Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $38,236,066 (2024)
• Total Assets: Over $940 million
• Grant Range: $10,000 - $100,000+
• Average Grant: $18,000 - $20,000 (competitive grants)
• Geographic Focus: Eight counties of Western New York
• Total Awards (2024): 567 grants
• Application Method: Single-stage application process

Contact Details

Address: 726 Exchange Street, Suite 525, Buffalo, NY 14210

Phone: (716) 852-2857

Email: mail@cfgb.org

Website: www.cfgb.org

Grant Inquiries: Darren Penoyer, Community Impact Director
Email: darrenp@cfgb.org | Phone: (716) 852-2857 ext. 206

Technical Support: Sarah Johnson (Foundant system issues)
Email: sarahj@cfgb.org

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm

Overview

Founded in 1919, the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo is one of Western New York's largest and oldest grantmakers, managing over $940 million in charitable assets. The foundation serves the eight counties of Western New York (Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming) and works with more than 400 active clients whilst carrying on the legacies of an additional 500 clients. In 2024, the foundation awarded $38.2 million through 567 grants. Under the leadership of President/CEO Betsy Constantine, who assumed the role in January 2023, the foundation has experienced significant growth—from $161 million in assets when Constantine joined the foundation in 2009 to over $940 million today. The foundation focuses its grantmaking on four Community Goals: racial equity, education, arts and culture, and environment. Special consideration is given to requests that advance racial equity work throughout Western New York.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Community Foundation Competitive Grants: $18,000 - $20,000 average grant

• Single-stage application process via online portal
• Annual competitive process with specific deadlines (typically early spring)
• Must align with one or more of the four Community Goals

21st Century Fund: $100,000 (single award)

• Awarded every two years through member-driven giving circle
• Strong preference for sustainable projects requiring minimal future grant support
• Focus on long-term significant impact on eight-county region

Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds: Varies by programme

• Annual awards totalling over $1.3 million distributed to 85+ organisations
• Four focus areas: Caregivers, Community Assets, Design and Access, Youth Sports
• Specific grants typically $10,000 - $25,000

Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Arts & Culture Initiative: $500,000 annual funding pool

• Supports small to mid-sized arts and cultural nonprofits
• Serves eight Western New York counties plus Monroe County

WNY Forward Fund: Variable amounts

• Collaborative effort of 13 funders
• Priorities include Strategic Alliances & Nonprofit Resiliency, Civic Health & Building Common Ground, Impact Data & Storytelling
• Focus on mental health, food security, and housing

Named Funds (various amounts and focuses):

• Daniel C. and Beatrice M. Fisher Fund (Town of Clarence focus)
• Garman Family Foundation Grants (two cycles annually: mental health, food security, housing)
• Josephine Goodyear Foundation Grants (indigent women and children, physical needs)
• Bauman Fund for the Arts (fine arts appreciation)
• William F. Thiel Grants (health focus, Wyoming County residents)
• J. Warren Perry & Charles Donald Perry Memorial Fund (invitation-only, innovation emphasis)

Priority Areas

The foundation's grantmaking is organised around four Community Goals:

1. Racial Equity

• Special consideration given to all requests that advance racial equity work
• Increasing interaction and bridging racial/ethnic divides between residents and organisations
• Promoting civic engagement and leadership in communities of colour
• Solutions that address systemic barriers

2. Education

• Promoting economic mobility through educational achievement for residents in low-income households
• Improving academic achievement and postsecondary completion of low-income students (preference for systems change)
• Improving school readiness of children ages 5 and under living in communities of poverty
• Focus on addressing educational disparities

3. Arts and Culture

• Increasing access to long-term arts instruction for low-income children and youth
• Restoring and leveraging significant historic buildings and architectural landmarks
• Supporting small to mid-sized arts and cultural nonprofits
• Promoting fine arts appreciation across the region

4. Environment

• Trail reconstruction and maintenance
• Environmental sustainability projects
• Green infrastructure initiatives
• Climate resilience

What They Don't Fund

Geographic Restrictions:

• Organisations must be located or delivering services in at least one of the eight counties of Western New York (Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, Wyoming)
• Some specific funds have narrower geographic restrictions (e.g., Community Assets grants limited to Erie County nonprofits)

Programme-Specific Exclusions:

• Tackle football programmes (Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Youth Sports)
• Traditional sporting goods equipment (Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Youth Sports)
• Youth programmes outside ages 5-13 (Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Youth Sports focus)

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must have 501(c)(3) status as determined by the IRS
• Must align with one or more of the four Community Goals

Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team

Betsy Constantine, President/CEO (since January 2023)

• Joined the Community Foundation in 2009
• Promoted to Vice President of Giving Strategies (2011), Executive Vice President (2017)
• Under her leadership, foundation assets grew from $161 million (2009) to over $940 million
• Recognised on Buffalo Business First's 2024 Power 250 list
• Described by predecessor as having "great energy, great vision and is very much a people person. She personifies collaborative approaches."

Previous Leadership:

• Clotilde Perez-Bode Dedecker (President/CEO 2007-2022): Led the foundation's growth from $135 million to $850 million in assets during her tenure

Board of Directors Officers

• Chair: Steve Finch
• Chair-Elect: Tamara O. Alsace, Ph.D.
• Vice Chairs: Jeffrey H. Katz, Esq.; Luis Rodriguez
• Secretary: Nancy Ware
• Treasurer: Cheryl A. Jankowski

Board Members

Jennifer Balbach, David Blesy, Bonita R. Durand (Ph.D.), Dottie Gallagher, Allen "Pete" Grum, Alice Jacobs (JD), Alex Montante, Hal D. Payne, Amy Habib Rittling (Esq.), Hon. Rose H. Sconiers, John F. Somers

Key Staff

Darren Penoyer, Community Impact Director

• Over 10 years of experience at the Community Foundation
• Oversees annual giving in client directed, geographic, leadership related and competitive grants
• Manages Niagara Area Foundation, Wyoming Foundation, and Fund for the Arts
• Primary contact for competitive grants process

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Application System: All applications are submitted electronically through the Foundant Grant Lifecycle Manager. No paper, emailed, or PDF applications are accepted.

Application Process:

The Community Foundation's competitive grants process operates as a single-stage application. Applicants submit a full application that must align with one or more of the foundation's four Community Goals and their detailed Solutions.

The foundation previously used a two-stage process with Letters of Intent, but transitioned to a single-stage process beginning with the 2026 grant cycle.

Application Cycles: The competitive grants process typically operates on an annual cycle with deadlines usually in early spring. Some named funds (e.g., Garman Family Foundation) offer two cycles annually.

Technical Issues: Contact Sarah Johnson at sarahj@cfgb.org with your name, organisation, EIN, and detailed problem description.

Decision Timeline

• Competitive Grants: Grant outcomes are typically notified in late June
• Niagara Area Foundation Grants: Notifications in mid-December
• Contact: Darren Penoyer (darrenp@cfgb.org) for current timeline information

Success Rates

Based on 2024 data, the foundation awarded 567 grants totalling $38.2 million. The competitive grants process is selective. Specific acceptance rates are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies vary by fund. For general competitive grants, the foundation encourages organisations to reapply if they continue to align with the Community Goals. Contact Darren Penoyer for specific guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Foundation-Specific Priorities

Alignment with Community Goals is Critical: Applications must clearly demonstrate how they address one or more of the four Community Goals. Successful applications articulate clear alignment with the foundation's priorities.

Racial Equity Lens: The foundation gives "special consideration to requests that advance racial equity work." Successful applications should articulate how their work addresses racial equity, even if it's not the primary focus.

Sustainability Matters: Based on the 21st Century Fund criteria, the foundation has "a strong preference for requests that are sustainable, requiring minimal future grant support of any type, and result in long-term significant impact on the eight-county region."

Systems Change Over Individual Services: Particularly for education grants, the foundation shows a preference for systems change approaches rather than direct service delivery.

Recent Funded Projects (Examples)

Youth Sports (Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds):

• Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy: $10,000 for "Improving Youth Access to the Game of Golf"
• Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda Union Free School District: $20,000 for "Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda Union Free School District Sports Equity & Opportunity Project"

Community Assets:

• Ujima Company, Inc.: $25,000 for "The Dunbar Youth Programme"
• Western New York Minority Media Professionals Inc.: $15,000 for "Broadway Theater Restoration Project"

Arts & Culture (Competitive Grants):

• North Park Theater of Buffalo, Inc.: $20,000
• Ujima Company, Inc.: $12,500

What the Foundation Values

From Leadership: Former CEO Clotilde Perez-Bode Dedecker emphasised the foundation's commitment to "bringing together public, private, nonprofit and government partners to tackle systemic issues."

Current President/CEO Betsy Constantine is known for "collaborative approaches" and has focused on deepening "relationships with clients, prospective clients and professional advisors."

Community Impact Focus: The foundation's website emphasises "making grants that maximise impact on the eight counties of Western New York within its four Community Goals."

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Lead with Community Goals alignment: Your application must clearly demonstrate how your project addresses one or more of the four Community Goals (racial equity, education, arts and culture, environment). This is the foundation's primary filter for evaluating applications.

• Emphasise racial equity: Even if racial equity isn't your primary focus, articulate how your work advances racial equity. The foundation gives special consideration to these elements across all grant programmes.

• Think systems change, not band-aids: Particularly for education and social service grants, the foundation prefers approaches that change systems rather than just provide direct services. Show how your work will have lasting impact.

• Build sustainability into your proposal: The foundation values projects that won't require ongoing grant support. Demonstrate how your initiative will be sustained beyond the grant period.

• Understand the single-stage process: The foundation uses a single-stage application process. Invest time in crafting a strong application that clearly demonstrates alignment with their goals and presents a compelling case for funding.

• Geographic focus matters: Your work must serve one or more of the eight Western New York counties (Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, Wyoming). Don't apply if you serve outside this region.

• Contact Darren Penoyer before applying: With over 10 years at the foundation, Darren Penoyer (Community Impact Director) can provide guidance on fit and alignment. His insight can help you determine if your project is a good match before investing time in an application.

References

1. Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo Official Website. "Grants, Scholarships & Awards." Accessed December 24, 2024. https://www.cfgb.org/receive-funding-or-support/grants/

2. Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. "Community Foundation Grants." Accessed December 24, 2024. https://www.cfgb.org/nonprofits/grants/community-foundation/

3. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. "Community Foundation For Greater Buffalo Inc." EIN 22-2743917. Accessed December 24, 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/222743917

4. Instrumentl. "Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo | 990 Report." Accessed December 24, 2024. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/community-foundation-for-greater-buffalo-inc

5. Inside Philanthropy. "Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo." Accessed December 24, 2024. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/new-york-grants/community-foundation-for-greater-buffalo

6. Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. "Community Foundation Announces Leadership Transition." Accessed December 24, 2024. https://www.cfgb.org/news/community-foundation-announces-leadership-transition/

7. Buffalo News. "Dedecker to retire as Community Foundation CEO." Accessed December 24, 2024. https://buffalonews.com/news/local/dedecker-to-retire-as-community-foundation-ceo/article_3c90d53e-c6fb-11ec-9a0d-4b0ef4197684.html

8. Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. "Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo Announces 2025 Grant Awards from Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds." Accessed December 24, 2024. https://www.cfgb.org/news/community-foundation-for-greater-buffalo-announces-2025-grant-awards-from-ralph-c-wilson-jr-legacy-funds/

9. Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. "Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo Announces 2024 Grant Awards from Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds." Accessed December 24, 2024. https://www.cfgb.org/news/community-foundation-for-greater-buffalo-announces-2024-grant-awards-from-ralph-c-wilson-jr-legacy-funds/

10. Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. "Board of Directors - About Us." https://www.cfgb.org/about/board-of-directors/

11. Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. "Contact Us - Phone, Address, Email." https://www.cfgb.org/contact/

12. Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. "Our People: Staff and Board." https://www.cfgb.org/about/team/

13. Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. "Darren Penoyer - Staff." https://www.cfgb.org/about/staff/darren-penoyer/

14. Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. "Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo Accepting Applications for 2026 Competitive Grant Process Through March 6, Information Session on Feb. 10." https://www.cfgb.org/news/community-foundation-for-greater-buffalo-accepting-applications-for-2026-competitive-grant-process-through-march-6-information-session-on-feb-10/

15. Grantable. "Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo — Grants, Financials & Contact." https://grantable.co/funders/community-foundation-for-greater-buffalo-morg_1b606f9cfc8d4892905e7e19c332a090