Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation Arts & Culture Initiative
In December 2021, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation announced a gift to support arts and culture in the eight counties of Western New York, plus Monroe County, in recognition of the key role arts and culture organizations play in a thriving economy. Part of that announcement includes $500,000 in annual funding to be awarded primarily to support small to mid-sized arts and cultural organizations in the nine counties. The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo is managing and operating the endowment and grants program.
In early 2022, the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo has connected with, listened to and learned from over 100 representatives of arts and culture organizations, including arts councils, advocacy groups, nonprofits and funders from Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming counties. This included three listening sessions which were open to all arts and culture organizations in the nine counties.
As a result, in 2022, the Community Foundation requested applications for two opportunities:
- A single arts and culture nonprofit organization may apply for up to $10,000 for operating funding. Preference will be given to organizations for which $10,000 will make a meaningful impact on their annual operations. Applicant organizations must have had no more than $3 million in revenue in their Fiscal Year 2021 to be eligible to apply.
- Multiple arts and culture organizations may apply together for funding to support collaborative efforts to advance inclusion up to $25,000. Preference will be given to collaborations which will have a meaningful impact on inclusion and for which small to mid-size arts and culture organizations receive the majority of the funding requested.
All of the information to apply can be found below.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted electronically online through the Foundant Grant Lifecycle Manager. No paper, emailed, or pdf applications are accepted.
Click here for detailed grant guidelines.
Grant Opportunity
In 2022, the Community Foundation will be requesting applications for two opportunities:
- A single arts and culture nonprofit organization may apply for up to $10,000 for operating funding. Preference will be given to organizations for which $10,000 will make a meaningful impact on their annual operations. Applicant organizations must have had no more than $3 million in revenue in their Fiscal Year 2021 to be eligible to apply.
- Multiple arts and culture organizations may apply together for funding to support collaborative efforts to advance inclusion up to $25,000. Preference will be given to collaborations which will have a meaningful impact on inclusion and for which small to mid-size arts and culture organizations receive the majority of the funding requested.
Timeline
Please check back for updates.
Eligibility
- Small to mid-sized nonprofit organizations that have arts and culture as core to their mission.
- Exceptions may be made for the core mission in rural communities with limited independent arts and cultural organizations.
- Applicant organizations must “do business” in one or more of nine counties – Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, Wyoming.
- The 13 organizations named by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation receiving direct, yearly funding are not eligible (see link for list).
- Fiscal sponsorships are acceptable; the fiscal sponsor does not need to meet above criteria.
Grant Briefing Sessions
Please check back for updates.
Contact
Organizations with questions are encouraged to attend one of the grant briefings.
Please direct all other questions to WilsonArts@cfgb.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please click here to view answers to frequently asked questions.