The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds: Youth Sports Grant

The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds offer grants to support youth sports initiatives in Western New York, focusing on increasing children's participation in sports. The foundation encourages community-driven projects that prioritize children's interests and promote active lifestyles. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that aim to address objectives such as revitalizing local leagues and training coaches. These grants reflect Ralph C. Wilson, Jr.'s commitment to long-lasting community impact and innovation in youth sports.

Background
The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation established endowment funds at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo to provide annual support for programs and initiatives that reflect the personal passions of Mr. Wilson. These areas of support are: Caregivers; Community Assets; Design and Access; and Youth Sports.
The grants made from these Legacy Funds held at the Community Foundation are distinct from the grants made by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation directly. In most cases, the grants made from these Funds at the Community Foundation serve to support very localized projects across the WNY region for which a smaller grant can make all the difference. In some cases, it may also provide an opportunity to test out ideas and programs on a smaller, pilot level.
Provide opportunities for all children to be active through sport.
Requests must address one of the following objectives:

• Ask kids what they want.
• Reintroduce free play.
• Encourage sport sampling.
• Revitalize in-town leagues.
• Think small.
• Design for development.
• Train all coaches.
• Emphasize prevention.

Eligibility

For Youth Sports, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that meet the guidelines described above and reside in Western New York may apply for a grant.Western New York is defined as Allegany, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming counties.

Ineligibility

Requests for endowments, religious purposes, attendance at or sponsorship of events, and for schools not registered with the NYS Education Department will not be accepted.

501(c)(3) nonprofits and government agencies in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming counties (NY). Programs for youth ages 5–13; tackle football and traditional sports equipment requests are ineligible.