General Grant Programs

General Grant Programs

Funder: The Children's Guild Foundation Inc
Location: Buffalo, NY (726 Exchange Street, Suite 1016, Buffalo, NY 14210-1485)
Contact: info@cg.foundation | (716) 362-9650
Website: cg.foundation

Mission & Focus

The Children's Guild Foundation has concentrated its efforts and resources in Western New York since 1910. 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