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Community Foundation Competitive Grants
Maximizing Impact in the Community
At more than 100 years old, the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo is committed to making grants that maximize impact on the eight counties of Western New York within four Community Goals. These goals were selected by the Board of Directors as a result of a thorough strategic planning process using community input along with the most up-to-date data and information available.
How to Apply
The Community Foundation competitive process has two stages. The first step is completion of an online Letter of Intent (LOI). The LOI requests basic information to determine fit with the solutions listed under each of the four goals. The LOI that align best with the solutions listed under the goals are invited to submit a full application.
LOI and applications are submitted electronically online through the Foundant Grant Lifecycle Manager. No paper, emailed, or pdf applications are accepted.
Detailed Guidelines/Additional Information
Please click here to download the detailed Community Foundation competitive process general information and guidelines.
Grant Opportunity
The Community Foundation’s competitive grants will align with one or more of the four following Community Goals and the Solutions detailed below:
Special consideration will be given to requests that fit a Solution AND advance the racial equity work of the Greater Buffalo Racial Equity Taskforce: www.racialequitybuffalo.org:
I. Achieve racial/ethnic equity. Requests must address one of the following Solutions:
Solutions
- Increase interaction and bridge racial/ethnic divides between residents and organizations throughout WNY.
- Promote civic engagement and leadership in communities of color.
NOTE: Organizations submitted a request under Community Goal I must demonstrate how racial equity is a cornerstone of the organization, weaving through mission, programming, and day-to-day operations.
II. Promote economic mobility through educational achievement for residents living in low-income households. Requests must address one of the following Solutions:
Solutions
- Improve the school readiness of children (ages 5 and under) living in communities of poverty.
- Improve the academic achievement and postsecondary completion of students living in low-income households.
III. Steward significant environmental resources. Requests must address one of the following Solutions:
Solutions
- Protect and restore the region’s waterways.
- Strengthen individual environmental organizations and support a more racially inclusive and collaborative environmental community.
IV: Promote regional vibrancy through architecture, arts, and culture. Requests must address one of the following Solutions:
Solutions
- Increase access to long term arts instruction for children and youth living in low-income households.
- Strengthen race equity through the arts.
- Restore and leverage significant historic buildings and architectural landmarks, with a preference for sites that promote cultural tourism. (Defining historic as official recognition by State/National Register of Historic Places or local preservation ordinance.)
Special funding available to support the following:
- Programs that serve the visual, speech or hearing impaired (~$5,000)
Preference for this special funding will be given to requests that also align with one or more of the four Community Goals.
The historical average for a competitive grant through this process is in the $18,000 to $20,000 range.
Timeline
- LOI available online January 2, 2025
- LOI due February 3, 2025 by 4 PM. No exceptions
- Selected organizations invited by email to submit full applications March 31, 2025
- Application due April 28, 2025 by 4 PM. No exceptions
- Decision notification early July 2025
Eligibility
- Grants are awarded only to organizations that have current Section 501(c)(3) status as determined by the Internal Revenue Service
- Applicants must be located or delivering services in at least one of the eight counties of Western New York: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming.
Information Session
The video below gives an overview of the grants opportunity, guidelines, timeline and both the Letter of Intent and Full Application process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click here to review frequently asked questions.
Contact
For more information about the Community Foundation competitive grants process, please contact Darren Penoyer by email at darrenp@cfgb.org or at (716) 852-2857 ext. 206.
Past Cycle's Grant Recipients
- Nonprofits
- Grants
- Garman Family Foundation Grants
- Josephine Goodyear Foundation Grants
- 21st Century Fund Grant
- Oliver G. & Sarah Sloan Bauman Fund for the Arts
- Community Foundation Competitive Grants
- Daniel C. and Beatrice M. Fisher Fund
- J. Warren Perry and Charles Donald Perry Memorial Fund
- Niagara Area Foundation Grants
- Project Play WNY Summer Free Play Series Grant
- Project Play WNY Winter Free Play Series Grant
- Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation Arts & Culture Initiative
- Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Trails Maintenance Fund for Western New York
- Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds
- William F. Thiel Grants
- Workforce Development Challenge
- Wyoming Foundation Grants
- Endowment Options
- Grants