nearby Cayuga County communities. Auburn appears most often, including awards to Cayuga Community College Foundation, Literacy Volunteers of Cayuga County, Auburn Public Theater, United Way of Cayuga County Inc, and Community Action Program. Skaneateles is another recurring location, alongside Aurora and Marcellus. The recent grant list shows no non-U.S. recipient countries.
The recent grants point to arts and cultural groups, early childhood and literacy organizations, food pantries, and community service providers. Examples include Auburn Public Theater, Skaneateles Early Childhood Center, Literacy Volunteers of Cayuga County, King Ferry Food Pantry, and Community Action Program.
The distribution is modest: the 25th percentile is $2,000, the median is $3,000, and the 75th percentile is $5,000. Many recent awards cluster at $5,000, with some larger grants such as $10,000 and $7,500.
Yes. The recent list shows repeat support for several recipients across multiple years, including Cayuga Community College Foundation, Skaneateles Early Childhood Center, Auburn Public Theater, United Way of Cayuga County Inc, Matthew House, Abc Cayuga Playspace, and The Rev.
The awards are often tied to specific uses such as capital improvements, equipment purchases, and program support. Recent examples include capital work for Skaneateles Early Childhood Center and Auburn Public Theater, equipment for Literacy Volunteers of Cayuga County, and program support for King Ferry Food Pantry.
The grant list is entirely New York-based, with 100% of grants to recipients in NY. Auburn is the most frequent recipient city, and other listed communities include Skaneateles, Aurora, and Marcellus.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUBURN YMCA | AUBURN, NY | $8,200 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CAYUGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | AUBURN, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | WEST HENRIETTA, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| THE SKANEATELES FESTIVAL | SKANEATELES, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | EQUIPMENT PURCHASE |
| THE REV | AUBURN, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| UNITED WAY OF CAYUGA COUNTY INC | AUBURN, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM | AUBURN, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CAYUGA MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND ART | AUBURN, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT |
| UNITY HOUSE | AUBURN, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | EQUIPMENT PURCHASE |
| SCHWEINFURTH MUSEUM ART CENTER | AUBURN, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | EQUIPMENT PURCHASE |
| SEWARD HOUSE MUSEUM | AUBURN, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | CAPITAL IMPROVMENTS |
| KING FERRY FOOD PANTRY | AURORA, NY | $4,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| PERFORM 4 PURPOSE | AUBURN, NY | $3,000 | 2026 | EQUIPMENT PURCHASE |
| AUBURN PUBLIC THEATER | AUBURN, NY | $3,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| UNION SPRINGS SOCCER CLUB | CAYUGA, NY | $2,500 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SPAFFORD AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY | SKANEATELES, NY | $2,500 | 2026 | CAPITAL IMPROVMENTS |
| AUBURN LACROSSE BOOSTERS INC | AUBURN, NY | $2,500 | 2026 | EQUIPMENT PURCHASE |
| WEST GENOA CEMETERY | KING FERRY, NY | $2,000 | 2026 | CAPITAL IMPROVMENTS |
| WESTMINSTER MANOR | AUBURN, NY | $2,000 | 2026 | CAPITAL IMPROVMENTS |
| AURELIUS VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT | AUBURN, NY | $2,000 | 2026 | EQUIPMENT PURCHASE |
| SKANEATELES EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER | SKANEATELES, NY | $2,000 | 2026 | CAPITAL IMPROVMENTS |
| MORAVIA HOPE PANTRY | MORAVIA, NY | $1,500 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SKANEATELES FOUNDATION | SKANEATELES, NY | $100 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CAYUGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | AUBURN, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SKANEATELES EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER | SKANEATELES, NY | $7,500 | 2025 | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS |
| LITERACY VOLUNTEERS OF CAYUGA COUNTY | AUBURN, NY | $6,500 | 2025 | EQUIPMENT PURCHASES |
| THE REV | AUBURN, NY | $5,200 | 2025 | EQUIPMENT PURCHASES |
| AUBURN PUBLIC THEATER | AUBURN, NY | $5,100 | 2025 | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS |
| COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM | AUBURN, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| UNITED WAY OF CAYUGA COUNTY INC | AUBURN, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| KING FERRY FOOD PANTRY | AURORA, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MATTHEW HOUSE | AUBURN, NY | $4,500 | 2025 | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS |
| PERFORM 4 PURPOSE | AUBURN, NY | $3,000 | 2025 | EQUIPMENT PURCHASES |
| HARRIET TUBMAN LIBERATION FOUNDATION | AUBURN, NY | $2,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ST ALPHONSUS FOOD PANTRY | AUBURN, NY | $2,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| UNION SPRINGS SOCCER CLUB | CAYUGA, NY | $2,500 | 2025 | EQUIPMENT PURCHASES |
| SKANEATELES ECUMENICAL FOOD PANTRY | SKANEATELES, NY | $2,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CALVARY FOOD PANTRY | AUBURN, NY | $2,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MORAVIA HOPE PANTRY | MORAVIA, NY | $2,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | WEST HENRIETTA, NY | $2,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CAYUGA MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND ART | AUBURN, NY | $2,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS |
| SCHWEINFURTH MUSEUM ART CENTER | AUBURN, NY | $2,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS |
| SPAFFORD AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY | SKANEATELES, NY | $2,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS |
| SKANEATELES LAKE ASSOCIATION | SKANEATELES, NY | $2,000 | 2025 | EQUIPMENT PURCHASES |
| MONTEZUMA AUDUBON CENTER | SAVANNAH, NY | $1,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SKANEATELES FOUNDATION | SKANEATELES, NY | $100 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| THE REV | AUBURN, NY | $7,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ABC CAYUGA PLAYSPACE | AUBURN, NY | $5,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS |
| CAYUGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | AUBURN, NY | $5,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| AUBURN COMMUNITY HOSPITAL | AUBURN, NY | $5,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
AUBURN YMCA
$8,200PROGRAM SUPPORT
CAYUGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$5,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
THE SKANEATELES FESTIVAL
$5,000EQUIPMENT PURCHASE
THE REV
$5,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
PROGRAM SUPPORT
COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM
$5,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
CAYUGA MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND ART
$5,000CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
UNITY HOUSE
$5,000EQUIPMENT PURCHASE
SCHWEINFURTH MUSEUM ART CENTER
$5,000EQUIPMENT PURCHASE
KING FERRY FOOD PANTRY
$4,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
PERFORM 4 PURPOSE
$3,000EQUIPMENT PURCHASE
AUBURN PUBLIC THEATER
$3,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
UNION SPRINGS SOCCER CLUB
$2,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
SPAFFORD AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$2,500CAPITAL IMPROVMENTS
AUBURN LACROSSE BOOSTERS INC
$2,500EQUIPMENT PURCHASE
WEST GENOA CEMETERY
$2,000CAPITAL IMPROVMENTS
WESTMINSTER MANOR
$2,000CAPITAL IMPROVMENTS
AURELIUS VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
$2,000EQUIPMENT PURCHASE
SKANEATELES EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER
$2,000CAPITAL IMPROVMENTS
MORAVIA HOPE PANTRY
$1,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
SKANEATELES FOUNDATION
$100PROGRAM SUPPORT
CAYUGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
SKANEATELES EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER
$7,500CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
LITERACY VOLUNTEERS OF CAYUGA COUNTY
$6,500EQUIPMENT PURCHASES
THE REV
$5,200EQUIPMENT PURCHASES
AUBURN PUBLIC THEATER
$5,100CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM
$5,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
KING FERRY FOOD PANTRY
$5,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
MATTHEW HOUSE
$4,500CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
PERFORM 4 PURPOSE
$3,000EQUIPMENT PURCHASES
HARRIET TUBMAN LIBERATION FOUNDATION
$2,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
ST ALPHONSUS FOOD PANTRY
$2,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
UNION SPRINGS SOCCER CLUB
$2,500EQUIPMENT PURCHASES
SKANEATELES ECUMENICAL FOOD PANTRY
$2,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
CALVARY FOOD PANTRY
$2,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
MORAVIA HOPE PANTRY
$2,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
AMERICAN RED CROSS
$2,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
CAYUGA MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND ART
$2,000CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
SCHWEINFURTH MUSEUM ART CENTER
$2,000CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
SPAFFORD AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$2,000CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
SKANEATELES LAKE ASSOCIATION
$2,000EQUIPMENT PURCHASES
SKANEATELES FOUNDATION
$100PROGRAM SUPPORT
THE REV
$7,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
ABC CAYUGA PLAYSPACE
$5,000CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
CAYUGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$5,000PROGRAM SUPPORT