The Board of Directors of the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation recently approved 17 grants from two programs totaling $69,389. Both the Community Grants Program and the Community Pride Program are funded through the NCCF’s 70 Community Benefit Funds. Individuals, families, and organizations who have a strong interest in the well-being of the community have established these endowed funds.
Twelve local nonprofit organizations received $62,839 in grants through the 2019 Spring Community Benefit Grants Program. The Community Benefit Grants Program is a biannual program that awards grants to nonprofit organizations seeking funds to improve the northern Chautauqua County community.
Five organizations received $6,550 through the Community Pride Program. The Community Pride Program is a biennial program that awards grants for projects that promote community pride and volunteerism.
Community Benefit Grants awarded this spring include Dunkirk Local Development Corporation, Great Lakes Experience Festival; Valley Historical Society, Carriage House Painting Project; Fredonia Grange #1, Handicapped Accessibility Installations; Lake Shore Family Center, Roof Replacement Project; Western NY Rural Area Health Education Center, Rural Scholars Student Computers; Literacy Volunteers of Chautauqua County, scanner, books and testing materials; Dunkirk Historical Lighthouse, Summer Festival Entertainment; Imagine Forestville Program, Historic Home Survey; Village of Mayville, Bike Racks, Picnic Tables, Trash Receptacles; Concord Grape Belt Heritage Association, Online Shopping Cart Development; Dunkirk Historical Society, Building Entrance Renovations; and Patterson Library in collaboration with the YWCA of Westfield, Women Empowered Through STEAM Program.
Community Pride Grants awarded include Partners in Kind, support for the Community Bench project in the north county; Dunkirk Historical Society, Window Painting and Signage repair; Westfield Exempt Volunteer Fireman’s Association, First Responders Tribute; Fredonia Garden Club, Community Beautification Projects; and Imagine Forestville, Forestville Walking Trail.
NCCF’s volunteer Grants Committee of community representatives reviews each application submitted to the program, and in most cases, conduct agency site visits. After a thorough review process, the committee makes its funding recommendations to NCCF Board of Directors. Current Grants Committee members include Helen Baran, Jody Briggs, Jill Casey, Ann Eckman, Margaret Ferris, Virginia Harper, JoAnn Kaufman, Alex Murphy, Peter Ryan, Rich Ryan and Kurt Warmbrodt. Pete Ryan serves as chair of the committee and Gina Paradis is the Board President.
The Community Grants Program awards grants twice a year. Letters of Interest for the next round of funding are due September 1, 2019. The Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation (NCCF) is committed to improving the northern Chautauqua community through the promotion of local philanthropy, targeted grant making, local scholarships and leadership.
Visit the NCCF website www.nccfoundation.org/grants-programs for additional information or contact Eileen Ardillo, Program Coordinator at 716-366-4892 or eardillo@nccfoundation.org.
To make a gift to one of NCCF’s community benefit funds visit the NCCF’s website www.nccfoundation.org/community-funds or contact the NCCF office at 716-366-4892.
The NCCF, incorporated in 1986, is a tax-exempt charitable organization. Since its establishment, the NCCF has distributed more than $14 million in the community through its various grant programs. It is an organization inherently committed to enriching the northern Chautauqua community and encouraging local philanthropy. For more information on the NCCF, visit www.nccfoundation.org or call 716-366-4892.
