Communities of Giving Legacy Initiative Announces Strategic Relaunch and New Council Members

The Communities of Giving Legacy Initiative (CGLI), a fund of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, is pleased to announce a restructuring and relaunch of the initiative. The CGLI will sharpen its focus on providing direct support to organizations aligned with its mission of helping youth in Western New York understand the power of philanthropy in their lives and communities.

Over the last year, the CGLI Council has undertaken a review and restructuring of the CGLI to better manage resources, streamline its work and determine how best to support organizations and the youth they serve. The restructuring has resulted in a shift away from a program-centric approach to focus more on grantmaking and supporting community organizations whose work aligns with CGLI’s mission. This approach allows the CGLI to support and leverage the expertise of organizations that are best positioned to help create positive outcomes for youth.

Four strategic goals have been identified including providing an endowed vehicle for collaborative grantmaking; to advance philanthropy within and for under-resourced communities in WNY; engage and develop current and emerging philanthropic leaders; and support organizations creating positive outcomes for youth.

As part of the relaunch, seven new Council members have been appointed to carry out the work of the CGLI. New Council members include:

Robert Lowery, CEO/Life & Leadership Coach at RL Experience, LLC will continue in his role as Chairperson. Catherine Roberts, President/CEO of the Resource Council of WNY, will serve as Vice Chair, Sean McKinnie, Retired Fire Investigator at the Buffalo Fire Department will serve as Treasurer and Dinorah E. Baines, Digital Information Officer, NYS OPWDD will serve as Secretary.

Continuing Council members include:

In addition to its grantmaking activities for WNY organizations working toward positive change in the lives of trailblazing youth living in Western New York, the CGLI will continue its tradition of identifying and recognizing individuals and organizations who are paying it forward by creating positive change in the lives of youth through community service, civic engagement and/or volunteerism. Nominations for the Pay It Forward Awards that recognize personal and professional accomplishments and how those actions increase philanthropy in communities of color, the Hugh B. Scott for Community Service Award and the Inspiring Youth Award will be open later this year.

The Communities of Giving Legacy Initiative® (CGLI).was established as a fund of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo in 2008 by a group of community-minded professionals of color. CGLI exists to help youth in Western New York understand the power of philanthropy in their lives and communities.  CGLI Council Members all share a desire to “pay it forward” in honor of those who helped them succeed by creating a legacy of success that will encourage collective giving to support positive change. For additional information about the CGLI, please visit www.theCGLI.org.