Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation Arts & Culture Initiative Grant

The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation Arts & Culture Initiative provides funding for Monroe County arts organizations, distributing up to $15,000 for capacity-building and general operating funds, along with micro grants of up to $2,500. This initiative supports small to mid-sized 501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on arts and culture, especially those in rural areas. The program emphasizes community feedback and prioritizes organizations with active programming, fostering growth and sustainability in the arts sector across Western New York.

For Monroe County arts organizations: To simplify the process and communication, the Rochester Area Community Foundation will distribute funding for Monroe County. Our expectation, where possible, is the funding will continue to align with the parameters set by the fund annually.
In 2021, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation established endowment funds at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo to support arts and culture in the eight counties of Western New York, plus Monroe County, in recognition of the key role arts and culture organizations play in a thriving economy.
Since the inception of the Arts & Culture Initiative, the Community Foundation has prioritized community feedback in the creation of this annual funding opportunity.
The result of this work are three funding opportunities for 2025:
Combined Capacity-Building and General Operating Funds of up to $15,000 for organizations with at least one full-time (or one FTE) staff member to help organizations build the solid foundation necessary to pursue an ambitious mission and vision;
General Operating Micro Grants of up to $2,500 for organizations with less than one full-time staff member to execute immediate programming;
Year 2 Capacity-Building and General Operating Funds for 2024 Grantees ONLY: Continued Capacity-Building support to continue building upon the work started in 2025. Click here for details on this invited process.

Eligibility

Small to mid-sized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that have arts and culture as core to their mission.
Exceptions may be made for the core mission in rural communities with limited independent arts and cultural organizations. Exceptions must be granted by the Community Foundation in writing. Please write to Yuki at yukinr@cfgb.org to explain the unique circumstances in your rural community by August 29, 2025.
Applicant organizations must be physically located in and/or operate in one or more of nine counties – Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, Wyoming.
Applicant organizations must have had an operating budget of no more than $500,000 in their most recently completed fiscal year. NOTE: We look at the operating expenses when determining the operating budget size of an organization.The 13 organizations named by Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation receiving direct, yearly funding are not eligible.
Fiscal sponsorships are acceptable; the fiscal sponsor does not need to meet above criteria but the applicant organization does. Libraries that meet all other eligibility criteria AND are NOT funded annually through municipal budgets, are eligible to apply.

Ineligibility

Libraries that ARE funded through municipal budgets are NOT eligible. Municipalities or schools are NOT eligible to apply for funding.