Cultivator of Change Grant Program
Funding Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Grant Type
Foundation
Can we apply?
Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.
Eligible organizations
- An individual or organization is eligible for nomination
Geography
- Headquartered within the 7 counties of WNY
Other requirements
- _You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's [website](https://wnyfoundation.org/cultivatorofchange)._
- Grant applications are welcome from organizations whose work aligns with our mission and priority areas
- For all grant programs, this includes a focus on our local and regional food systems
- Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, and Wyoming
Not eligible / not funded
- Not eligible: Self nominations are not accepted at this time
- Not eligible: Individuals
- Not eligible: Unless otherwise specified
- Not eligible: Religious organizations for religious purposes
- Not eligible: Political organizations
- Not eligible: Campaigns
- Not eligible: Candidates
- Not eligible: Municipal
- Not eligible: Government
- Not eligible: Endowments
- Not eligible: Scholarships
- Not eligible: Capital campaigns
Overview
Cultivator of Change Program
The Cultivator of Change program recognizes and provides support to individuals who have displayed outstanding leadership in the food system. Selected food system leaders will receive a $2,500 grant to assist them in their continued efforts. This program presents a unique opportunity to acknowledge and support these vital leaders who are critical to our communities and who demonstrate the following qualities:
- Act as change agent working among underserved populations
- Operate from a place of empathy and compassion
- Seek community-driven solutions to pressing food system issues
- A willingness to share their experiences and knowledge with others
Nomination Process
To nominate a candidate, an individual or organization (with direct knowledge of the leader's work) must submit a nomination form. The nominator should provide a description of the nominee's contributions toward building community and strengthening our local or regional food system. Additionally, the nominator should explain why they believe the nominee is prioritizing equity and describe their potential to realize scale.
Selection Process
Twice a year, two (2) leaders from each of the 7 counties served by Western New York Foundation will be selected.
Eligibility
_You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website._
- An individual or organization is eligible for nomination.
- Grant applications are welcome from organizations whose work aligns with our mission and priority areas.
- For all grant programs, this includes a focus on our local and regional food systems.
- Organizations applying for grants must be headquartered within the 7 counties of WNY:
- Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, and Wyoming.
Ineligibility
- Self nominations are not accepted at this time.
- We do not award grants to individuals, unless otherwise specified; religious organizations for religious purposes; political organizations, campaigns, and candidates; and municipal and government.
- We do not award grants for endowments; scholarships; capital campaigns; or operating expenses.
What The Western New York Foundation actually gave
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, 2026
- Grants in 2026
- 127
- Total given
- $1.45M
- Median grant
- $3,500
- Range
- $50–$500K
- By dollars: New York 93%, Nebraska 6%, Illinois <1%. Top recipient cities: Buffalo, NY; Jamestown, NY; Orchard Park, NY.
- 17% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
- 34% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.
Example grants
Community Foundation for Greater BUFFALO1 · Buffalo, NY
WNY Forward Fund
$500K
United Way of Buffalo & Erie County · Buffalo, NY
iCAP Consulting
$109K
Massachusetts Avenue Project · Buffalo, NE
Operations Director & Communications Manager
$72K
NY Funders Alliance · Syracuse, NY
NonProfit Support Group Annual Operations
$50K
Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation · Olean, NY
CA BOCES Sprouting Knowledge Farm
$50K
Focus Areas & Funding Uses
Fields of Work
- Food security
- Community development
Categories
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