The Vogt Family Foundation

Carrying on Their Grandparents’ Legacy

What started in a North Buffalo garage in 1926 became the nation’s largest printer of Sunday newspaper comics by the time of its sale in 1989. Greater Buffalo Press, an iconic Western
New York business, was started by J. Walter Koessler, a reporter for the Buffalo Courier-Express. It remained family-owned and operated throughout its expansion. And, more than 50 years later, proceeds from its sale created the Vogt Family Foundation, established by Peter Vogt and his wife, Mary Lou Koessler Vogt.

The Vogts prioritized teaching their four children, Katie Schneider, Anne McCune, Peter Vogt and Tracy Tremblay, the importance of giving back. The foundation, managed by Mary Lou until her passing in 2002, was one way they did that as a family.

To ensure that their parents’ legacy of giving is passed on to future generations, the Vogt siblings decided to transfer their family foundation to the Community Foundation. This move alleviated
their administrative burden while keeping them connected.

“The areas that we concentrate on — art, education, parks, accessibility — are areas that our parents were interested in and that we took part in when we were children,” said Katie,
the oldest sibling. “They’re also the things that we wanted to share with our own kids.”

Katie’s sister, Anne, finds joy in how the Vogt Family Foundation continues to bring the family together. “Through the process of making grant decisions together, we broaden each other’s horizons and learn about each other’s lives,” said Anne. “The Community Foundation has helped us bring the next generation in, which has enhanced our understanding of what a legacy is.”

As a member of that next generation, Tracy’s daughter, Laura, agrees. “I can’t tell you how many times my grandparents took me to a show or a museum,” she recalled. “Now, through the Community Foundation, we can support that kind of work with our charitable dollars. Having my grandparents’ legacy really continue to flourish in this community has been a great gift, as if they’re still here.”