Participants of the NCCF Pickleball Tournament at Steele Hall celebrated friendly competition and community impact, awarding $2,350 in grants to 13 local nonprofits.

Pickleball players from across the area came together for a day of fun, friendly competition, and community impact at the recent Paddles for a Purpose Tournament, hosted by the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation for the Chautauqua Pickleball Club. The event combined the love of the game with the spirit of giving, with grants made to local nonprofits on behalf of the winning teams.

Held at Steele Hall on the SUNY Fredonia campus, the event brought together 48 participants forming 24 teams, all playing for a purpose. Each team selected a local nonprofit to represent, and through their participation, a total of $2,350 in grants were awarded to 13 area organizations.

NCCF contributed $1,750 toward the prizes for the tournament, with the Chautauqua Pickleball Club adding $600, expanding the total impact and allowing even more support for local nonprofits. Grants of $400, $200, and $100 were awarded to the first-, second-, and third-place teams in each of three divisions, while hourly “Be A Philanthropist” drawings awarded an additional $50 grant to the winners’ chosen nonprofits.

“The energy, camaraderie, and generosity on display were truly inspiring,” said Leslie Wille, Community Engagement Coordinator at NCCF. “This event wasn’t just about great matches, it was about people coming together to strengthen their community.”

The tournament reflected the heart of NCCF’s Today. Tomorrow. Together. Campaign, an effort to grow Community Funds that provide ongoing support for local needs, both now and for generations to come. Community Funds are flexible resources that allow NCCF to respond to emerging challenges and opportunities across northern Chautauqua County.

“This tournament showed how collective philanthropy can be powerful,” said Wille. “When people pool their efforts, whether it’s time, talent, or dollars, we can do so much more than we ever could alone.”

Through the campaign, NCCF aims to establish 50 new Community Funds. Community members inspired by the event are encouraged to learn more about creating a named Community Fund or joining the campaign at www.nccfoundation.org/campaign.

For those interested in learning more about the Chautauqua Pickleball Club or joining in future events, visit www.chautauquapc.org

NCCF is grateful to the Chautauqua Pickleball Club for partnering to bring this idea to life, a great reminder that community strength grows when people come together. Congratulations to the winners of the tournament, and the organizations receiving grants on their behalf:

Red Division

First place: Fernando Altamirano and Steven Bentley, Lakeshore Humane Society.

Second place: Alex Souza and Megan Lundin, Central Christian Academy.

Third place: Christopher Prevet and Chuck Dillenburg, Anderson Lee Library.

White Division

First place: Lucy Prevet and Marybeth Muldowney, Revitalize Dunkirk.

Second place: Brian Altamirano and Dana Lowrey, Chautauqua Blind Association Vision Rehabilitation Services.

Third place: Mark Catalano and Valerie Hayes, Chautauqua County Humane Society.

Blue Division

First place: Easton Griffin and Jeffrey Griffin, Chautauqua Hospice & Palliative Care.

Second place: Heidi Forbes and Pamela McKinnon, Chautauqua Children’s Gym.

Third place: Karen Kolb and Roxanne Astry, Chautauqua County Rural Ministry.

Other organizations represented by teams in the tournament include: 1891 Fredonia Opera House; Access to the Arts; Boys & Girls Club of Northern Chautauqua County; Camp Gross; Cassadaga Lakes Association; Child Advocacy Program; Citizens for a Better Cassadaga; Dunkirk-Fredonia Meals on Wheels; Northern Chautauqua Canine Rescue; Our Lady of Mount Carmel; Pet Pantry; Ronald McDonald House Charities of WNY; St. Columban’s on the Lake; and Westfield Stray Cat Rescue.

Since its incorporation in 1986, the NCCF has invested nearly $23 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.