Buffalo, N.Y. – The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo announced that 77 Western New York organizations received more than $1.26 million in grant awards from endowment funds created to carry on the legacy of Ralph C. Wilson, Jr.
In 2016, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation established the Legacy Funds as endowments at the Community Foundation to provide annual support to areas that were important to Mr. Wilson during his lifetime: Caregivers, Community Assets, Design and Access, and Youth Sports. Endowment funds are designed to grow over time and provide funding forever for charitable causes according to a client’s wishes.
The Legacy Funds at the Community Foundation complement the work of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and were created to provide immediate impact and long-term benefit in Western New York. Grant awards are listed alphabetically within each interest area.
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Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Fund for Caregivers
- A Better YOU Lifestyle, Inc – $11,000
- Canopy of Neighbors, Inc. – $15,000
- Compeer of Greater Buffalo – $20,000
- Every Bottom Covered Inc – $20,000
- Genesee County Office for the Aging – $16,000
- Gerard Place – $20,000
- HART, Inc. – $20,000
- Hearts and Hands–Faith in Action, Inc. – $20,000
- Interfaith Caregivers – $20,000
- Karen Society of Buffalo – $20,000
- No Wound Untreated, Inc – $12,500
- People Inc – $12,500
- Reg Lenna Center for the Arts – $12,000
- The Prevention Council of Erie County – $20,000
- Total Senior Care – $25,000
- West Falls Center for the Arts – $10,000
Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Fund for Community Assets
- Ade Jembe Fola – $16,000
- Arts for Learning WNY – $16,000
- Buffalo Arts Studio – $15,000
- Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology – $15,401
- Buffalo String Works – $20,000
- Coles House Foundation – $25,000
- Graycliff Conservancy, Inc. – $16,000
- North Park Theatre of Buffalo, Inc. – $25,000
- Pappy Martin Legacy Jazz Collective – $25,000
- Peace of the City Ministries – $25,000
Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Fund for Design and Access
- Alfred Almond Community Sports Association Inc. – $50,000
- Buffalo Niagara River Land Trust – $50,000
- Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper – $46,557
- Citizens for a Better Cassadaga – $45,000
- Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail – $41,832
- IMPACT: Friends Improving Allegany County Trails, Inc. – $21,000
- Nor-Ton Red Jacket Club, Inc. – $25,000
- Open Buffalo, Inc. – $50,000
- Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy – $50,000
Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Fund for Youth Sports
- 716 Squash – $8,000
- Arc GLOW – $10,000
- Batavia GLOW Young Men’s Christian Association, Inc. – $10,000
- Bolivar Richburg Youth Football and Cheer – $12,000
- Boys & Girls Club of Northern Chautauqua County – $15,000
- Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northtowns of WNY – $10,000
- Buffalo Maendeleo Soccer Club Inc – $10,000
- Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy – $15,000
- Buffalo Sports and Wellness Association (DBA Healthy Buffalo) – $10,000
- Buffalo Sports Project – $5,000
- Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center – $8,000
- Chautauqua Striders Inc – $8,000
- Dominik Hasek Youth Hockey League, Inc. – $12,000
- EPIC – Every Person Influences Children – $5,000
- Erie Regional Housing Development Corporation – The Belle Center – $10,000
- Friends of Youngstown – $7,000
- Full Circle Family Services – $10,000
- Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council – $12,000
- Girls on the Run of Buffalo, Inc – $10,000
- Girls Sport Foundation – $10,000
- Harrison’s Playmakers – $10,000
- Karen Society of Buffalo – $10,000
- Lakeshore Youth Football League – $6,000
- Medina Glow Young Men’s Christian Association, Inc. – $10,000
- Natural Heritage Trust – $15,000
- Niagara Falls Boys and Girls Club – $12,550
- Police Athletic League of Niagara Falls NY – $12,500
- Research Foundation for the SUNY on behalf of the University at Buffalo – $12,000
- Resource Council Of WNY Inc – $10,000
- Say Yes Buffalo Scholarship Inc. – $15,000
- Skating Association for the Blind and Handicapped, Inc. – $10,300
- SOLID Foundation Prep, Inc. – $8,000
- Take the Reins – $7,500
- Taking It To The Streets – $8,000
- The Champion Project – $10,000
- The Salvation Army of Buffalo, NY – $8,000
- The Unit Promise – $8,000
- Town of Allegany – $7,500
- United Somali Alliance of Buffalo – $10,000
- WNY Lacrosse Foundation – $5,000
- YMCA Buffalo Niagara – $10,000
- Youth Mentoring Services of Niagara County – $6,000
Since 2016, nearly $14 million has been awarded through the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds to support organizations across the eight counties of Western New York.
The Legacy Funds are annual grants; for updates on the next granting cycle, please visit.
About the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo
For more than a century, the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo has enhanced and encouraged long-term philanthropy in the Western New York community. A 501 (c)(3) organization, the Community Foundation’s mission is: Connecting people, ideas and resources to improve lives in Western New York. Established in 1919, the Community Foundation has made the most of the generosity of individuals, families, foundations and organizations who entrust charitable assets to the Community Foundation’s care. Learn more at www.cfgb.org.
About the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation
The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation is a grantmaking organization dedicated primarily to sustained investment in the quality of life of the people of Southeast Michigan and Western New York. The two areas reflect Ralph C. Wilson, Jr.’s devotion to his hometown of Detroit and greater Buffalo, home of his beloved Buffalo Bills NFL team. Prior to his passing in 2014, Mr. Wilson provided that a significant share of his estate be used to continue a life-long generosity of spirit by funding the Foundation that bears his name. Based in Detroit, the Foundation began with a grantmaking capacity of $1.2 billion over a 20-year period, which expires January 8, 2035. This structure is consistent with Mr. Wilson’s desire for the Foundation’s impact to be immediate, substantial, measurable, and overseen by those who knew him best. For more information visit www.rcwjrf.org.
