Community Foundation Competitive Grants

Community Foundation Competitive Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo
Amount: US $18,000 - US $20,000
Last Updated: January 16, 2026

Summary

The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo has been granting funds for over a century, focusing on impactful initiatives across eight counties in Western New York. The foundation prioritizes projects that foster racial equity, economic mobility, environmental stewardship, and cultural vibrancy. Special funding will support programs for the visually, speech, or hearing impaired, with an emphasis on aligning with the foundation's community goals. Eligible organizations must hold a 501(c)(3) status and serve the designated areas.

Overview

Note: The Community Foundation competitive process has been revised for 2026. Letters of Intent have been eliminated for a one stage process. 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. Community Goals and the Solutions The Community Foundation’s competitive grants will align with one or more of the four following Community Goals and the Solutions detailed below: Achieve racial/ethnic equity. Requests must address one of the following Solutions: Solutions: Promote civic engagement and leadership in communities of color. 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), academic achievement andpostsecondary completion of students living in low-income households.Promote civic engagement and leadership Steward significant environmental resources in the context of climate resilience. Requests must address one of the following Solutions: Solutions: Protect and restore the region’s waterways. Strengthen environmental organizations and collaboratives to support climate resilience and sustainability with a preference for addressing the needs of vulnerable communities and climate education.Promote civic engagement and leadership. Promote regional vibrancy through architecture, arts, and culture. Requests must address one of the following Solutions: Solutions: Promote equitable access to long-term arts instruction for children and youth living in low-income communitiesPromote civic engagement and leadershipPromote cultural tourism by restoring and leveraging significant historic buildings and architectural landmarks. (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 (~$10,000) Preference for this special funding will be given to applications that align with one of the Solutions listed under four Community Goals.

Eligibility

We've imported the main document for this grant to give you an overview. You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. 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 in or serving one of the eight counties of Western New York: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming.