Dunkirk, NY (June 19, 2011) – The Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation (NCCF) has awarded $24,468 to 10 different non-profit organizations through its Spring 2011 Community Grants Program. The Community Grants Program is a biannual program that awards grants to non-profit organizations seeking funds to enhance the northern Chautauqua County community.

A volunteer committee of community representatives thoroughly reviews the applications submitted to the Community Grants Program. In most cases, site visits are performed as well. The committee then prepares recommendations to the NCCF Board of Directors. Current Grants Committee members include Jack D’Agostino, Rose Ann Falcone, Nick Holt, JoAnn Kaufman, Kathy Kaus, Priscilla Koch, Carmen Llera, Kristine Morabito, Deborah Pacos, Alberto Rey, Jerry Rocque, and Monica White. Rose Ann Falcone serves as chairman of the committee and Pete Holt is the NCCF President.

Applications that have been approved by the NCCF Board of Directors to receive a grant from this program follow: Foster Grandparent Program for North County Volunteer Travel Expenses; Dunkirk Historical Lighthouse for Maritime Building Door and Lighting Installation; Mary Seymour Free Library for Mold Abatement Project; KIDS In Distressed Situations Program for Chautauqua County Rural Ministry Project; Darwin R. Barker Library for New Carpeting in the Suzanne C. Steele Room: Chautauqua County Historical Society for McClurg Museum renovations; Westfield Community Kitchen for Purchase of Computers; North Shore Arts Alliance for a Strategic Planning Seminar; Court Appointed Special Advocates for Books for Foster Care Youth and Families; Dunkirk Cultural District for Dunkirk Lighthouse Festival Banner and Publicity.

The Community Grants Program awards grants twice a year. The next letter of interest deadline is September 1, 2011. For more information on making a gift to one of the NCCF’s unrestricted funds or to obtain a Community Grants Program application, visit the NCCF’s Web site, www.nccfoundation.org, or contact the NCCF office at 366-4892.

The Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation was incorporated in 1986 as a tax-exempt charitable organization. Since its establishment, the NCCF has distributed over $7.5 million into the community through its various grants programs. It is an organization inherently committed to furthering its mission of enriching the northern Chautauqua community and encouraging local philanthropy.