# The John R. Oishei Foundation

The John R. Oishei Foundation is an Endowment / Foundation based in Buffalo, United States.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Endowment / Foundation
- **Headquarters:** Buffalo, United States
- **Region:** North America
- **Address:** 726 Exchange Street Suite 510, Buffalo, NY 14210, United States
- **Founded:** 1940
- **Assets under management:** 306 (Altss estimate)
- **Website:** www.oishei.org
- **LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-john-r.-oishei-foundation

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

The John R. Oishei Foundation was created in 1940 by industrialist John R. Oishei after he built Trico Products Corporation. Initial grantmaking targeted hospitals and schools in Western New York. The foundation maintains its headquarters in Buffalo's Larkin District and employs 24 staff. Investment activity spans private equity, real estate, energy, and infrastructure. Current allocations include 20.92 percent to private equity. Confirmed holdings comprise limited partnership interests in Blackstone Real Estate Partners V, Blackstone Real Estate Partners VI, Carnelian Energy Capital II, Carnelian Energy Capital III, EQT Infrastructure IV, Audax Private Equity Fund VII, and WNY Impact Investment Fund II. Geographic reach centers on the United States with emphasis on Western New York and select global infrastructure exposure. Program-related investments target affordable rental housing on Buffalo's East Side and bridge loans through community development financial institutions. The foundation reports $306 million in assets and 24 professionals. It maintains memberships in the NY Funders Alliance, Buffalo Niagara Partnership, Asset Funders Network, and Saturn Club. A January 2026 sponsorship of the Common Ground event addressed community leadership and racial equity. Additional vehicles include grant programs supporting Oishei Children's Hospital, Buffalo Prep, and Say Yes Buffalo. Governance separates the endowment from operating grantmaking through dedicated impact investment oversight by the CFO. Direct secondaries and distressed strategies appear in the documented approach alongside buyout and venture commitments. Board leadership includes executives from M&T Bank and former Rich Products leadership, creating ties to regional banking and manufacturing networks.

## Sectors

- Healthcare Services
- Education

## People

- Christina Orsi — President
- Glenn Jackson — Board Chair
- Geoffrey Pritchard — CFO and Impact Investment Officer
- William G. Gisel Jr. — Former Board Chair

## Questions

### Who runs investment decisions at The John R. Oishei Foundation?

Christina Orsi serves as president. Geoffrey Pritchard acts as CFO and Impact Investment Officer. Glenn Jackson chairs the board.

### How does The John R. Oishei Foundation source proprietary deal flow?

Deal flow arrives through regional networks including the Buffalo Niagara Partnership and WNY Impact Investment Fund board participation.

### Does The John R. Oishei Foundation participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?

The foundation holds limited partnership interests in multiple private equity, real estate, and energy funds while also executing direct program-related investments in housing and CDFIs.

### What investment stages does The John R. Oishei Foundation typically target?

Documented strategies include buyout, growth, secondaries, venture, and distressed debt alongside philanthropic program-related investments.

### What is The John R. Oishei Foundation's known posture on co-investments alongside external GPs?

The foundation acts as a limited partner in funds managed by Blackstone, Carnelian, EQT, and Audax while also co-investing through the Buffalo Together Community Fund and WNY Impact Investment Fund.

## Related profiles

- [Rochester Regional Health](https://altss.com/profile/rochester-regional-health)
- [Thomas L. Kempner, Jr. Foundation](https://altss.com/profile/thomas-l-kempner-jr-foundation)

---

Last updated: 2026-06-03T20:00:00.000Z

Canonical page: https://altss.com/profile/the-john-r-oishei-foundation

Maintained by Altss — https://altss.com — methodology: https://altss.com/methodology