2024 Philanthropist of the Year: Mary Wilson
As an outspoken champion of Western New York, Mary Wilson’s commitment to the region – and to empowering the next generation through sports and philanthropy – continues to shape the future of our community. Mary’s partnership with United Way of Buffalo & Erie County began with a powerful goal: to provide young girls the opportunity to experience the many benefits of participating in sports without financial barriers for their families. A lifelong athlete, Mary founded WNY Girls in Sports in 2006 and has remained the program’s biggest supporter, personally cheering on the thousands of girls between the ages of 9-12 that have participated in the program since.
Reflecting on one of her favorite Girls in Sports memories, Mary recalls an 11-year-old girl whose confidence completely transformed over the course of a single day.
WNY Girls in Sports is not just about winning or becoming great athletes; it’s about being part of something bigger than yourself, learning to lose graciously, and gaining confidence along the way.”
For the girls, lessons in leadership and teamwork extend beyond the field, into the classroom, and well into their futures.
While Girls in Sports is one of the United Way initiatives closest to Mary’s heart, she is also an ardent supporter of Next Generation United’s Pitch10, a competition-style event providing grant funding to local nonprofits with a matching donation from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. Another highlight for Mary is Day of Caring, which mobilizes 2,000+ volunteers to complete over 100 projects throughout the region annually. Mary is endlessly inspired by the caring power of the Western New York community she has so embraced.
Mary’s broader philanthropic efforts span a wide range of causes, supporting many of the organizations that make Buffalo great. Mary and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation support the Buffalo AKG Art Museum, Burchfield Penney Art Center, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Hospice of Western New York, First Tee, Oishei Children’s Hospital, SPCA Serving Erie County, FeedMore WNY, and many others.
What excites Mary most about Buffalo’s future, aside from seeing the Bills win the Super Bowl, are projects like the development of Ralph Wilson Park on the waterfront. To Mary, the foundation’s work is full circle – beginning and ending with a shared love of sports and a shared love of community. Through her leadership in the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and her personal passion for and commitment to Buffalo, Mary has left an indelible mark on the region. United Way of Buffalo & Erie County is honored to celebrate Mary Wilson as the 2024 Tocqueville Society Philanthropist of the Year.