Niagara Area Foundation awards more than $55,000 in grants to county organizations

The Niagara Area Foundation announced grants totaling more than $55,000 were awarded to nine Niagara County nonprofit organizations in 2015. The grants, ranging up to $10,000, were awarded to organizations that support positive youth development in Niagara County.

2015 Niagara Area Foundation grant recipients list:

• Boys and Girls Clubs of the Northtowns of WNY
• Challenger Learning Center of Orleans, Niagara and Erie Counties
• Junior Achievement of WNY
• Legal Services for the Elderly, Disabled or Disadvantaged of WNY
• Lockport Public Library
• Niagara Falls Boys & Girls Club
• Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center Foundation
• WNY Women's Foundation
• Youth Mentoring Services of Niagara County

"The Niagara Area Foundation is dedicated to understanding critical needs in the community and finding long-term sustainable solutions towards improving the quality of life in Niagara County. We are proud to provide support to these deserving organizations for their dedication to positive youth development in our region," Niagara Area Foundation Chair Michael Piette said. "It is through the continued commitment and generosity of our clients that the foundation is able to make grants to organizations that help benefit the residents of Niagara County."

The Niagara Area Foundation awards grants to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations on a yearly basis. Preference is given to organizations that have the greatest impact on positive youth development and demonstrate collaboration with other organizations.

Founded in 2000 as a division of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, the Niagara Area Foundation is comprised of eight dedicated council members and officers whose goal is to provide support for nonprofit organizations and charity-oriented philanthropic initiatives for Niagara County residents. Currently, the Niagara Area Foundation has more than $5.2 million in assets. Visit http://www.cfgb.org/affiliates/naf/.