Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo accepting letters of intent for 2023 competitive grant process

The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo is now accepting letters of intent (LOI) for its 2023 competitive grant process – through Feb. 3 at 4 p.m. Interested organizations should read the detailed guidelines/additional information that can be found here: https://www.cfgb.org/nonprofits/grants/community-foundation/.

LOI proposals must address at least one of the solutions listed under the following four goals:

•Achieve racial/ethnic equity

√ Increase interaction and bridge racial/ethnic divides between residents and organizations throughout Western New York.

√ Promote civic engagement and leadership in communities of color.

•Promote economic mobility through educational achievement for residents living in low-income households

√ Improve the school readiness of children (ages 5 and under) living in communities of poverty.

√ Improve the academic achievement and postsecondary completion of students living in low-income households with a preference for systems change. 

•Steward significant environmental resources in the context of climate resilience

√ Protect and restore the region’s waterways.

√ Strengthen individual environmental organizations and support a more racially inclusive and collaborative environmental community.

•Promote regional vibrancy through architecture, arts and culture

√ Increase access to long-term arts instruction for children and youth living in low-income households.

√ Strengthen race equity through the arts.

√ Restore and leverage significant historic buildings and architectural landmarks, with a preference for sites that promote cultural tourism. (Defining historic as official recognition by State/National Register of Historic Places or local preservation ordinance.)

Special consideration will be given to requests that advance racial equity in addition to addressing a solution.

Special funding is available to support programs that serve the visual-, speech- or hearing-impaired (~$5,000). Preference for this funding will be given to requests that also align with one or more of the four goals listed above.

Additionally, applicants must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in or serving one of the eight counties of Western New York (Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, Wyoming).

To see the full guidelines, visit https://www.cfgb.org/nonprofits/grants/community-foundation/. The deadline to submit a letter of intent is 4 p.m. Feb. 3. 

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 cfgb.org.