General Grant Programs

Location: Buffalo, NY (726 Exchange Street, Suite 1016, Buffalo, NY 14210-1485)

Mission & Focus

The Foundation seeks to make transformational change in the lives of children with special needs through grant funding and advocacy.

Geographic Scope

Regional Focus: Western New York only

• Eligible Counties: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming counties in New York State
• Programs and projects outside these counties are not considered

Focus Areas

The Foundation funds work in the following areas affecting children with special needs:

• Health care
• Education
• Therapeutic Recreation
• Research

Specific Disability Focus

• Developmental disabilities (e.g., Down syndrome, intellectual impairments)
• Medical disabilities (birth defects, physical disabilities, heart defects, muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis, asthma, diabetes, cerebral palsy, dwarfism)
• Behavioral health issues (ADHD, autism, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, sensory integration dysfunction, Tourette syndrome)
• Intellectual disabilities
• Learning disabilities (neurological disorders affecting listening, thinking, speaking, reading, writing, spelling, mathematical calculations)
• Mental health issues (major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, OCD, panic disorder, PTSD, borderline personality disorder)

Types of Support

The Foundation provides funding for:

• Existing programs and services (including staffing and equipment)
• New, innovative approaches to issues related to the Foundation's interests
• Research projects related to the Foundation's focus areas
• Capital expenditures and/or improvements directly related to an organization's mission and programs
• Capacity building
• One-year or multi-year grants (usually no more than three years)

What the Foundation Does NOT Fund

• Indirect costs (general & overhead)
• Deficit funding
• Individual scholarships or fellowships (except within specific programs funded by the Foundation)

Eligibility Requirements

Eligible Applicants:

• Organizations must be classified as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
• Must be classified as public charities under section 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code
• Must work in fields related to developmental disabilities, medical disabilities, learning disabilities, behavioral health, intellectual disabilities, and mental health issues

Not Eligible:

• Individuals
• For-profit organizations
• Organizations operating outside eligible counties

Grant Characteristics

• Interim reports are required by the Foundation
• Grants may be one-year or multi-year (usually no more than three years)
• Collaborations are not required but the applicant must demonstrate knowledge of their service area, understand community needs, know what other services are being provided, and explain why collaboration doesn't make sense if not pursuing it
• The Foundation encourages applicants to pursue other funding sources simultaneously
• If multiple sources approve funding, the Foundation can work out adjustments

Application Process Overview

• Rolling basis: No set deadlines; applications accepted throughout the year
• Pre-application consultation recommended: Contact the Foundation at info@cg.foundation or (716) 362-9650 to discuss ideas, concepts, and/or projects before submitting
• Web-based application system: All applications submitted online
• Decision timeline: Generally 2-6+ months depending on complexity and Board review

Decision Timeline

• The process often involves discussion and revisions with Foundation staff
• Proposals go to the Board of Directors for review
• The Board may request revisions or additional information
• Generally takes from a couple months to several months

Application Tips

• All applications must demonstrate familiarity with the Foundation's mission and goals
• Proposals must have specific objectives and estimated timelines
• Overhead and administrative costs can be included if reasonable and based on actual costs related to successful project implementation
• Describe what other sources of funding have been approached

How to Apply

1. Initial Contact (Recommended)
   • Contact the Foundation to schedule a meeting or phone call
   • Email: info@cg.foundation
   • Phone: (716) 362-9650
   • Discuss your ideas, concepts, and/or project before submitting formal application
2. Create Account
   • Access the Foundation's web-based grant application system
   • Create a new account or log in to existing account
   • Basic information will be stored for future use
   • Contact (716) 362-9650 if you have questions about account creation or login
3. Review Guidelines
   • Carefully review the Foundation's grantmaking focus areas
   • Ensure your proposal aligns with organizational mission and goals
   • Research awarded grants from previous years for guidance
4. Submit Letter of Intent (LOI)
   • Required first step in application process
   • Submit via the web-based system
5. Complete Full Application
   • Only invited after LOI review
   • Complete full application in the web-based system upon Foundation invitation
6. Application Requirements
   • Demonstrate familiarity with Foundation's mission and goals
   • Provide specific objectives and estimated timelines
   • Include reasonable budget with costs directly related to project implementation
   • Describe service area and community needs
   • Identify what other services are provided by other organizations
   • Explain how your proposal is different
   • Address why collaboration doesn't make sense (if not collaborating)
   • List other funding sources approached or being pursued
7. Board Review & Follow-up
   • Proposal goes to Board of Directors
   • Board may request revisions or additional information
   • Foundation staff may work with you on revisions
8. Reporting
   • Interim reports required during grant period
   • Submit interim, final, and follow-up evaluation reporting via the web-based system
   • Receive electronic reminders of upcoming deadlines

Application Portal

• System: Web-based grant application-processing program
• Access: Click link to create new account or log in to existing account
• Features:
  • Submit letters of intent
  • Complete full applications
  • Receive electronic reminders of deadlines
  • Submit interim, final, and follow-up evaluation reporting