Colucci Family Foundation Inc.

Colucci Family Foundation Inc. is a private family foundation established in Buffalo, New York in 2010 (IRS ruling March 2010). The foundation is based at 800 Main Place Tower in downtown Buffalo, a prominent commercial address suggesting an affiliation with a professional services firm (legal, financial, or accounting) that provides administrative support. This is a common arrangement for small family foundations that do not maintain dedicated staff. The Colucci name is a recognizable Italian-American family surname in Buffalo's business and civic communities. The foundation's grantmaking strategy is community-oriented with grants to Western New York nonprofits, with annual distributions historically in the $50,000-$90,000 range. In 2021, the foundation received a transformative endowment gift of $900,050 in contributions, more than doubling its assets from approximately $800,000 to $1.7 million and setting the stage for significantly increased grantmaking capacity. The foundation's website domain (coluccifamily.org) is registered via Cloudflare but has no content — the domain is reserved but no site has been published, indicating the foundation operates informally without a public presence. NTEE code T30 (Public Foundations) is likely a classification anomaly; the 990PF filing type confirms this is a private foundation.

Colucci Family Foundation has operated since 2010 with the following annual grant distributions: - 2023: $13,975 in grants; total revenue $62,245; assets $1,801,467 (Note: low grants relative to assets — may be timing or strategic) - 2022: $56,395 in grants; total revenue $115,470; assets $1,758,195 - 2021: $750 in grants; total revenue $942,280 (incl. $900,050 major endowment gift); assets $1,704,180 - 2020: $71,410 in grants; total revenue $37,888; assets $765,919 - 2019: $48,681 in grants; total revenue $47,727; assets $802,020 - 2015: $84,050 in grants; total revenue $118,703; assets $46,892 - 2014: $90,150 in grants; total revenue $63,703; assets $12,239 - 2013: $55,840 in grants; total revenue $69,506; assets $38,717 - 2012: $92,638 in grants; total revenue $87,026; assets $25,051 - 2011: $60,783 in grants; total revenue $58,533; assets $29,763

Notable pattern: Prior to 2021, the foundation appeared to be an annual pass-through grantmaker (assets near zero, virtually all income distributed as grants). The $900K gift in 2021 fundamentally transformed it into an endowment-based foundation. Post-transformation, the 2022 grant distribution of $56,395 represents only ~3.2% of assets — below the required 5% payout, suggesting the foundation may have undistributed income that must be distributed in subsequent years. The 2023 figure of $13,975 is exceptionally low relative to $1.8M in assets, and the 5% minimum distribution on $1.8M would require approximately $90,000/year — suggesting the foundation faces distribution requirements that may substantially increase grantmaking through 2024-2025.

Colucci Family Foundation operates in the Buffalo, New York philanthropic ecosystem alongside significantly larger institutions:

Colucci occupies the small-family-foundation tier in a philanthropically rich region anchored by major foundations. Its newly expanded asset base ($2M+) positions it for meaningful impact in the $50,000-$100,000 annual grantmaking range, which is competitive with other mid-tier WNY family foundations.

As of the most recent IRS data (2023 tax year), Colucci Family Foundation Inc. is an active private foundation. Key recent indicators: - 2023 assets: $1,801,467 (down from $2.05M due to distributions and market changes) - 2023 grants: $13,975 (significantly below the ~$90,000 minimum 5% payout required on a $1.8M endowment) - 2022 assets: $1,758,195 with $56,395 in grants - Website domain coluccifamily.org registered via Cloudflare but no content published as of March 2026 - Foundation address: 800 Main Place Tower, Buffalo, NY — downtown professional address - IRS status: Active (exempt organization status code 1) The low grant distributions in 2023 ($13,975 vs. ~$90,000 minimum required payout) suggests the foundation may be accumulating undistributed income, which could result in significant catch-up distributions in 2024-2025. This is a critical watchpoint for prospective grantees — the foundation may need to substantially increase grantmaking in near-term years to comply with IRS minimum distribution requirements.

Colucci Family Foundation does not maintain an active website or visible grant application process. Recommended approach for prospective grantees: 1. Professional network approach: The foundation's downtown Buffalo office address (800 Main Place Tower) suggests ties to Buffalo's legal/financial community. Connections through the Buffalo Bar Association, WNY business networks, or Italian-American civic organizations (given the Colucci surname) may open doors. 2. Contact by mail: Address correspondence to Colucci Family Foundation Inc., 800 Main Place Tower, Buffalo, NY. Note that this is a professional services building — a concise letter of inquiry is appropriate. 3. Western New York focus is essential: The foundation's location and history indicate a primary focus on Buffalo and Western New York nonprofits. Organizations outside this region are unlikely to be funded. 4. Timing considerations: Given the foundation may need to make significant catch-up distributions (the 5% minimum on ~$1.8M requires ~$90K/year), organizations applying now (2024-2026) may find the foundation in a heightened giving mode. 5. Scale your ask appropriately: Pre-endowment, the foundation gave $50,000-$90,000/year total. Post-endowment, individual grants of $10,000-$50,000 would be appropriate. 6. Community alignment: Buffalo civic organizations, education programs, health services, and social services aligned with Italian-American community values and WNY priorities are likely the strongest fits.