The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation Adds W. Frank Fountain, Jr. to Board of Trustees
Highly-regarded community leader from Detroit joins foundation as seventh board member

Detroit, M.I./Buffalo, N.Y. (June 15, 2016) – The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation today announced the appointment of W. Frank Fountain, Jr. to the organization’s board of trustees. Fountain, a former executive at Chrysler, is the latest addition to the Foundation’s board of trustees.

Fountain was selected for his dedication to the community and passion for helping others; qualities which seamlessly align with the mission of the Foundation. Through his work as president of the Chrysler Corporation Foundation, the automobile company’s philanthropic organization, and his personal philanthropic efforts serving on a number of boards, including the Hudson-Webber Foundation, Fountain has made it his personal mission to make an impact both locally in Southeastern Michigan and nationally.

“It’s truly an honor to join The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation’s board of trustees and carry out Ralph C. Wilson, Jr.’s vision to make an impact on the quality of life for the people of Western New York and Southeastern Michigan,” said Fountain. “I look forward to working with the Foundation on the core focus areas of children and youth, young adults and working class families, caregiving, and healthy communities.”

“The Foundation plans to operate much like Mr. Wilson himself by being creative and compassionate, focused and determined, thoughtful and innovative, and collaborative. As we build out our board of trustees and our staff, we look for individuals who also exemplify similar qualities,” said David O. Egner, president and CEO of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. “Frank’s impressive resume, along with his civic and social contributions, make him a perfect fit for the board of trustees. We’re excited to have him on board and look forward to benefitting from his experiences and knowledge.”

Other trustees of the Foundation include Mary Wilson, Eugene Driker, Jeffrey Littmann, Mary Owen, David Colligan and Jerry Mazurkiewicz.

The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation is dedicated to sustained investment in the quality of life for the people of Western New York and Southeastern Michigan, two areas

Wilson was devoted to as the home of his Buffalo Bills franchise and his hometown. In 2015 to early 2016, The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation committed $60 million in transitional legacy grants that reflected the personal passion of the late Wilson and provided grants to many organizations he had a connection with in the past. The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation plans to share information and official guidelines for additional grant opportunities in the coming months.

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About the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation:

The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation was established by founder and owner of the Buffalo Bills, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Upon Wilson’s passing in 2014, he requested that a significant share of his estate be used to continue a life-long generosity of spirit by funding the foundation which bears his name. The Foundation has a grant making capacity of $1.2 billion over a 20-year period, which expires December 31, 2035. This structure is consistent with Wilson’s wish for immediate impact and innovation, and his desire that the trustees see the impact of the investment in their lifetimes.