Buffalo, NY – The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo announced today that 55 Western New York organizations will receive a total of more than $1 million in grant awards from endowment funds created to carry on the legacy of Ralph C. Wilson, Jr.
Established in 2016, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation created the Legacy Funds at the Community Foundation to provide support to areas that were important to Mr. Wilson during his lifetime: Caregivers, Community Assets, Design and Access, and Youth Sports. Endowment funds are designed to grow over time and provide funding for charitable causes according to a client’s wishes, forever.
“The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo is honored to be a trusted partner with the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. These endowment funds will support causes that were important to Mr. Wilson during his lifetime and will have a significant impact in our region today and for generations to come,” said Clotilde Perez-Bode Dedecker, President and CEO of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. “The organizations receiving awards through the 2018 grant process reflect Mr. Wilson’s legacy – one of a commitment to philanthropy, innovation, collaboration and the communities he cared deeply about.”
The Legacy Funds at the Community Foundation were established to complement the work of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and to create immediate impact and long-term benefit in Western New York. To learn more about grants offered by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation directly, please visit RCWJRF.org.
The following grants were awarded from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds through an open, competitive application process in the four focus areas of Caregivers; Community Assets; Design and Access; and Youth Sports. The 2018 grantees are listed below:
Caregivers
- Brian Moorman’s P.U.N.T. Foundation $10,000
- Alzheimer’s Association, Western New York Chapter $15,500
- Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northtowns $10,000
- Catholic Charities of Buffalo $25,000
- Chautauqua Adult Day Care Centers, Inc. $10,500
- Child & Family Services $11,836
- Cradle Beach $12,500
- Healthy Community Alliance, Inc. $25,000
- Hillside Children’s Foundation $25,000
- Hunter’s Hope Foundation $25,000
- Mental Health Association of Erie County, Inc. $23,132
- Mercy Hospital Foundation $21,000
- People, Inc. $22,840
- Southern Tier Health Care System, Inc. $25,000
Community Assets
- Ballet Artists ofWNY, Inc. (Neglia Ballet) $10,000
- Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park $16,165
- The Buffalo History Museum $10,000
- Buffalo String Works $18,517
- CEPA Gallery $10,000
- Community Music School of Buffalo $7,650
- Explore Buffalo $18,768
- King Urban Life Center $10,000
- Peace of the City $21,000
- Richardson Center Corporation $25,000
- The Buffalo Zoo $15,750
Design and Access
- Buffalo Lighthouse Association $50,000
- Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper $30,000
- Camp Puzzle Peace $46,000
- Forest Lawn Heritage Foundation $50,000
- Hamburg Natural History Society, Inc. $15,500
- Houghton College $29,306
- Town of Sheridan (via Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation) $22,000
- Western New York Land Conservancy $50,000
Youth Sports
- Algonquin Sports for Kids, Inc. $23,500
- BestSelf Behavioral Health, Inc. $25,000
- Buffalo City Swim Racers Inc. $15,458
- Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy $21,315
- Chautauqua Striders $9,611
- Community Support Group of Southwestern New York (SWNY) $24,206
- Cradle Beach $10,000
- Daemen College $25,000
- Dominik Hasek Youth Hockey League Inc. $10,000
- D’Youville College $25,000
- GeneseeYMCA $11,000
- Jamestown Audubon Society, Inc. $13,000
- Mason’s Mission Foundation $10,000
- MotorMVB Foundation, Inc. $12,500
- NativityMiguel Middle School of Buffalo $10,000
- Nor-Ton Red Jacket Club, Inc. $11,200
- Rural Outreach Center $15,000
- SABAH, Inc. $18,210
- The Miracle League of Western New York $10,000
- University District Community Development Association $15,000
- Victory Sports Global Outreach, Inc. $10,000
- Westside International Soccer, Inc. $25,000
Information regarding the next granting cycle will be available in the Fall at www.cfgb.org.
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About the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo
The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, a 501©(3) organization, was established in 1919 to enhance and encourage long-term philanthropy in the Western New York community. The Community Foundation’s mission is: Connecting people, ideas and resources to improve lives in Western New York. For nearly 100 years, the Community Foundation has made the most of the generosity of individuals, families, foundations and organizations who entrust charitable assets to the Community Foundation’s care.
About the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation
The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation is a grantmaking organization dedicated primarily to sustained investment in the quality of life of the people of Southeast Michigan and Western New York. The two areas reflect Ralph C. Wilson, Jr.’s devotion to his hometown of Detroit and greater Buffalo, home of his Buffalo Bills franchise. Prior to his passing in 2014, Mr. Wilson requested that a significant share of his estate be used to continue a life-long generosity of spirit by funding the foundation that bears his name. The foundation has a grantmaking capacity of $1.2 billion over a 20-year period, which expires January 8, 2035. This structure is consistent with Mr. Wilson’s desire for the foundation’s impact to be immediate, substantial, measurable, and overseen by those who knew him best. For more information, visit www.rcwjrf.org.