Community Foundation: Grant process open for Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Arts & Culture Initiative

Funding in two categories will support small to mid-sized arts organizations serving WNY

The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo is now accepting applications for the 2023 Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Arts & Culture Initiative competitive grant process in two categories. The deadline to apply is 4 p.m. Sept. 15. Grant briefing sessions to learn more about the process have been scheduled for August.

A press release stated, “In December 2021, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation announced a gift 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. Part of that announcement includes $500,000 in annual funding to be awarded primarily to support small to mid-sized arts and culture organizations in the nine counties. The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo is managing and operating the endowment and grants program.”

As a result, in 2022, the Community Foundation launched the first grant process for the Arts & Culture Initiative. In April 2023, Yuki Numata Resnick was hired as director of arts and culture to oversee this process – and “to lead efforts to develop a deeper understanding of the sector’s strengths and opportunities.”

For the 2023 grant process that is now open, 501(c)(3) arts and culture organizations that are physically located in and/or operate from the eight counties of Western New York (Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming) plus Monroe County, with a budget of no more than $2 million in their fiscal year 2022, are encouraged to apply.

There are two opportunities available:

1. A single arts and culture nonprofit organization may apply for up to $15,000 for operating funding.

2. Multiple arts and culture organizations are encouraged to apply together for up to $25,000 to support collaborative efforts. Preference will be given to collaborations for which small to mid-sized arts and culture organizations receive the majority of the funding requested. At least two collaborators must be arts and culture organizations.

For additional details on eligibility and the grant opportunity, visit https://www.cfgb.org/nonprofits/grants/ralph-c-wilson-jr-foundation-arts-culture-initiative/.

Grant briefing sessions will be held on the following dates:

•Tuesday, Aug. 22, 6 p.m. in person at Rochester Contemporary Art Center: 137 East Ave.

•Wednesday, Aug. 23, 6 p.m. at the Tri-County Arts Council: 110 W. State Street, Olean; or via Zoom

•Thursday, Aug. 24, 10 a.m. in person at Arts Services Inc., 2495 Main St., Suite 401, Buffalo; or via Zoom

The sessions will also be an opportunity to meet Numata Resnick.

To register for one of these sessions, visit https://www.cfgb.org/nonprofits/grants/ralph-c-wilson-jr-foundation-arts-culture-initiative/.

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.

The press release stated, “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 cfgb.org.