The Cameron and Jane Baird Foundation concentrates its support locally in Buffalo, NY, with a strong philanthropic emphasis on sustaining major cultural institutions and independent secondary education. The foundation makes sizable, multi-year operating and endowment-style gifts—most notably repeated, large gifts to the Buffalo Philharmonic—to preserve arts programming and student activity resources. Its giving signals a preference for deep investments in a small number of trusted local organizations rather than broad-based grantmaking.
The Cameron and Jane Baird Foundation’s recent giving is defined by repeated, large operating support to the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Society Inc. across 2023, 2024, and 2025. That pattern points to a funder willing to sustain a core cultural institution over time rather than spread support thinly across many recipients. The foundation also made a substantial endowed-fund grant to St Paul’s Schools for student activities, showing interest in long-horizon support for education as well as the arts. Alongside those anchor gifts, the foundation’s grant list includes arts institutions in Buffalo, health and poverty relief organizations, and program support for meditation, food aid, solar lighting, and services for people with multiple sclerosis. Its support reaches both local institutions in Buffalo and selected nonprofits working on national and international issues. The repeated presence of the same recipients across multiple years suggests a relationship-based grantmaking pattern, with some awards renewed annually and others used to build capacity or preserve ongoing programming.
In performing arts, the foundation has supported several Buffalo institutions with general operating support and education programs, including Buffalo Akg Art Museum at $140,000 in 2025 and the same amount in 2024, plus Albright-knox Art Gallery at $140,000 in 2023. Those gifts sit alongside the orchestra support that anchors the foundation’s arts giving. Its health and human services grants extend beyond the arts. Doctors Without Borders USA Inc received $120,000 in 2024 for international programs to improve medical care and fight poverty, while Partners in Health received $100,000 in each of 2023, 2024, and 2025 for health care for the poor. The foundation also funded Planned Parenthood Federation of America Inc with $68,000 in 2025 and $67,500 in 2023 for national support for family planning. Basic-needs and community-focused grants include Feedmore Western New York at $70,000 in 2025 for food assistance for families, and Let There Be Light International at $102,500 in 2025 for solar light for families in Africa.
Typical grant size sits at $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $7,500 at the median, and $15,000 at the 75th percentile, while the recent-grants list also shows a small number of much larger awards. The pattern is relationship-driven: Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Society Inc, Oxfam America, Partners in Health, Vipassana Community Foundation, Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, and Let There Be Light International each appear in multiple years. The foundation is classified as a regular funder, and it funds individuals. Program-related investments are not part of the profile.
$2.8M
$36.7M
$2.5M
$3M
Most grants fall between $5K and $15K, with a median of $8K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$8K
75th Percentile
$15K
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Highly concentrated: few, large grants focused on repeat support for a small set of local institutions (three of four grants to a single arts organization), favoring operating and endowed funding over many small awards.
Notable grantees: Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Society Inc, St. Paul's Schools
Grantmaking is regional, with 48% of grants going to recipients in New York. Buffalo appears often, including Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Society Inc, Buffalo Akg Art Museum, Albright-knox Art Gallery, Let There Be Light International, and Feedmore Western New York. Outside New York, the foundation gives repeatedly in Boston, Onalaska, Cherry Hill, Truckee, and Brooklandville. Arizona is the top state by grant count, even though the foundation’s headquarters are in Buffalo, NY.
The recent grants show a strong emphasis on performing arts, especially the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Society Inc and other Buffalo arts institutions. The foundation also funds education, health and poverty relief, food assistance, solar-light programs, family planning, and services for people with multiple sclerosis.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Society Inc in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Oxfam America in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Partners in Health in 2023, 2024, and 2025; and Multiple Sclerosis Association of America in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
The grant-size distribution centers on $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $7,500 at the median, and $15,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent list also includes larger multi-hundred-thousand-dollar awards, so the foundation uses a wide range of grant sizes.
New York receives 48% of the grants, and Buffalo is a recurring city in the grant list. At the state level, Arizona is the top state by grant count, showing that the foundation’s regional giving extends beyond its Buffalo headquarters.
Yes. Recent grants include $120,000 to Doctors Without Borders USA Inc for international programs to improve medical care and fight poverty, $102,500 to Let There Be Light International for solar light for families in Africa, and $150,000 to Oxfam America for disaster relief and poverty relief.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BUFFALO PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA SOCIETY INC | BUFFALO, NY | $585,000 | 2025 | OPERATING SUPPORT OF SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA |
| VIPASSANA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | ONALASKA, WA | $170,000 | 2025 | PROGRAMS SUPPORTING VIPASSANA MEDITATION |
| OXFAM AMERICA | BOSTON, MA | $150,000 | 2025 | DISASTER RELIEF AND POVERTY RELIEF |
| BUFFALO AKG ART MUSEUM | BUFFALO, NY | $140,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| LET THERE BE LIGHT INTERNATIONAL | BUFFALO, NY | $102,500 | 2025 | SOLAR LIGHT FOR FAMILIES IN AFRICA |
| PARTNERS IN HEALTH | BOSTON, MA | $100,000 | 2025 | HEALTH CARE FOR THE POOR |
| MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA | CHERRY HILL, NJ | $85,000 | 2025 | SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS |
| FEEDMORE WESTERN NEW YORK | BUFFALO, NY | $70,000 | 2025 | FOOD ASSISTANCE FOR FAMILIES |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD FEDERATION OF AMERICA INC | NEW YORK, NY | $68,000 | 2025 | NATIONAL SUPPORT FOR FAMILY PLANNING |
| FIDELITY CHARITABLE FUND | CINCINNATI, OH | $65,000 | 2025 | FUND FOR CHARITABLE GIVING |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS USA INC | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE MEDICAL CARE AND FIGHT POVERTY |
| UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO FOUNDATION INC | BUFFALO, NY | $40,000 | 2025 | MUSIC DEPARTMENT PROGRAMS |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF WESTERN AND CENTRAL NEW YORK | BUFFALO, NY | $40,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR FAMILY PLANNING IN WESTERN NEW YORK |
| FISTULA FOUNDATION | SAN JOSE, CA | $35,000 | 2025 | FISTULA REPAIR SURGERIES FOR WOMEN |
| SIERRA CLUB FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | INNER CITY OUTINGS PROGRAM IN CALIFORNIA |
| TAHOE TRUCKEE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | TRUCKEE, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR TRUCKEE, CALIFORNIA PHILANTHROPY |
| SAINT ANNS SCHOOL | BROOKLYN, NY | $28,500 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| BURCHFIELD PENNEY ART CENTER | BUFFALO, NY | $27,500 | 2025 | STUDENT EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| THE HAWKSBILL PROJECT | RIVERTON, UT | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR SEA TURTLE RESEARCH |
| KING CENTER CHARTER SCHOOL | BUFFALO, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR SCHOOL SPORTS PROGRAMS |
| UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | SCIENCE-BASED ADVOCACY FOR A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT |
| AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA INC | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS |
| ST PAUL'S SCHOOLS | BROOKLANDIVILLE, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | ENDOWED FUND FOR STUDENT ACTIVITIES |
| GROW FOOD NORTHAMPTON | FLORENCE, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | INCREASING ACCESS TO LOCALLY AND SUSTAINABLY GROWN FOOD |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR GREATER BUFFALO | BUFFALO, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR FUND FOR THE ARTS INITIATIVE |
| COMPUTERS FOR CHILDREN OF AMERICA | BUFFALO, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| BUFFALO CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY | BUFFALO, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | GIFT TO THE COMMUNITY CONCERT SERIES FEATURING YOUNG ARTISTS |
| METROPOLITAN OPERA ASSOCIATION INC | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT FOR OPERA PERFORMANCES |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD SHASTA DIABLO INC | CONCORD, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR FAMILY PLANNING IN CONCORD, CALIFORNIA AREA |
| FREE THE OPPRESSED | DENVER, CO | $20,000 | 2025 | HUMANITARIAN SERVICES IN CONFLICT ZONES |
| MARTINEZ EDUCATION FOUNDATION | MARTINEZ, CA | $17,500 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| ROSWELL PARK ALLIANCE FOUNDATION | BUFFALO, NY | $15,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR CANCER RESEARCH |
| BUFFALO SEMINARY | BUFFALO, NY | $15,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION |
| FIRST PLACE FOR YOUTH | OAKLAND, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | FOSTER YOUTH PROGRAMS |
| CLEAN AIR TASK FORCE | BOSTON, MA | $15,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS |
| VOLUNTEERS WITHOUT LIMITS | REDLANDS, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | FOOD BANK AND OTHER SERVICES |
| SOUTHSIDE COMMUNITY LAND TRUST | PROVIDENCE, RI | $15,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR URBAN AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS |
| SQUEAKY WHEEL FILM AND MEDIA ART CENTER | BUFFALO, NY | $15,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR YOUTH PROGRAMS IN MEDIA ARTS |
| CLUB LAS AMIGAS | CALEXICO, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL CHILDREN OF SAN FELIPE |
| SAN FELIPE DOG RESCUE | CALEXICO, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | DOG RESCUE SERVICES |
| WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS | BUFFALO, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | DAY CARE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR FINANCIALLY DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN |
| CADE'S CORNER | SOUTHPORT, CT | $10,000 | 2025 | MEDICAL RESEARCH - SPASTIC PARAPLEGIA 50 |
| THE BAIL PROJECT INC | PASADENA, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | BAIL ASSISTANCE FOR PEOPLE IN NEED |
| FAM177A1 RESEARCH FUND | MERCER ISLAND, WA | $10,000 | 2025 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| SAN DIEGO RIVER PARK FOUNDATION | SAN DIEGO, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF THE SAN DIEGO RIVER |
| PARK SQUARE ADVOCATES INC | BOSTON, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | LEGAL SERVICES FOR GAY AND LESBIAN RIGHTS |
| BUFFALO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY | BUFFALO, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT OF ZOO |
| SIERRA COMMUNITY HOUSE | INCLINE VILLAGE, NV | $10,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY FAMILY SERVICES |
| NICHOLE BORCHARD FOUNDATION | BUFFALO, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | ASSISTANCE TO PATIENTS AND FAMILIES FACING RARE CANCERS |
| BUFFALO PREP INC | BUFFALO, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR HIGH SCHOOL PREPARATORY PROGRAM |
OPERATING SUPPORT OF SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
BUFFALO AKG ART MUSEUM
$140,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS
LET THERE BE LIGHT INTERNATIONAL
$102,500SOLAR LIGHT FOR FAMILIES IN AFRICA
PARTNERS IN HEALTH
HEALTH CARE FOR THE POOR
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
$85,000SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
NATIONAL SUPPORT FOR FAMILY PLANNING
FIDELITY CHARITABLE FUND
$65,000FUND FOR CHARITABLE GIVING
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS USA INC
$50,000INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE MEDICAL CARE AND FIGHT POVERTY
PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF WESTERN AND CENTRAL NEW YORK
$40,000SUPPORT FOR FAMILY PLANNING IN WESTERN NEW YORK
SUPPORT FOR TRUCKEE, CALIFORNIA PHILANTHROPY
THE HAWKSBILL PROJECT
$25,000SUPPORT FOR SEA TURTLE RESEARCH
KING CENTER CHARTER SCHOOL
$25,000SUPPORT FOR SCHOOL SPORTS PROGRAMS
SCIENCE-BASED ADVOCACY FOR A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT
ST PAUL'S SCHOOLS
$25,000ENDOWED FUND FOR STUDENT ACTIVITIES
GROW FOOD NORTHAMPTON
$25,000INCREASING ACCESS TO LOCALLY AND SUSTAINABLY GROWN FOOD
SUPPORT FOR FUND FOR THE ARTS INITIATIVE
BUFFALO CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY
$20,000GIFT TO THE COMMUNITY CONCERT SERIES FEATURING YOUNG ARTISTS
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT FOR OPERA PERFORMANCES
SUPPORT FOR FAMILY PLANNING IN CONCORD, CALIFORNIA AREA
FREE THE OPPRESSED
$20,000HUMANITARIAN SERVICES IN CONFLICT ZONES
MARTINEZ EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$17,500SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION PROGRAMS
VOLUNTEERS WITHOUT LIMITS
$15,000FOOD BANK AND OTHER SERVICES
SOUTHSIDE COMMUNITY LAND TRUST
$15,000SUPPORT FOR URBAN AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS
SQUEAKY WHEEL FILM AND MEDIA ART CENTER
$15,000SUPPORT FOR YOUTH PROGRAMS IN MEDIA ARTS
CLUB LAS AMIGAS
$15,000SUPPORT FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL CHILDREN OF SAN FELIPE
SAN FELIPE DOG RESCUE
$15,000DOG RESCUE SERVICES
WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS
$10,000DAY CARE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR FINANCIALLY DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN
CADE'S CORNER
$10,000MEDICAL RESEARCH - SPASTIC PARAPLEGIA 50
THE BAIL PROJECT INC
$10,000BAIL ASSISTANCE FOR PEOPLE IN NEED
FAM177A1 RESEARCH FUND
$10,000MEDICAL RESEARCH
PARK SQUARE ADVOCATES INC
$10,000LEGAL SERVICES FOR GAY AND LESBIAN RIGHTS
BUFFALO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT OF ZOO
NICHOLE BORCHARD FOUNDATION
$10,000ASSISTANCE TO PATIENTS AND FAMILIES FACING RARE CANCERS