The Sands Family Foundation concentrates large, unrestricted gifts into Rochester-area institutions, indicating a focus on bolstering local community capacity and health care. Though based in Florida, the foundation appears to maintain strong ties to Rochester, NY, using the Rochester Area Community Foundation and Rochester Regional Health as primary channels for impact. Their grants emphasize flexible support rather than tightly restricted project funding.
The Sands Family Foundation Inc C/o Wildstar Partners LLC makes some of its largest recent gifts as unrestricted support to Rochester-area institutions, with Rochester Area Community Foundation receiving $10,638,000 in 2023, $4,608,000 in 2024, and $2,909,900 in 2025. That pattern points to a funder that uses sizable, flexible grants to strengthen local nonprofit and civic capacity over time rather than limiting support to narrowly defined projects. Rochester Regional Health is another repeated recipient, with $1,213,000 in 2025 and $1,018,000 in 2024, both listed as unrestricted program use. The foundation also channels major support through higher-education and community institutions in the Rochester region, including the University of Rochester, Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Finger Lakes Community College, and Canandaigua Area Development Corporation. The grant list shows a broad preference for unrestricted program use, and several awards are positioned to support institutional stability, endowment needs, and operating flexibility. A 2025 grant to The Harley School Fund specifically supports the Winslow natural playground and an endowment fund for faculty compensation, showing that the foundation’s giving can combine place-based community investments with long-term institutional support.
A clear thread in the portfolio is community philanthropy in the Rochester region. The foundation gave $10,638,000 to Rochester Area Community Foundation in 2023, followed by $4,608,000 in 2024 and $2,909,900 in 2025, all for unrestricted program use. Health care is another recurring area. Rochester Regional Health received $1,213,000 in 2025 and $1,018,000 in 2024, both unrestricted, indicating ongoing support for hospital-system capacity. In education, the foundation supported both postsecondary and independent-school priorities. It gave $600,000 to Finger Lakes Community College in 2024 and $570,000 to the University of Rochester in 2025, each as unrestricted program use. A separate 2025 grant of $201,250 to The Harley School Fund was earmarked for the Winslow natural playground and an endowment fund for faculty compensation.
Typical grants cluster in the low-to-mid five-figure and low-six-figure range, with p25 at $10,000, a median of $38,750, and p75 at $125,000. The recent list also shows much larger awards, especially to long-time institutional partners. Most grants are listed as unrestricted program use, and several recipients appear across multiple years, including Rochester Area Community Foundation, Rochester Regional Health, Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Pace University, and NYU Langone Health. The foundation is a family foundation and also makes program-related investments. The grant list itself does not indicate an application process.
$10M
$301M
$131.9M
$14M
Most grants fall between $10K and $125K, with a median of $39K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$39K
75th Percentile
$125K
About 8% of grants go to recipients in NY.
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Highly concentrated giving: very few but very large grants, repeated multi-grant support to the same institutional recipients, primarily unrestricted funding likely intended for endowment or general operating support.
Notable grantees: Rochester Area Community Foundation, Rochester Regional Health, Rochester-area nonprofits served indirectly through the Rochester Area Community Foundation
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly U.S.-based, with 145 grants to U.S. recipients. Although the foundation is headquartered in Delray Beach, Florida, only 8% of grants go to recipients in Florida. The highest concentration is in the Rochester, New York area, including Rochester, Canandaigua, and nearby regional institutions. Outside New York, a smaller number of grants reach Boca Raton, New York City, Charlottesville, and Novato.
The recent grants point to support for Rochester-area community philanthropy, health care capacity, higher education, and local nonprofit infrastructure. Repeated recipients include Rochester Area Community Foundation, Rochester Regional Health, Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Finger Lakes Community College, and Canandaigua Area Development Corporation.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution centers on a median grant of $38,750, with a 25th percentile of $10,000 and a 75th percentile of $125,000. The recent list also includes much larger institutional awards, such as multi-million-dollar unrestricted grants to Rochester Area Community Foundation.
Yes. Several organizations appear in multiple years, including Rochester Area Community Foundation in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Rochester Regional Health in 2024 and 2025; Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce Foundation in 2024 and 2025; and NYU Langone Health and Pace University in more than one year.
The grants are nationally distributed but concentrated in the Rochester, New York region. U.S. recipients account for 145 grants, and only 8% of grants go to recipients in Florida, the foundation’s headquarters state. Recent recipient cities include Rochester, Canandaigua, Boca Raton, New York City, Charlottesville, and Novato.
Most recent grants are listed as unrestricted program use. A separate example shows more specific support: The Harley School Fund received $201,250 for the Winslow natural playground and an endowment fund to support faculty compensation.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROCHESTER AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | ROCHESTER, NY | $2,909,900 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| ROCHESTER REGIONAL HEALTH | ROCHESTER, NY | $1,213,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| GREATER ROCHESTER OF COMMERCE FOUNDATION | ROCHESTER, NY | $650,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER | ROCHESTER, NY | $570,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| NYU LANGONE HEALTH | NEW YORK, NY | $500,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| CANANDAIGUA AREA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION | CANANDAIGUA, NY | $470,448 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| SOUND FUTURE FOUNDATION | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $337,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| BOCA RATON REGIONAL HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | BOCA RATON, FL | $325,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| FINGER LAKES COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | CANANDAIGUA, NY | $300,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| EQUATION CAMPAIGN AND GLOBAL CLIMATE LEGAL DEFENSE | NOVATO, CA | $250,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER ROCHESTER | ROCHESTER, NY | $250,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| PACE UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $237,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| EDUCATION SUCCESS FOUNDATION | ROCHESTER, NY | $215,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| THE HARLEY SCHOOL FUND | ROCHESTER, NY | $201,250 | 2025 | FOR SUPPORT OF WINSLOW NATURAL PLAYGROUND AND ENDOWMENT FUND TO SUPPORT FACULTY COMPENSATION |
| MERCY FLIGHT CENTRAL | CANANDAIGUA, NY | $150,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| HUNGER FREE COLORADO | DENVER, CO | $150,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| THE FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS AT NYU LANGONE | NEW YORK, NY | $142,501 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| INTERVOL | ROCHESTER, NY | $125,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| GLYNWOOD CENTER | COLD SPRING, NY | $125,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| FOODLINK INC | ROCHESTER, NY | $125,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| THE GROWHAUS | DENVER, CO | $106,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| FORT HILL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | CANANDAIGUA, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| SKIDMORE COLLEGE | SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | FOR SUPPORT OF CAREER CENTER, CENTER FOR INTEGRATED SCIENCES, AND ANNUAL FUND |
| THE PEOPLE'S PANTRY | ROCHESTER, NY | $75,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| NEW YORK KITCHEN | CANANDAIGUA, NY | $52,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| SPRING STREET CLIMATE FUND | BROOKLYN, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| THE HOLE IN THE WALL GANG CAMP | NEW HAVEN, CT | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| ARTISANWORKS & EVENTS INC | ROCHESTER, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| CANANDAIGUA LAKE WATERSHED COUNCIL | CANANDAIGUA, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| MILAGRO FOUNDATION INC | DELRAY BEACH, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY | ROCHESTER, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| CREO SYNDICATE | NEW YORK, NY | $18,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| THE BRONXVILLE SCHOOL FOUNDATION | BRONXVILLE, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| GENERATION W | JACKSONVILLE BEACH, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| VERTUS CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL | ROCHESTER, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| FAMILY EQUALITY | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| DIVIDED SKY FOUNDATION | LUDLOW, VT | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF GENEVA | GENEVA, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| CHILD RESCUE COALITION | BOCA RATON, FL | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| MISERICORDIA FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| CANANDAIGUA LAKE CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL (CHAMBERFEST CANANDAIGUA) | CANANDAIGUA, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| CANANDAIGUA ROTARY CLUB | CANANDAIGUA, NY | $3,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| ONTARIO CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION | CANANDAIGUA, NY | $3,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY | ARLINGTON, VA | $3,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| FRIENDS OF THE CONSTELLATION BRANDS - MARVIN SANDS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | CANANDAIGUA, NY | $2,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| 3000 MILES TO A CURE | NEWBURY, MA | $2,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| BUSINESS FOUNDATION OF THE FINGERLAKES | CANANDAIGUA, NY | $2,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| PITTSFORD JR PANTHERS FOOTBALL & CHEER | PITTSFORD, NY | $2,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| PITTSFORD PANTHER WRESTLING INC | ROCHESTER, NY | $2,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
| CHILDREN'S HELMET INITIATIVE | DELRAY BEACH, FL | $1,800 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE |
GREATER ROCHESTER OF COMMERCE FOUNDATION
$650,000UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE
UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
$570,000UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE
NYU LANGONE HEALTH
$500,000UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE
CANANDAIGUA AREA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
$470,448UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE
SOUND FUTURE FOUNDATION
$337,500UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE
EQUATION CAMPAIGN AND GLOBAL CLIMATE LEGAL DEFENSE
$250,000UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE
JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER ROCHESTER
$250,000UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE
PACE UNIVERSITY
$237,000UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE
THE HARLEY SCHOOL FUND
$201,250FOR SUPPORT OF WINSLOW NATURAL PLAYGROUND AND ENDOWMENT FUND TO SUPPORT FACULTY COMPENSATION
THE FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS AT NYU LANGONE
$142,501UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE
INTERVOL
$125,000UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE
FOR SUPPORT OF CAREER CENTER, CENTER FOR INTEGRATED SCIENCES, AND ANNUAL FUND
THE PEOPLE'S PANTRY
$75,000UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE
NEW YORK KITCHEN
$52,500UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE
THE HOLE IN THE WALL GANG CAMP
$25,000UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE
ARTISANWORKS & EVENTS INC
$25,000UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE
CANANDAIGUA LAKE WATERSHED COUNCIL
$25,000UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE
CREO SYNDICATE
$18,000UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE
THE BRONXVILLE SCHOOL FOUNDATION
$10,000UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE
GENERATION W
$10,000UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE
VERTUS CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL
$10,000UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE
THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF GENEVA
$5,000UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE
CHILD RESCUE COALITION
$5,000UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE
CANANDAIGUA LAKE CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL (CHAMBERFEST CANANDAIGUA)
$5,000UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE
CANANDAIGUA ROTARY CLUB
$3,500UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE
ONTARIO CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION
$3,000UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE
FRIENDS OF THE CONSTELLATION BRANDS - MARVIN SANDS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
$2,500UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE
3000 MILES TO A CURE
$2,500UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE
BUSINESS FOUNDATION OF THE FINGERLAKES
$2,500UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE
PITTSFORD JR PANTHERS FOOTBALL & CHEER
$2,000UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE
PITTSFORD PANTHER WRESTLING INC
$2,000UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE
CHILDREN'S HELMET INITIATIVE
$1,800UNRESTRICTED PROGRAM USE