Statler Foundation

## Approach Strategy

The Statler Foundation was established in 1934 (formally incorporated March 2, 1937) under the Last Will and Testament of Ellsworth Milton Statler, one of the most innovative hoteliers in American history. Statler grew up in poverty, got his first hotel job as a bellboy at age 13, and went on to build a major hotel chain across Buffalo, Detroit, Cleveland, St. Louis, and New York City. His motto — "Life Is Service" — remains the foundation's guiding principle. Statler's will directed that foundation income be used for awards to colleges and schools teaching hotel techniques and for grants supporting research and programs to train hotel workers. The foundation has faithfully executed this mission for nearly 90 years, making it one of the oldest and most focused hospitality education funders in the country. The foundation operates from Buffalo, NY (1207 Delaware Avenue) under the oversight of the Erie County Surrogate Judge (currently Hon. Acea M. Mosey), with Donna M. Gioia serving as Chairwoman. Trustees include Jay C. Bauer, Robert M. Bennett, and Marguerite Collesano. The foundation took a proactive grantmaking approach beginning in 1992, shifting from passive to strategic engagement with hospitality education institutions. The foundation's approach is distinctive in its single-industry focus — every dollar goes to hotel/hospitality education, creating deep expertise and relationships within a narrow but impactful domain. With $38.5 million in assets, the foundation awards over $1 million annually through five distinct programs: Scholarships of Excellence, Small Scholarships, Study Abroad grants, Institutional Grants, and Say Yes to Education.

## Funding Patterns

In 2024, the Statler Foundation provided total funds of $1,347,890.15 across its five program areas. The breakdown reveals a strategically diversified portfolio within its hospitality education focus:

Institutional Grants ($718,400): The largest category, directed toward capital improvements, specialized training, and research at 12 partner institutions. Top recipients: University of South Carolina ($113,000), Cornell University ($113,000), Pennsylvania State University ($100,700), and Culinary Institute of America ($100,000). Grants range from $5,000 (Michigan State) to $113,000.

Small Scholarships ($292,000): Grants to 7 colleges for students in hotel management programs. Recipients include SUNY Erie Community College ($51,000), Paul Smith's College ($45,000), Monroe Community College ($35,000), and Buffalo State University ($30,000).

Scholarships of Excellence ($234,344): The flagship individual scholarship program providing up to $25,000 each to juniors and seniors at 14 partner universities. Penn State ($44,643) and Rochester Institute of Technology ($44,707) received the largest allocations, suggesting strong student participation at these schools.

Study Abroad ($55,000): Grants to Culinary Institute of America ($25,000) and University of Denver ($30,000) for international hospitality education experiences.

Say Yes to Education ($48,146): Dedicated pipeline program for Buffalo Public High School students entering hotel management programs in college.

Over recent years, grant volume has remained steady at 20-30 awards annually (20 in 2024, 28 in 2023, 30 in 2022, 27 in 2021), with total giving consistently above $1 million. The foundation's assets of $38.5 million and consistent giving pattern suggest sustainable, endowment-driven operations without reliance on annual fundraising.

## Peer Comparison

The Statler Foundation is unique in its exclusive focus on hospitality/hotel industry education. Few foundations match this narrow specialization, making cross-sector comparisons most useful for context.

The Statler Foundation's distinctive advantage is its singular focus and nearly 90-year track record in hospitality education. While the AHLF and NARAEF operate in adjacent spaces, neither matches Statler's depth of institutional partnerships (14+ universities with dedicated programs, named facilities, and multi-program funding). The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, though connected to the hotel industry through its founder, focuses entirely on humanitarian causes. The Statler Foundation's $1.35M in annual giving positions it as the most focused and specialized private foundation in hospitality education nationally.

## Recent Activity

The 2024 Annual Report (published September 2025) highlights several notable developments. Chairwoman Donna M. Gioia emphasized the foundation's commitment to "embracing technology and sustainability to meet the evolving needs of the hotel industry" and building "a more inclusive, dynamic future." This signals a strategic evolution beyond traditional classroom-based hospitality education toward modern industry needs.

Key 2024 highlights include: total giving of $1,347,890 across all programs; continued institutional grants to 12 universities totaling $718,400; Scholarships of Excellence distributed to students at 14 universities including Cornell, Culinary Institute of America, University of Denver, Florida International University, Penn State, RIT, Michigan State, and University of South Carolina. Featured 2024 Scholarship of Excellence recipients included Anika Ying (Rochester Institute of Technology, Hospitality and Tourism Management, who interned at the Statler Hotel at Cornell) and Ava Randazzo (Michigan State University School of Hospitality, who interned at Gurney's Resort in Montauk and the Four Seasons in Jackson Hole).

The IUP Council of Trustees approved naming a Hotel Front Desk Simulation Lab in honor of the Statler Foundation in March 2024, reflecting the foundation's capital investment in hands-on training facilities. The University of South Carolina also received a notable Statler scholarship, with recipient Nathan Maddox awarded $10,000 for the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. The foundation's oversight by Erie County Surrogate Judge Hon. Acea M. Mosey continues, with the judge's 2024 letter praising the foundation's promotion of "diversity, inclusion, and the entrepreneurial spirit."

## Application Tips

The Statler Foundation uses a proactive, partner-institution model rather than open public applications. Here is how organizations and individuals can position themselves for funding:

1. For institutions — become a partner school: The Statler Foundation directs grants to specific universities with established hotel/hospitality management programs. Current partner institutions include Cornell, Penn State, Culinary Institute of America, RIT, University of South Carolina, University of Denver, Florida International University, Michigan State, Purdue, Niagara University, Mercyhurst, IUP, Paul Smith's College, Buffalo State, SUNY Erie, Monroe Community College, SUNY Niagara, and Johnson & Wales. New schools seeking partnership should have an accredited hospitality management program and contact the foundation directly at emstatler@statlerfoundation.com or 716-852-1104.

2. For students — apply through your school: Individual Scholarships of Excellence (up to $25,000) are awarded through partner university programs. Students do not apply directly to the foundation. Contact your school's hospitality department to learn if they participate in the Statler program. Eligibility requires being a junior or senior in a hotel/hotel management program, with selection based on academic excellence, character, financial need, and commitment to the hotel industry.

3. Focus on hotel industry specifically: The foundation's mandate from Ellsworth Statler's will restricts funding to hotel industry education. Programs focused on general business, restaurant management alone, or tourism without a hotel component may not qualify. Proposals should clearly connect to hotel operations, management, or workforce development.

4. Capital and technology investments are funded: Institutional grants of $5,000-$113,000 support capital improvements (like IUP's simulation lab), specialized training equipment, and industry research. Schools seeking these grants should demonstrate how investments will directly enhance hotel industry training.

5. Buffalo/Western NY pipeline matters: The Say Yes to Education program specifically supports Buffalo Public High School graduates entering hotel management programs. Organizations in the Buffalo area with connections to hospitality career pathways have natural alignment.

6. Study abroad programs are eligible: Schools with international hospitality education components can seek Study Abroad grants. The Culinary Institute of America and University of Denver both received study abroad funding in 2024.