NOMINATIONS OPEN!
Pay It Forward Awards
These annual awards were created to recognize outstanding individuals or organizations that embody the CGLI’s mission of cultivating positive change in the lives of trailblazing youth of color living within Western New York.
Since 2012, dozens of individuals and organizations have been recognized for their efforts of consistently supporting youth of color in our community. See the list of past winners here.
Ideal Candidate
Nominations should demonstrate how a candidate exemplifies these characteristics:
- Significant achievement and recognition in creating positive change in the lives of trailblazing youth of color;
- Dedication to service to the community, civic affairs, and volunteerism;
- Demonstrated ongoing support for the CGLI and its mission.
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NEW FOR 2022!
The Judge Hugh B. Scott – Community Service Award
This award recognizes a person age 21 – 40 from a Western New York community of color who exemplifies a commitment to creating positive change in the lives of youth of color through community service, civic engagement or volunteerism.
Ideal Candidate
Nominations should demonstrate how a candidate exemplifies these characteristics:
- Gives time and talent to help create positive change in the lives of youth of color in the community.
- Inspires others to work collaboratively.
- Demonstrates commitment to initiate change by addressing a social issue(s).
- Encourages and embraces diversity among ethnic and racial groups.
- Inspires philanthropy within WNY communities of color.
The Award
The Judge Scott awardee will receive a specially designed free-standing piece. A donation of $2,500 (two thousand five hundred dollars) will be made to a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization chosen by the awardee as well.
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NEW FOR 2022!
The Inspiring Youth – Community Service Award
This award recognizes a trailblazing youth age 13 – 20 from Western New York communities of color who exemplifies a commitment to creating positive change through community service, civic engagement or volunteerism, above and beyond activities required or sponsored by school or youth programs.
Ideal Candidate
Nominations should demonstrate how a candidate exemplifies these characteristics:
- Gives time and talent to help create positive change in their community.
- Inspires others to work collaboratively to address social issue(s).
- Embraces diversity among ethnic and racial groups.
The Award
The awardee would receive a specially designed piece that includes a reference to the legacy or example of Judge Scott. The awardee will also be offered the opportunity to participate in The Young Philanthropists training, the UB Distinguished Speaker Series events or other appropriate CGLI activities.
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About the CGLI
The Communities of Giving Legacy Initiative® (CGLI), a fund of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, recognizes the importance of endowment-building as a sustainable means of inspiring philanthropy for and within communities of color. 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 in the lives of youth of color living in low-income communities.
Mission
The mission of the CGLI is to cultivate positive change in the lives of trailblazing youth of color living within Western New York. CGLI accomplishes this mission via endowment building, engaging strategic partners and intentional community connections.
Goals
1. Provide an endowed vehicle for collaborative grantmaking;
2. Inspire philanthropy within and for communities of color in Western New York;
3. Cultivate the next generation of philanthropists of color; and
4. Create positive change in the lives of trailblazing youth of color.
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To learn more about CGLI or any of its initiatives below, please call (716) 852-2857 or email cgli@cfgb.org.
Please click here to read an important message shared by the CGLI Council on June 9, 2020.
In June 2021, high school juniors completed The Young Philanthropists (TYPs), a teen leadership program that provides hands-on experience working with the pillars of philanthropy. TYPs learned about investing for nonprofit purposes and root cause analysis, which led to rich conversations around systems and symptoms of social justice in the youths’ communities. Upon program completion, students were honored at a virtual Capstone Ceremony, during which they also awarded $1,500 grants to the Buffalo Urban League and The Belle Center.