Buffalo, N.Y. – The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo announced that 77 Western New York organizations received more than $1.26 million in grant awards from endowment funds created to carry on the legacy of Ralph C. Wilson, Jr.
In 2016, The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation established the Legacy Funds as endowments at the Community Foundation to provide annual 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 forever for charitable causes according to a client’s wishes.
The Legacy Funds at the Community Foundation complement the work of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and were created to provide immediate impact and long-term benefit in Western New York. Grant awards are listed alphabetically within each interest area.
Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Fund for Caregivers
A Better YOU Lifestyle, Inc – $11,000
Canopy of Neighbors, Inc. – $15,000
Compeer of Greater Buffalo – $20,000
Every Bottom Covered Inc – $20,000
Genesee County Office for the Aging – $16,000
Gerard Place – $20,000
HART, Inc. – $20,000
Hearts and Hands–Faith in Action, Inc. – $20,000
Interfaith Caregivers – $20,000
Karen Society of Buffalo – $20,000
No Wound Untreated, Inc – $12,500
People Inc – $12,500
Reg Lenna Center for the Arts $12,000
The Prevention Council of Erie County – $20,000
Total Senior Care – $25,000
West Falls Center for the Arts $10,000
Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Fund for Community Assets
Ade Jembe Fola – $16,000
Arts for Learning WNY – $16,000
Buffalo Arts Studio – $15,000
Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology – $15,401
Buffalo String Works – $20,000
Coles House Foundation – $25,000
Graycliff Conservancy, Inc. – $16,000
North Park Theatre of Buffalo, Inc. – $25,000
Pappy Martin Legacy Jazz Collective – $25,000
Peace of the City Ministries – $25,000
Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Fund for Design and Access
Alfred Almond Community Sports Association Inc.- $50,000
Buffalo Niagara River Land Trust – $50,000
Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper – $46,557
Citizens for a Better Cassadaga – $45,000
Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail – $41,832
IMPACT: Friends Improving Allegany County Trails, Inc. – $21,000
Nor-Ton Red Jacket Club, Inc. – $25,000
Open Buffalo, Inc. – $50,000
Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy – $50,000
Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Fund for Youth Sports
716 Squash – $8,000
Arc GLOW – $10,000
Batavia GLOW Young Men’s Christian Association, Inc. – $10,000
Bolivar Richburg Youth Football and Cheer – $12,000
Boys & Girls Club of Northern Chautauqua County – $15,000
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northtowns of WNY – $10,000
Buffalo Maendeleo Soccer Club Inc – $10,000
Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy – $15,000
Buffalo Sports and Wellness Association (DBA Healthy Buffalo) – $10,000
Buffalo Sports Project – $5,000
Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center – $8,000
Chautauqua Striders Inc – $8,000
Dominik Hasek Youth Hockey League, Inc.- $12,000
EPIC – Every Person Influences Children – $5,000
Erie Regional Housing Development Corporation – The Belle Center- $10,000
Friends of Youngstown – $7,000
Full Circle Family Services – $10,000
Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council – $12,000
Girls on the Run of Buffalo, Inc – $10,000
Girls Sport Foundation – $10,000
Harrison’s Playmakers – $10,000
Karen Society of Buffalo – $10,000
Lakeshore Youth Football League – $6,000
Medina Glow Young Men’s Christian Association, Inc.- $10,000
Natural Heritage Trust – $15,000
Niagara Falls Boys and Girls Club – $12,550
Police Athletic League of Niagara Falls NY – $12,500
Research Foundation for the SUNY on behalf of the University at Buffalo – $12,000
Resource Council Of WNY Inc – $10,000
Say Yes Buffalo Scholarship Inc. – $15,000
Skating Association for the Blind and Handicapped, Inc. – $10,300
SOLID Foundation Prep, Inc. – $8,000
Take the Reins – $7,500
Taking It To The Streets – $8,000
The Champion Project – $10,000
The Salvation Army of Buffalo, NY – $8,000
The Unit Promise – $8,000
Town of Allegany – $7,500
United Somali Alliance of Buffalo – $10,000
WNY Lacrosse Foundation – $5,000
YMCA Buffalo Niagara – $10,000
Youth Mentoring Services of Niagara County – $6,000
Since 2016, nearly $14 million has been awarded through the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds to support organizations across the eight counties of Western New York.
The Legacy Funds are annual grants; for updates on the next granting cycle, please visit https://www.cfgb.org/nonprofits/grants/ralph-wilson-legacy/
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About the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo
For more than a century, the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo has enhanced and encouraged long-term philanthropy in the Western New York community. A 501 (c)(3) organization, the Community Foundation’s mission is: Connecting people, ideas and resources to improve lives in Western New York. Established in 1919, 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. Learn more at www.cfgb.org.
For more than a century, the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo has enhanced and encouraged long-term philanthropy in the Western New York community. A 501 (c)(3) organization, the Community Foundation’s mission is: Connecting people, ideas and resources to improve lives in Western New York. Established in 1919, 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. Learn more at www.cfgb.org.
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 beloved Buffalo Bills NFL team. Prior to his passing in 2014, Mr. Wilson provided 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. Based in Detroit, the Foundation began with 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.
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 beloved Buffalo Bills NFL team. Prior to his passing in 2014, Mr. Wilson provided 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. Based in Detroit, the Foundation began with 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.