The East Hill Foundation is a privately funded family foundation, which evolved out of the Wilson Greatbatch family's tradition of stewardship. Funding was initiated through small grants out of the family owned business, Wilson Greatbatch Ltd. In 1986, with the help of Peter Greatbatch, the family's youngest son, the East Hill Foundation was established. The family's hope was to further the tradition of stewardship which could be enhanced and passed on to future generations.
With the sale of the company in 1997 and the abrupt death of the Executive Director, Peter Greatbatch in 1998, the Foundation was restructured. Ami Greatbatch was added to the Board and was named Co-Chairman with husband, Warren Greatbatch. The Foundation's area of interest was extended to eight counties of Western New York. One full-time staff member was added to the office, Michele Schmidt, as the Grants Director.
The Board of Directors, throughout its history, has been made up of mostly family members. The Board is now comprised of six Board members (four family members and two non-family members).
In 1999, the Board decided that it was time to involve the rest of the family. Since the family was so geographically dispersed, it was difficult for many of the family members to feel included in the Foundation's activities. Therefore, the Family/Board Sponsored Grant Program was established. Family members (over age 21), Board members and Officers may annually sponsor projects from nonprofit, charitable organizations in the United States. Family members, Board members and Officers generate their own grant opportunities by personally inviting charities to apply to East Hill Foundation.
The Foundation went through another change in 2004. Eleanor Greatbatch made a significant donation to the endowment. The Board hired Jenny Pierce (part-time) to create a program that focused on educating and involving the next generation of the Greatbatch family.
In 2010, Kenneth Dulian was hired to develop a Sustainable Funding Program for WNY nonprofit organizations.
East Hill Foundation grant funding is currently divided into three components: Western New York Grants, Family/Board Sponsored Grants and the Sustainable Funding Program.
