County: Erie

Population: 129,595

Amherst was named after Lord Jeffrey Amherst, hero of the French and Indian War.

Amherst-based Daemen College became Daemen University in 2022. The school was founded by the Sisters of St. Francis in 1947.

School districts: Amherst Central School District

Hospitals: Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital

Libraries: Amherst Public Library

Emergency services: North Amherst Fire Department

Fraternal organizations: Lions, Masons

Not-for-profit cemeteries: White Chapel Memorial Park

Change agents:

Grants to local organizations have funded the Central Park Plan, new theater construction, fire station improvements, and other causes.

Recent grants:

GRANT KEY:

Alzheimer's Association
  Percy Fund - Blue Bell, PA - $20,000  (2024)

Amherst Bapist Church
  Niagara Frontier Auto Dealers Association Charitable Foundation - Williamsville, NY - $3,000  (2024)

Amherst Central School District
  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Washington, DC - $109,847  (2024)

Amherst Meals on Wheels
  Chur Family Foundation - Williamsville, NY - $5,000  (2024)

Amherst Meals on Wheels
  Chur Family Foundation - Williamsville, NY - $5,000  (2024)

Amherst Police Department
  NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services - Albany, NY - $931,000  (2024)

Amherst Senior Housing
  U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - Washington, DC - $51,581  (2024)

Autism Services
  Tower Family Fund - Buffalo, NY - $10,000  (2024)

Bornhava
  Paul J. Koessler Foundation - Williamsville, NY - $25,000  (2024)

Buddy's Second Chance Rescue
  Leonard & Robert Weintraub Family Foundation - New York, NY - $36,000  (2024)

Buddys Second Chance Rescue
  Dalio Foundation - Westport, CT - $7,500  (2024)

Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village
  Baird Foundation - Buffalo, NY - $5,000  (2024)

Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village
  J M McDonald Foundation - Wilmington, DE - $5,000  (2024)

Center for Inquiry
  Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation - San Francisco, CA - $25,000  (2024)

Center for Inquiry
  Anspar Foundation - Venice, CA - $2,368  (2024)

Center for Inquiry
  Gladstein Family Foundation - Scarsdale, NY - $2,500  (2024)

Center for Inquiry
  Nathan & Lena Seiler Family Foundation - Staten Island, NY - $6,000  (2024)

Center for Inquiry
  Stiefel Freethought Foundation - Wilmington, DE - $20,000  (2024)

Center for Inquiry
  Zausner Foundation - New York, NY - $1,000  (2024)

Committee for Skeptical Inquiry
  Macdonald-Peterson Foundation - Houston, TX - $10,000  (2024)

Daemen University
  Buffalo Bills Foundation - Orchard Park, NY - $4,295  (2024)

Daemen University
  Chur Family Foundation - Williamsville, NY - $20,000  (2024)

Daemen University
  Chur Family Foundation - Williamsville, NY - $20,000  (2024)

Daemen University
  Cullen Foundation of Western New York - Buffalo, NY - $19,166  (2024)

Daemen University
  Foundation 214 - Williamsville, NY - $256,408  (2024)

Daemen University
  James H. Cummings Foundation - Buffalo, NY - $60,000  (2024)

Daemen University
  John R. Oishei Foundation - Buffalo, NY - $100,000  (2024)

Daemen University
  Mosey Family Foundation - Buffalo, NY - $5,000  (2024)

Daemen University
  National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington, DC - $23,706  (2025)

Daemen University
  National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington, DC - $69,556  (2024)

Daemen University
  National Science Foundation - Washington, DC - $999,824  (2025)

Daemen University
  NYS Higher Education Capital Matching Grant Program - Albany, NY - $76,423  (2024)

Daemen University
  Patrick P. Lee Foundation - Williamsville, NY - $50,000  (2024)

Daemen University
  Paul A. Saffrin Foundation - Buffalo, NY - $250,000  (2024)

Daemen University
  Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation - Getzville, NY - $132,880  (2024)

Daemen University
  Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation - Detroit, MI - $112,386  (2024)

Daemen University
  Scott Bieler Foundation - Orchard Park, NY - $302,639  (2024)

Daemen University
  Shell Usa Company Foundation - Houston, TX - $1,450  (2024)

Daemen University
  U.S. Department of Education - Washington, DC - $449,983  (2024)

Daemen University
  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Washington, DC - $599,751  (2025)

Daemen University
  Vera B Arrison Foundation - North Tonawanda, NY - $10,000  (2024)

Daemen University
  Western New York Foundation - Buffalo, NY - $4,250  (2024)

Edwill & Rachel Miller Charitable Fund
  Edwill B Miller Trust Uw - Buffalo, NY - $6,722  (2024)

Edwill & Rachel Miller Charitable Fund
  Rachel H Miller Trust Iuw - Buffalo, NY - $1,381  (2024)

Harrison's Playmakers
  Enterprise Tfl Foundation Cheryl Anderson Southwest Bank - Odessa, TX - $1,250  (2024)

Heritage Christian Services
  Levmar Foundation - McLean, VA - $10,000  (2024)

Heritage Christian Services
  Scott Bieler Foundation - Orchard Park, NY - $83,333  (2024)

Junior Achievement of Western New York
  Children's Foundation of Erie County - Kenmore, NY - $3,000  (2024)

Junior Achievement of Western New York
  Citizens Charitable Foundation - Johnston, RI - $2,560  (2024)

Junior Achievement of Western New York
  Grigg-Lewis Foundation - Lockport, NY - $12,000  (2024)

Junior Achievement of Western New York
  Louis S & Molly B Wolk Foundation - Rochester, NY - $33,334  (2024)

Junior Achievement of Western New York
  Margaret L. Wendt Foundation - Buffalo, NY - $25,000  (2024)

Junior Achievement of Western New York
  Travelers Foundation - St Paul, MN - $15,000  (2024)

Kadimah Academy
  Sol Messinger Giving Foundation Dtd - Minneapolis, MN - $12,000  (2024)

Make-A-Wish Foundation
  Allstate Foundation - Northbrook, IL - $5,000  (2024)

Make-A-Wish Foundation
  Bergen Family Foundation - Wilmington, DE - $5,000  (2024)

Make-A-Wish Foundation
  Niagara Frontier Auto Dealers Association Charitable Foundation - Williamsville, NY - $5,000  (2024)

Make-A-Wish Foundation
  Paul A. Saffrin Foundation - Buffalo, NY - $25,000  (2024)

Musicalfare Theatre Company
  Bryce Family Foundation - Skaneateles, NY - $3,000  (2024)

MusicalFare Theatre Company
  NYS Council on the Arts - New York, NY - $25,000  (2024)

MusicalFare Theatre Company
  Regional Economic Development Councils - Albany, NY - $873,200  (2024)

One8Fifty
  Dreamcatcher Foundation - Islamorada, FL - $1,500  (2024)

One8Fifty
  Niagara Frontier Auto Dealers Association Charitable Foundation - Williamsville, NY - $12,000  (2024)

Opportunities Collaborative for Students with Special Needs
  Mother Cabrini Health Foundation - New York, NY - $87,500  (2024)

Opportunities Collaborative for Students with Special Needs
  Tower Family Fund - Buffalo, NY - $50,000  (2024)

Park School of Buffalo
  Eastman Foundation - Buffalo, NY - $13,310  (2024)

Park School of Buffalo
  Risen Son Foundation - Amherst, NY - $220,000  (2024)

Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science
  Sheila Dave & Sherry Gold Foundation - Studio City, CA - $25,000  (2024)

Starring Buffalo
  Cullen Foundation of Western New York - Buffalo, NY - $10,000  (2024)

Starring Buffalo
  NYS Council on the Arts - New York, NY - $10,000  (2026)

Sweet Home Central School District
  Buffalo Bills Foundation - Orchard Park, NY - $1,000  (2024)

Town of Amherst
  NYS Department of Environmental Conservation - Albany, NY - $67,500  (2025)

Town of Amherst
  Pro-Housing Community Program - Albany, NY - $250,000  (2026)

Town of Amherst
  Regional Economic Development Councils - Albany, NY - $67,500  (2024)

Town of Amherst
  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Washington, DC - $103,864  (2024)

Town of Amherst
  U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - Washington, DC - $5,095  (2025)

Town of Amherst
  U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - Washington, DC - $202,899  (2025)

Town of Amherst
  U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - Washington, DC - $191,673  (2024)

Town of Amherst
  U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - Washington, DC - $637,338  (2024)

Town of Amherst
  U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - Washington, DC - $831,925  (2024)

University at Buffalo (North Campus)
  Charles Pankow Foundation - Pasadena, CA - $68,961  (2024)

University at Buffalo (North Campus)
  Delta Dental Community Care Foundation - San Francisco, CA - $107,500  (2024)

University at Buffalo (North Campus)
  Freedom Together Foundation - New York, NY - $1,100,000  (2024)

University at Buffalo (North Campus)
  Health Foundation for Central and Western NY - Buffalo, NY - $42,150  (2024)

University at Buffalo (North Campus)
  Spencer Foundation - Chicago, IL - $47,150  (2024)

Zion Dominion Church of God In Christ
  JP Morgan Chase Foundation - New York, NY - $1,595  (2024)

Zion Dominion Church of God In Christ
  JP Morgan Chase Foundation - New York, NY - $1,595  (2024)

Giving patterns in Amherst

Largest nonprofits in Amherst (by assets) include:

Alexander & Jane Boyd Foundation
Center for Inquiry Development Fund
Frontier Science and Technology Research Foundation
Academic Medicine Services
Autism Services
Richard Telinde Trust
W Eisenhart Co
Pierson K Miller Trust
S Wilson and Grace M Pollock Foundation
Energy Cooperative of America
Jack and Elizabeth Gellman Torah Foundation
Anne McCormick Trust Under Will
Center for Inquiry
Jay Bonner Gaylord Trust
WW & Lucretia Hafer Scholarship Trust
George B Rudy Jr Trust
Anna Snively Tr Fbo Chambersburg Hospital
Franklin H and Ruth L Wells Foundation
Donald Macdavid Charitable Trust
Better Business Bureau
Roger K Todd Trust
Dent Neurosciences Research Center
Edwin L Berger Co. Trust
Risen Son Foundation
Louis Henry Gross Sponsorship Foundation
Buffalo Niagara Association of Realtors
Henry F Graff Charitable Trust
Leopold Eckler Scholarship Trust
Anna F Doell Trust
Elsie Seeger Barton Trust
Cecil J S Maclaughlin Trust
Harry E Snayberger & Florence W Snayberger Memorial Foundation
Ellicott Creek Volunteer Fire Company
Margaret O McCormick Charitable Trust
Raymond E Evleth Trust
Allan Patchett Private Foundation
Edwill B Miller Trust
William Sote Foundation
Communication Workers of America
Joseph T and Helen M Simpson Foundation
Louise Hinnershots Trust
Center for Handicapped Children
Margaret S Hellyer Trust
Alice a Paxton Charitable Trust
Raymond C Keller and Jane G Keller Charitable Trust
Jane W Campbell Co Trust
Manufacturers and Traders Trust Co Trustee U Will of Cora H Gaylord
J Hornbrook Trust
George B Rudy Jr Trust
Mary King Test Tr UW Fbo Wilson College
Shaarey Zedek Housing Development Fund Corporation
Charles C Glazer Charitable Rem Unitrust
Stanley C and Elsie M Scheetz Memorial Fund Fbo the Reading
Robert V Winspear UW Fbo Salvation Army & Blind Association
Elsie M & Stanley C Scheetz Memorial Fund Fbo
Grace K Kell Tuw Tr
W Emerson Gentzler Residuary Trust
Doyle S & Helen Poorman Foundation

Edna & Frank Walker Residuary Tr
James T Hambay Foundation
J George Schmid Jr Memorial Fund
Sisters of Christian Charity
Emory E Grove Tr Under Will
James N Deibert Tr B
Hearing Evaluation Services of Buffalo
Graphic Arts Association of Delaware Valley
North Bailey Fire Company
Thelma West for Charities T W
Ahearn Foundation
Specialized Early Childhood Center of WNY
W & T Sote TUA Fbo Luth Home
Emma Nicodemus-Renfrew Tr Fbo Renfrew Museum & Park
Jewish Heritage Day School of Buffalo
Alice M Gaylord Trust Fbo Edward Stalford
Morman D Scowe Trust
Frank & Edna Walker Tr
Elizabeth Adams Tr Fund E St. in the Will of Eliz Adams Decd
Harry Miller Tr 6945
Hodnicki Family Scholarship Trust
Nancy Roe Trust
Tuw William B Anderson
Frances D Sheetz Charitable Trust
Raymond C Keller and Jane G Keller Charitable Trust
James H Nelson Trust Fund U/W of Wilhelmina H Nelson
Gladys E Ritter Mem Tr
Carl W Schafer Trust UW
Elizabeth S Bonham Trust 5276
Walter a Duffy Perpetual Charitable Tr
Charles W Diehl Jr Ta Charitable Remainder Unitrust
Calligaris Family Charitable Irrev Tr
Chreston K Briggs Tr UA
Morris J Miller Charitable Trust
Sergeant Philip German Memorial Foundation Co Tr UW
Katherine H Keiser Trust
Helen Thomas Howland Test Tr Foundation
Samuel L Hoover TUA
Freda B Bowers Charitable Foundation
Bruce T Williams Family Foundation
Hunter Meyers Redus Foundation
Cora Gaylord Trust UWo Fbo Jay Bonner
Messianic Times
Albert D Hermance Scholarship Tr
A & C Dimarzo Family Foundation
Ervin D Feigler T A
Amherst Central Schools Foundation
Lutheran Service Society Foundation
Kathryn Deved Trust U-W Fbo U S Humane Society
Crandall Melvin Chair for Wills & Trusts
Mcinroy-Sheffer People Trust UA 1104616201
Florence M Stout Tr UW
R Eugene Irvin Tr UW Educ
Margaret E Stickell Charitable Foundation
Printing and Imaging Association of New York State
Glenn E Todd Tr Fbo United Church of Christ
David E Singer and Harriet Singer Charitable Tr
Robert & Julia Johnston Scholarship
Rbt L Bagg Tr Test Fbo So Tier Zoo Soc Acct No
Buddys Second Chance Rescue
Irene Bardes Tr Fbo Liverpool Methodist Church