
The John Ben Snow Memorial Trust is an independent private foundation that provides modest, mission-driven grants and scholarships focused on education, cultural institutions, community services and accessibility, with a strong preference for organizations in Central New York (especially Syracuse), Northern Nevada and New Jersey. They prioritize scholarships and academic programs, arts and youth programming, libraries and community revitalization, and selectively support disability access, environmental education and historic preservation when tied to educational or community benefit. Grants are typically program-specific, invite-only awards sized to support operating programs, scholarships, facility improvements or short-term projects.
John Ben Snow Memorial Tr Uw #839158 makes its largest recent grants to education and closely related civic programs, with repeated support for Colonial Williamsburg Foundation in 2023, 2024, and 2025 at $50,000 to $51,500. That pattern points to a private foundation that favors sustained, program-specific support rather than one-off gifts. Its portfolio also includes scholarships and academic assistance, youth enrichment, arts education, and community services, with selective grants for disability access, environmental education, and historic preservation when those projects connect to learning or community benefit. Recent awards show the foundation working with schools, museums, community nonprofits, and service organizations. Pulaski Academy and Central School received multiple grants across 2023, 2024, and 2025, including $40,000 and $40,800 awards. In the arts, the foundation backed Fenimore Art Museum and Schweinfurth Memorial Art, while community-oriented grants reached organizations such as Central New York Community Foundation Inc and The Seeing Eye Inc. The overall picture is of a grantmaker that supports education-centered programming across a mix of cultural, youth, and neighborhood-serving institutions.
Education is a major thread in the foundation’s grantmaking. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation received $51,500 in 2024 and $50,000 in both 2023 and 2025 under the education line, while Pulaski Academy and Central School also drew repeated support, including $40,800 in 2025. The foundation also funds arts and culture tied to youth learning and community audiences. Fenimore Art Museum received $25,000 in 2024 and again in 2025, and Schweinfurth Memorial Art received $25,000 in both 2023 and 2024. In community initiatives, Central New York Community Foundation Inc. received $35,000 in 2025 and $34,730 in 2024. Youth programs and access-related work appear as smaller but distinct parts of the portfolio. Northern Nevada Youth Golf Foundation received $25,000 in 2024, and The Seeing Eye Inc. received $33,000 in 2023 and $32,000 in 2024 for disabilities and universal access.
Typical grants sit in a fairly tight band: p25 $8,000, median $10,000, and p75 $15,000. The recent list also includes a smaller number of larger awards in the $25,000 to $51,500 range, mostly for education, arts, and community work. The foundation appears to favor repeat support: Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Pulaski Academy and Central School, Central New York Community Foundation Inc., and The Seeing Eye Inc. each received grants in multiple years. It is an independent private foundation, does not fund individuals, and does not make program-related investments. The active program descriptions indicate no unsolicited applications.
$1.5M
$31.1M
$2.4M
$1.9M
Most grants fall between $8K and $15K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$8K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$15K
About 0% of grants go to recipients in NY.
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Invite-only program grants and scholarships, typically single-year awards in the $5,000–$20,000 range (historically up to ~$51,500 for select projects). Decisions follow an April 1 full-application timeline if invited, with notifications generally by July 1; many priority areas are treated as lower priority and funded only when clearly linked to education or community benefit.
Notable grantees: Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, The Seeing Eye, University of Nevada–Reno Foundation, Franziska Racker Centers, Paul Smith's College
Grant recipients are entirely in the United States, and the foundation’s giving reaches a national footprint while clustering in New Jersey, Central New York, and Northern Nevada. Recent awards went to organizations in Williamsburg, VA; Reno, NV; Syracuse, NY; Pulaski, NY; Morristown, NJ; and Auburn, NY. The recipient list also includes Virginia City and Carson City, NV, plus Cooperstown, NY. New Jersey appears prominently through The Seeing Eye Inc. in Morristown, while Central New York shows up through Syracuse, Pulaski, Auburn, and Cooperstown.
The foundation supports education, arts and culture, youth programs, community initiatives, disabilities and universal access, environment, and historic preservation. The recent grants list shows awards to schools, museums, community foundations, disability-service organizations, and youth nonprofits, with many grants tied to programming, education, or community benefit.
The center of the grant-size distribution is modest: p25 is $8,000, median is $10,000, and p75 is $15,000. Recent awards also include larger program grants in the $25,000 to $51,500 range, but the typical gift sits below that upper band.
No. The active program descriptions for arts and culture, historic preservation, youth programs, disabilities and universal access, education, community initiatives, and environment all indicate that unsolicited applications are not accepted.
Yes. The recent grants show multi-year support for several recipients, including Colonial Williamsburg Foundation in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Pulaski Academy and Central School in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Central New York Community Foundation Inc. in 2023, 2024, and 2025; and The Seeing Eye Inc. in 2023 and 2024.
Its highest concentration of grants is in New Jersey, and the recent recipient list includes Morristown-based The Seeing Eye Inc. The grants also land frequently in Central New York and Northern Nevada, with recipients in Syracuse, Pulaski, Auburn, Cooperstown, Reno, Carson City, and Virginia City.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG FOUNDATION | WILLIAMSBURG, VA | $50,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| PULASKI ACADEMY AND CENTRAL SCHOOL | PULASKI, NY | $40,800 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| CENTRAL NEW YORK COMMUNITY FOUNDATION IN | SYRACUSE, NY | $35,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY INITIATIVES |
| FENIMORE ART MUSEUM | COOPERSTOWN, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | ARTS AND CULTURE |
| INTERFAITH WORKS OF CENTRAL NEW YORK | SYRACUSE, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY INITIATIVES |
| NEVADA CENTER FOR CIVIC ENGAGEMENT | SPARKS, NV | $25,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| CENTRAL CURRENT INC | SYRACUSE, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY INITIATIVES |
| ON POINT FOR COLLEGE INC | SYRACUSE, NY | $23,750 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| THE RENO DANCE COMPANY INC | RENO, NV | $20,000 | 2025 | ARTS AND CULTURE |
| COVENANT HOUSE NEW JERSEY | NEWARK, NJ | $20,000 | 2025 | YOUTH PROGRAMS |
| ADIRONDACK EXPERIENCE | LAKE PLACID, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | ARTS AND CULTURE |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY IN MONMOUTH COUNTY | ATLANTA, GA | $20,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY INITIATIVES |
| CENTERSTATE CEO FOUNDATION | SYRACUSE, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY INITIATIVES |
| CARE CHEST OF SIERRA NEVADA | RENO, NV | $20,000 | 2025 | DISABILITIES AND UNIVERSAL |
| JOSEPHS HOUSE FOR WOMEN INC | SYRACUSE, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY INITIATIVES |
| DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESOURCE CENTER | RENO, NV | $20,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY INITIATIVES |
| HORIZONS OF KENT AND QUEEN ANNES | CHESTERTOWN, MA | $20,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| SOLOMON R GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM AND FDN | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| SPREAD THE WORD NEVADA | HENDERSON, NV | $20,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| GOOD LIFE FOUNDATION | SYRACUSE, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | YOUTH PROGRAMS |
| UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA RENO | RENO, NV | $20,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY INITIATIVES |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF WESTERN NEVADA | CARSON CITY, NV | $20,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| UNIVERISTY OF NEVADA RENO | RENO, NV | $20,000 | 2025 | ARTS AND CULTURE |
| EDDY HOUSE | RENO, NV | $20,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY INITIATIVES |
| SULTANA EDUCATION FOUNDATION | CHESTERTOWN, MD | $20,000 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENT |
| NORTHERN NEVADA ELECTRICAL WORKERS JOINT | RENO, NV | $19,500 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| KUNR PUBLIC RADIO | RENO, NV | $18,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| CLEAN OCEAN ACTION | LONG BRANCH, NJ | $17,500 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| OLANA PARTNERSHIP | HUDSON, NY | $15,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| TRUCKEE MEADOWS PARKS FOUNDATION | RENO, NV | $15,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| PBS RENO | RENO, NV | $15,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| FRANK H HISCOCK LEGAL AID SOCIETY | SYRACUSE, NY | $15,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY INITIATIVES |
| ELMCREST CHILDRENS CENTER | SYRACUSE, NY | $15,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| TU CASA LATINA | RENO, NV | $15,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY INITIATIVES |
| ARTS FOR ALL NEVADA | RENO, NV | $15,000 | 2025 | ARTS AND CULTURE |
| THEODORE ROOSEVELT CONSERVATION PTP | WASHINGTON, DC | $15,000 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENT |
| RENO GAZETTE JOURNAL FUND | RENO, NV | $15,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| FOOD BANK OF NORTHERN NEVADA | SPARKS, NV | $15,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY INITIATIVES |
| FOOD BANK OF CENTRAL NEW YORK | SYRACUSE, NY | $15,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY INITIATIVES |
| HORIZON HOSPICE | ELKO, NV | $14,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY INITIATIVES |
| CENTER FOR THE ARTS OF HOMER INC | HOMER, NY | $14,000 | 2025 | HISTORIC PRESERVATION |
| URBAN ROOTS | BUFFALO, NY | $12,500 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| GARDEN STATE FILM FESTIVAL | SEA GIRT, NJ | $12,000 | 2025 | ARTS AND CULTURE |
| TWO RIVER THEATER | RED BANK, NJ | $12,000 | 2025 | ARTS AND CULTURE |
| RENO PHILHARMONIC ASSOCIATION | RENO, NV | $12,000 | 2025 | ARTS AND CULTURE |
| FIVER CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $12,000 | 2025 | YOUTH PROGRAMS |
| FROST VALLEY YMCA | CLARYVILLE, NY | $12,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY INITIATIVES |
| LINCOLN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS I | NEW YORK, NY | $12,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF MASON VALLEY | YERINGTON, NV | $12,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| EAGLE WINGS ACADEMY SCHOLARSHIPS AND STUDENT SUPPORT | JACKSONTOWN, OH | $12,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
PULASKI ACADEMY AND CENTRAL SCHOOL
$40,800EDUCATION
NEVADA CENTER FOR CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
$25,000EDUCATION
THE RENO DANCE COMPANY INC
$20,000ARTS AND CULTURE
ADIRONDACK EXPERIENCE
$20,000ARTS AND CULTURE
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY IN MONMOUTH COUNTY
$20,000COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
CARE CHEST OF SIERRA NEVADA
$20,000DISABILITIES AND UNIVERSAL
HORIZONS OF KENT AND QUEEN ANNES
$20,000EDUCATION
SOLOMON R GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM AND FDN
$20,000EDUCATION
SPREAD THE WORD NEVADA
$20,000EDUCATION
GOOD LIFE FOUNDATION
$20,000YOUTH PROGRAMS
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA RENO
$20,000COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
UNIVERISTY OF NEVADA RENO
$20,000ARTS AND CULTURE
NORTHERN NEVADA ELECTRICAL WORKERS JOINT
$19,500EDUCATION
KUNR PUBLIC RADIO
$18,000EDUCATION
TRUCKEE MEADOWS PARKS FOUNDATION
$15,000EDUCATION
FRANK H HISCOCK LEGAL AID SOCIETY
$15,000COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
TU CASA LATINA
$15,000COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
ARTS FOR ALL NEVADA
$15,000ARTS AND CULTURE
THEODORE ROOSEVELT CONSERVATION PTP
$15,000ENVIRONMENT
RENO GAZETTE JOURNAL FUND
$15,000EDUCATION
HORIZON HOSPICE
$14,000COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
CENTER FOR THE ARTS OF HOMER INC
$14,000HISTORIC PRESERVATION
URBAN ROOTS
$12,500EDUCATION
GARDEN STATE FILM FESTIVAL
$12,000ARTS AND CULTURE
TWO RIVER THEATER
$12,000ARTS AND CULTURE
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF MASON VALLEY
$12,000EDUCATION
EAGLE WINGS ACADEMY SCHOLARSHIPS AND STUDENT SUPPORT
$12,000EDUCATION