Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo

Our Services

The Community Foundation offers a variety of services to donors who establish funds to support their charitable giving. These services include frequent updates about the fund(s) created, educational opportunities to learn more about the needs of the Western New York community, assistance in gift planning and the opportunity to participate in hands-on philanthropic activities.

Basic Foundation Services

Administratively, we will provide you with:

  • Quarterly fund statements that record the activity of your fund
  • Accurate and timely acknowledgements of all gifts
  • Prompt responses to your inquiries and correspondence
  • Timely and accurate processing of your grant recommendations

If you are interested in learning more about community needs we can:

  • Provide information on the most pressing needs facing the WNY region and the organizations doing the most good
  • Advise on organizations doing the most good in certain interest areas (e.g., the environment, the arts, etc.)
  • Research a specific organization you are considering for a grant
  • Provide opportunities for you to attend community education seminars
  • Arrange for you to join us on site visits to meet with Foundation grantees to learn more about their work

To provide support for your giving strategy we can:

  • Make available resources on family and individual giving
  • Deliver up-to-date information on deferred gifts such as charitable remainder trusts and bequests

Special Services

If you are interested in collaborating with the Foundation on your grantmaking we can:

  • Keep you informed of grant applications received by the Foundation that fall in your charitable interest area
  • Participate in the Foundation's competitive grant review process
  • Provide opportunities to connect with other donors whose interests are similar to yours and who could join you to enable larger grants