Foundation adds Euda Fils, Farah Pitcher, and Habeeb El-amir

Detroit, MI – (July 8, 2025) – The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation is pleased to welcome three new fellows through the Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF) Philanthropy Fellowship Program: Euda Fils, Farah Pitcher, and Habeeb El-amir. These fellows will support key programmatic and operational areas of the Foundation while deepening their understanding of Michigan’s philanthropic sector.

Euda Fils joins the Foundation as a Philanthropy Fellow, supporting the Entrepreneurship and Economic Development, Parks and Trails, Youth Sports and Recreation, and Nonprofit Support portfolios. Euda brings cross-sector experience from FEMA, the Peace Corps in Kosovo, Chemonics International, and JPMorgan Chase’s Global Philanthropy team. She holds a Master of Global Affairs from the University of Notre Dame and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Florida Atlantic University.

Farah Pitcher joins as the Preparing for Success Fellow, contributing to focus areas including Early Childhood, Afterschool, Young Adults & Working Families, and Caregivers. With a background in science and public policy, Farah previously worked with the U.S. Government Accountability Office and the U.S. Water Alliance. She holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of Michigan’s Ford School and a dual bachelor’s degree in Biology, Health, and Society and Political Science.

Habeeb El-amir joins as a Data and Learning Fellow, supporting the Foundation’s learning, evaluation, and strategy functions. He brings government and academic experience from roles with USAID, the U.S. Department of State, and the University of Michigan’s Ford School of Public Policy. Habeeb earned both his Master of Public Policy and bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Studies from the University of Michigan.

“These talented fellows bring new energy, curiosity, and skills to our team at an important moment in our Foundation’s journey,” said David Egner, President & CEO of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. “We’re proud to continue our partnership with CMF in building the next generation of philanthropic leaders.”

The CMF Philanthropy Fellowship Program places early-career professionals in grantmaking institutions across Michigan, providing two years of on-the-job experience, learning, and leadership development. The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation has been a proud host organization since 2020.

The Foundation warmly welcomes Euda, Farah, and Habeeb to the team.

ABOUT THE RALPH C. WILSON, JR. FOUNDATION:

The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation is a grantmaking organization dedicated primarily to sustained investment in the quality of life of the people of Southeast Michigan and Western New York. The two areas reflect the devotion of Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. to his hometown of Detroit and greater Buffalo, home of his beloved Buffalo Bills NFL team. Prior to his passing in 2014, Mr. Wilson provided that a significant share of his estate be used to continue a life-long generosity of spirit by funding the Foundation that bears his name. Based in Detroit, the Foundation began with a grantmaking capacity of $1.2 billion over a 20-year period, which expires January 8, 2035. This structure is consistent with Mr. Wilson’s desire for the Foundation’s impact to be immediate, substantial, measurable, and overseen by those who knew him best. For more information visit www.rcwjrf.org.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Carly Strachan
Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation
313.460.8100
Carly.Strachan@RCWJRF.org

 $25 million lead gift to endowment will fund ongoing maintenance, beautification measures in partnership with the City of Buffalo, others 

 Buffalo, NY (June 26, 2025)—The Buffalo Common Council—in conjunction with the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy (BOPC), City of Buffalo’s Division of Parks and Recreation, and the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo—has announced a formal resolution to establish “City Within a Park,” an endowment of up to $50 million, with a leading gift of $25M from the Wilson Foundation, to support ongoing maintenance of Buffalo parks for generations. 

“The pandemic reminded us how essential parks are to community wellbeing,” said David Egner, president & CEO of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. “Buffalo’s parks have received significant capital investments through American Rescue Plan funds and our foundation, but ongoing maintenance funding remains a challenge. The City Within a Park collaboration represents a continued strategic shift toward long-term stewardship of these vital community assets.” 

The City of Buffalo boasts an impressive array of accessible parks and trails across all neighborhoods, but managing these considerable assets’ ongoing maintenance has been a frustrating financial challenge. Over the past few years, city leaders and its partners that support park maintenance have held ongoing discussions to establish a fund to benefit parks across the city for years to come. Those talks have now yielded an agreed-upon endowment structure to fund “City Within a Park.” 

Initiated with a lead gift of $25 million from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation to the Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo, the Frederick Law Olmsted philosophy-inspired initiative will facilitate collaboration and support of operations and maintenance for parks across the City of Buffalo. 

“Buffalo’s parks are more than just green spaces—they’re gathering places, safe havens, and essential parts of our neighborhoods. The ‘City Within a Park’ endowment represents a transformative step forward in ensuring that these treasured spaces are maintained and uplifted for generations to come,” said City of Buffalo Mayor Christopher P. Scanlon. “Thanks to the leadership and vision of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, we are embracing a long-term, sustainable approach to parks funding—one that prioritizes equity, particularly for neighborhoods that have long been under-resourced. My administration is fully committed to doing our part by maintaining strong public funding, and I look forward to the impact this initiative will have on our city’s quality of life for years to come.” 

Additional funding toward endowment 

Along with the $25 million gift to start the endowment, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation is providing $1 million to augment and support incremental maintenance in city-owned and operated parks on the East Side of Buffalo, starting immediately. This additional funding is intended to “jump-start work” in parks identified with the most need. Furthermore, the Buffalo Olmsted Conservancy—who’ve served as a critical partner in the development of “City Within a Park”—is launching their own fundraising campaign, as part of this initiative, to raise funds for maintenance and operations of the city’s historic 

Olmsted parks. To support their campaign, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation has committed to a structured challenge grant with details to be announced in the future. 

“The Conservancy is honored and humbled by the support from the Wilson Foundation as it validates the important role all of Buffalo’s parks play in making this community a great place to live. Our vision is ambitious – to create an exceptional park network for all of Buffalo. Ensuring sustainability in the operations and maintenance of the historic parks, and all parks, is critical. This support is an important start in our effort to fully fund BOPC now and in perpetuity,” said Catie Stephenson, Executive Director, Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy. 

As stated in the resolution, a condition to determine ongoing “City Within a Park” funding from the endowment is that the City of Buffalo must maintain annual parks funding levels at least equal to the same numbers reported in its 2023-2024 Division of Parks and Recreation budget. The city’s ability and willingness to maintain these funding levels will be integral for the long-term stability of the parks-focused initiative and allow the endowment funding to incrementally improve park maintenance and operations across the City of Buffalo. 

The endowment announcement is the latest news in a very busy season of milestones and momentum for the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. Over the past 10 years, the organization has had a seismic impact within various focus areas across Western New York, including in the realm of parks and recreation. From inventive play spaces and more connected regional trails across Western New York, the Foundation’s legacy continues to be galvanized by its transformation of the region’s outdoor spaces and sustainability efforts. “City Within a Park” plans to play a significant part in assuring this work is maintained. 

“Since 2018, the Foundation has intentionally built in funding to support parks and trails for generations to come,” says JJ Tighe, Senior Director of Parks & Trails Initiative for the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. “The parks and trails investments are important for connecting people, for connecting places, for recreation opportunities and for economic development to thrive. However, the quality of these spaces and if they can be clean, well-maintained and safe for future generations will be the enduring legacy of these investments.” 

(Contact the Buffalo Common Council for full details of the resolution.) 

About the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation is a grantmaking organization dedicated primarily to sustained investment in the quality of life of the people of Southeast Michigan and Western New York. The two areas reflect Ralph C. Wilson, Jr.’s devotion to his hometown of Detroit and greater Buffalo, home of his beloved Buffalo Bills NFL team. Prior to his passing in 2014, Mr. Wilson provided that a significant share of his estate be used to continue a life-long generosity of spirit by funding the Foundation that bears his name. Based in Detroit, the Foundation began with a grantmaking capacity of $1.2 billion over a 20-year period, which expires January 8, 2035. This structure is consistent with Mr. Wilson’s desire for the Foundation’s impact to be immediate, substantial, measurable, and overseen by those who knew him best. For more information visit www.rcwjrf.org. 

Media Contacts: 
Kate Measer, The Martin Group
kmeaser@martingroupmarketing.com
(716) 997-6576

Mercedes Pergande, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation
mercedes.pergande@rcwjrf.org
(313) 264-6135 

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 Foundation adds Gary Stark, Sarah Truax, Sheila O’Hara, Faye Radcliffe, and Danielle Wilder- Hamilton to the staff; and promotes Nena Taormino 

 Detroit, MI – The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation today announced the addition of five new staff members in 2023. The new hires and positions include Gary Stark, director of grant operations; Sarah Truax, learning associate; Faye Radcliffe, program executive assistant; Danielle Wilder-Hamilton, executive assistant; and Sheila O’Hara, office manager. These new hires bring the Foundation’s full-time staff total to 27 employees. The Foundation also announced the promotion of Nena Taormino from grants management & operations assistant to the role of grants management associate. 

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The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation today announced the addition of five new staff members in 2022. The new hires include two new program associates: Connie Kuo and Kate Partington; a communications associate: Mercedes Pergande; a senior learning officer: Liz Gordillo; and a grants management & operations assistant: Nena Taormino. These new hires bring the Foundation’s full-time staff total to 24 employees. The Foundation […]

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The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation seeks to contract a firm or team of evaluators to conduct a summative evaluation of the Foundation’s Parks, Trails, and Green Design (PTGD) focus area. The objectives of the evaluation are 1) to document the grantmaking and non-grantmaking processes to date and analyze the associated outcomes of those efforts; and 2) to develop an evaluation plan to continue monitoring the progress of PTGD initiatives, including identifying metrics to measure outcomes…

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Paul Riser, Misha Stallworth West, Kari Pardoe, Marissa Rossman and Maria Suchyta join foundation

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BUFFALO, NY, November 16, 2021 – Today, Exhale, the Family Caregiver Initiative, which funds innovative collaborative projects that are reimagining and increasing respite opportunities for family caregivers of older adults, announced two upcoming events to kick off its 2022 program. Open to organizations, both for-profit and nonprofit organizations located in Erie, Genesee, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming counties in Western New York, the free virtual information sessions will provide attendees with an interactive overview of the Exhale program and its eligibility requirements on Tuesday, November 30 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. EST and Monday, December 6 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. EST.

“November is National Family Caregiver Month, and we could not think of a better time to launch this initiative for 2022,” said Amber Slichta, vice president, programs and learning, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. “We are rallying businesses and organizations across the Western New York region – that together as a community we can find more opportunities and solutions to better support family caregivers in ways that are meaningful to them.”

Exhale is an opportunity for businesses and organizations to work together to find

innovative solutions that provide caregivers an opportunity to breathe a little easier. Through a short series of virtual workshops, which will begin in January 2022, organizations based in participating Western New York counties will receive free training in creative problem solving and project management as well as a stipend of $500 to explore this opportunity for further funding. Participating nonprofits will also be eligible to apply for grant funding.

“We’re excited to get started on our 2022 Exhale initiative, providing organizations from Western New York with tools to help create invaluable programs that provide relief and comfort to their caregiver communities,” said Ken Genewick, senior program officer for caregiving, Health Foundation for Western & Central New York. “Through these collaborative projects, we can maximize our efforts and creative thinking to better recognize and support the caregiver community, as more than 53 million individuals nationwide care for a parent, spouse, or loved one. It’s important that caregivers set aside time to take care of their own wellbeing and that’s why we’re here to help make that happen.”

Funded by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and Health Foundation for Western & Central New York, and managed by The Philanthropic Initiative (TPI) with support from Teresa Lawrence, president, International Deliverables, Exhale was first established in Southern Tier, NY in 2019 and has since expanded into Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Orleans, Monroe, and Wyoming counties. In 2020, the program helped launch three respite initiatives including Caregiver Tech Solutions, The Intergenerational Enrichment and Educational Respite Program and Musical Memories Cafe.

To register for one of the virtual information sessions or to learn more, visit ExhaleForCaregivers.org or contact SRajadurai@tpi.org.

Exhale
Exhale, the Family Caregiver Initiative, is an opportunity for businesses and organizations to work together to find respite initiatives that give caregivers an opportunity to breathe a little easier. In a short series of virtual workshops, those interested in developing a

program will receive free training in creative problem solving and project management, as well as a stipend of $500 to explore this opportunity for further funding.

Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation
The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation is a grantmaking organization dedicated primarily to sustained investment in the quality of life of the people of Southeast Michigan and Western New York. The two areas reflect Ralph C. Wilson, Jr.’s devotion to his hometown of Detroit and greater Buffalo, home of his Buffalo Bills franchise. Prior to his passing in 2014, Mr. Wilson requested that a significant share of his estate be used to continue his life-long generosity of spirit by funding the Foundation that bears his name. Based in Detroit, the Foundation has a grantmaking capacity of $1.2 billion over a 20-year period, which expires January 8, 2035. This structure is consistent with Mr. Wilson’s desire for the Foundation’s impact to be immediate, substantial, measurable and overseen by those who knew him best. For more information visit www.rcwjrf.org.

Health Foundation for Western & Central New York
The Health Foundation for Western & Central New York is an independent private foundation that advocates for continuous improvement in health and health care by investing in the people and organizations that serve young children and older adults. For more information, visit www.hfwcny.org.

Gift comes from trusts of Wilson’s late daughters, Edith Wilson and Linda Bogdan; Additional grants from the trusts will be provided through an endowed donor advised fund to support park maintenance & youth tennis in the region.

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Community groups awarded $1 million total across Western New York and Southeast Michigan for public installations that inspire play in everyday spaces.

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Wilson Foundation formalizes $10 million commitment for park’s long-term sustainability. The Imagine LaSalle project partners have announced their intent to form the Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy.

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