21st Century Fund Awards Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc. $100,000 Grant at Giving Circle Voting Event

Buffalo, N.Y.,– The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo’s  21st Century Fund, a giving circle open to individuals committed to supporting Western New York, announced Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc. as the recipient of a $100,000 grant after voting by its members on April 16. The organization was among four finalists who presented their proposed projects at an event held at the Burchfield Penney Art Center for 21st Century Fund members. Members of the 21st Century Fund gathered for a reception and to hear presentations from the final four organizations, also chosen by members in March, that included Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc; FeedMore WNY, Inc.; Heart, Love & Soul; and WNY Public Broadcasting Association.  More than 130 members participated in voting.

Neighborhood Legal Services (NLS), a nonprofit organization that provides access to legal advice, representation and education, will use the grant funding for a Sprinter-style commercial van outfitted as a mobile legal office. The vehicle will transport NLS staff, volunteer attorneys and law students to underserved communities. The “Justice Bus” program expands access to civil legal services for residents facing barriers due to transportation, disability or isolation. The larger, fully equipped unit will enable partnerships with social service providers, attorneys and UB School of Law to deliver legal screening, advice, education and referrals and will allow for private attorney-client conversations.

When awarded the $100,000 grant at the conclusion of the event, Lillie Wiley-Upshaw, Director of Development and Communications for Neighborhood Legal Services, commented, “I am so grateful to be in a space with people who have such big hearts and care so much about helping people. Neighborhood Legal Services is such an impactful organization, and this award will go so far in helping more people access the legal services and legal education they need.”

Anyone can become a lifetime member of the 21st Century Fund by making a one-time contribution of $2,100. Every two years, lifetime members have the opportunity to contribute to a pooled fund and participate in a voting process to award a significant grant to a local nonprofit organization. Through this process, members collectively award a $100,000 grant to one organization for a specific project that benefits the community. The 2024 grant recipient selected by the members was Family Promise of WNY, Inc.

Local nonprofits apply for the grant, and those chosen as semi-finalists share their organization’s mission and specific project to the 21st Century membership at an initial voting event where four finalists are chosen. The finalists then highlight their work in a five-minute presentation at the Final Voting event, where the winner is chosen. Both events provide opportunities for nonprofits to connect with community members interested in philanthropy and learning about the work benefiting Western New York.

Betsy Constantine, President/CEO, Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo commented, “The 21st Century Fund connects our community-minded members with nonprofits driving real impact across Western New York. Since 2000, more than $1.3 million has been awarded thanks to our members’ generosity and strong stewardship by the Community Foundation. Our members look forward to the voting events where they can learn from and build relationships with local organizations, and participating nonprofits value the chance to highlight their work to philanthropic individuals. We welcome those interested in becoming lifetime members to connect with us to learn more.”