Community Foundation announces information sessions & deadline for 2022 Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds application process

The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo will begin accepting applications for the 2022 Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds competitive grant process on Nov. 8. The deadline to apply is 4 p.m. Dec. 3.

In 2015, 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 Wilson. These areas of interest that grants will support are: caregivers, community assets, design and access, and youth sports.

•Caregivers

√ Support caregivers – whether paid, voluntary or family – of persons who are unable to fully care for themselves and are part of an underserved community. Preference will be given to requests that provide support to caregivers of older adults.

•Community assets

√ Support significant cultural and historic assets and/or increase access to long-term arts instruction for youth.

•Design and access

√ Support enhancement of community access to spaces and programs that support healthy living.

•Youth sports

√ Provide opportunities for all children to be active through sport.

Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located within the eight counties of Western New York (Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming). For caregivers and design and access grants, and youth sport grants government agencies also may apply. For community assets grants, only 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that reside in Erie County may apply.

Virtual grant information sessions will be held on the following dates:

•Tuesday, Nov. 9, noon to 1 p.m. (All four focus areas)

•Tuesday, Nov. 16, noon to 1 p.m. (All four focus areas)

•Tuesday, Nov. 16, 7-8 p.m. (youth sports applicants only)

Register to attend a session. To do that, and to find all the details of the grant process, visit www.cfgb.org/nonprofits/grants/ralph-wilson-legacy/.

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 cfgb.org.

The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds were established at the Community Foundation to provide support to four areas that were important to Wilson. Endowment funds, like these created to honor Wilson, are designed to grow over time and provide funding for charitable causes according to a client’s wishes.