Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo's 21st Century Fund awards Explore & More Children's Museum $100,000 for exhibit designs

Explore & More was awarded the 21^st Century Fund's $100,000 grant to be used in the exhibit designs for the new children's museum set to open in the South Aud Block of Canalside on Buffalo's waterfront in 2016.

On March 27, members of the 21^st Century Fund gathered to hear presentations from the final four contenders for the grant, including Explore & More, the Boys & Girls Club of Buffalo, Habitat For Humanity and the YWCA of Niagara. Members voted that evening to select Explore & More as the recipient of the $100,000 award, out of an original field of 19 applicants.

"We are so excited not only to receive this grant for exhibit design, but also to be recognized by such an important organization for this community," said Barbara Leggett, Explore & More's executive director. "The 21^st Century Fund and the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo embody the strength of community collaboration and partnership that Explore & More continues to seek in bringing Western New York a children's museum that is both for and about Buffalo."

Set to open at Canalside in 2016, the new Explore & More Children's Museum will offer seven educational play zones and a rooftop garden in 40,000 square feet along the towpath of the newly built canals at Canalside on Buffalo's waterfront. The stories of Buffalo will be celebrated through interactive, hands-on exhibits and programs. Explore & More celebrates its 20^th anniversary this year in East Aurora, where it has been recognized nationally for its "Culture Days" programs and other offerings.

The 21^st Century Fund is a membership-driven charitable fund that strives to make a positive, substantial impact on Western New York. Members pay a one-time fee and receive a lifetime membership. Every two years, the fund's members vote to decide on a high-impact local project that will receive a $100,000 grant. Since its inception, the 21^st Century Fund has awarded nearly $1 million in grants, which were made possible by more than 365 members.

For more information on the 21^st Century Fund, visit http://cfgb.org/21cf. The 21st Century Fund is a fund of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. Established in 1919, the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo's mission is to connect people, ideas and resources to improve lives in Western New York. For more information, visit: www.cfgb.org. 

Explore & More Children's Museum is currently located at 300 Gleed Ave., East Aurora. For more information on the museum's programs and exhibits, visit www.exploreandmore.org or call 716-655-5131.