The Swyer Family Foundation focuses almost exclusively on supporting higher education in the Albany, NY area through large, restricted institutional gifts. Its giving is dominated by multi-million dollar support for Albany Law School (two grants totaling $3M) and a sizable restricted grant to the University at Albany Foundation. The foundation appears to favor local, institutional philanthropy—especially legal education—over broad-based or small-scale community grants.
Very concentrated and local: few, large restricted grants to higher-education institutions with repeat funding to the same grantee (Albany Law School).
A $2.5 million restricted grant to Albany Law School in 2025 is the clearest marker of The Swyer Family Foundation Inc’s recent grantmaking. That gift sits within a pattern of large, institution-focused support tied to Albany-area higher education, including a $500,000 restricted grant to the same school in 2023 and a $254,257 restricted grant to University of Albany Foundation that year. The foundation’s giving is concentrated in New York and lands entirely with U.S. recipients, with a strong preference for Albany-based institutions and organizations. Beyond higher education, the foundation has also backed Jewish Federation of Ne New York, St Peter’s Health Foundation, and Capital Roots, suggesting a portfolio that reaches into community, health, and regional civic life while remaining rooted in the Capital Region. Most of the recent grants are unrestricted awards at modest levels compared with the headline institutional gifts, which indicates a mix of major restricted support and smaller flexible grants to local nonprofits.
Higher education is the foundation’s defining theme. In 2025, it gave $2.5 million to Albany Law School as a restricted grant, following a $500,000 restricted grant to the school in 2023. It also supported University of Albany Foundation with a $254,257 restricted grant in 2023 and a separate $5,000 restricted grant in 2025. Those gifts point to sustained institutional support rather than one-off program funding. The foundation also funds Jewish and civic organizations. It awarded $95,000 to Jewish Federation of Ne New York in 2025 and $94,000 to the same organization in 2023, both unrestricted. In the same year, it gave $50,000 unrestricted each to Foreign Policy Association and Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, showing a willingness to support organizations beyond the Capital Region when they fit its priorities. Community and health organizations also appear in the recent record, including $50,000 to St Peter's Health Foundation and $25,000 to Capital Roots.
Typical grants are small relative to the foundation’s largest awards: the p25 is $2,500, the median is $5,000, and the p75 is $15,000. That distribution sits alongside a few much larger restricted institutional gifts, which pull the average upward. The recent record shows repeat support across years for several recipients, including Albany Law School, University of Albany Foundation, and Jewish Federation of Ne New York. The foundation gives to 501(c)(3) and other tax-exempt charitable organizations, using both unrestricted and restricted grants. No application process is indicated in the data.
$2.9M
$5.5M
$3.4M
$2.9M
Most grants fall between $3K and $15K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$15K
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Notable grantees: Albany Law School, University of Albany Foundation
The foundation gives locally and its recipient footprint is entirely in the U.S., with 100% of grants going to NY recipients. Albany is the main city in the grant record, with additional grants in Troy, Saratoga Springs, Schenectady, and Lake Luzerne. Named recipients outside Albany include organizations in New York City, such as Foreign Policy Association and Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, but the pattern remains centered on the Capital Region.
The recent grant record is dominated by 501(c)(3) and other tax-exempt charitable organizations, with support going to institutions such as Albany Law School, University of Albany Foundation, Jewish Federation of Ne New York, and St Peter's Health Foundation. The foundation uses both unrestricted and restricted grants.
Yes. Higher education is the clearest thread in the data, led by a $2.5 million restricted grant to Albany Law School in 2025, a $500,000 restricted grant to the same school in 2023, and a $254,257 restricted grant to University of Albany Foundation in 2023.
Yes. The geographic scope is local, and 100% of grants in the provided data go to recipients in New York. The grant list is concentrated in Albany, with additional awards in nearby cities such as Troy, Saratoga Springs, Schenectady, and Lake Luzerne.
The typical grant profile is relatively modest: the p25 is $2,500, the median is $5,000, and the p75 is $15,000. That pattern appears alongside a few very large restricted gifts that are much higher than the middle of the distribution.
Yes. Several organizations appear in multiple years, including Albany Law School, University of Albany Foundation, and Jewish Federation of Ne New York. The data also shows recurring support at different levels, from large restricted awards to smaller unrestricted grants.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALBANY LAW SCHOOL | ALBANY, NY | $2,500,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF NE NEW YORK | ALBANY, NY | $95,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| ST PETER'S HEALTH FOUNDATION | ALBANY, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| FOREIGN POLICY ASSOCIATION | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| CAPITAL ROOTS | TROY, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| NATURAL HERITAGE TRUST | VOORHEESEVILLE, NY | $15,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| FAMILIES IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE | ALBANY, NY | $12,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| IPH | ALBANY, NY | $12,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| THE LEGAL PROJECT | ALBANY, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| KOINONIA PRIMARY CARE | ALBANY, NY | $7,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| ARCHIVES PARTNERSHIP TRUST | ALBANY, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| JAKE'S HELP FROM HEAVEN | SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| THE EMPIRE CENTER FOR PUBLIC POLICY | ALBANY, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| 15-LOVE | ALBANY, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| DOUBLE H RANCH | LAKE LUZERNE, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| SARATOGA SPONSOR-A-SCHOLAR | SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| UNIVERSITY OF ALBANY FOUNDATION | ALBANY, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| CENTER FOR DISABILITY SERVICES | ALBANY, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| WARREN & DENYSE MACKEY FOUNDATION | SLINGERLANDS, NY | $3,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| ALBANY SYMPHONY | ALBANY, NY | $3,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| FATHER PETER G YOUNG | ALBANY, NY | $2,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| ALBANY PROMUSICA | TROY, NY | $2,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| TWIN RIVERS COUNCIL BSA | ALBANY, NY | $2,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE CAPITAL REGION | ALBANY, NY | $2,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| DESTROYER ESCORT HISTORICAL MUSEUM | ALBANY, NY | $2,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| COMMUNITY HOSPICE FOUNDATION | ALBANY, NY | $1,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| ALBANY INSTITUTE OF HISTORY AND ART | ALBANY, NY | $1,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| ALBANY LAW SCHOOL | ALBANY, NY | $500,000 | 2024 | RESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF NE NEW YORK | ALBANY, NY | $149,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| KENT AFFORDABLE HOUSING INC | KENT, CT | $144,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| SARATOGA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY | $50,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| FOREIGN POLICY ASSOCIATION | NEW YORK, NY | $30,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| NATURE CONSERVATORY | NEW YORK, NY | $15,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| FAMILIES IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE | ALBANY, NY | $11,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| ALBANY INSTITUTE OF HISTORY AND ART | ALBANY, NY | $10,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT | ALBANY, NY | $10,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| 15-LOVE | ALBANY, NY | $7,500 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| THE LEGAL PROJECT | ALBANY, NY | $7,500 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| ALBANY SYMPHONY | ALBANY, NY | $5,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| THE EMPIRE CENTER FOR PUBLIC POLICY | ALBANY, NY | $5,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| PARK PLAYHOUSE INC | COHOES, NY | $2,500 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| NATURAL HERITAGE FOUNDATION | ALBANY, NY | $2,500 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| ALBANY ACADEMICS | ALBANY, NY | $2,500 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| FATHER PETER G YOUNG | ALBANY, NY | $2,500 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| UNIVERSITY OF ALBANY FOUNDATION | ALBANY, NY | $2,500 | 2024 | RESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE CAPITAL REGION | ALBANY, NY | $2,500 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| SARATOGA PLAN | SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY | $2,500 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| THE EGG | ALBANY, NY | $2,500 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
| PEACEFUL ACRES HORSES INC | PATTERSONVILLE, NY | $1,500 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION |
JEWISH FEDERATION OF NE NEW YORK
$95,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION
ST PETER'S HEALTH FOUNDATION
$50,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION
UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION
FOREIGN POLICY ASSOCIATION
$50,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION
UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION
NATURAL HERITAGE TRUST
$15,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION
FAMILIES IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE
$12,500UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION
THE LEGAL PROJECT
$10,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION
KOINONIA PRIMARY CARE
$7,500UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION
ARCHIVES PARTNERSHIP TRUST
$5,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION
JAKE'S HELP FROM HEAVEN
$5,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION
15-LOVE
$5,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION
DOUBLE H RANCH
$5,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION
SARATOGA SPONSOR-A-SCHOLAR
$5,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION
WARREN & DENYSE MACKEY FOUNDATION
$3,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION
ALBANY SYMPHONY
$3,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION
FATHER PETER G YOUNG
$2,500UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION
ALBANY PROMUSICA
$2,500UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION
TWIN RIVERS COUNCIL BSA
$2,500UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION
THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE CAPITAL REGION
$2,500UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION
DESTROYER ESCORT HISTORICAL MUSEUM
$2,500UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION
COMMUNITY HOSPICE FOUNDATION
$1,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION
JEWISH FEDERATION OF NE NEW YORK
$149,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION
KENT AFFORDABLE HOUSING INC
$144,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION
UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION
FOREIGN POLICY ASSOCIATION
$30,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION
NATURE CONSERVATORY
$15,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION
FAMILIES IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE
$11,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT
$10,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION
15-LOVE
$7,500UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION
THE LEGAL PROJECT
$7,500UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION
ALBANY SYMPHONY
$5,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION
PARK PLAYHOUSE INC
$2,500UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION
NATURAL HERITAGE FOUNDATION
$2,500UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION
ALBANY ACADEMICS
$2,500UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION
FATHER PETER G YOUNG
$2,500UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION
UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION
SARATOGA PLAN
$2,500UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION
THE EGG
$2,500UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION
PEACEFUL ACRES HORSES INC
$1,500UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION