Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation envisions a vibrant, prosperous community rich in opportunity today and tomorrow. NCCF strives to realize this vision through leadership, collaboration, local philanthropy, and strategic grantmaking. The Community Grants Program of NCCF awards grants to organizations seeking funding to improve and strengthen the northern Chautauqua region. Recently, NCCF’s Board of Directors approved Community Grants totaling $107,223 to be awarded to 20 local organizations.

Organizations receiving funding in the 2023 Spring Community Grants Program are: The 1891 Fredonia Opera House, Ahira Hall Memorial Library, Boys and Girls Club of Northern Chautauqua County, Cassadaga Lakes Association Inc., Chautauqua County Agricultural and Fair Association, Chautauqua County Music Teachers Association, Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth, Chautauqua Township Historical Society, Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, Darwin R. Barker Library, Dunkirk Historical Lighthouse, Fredonia Community Choir, Festivals Fredonia, First United Methodist Church of Fredonia, Imagine Forestville, KIDS at Promise, Northshore Arts Alliance, Sheridan Historical Society, St. Columban’s on the Lake, and YWCA of Jamestown Additional grant award details can be found at nccfoundation.org/grant-awards.

Community Grants are awarded biannually in the Spring and Fall of each year. The deadline to submit a letter of interest for the next round of Community Grants is September 1, 2023. Details are available at nccfoundation.org/grants-programs. NCCF’s Grants Committee, made up of volunteers from the community, carefully reviews all letters of interest and applications received. Current Grants Committee members are Jill Casey (Committee Chair), Adam Dimitri, Ann Eckman, Jody Falkner, Margaret Ferris, John Hamels, Cathy Kaicher, Alex Murphy, Rich Ryan, and Kurt Warmbrodt. Nancy Adams Fry serves as the President of NCCF.

The Community Grants Program is supported by many generous donors to NCCF’s Community Funds. To contribute to an existing Community Fund or to create your own Community Fund at NCCF, visit our website at nccfoundation.org, email nccf@nccfoundation.org, or call our office at 716-366-4892 for more information.

Since its incorporation in 1986, the NCCF has invested more than $20 million in northern Chautauqua County through strategic grantmaking, targeted scholarships, and leadership and community collaborations. The NCCF is a tax-exempt charitable organization inherently committed to enhancing the northern Chautauqua community and encouraging local philanthropy. As a nationally accredited community foundation, the NCCF has proven compliance with the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations, demonstrating integrity, equity, accountability, transparency, and effectiveness in meeting the needs of its community. For more information on the NCCF, visit www.nccfoundation.org or call 716-366-4892.