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NCCF is your partner for the future

The Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation (NCCF), established in 1986, is best known for awarding grants to local organizations and providing scholarships to local students. In fact, in 2019, NCCF awarded over 550 grants totaling more than $1,147,400 and 336 scholarships totaling over $265,000.

Often overlooked, however, are the results and impact achieved “behind the scenes” through the NCCF’s involvement and leadership in a variety of community initiatives. Here are just a few.

Local Economic Development (LED) Initiative

The LED Initiative focuses on pursuing the vision of a northern Chautauqua region with a vibrant economy that provides excellent opportunities for investment and employment. Under the leadership of our Board of Directors, the LED Committee focuses on advocacy, education, and collaboration. Guided by the LED Committee, the NCCF created and funded the position of a Community Economic Development Specialist (CEDS.) As a result of the CEDS’ work with municipal, educational, and nonprofit partners, the number of grant dollars awarded to local projects increased significantly.

Complete Count Committee for 2020 Census

Led by the United Way of Northern Chautauqua County, this extensive Partnership focuses on encouraging all community members to participate in the 2020 Census. Emphasis must be given to reaching undercounted populations of past years. These include the elderly, non-English speaking individuals, and college students. As a partner, NCCF purchased 100 “WE COUNT!” books (50 written in English, 50 written in Spanish) to distribute in local elementary schools.

Great Lakes One Partnership (GLOW)

GLOW is a multi-state collaboration of 27 community foundations, all with service areas that

border a Great Lake. The Lake Erie Team’s focus is Smart Citizen Science. We aim to involve community members (“citizens”) across all demographics in the collection of data relating to water quality in Lake Erie and its tributaries. Inexpensive, portable nutrient spectrophotometers and other technology will be used to collect, compile, and organize water quality data. Our “Local Champion” is Michael Jabot, Ph.D., a SUNY Distinguished Professor in Science Education. Dave McCoy, Chautauqua County’s Watershed Coordinator, is also leading the effort and has participated in GLOW since its formation.

Chautauqua Nonprofit Capacity Partnership

The Partnership was established by the Chautauqua Funders Group, of which the NCCF is an active partner, to strengthen the capacity of our local nonprofit community. Working with Community Wealth Partners, we surveyed over 420 representatives of 36 nonprofit organizations around competency areas such as Leadership and Talent, Fundraising and Finance and Race, Ethnicity, Equity, and Inclusion. The Partnership is currently reviewing the aggregate data from the surveys and strategizing how to build capacity effectively and in long-lasting ways.

Give Big CHQ

In 2019, NCCF partnered with the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation (CRCF) for the second 24-hour online fundraising event. This fundraising event is meant to inspire people to come together, show pride in their communities, and support the local causes they feel are essential. Participants included 97 nonprofits from all over Chautauqua County that raised over $186,000. NCCF and CRCF also awarded an additional $25,000 in prizes during the 24-hours using special hourly incentives, social media contests, and overall giving and participation. We hope you will join us for Give Big CHQ 2020 (givebigchq.com) on June 11, 2020! Give Where You Live. Grantmaking, local philanthropy, and leadership are central to our work. However, our donors are the heroes of northern Chautauqua County as they provide the funding through donations, establishing funds, and leaving bequests. Each year we receive hundreds of separate tax-deductible contributions ranging from $5.00 to tens of thousands of dollars with even a few bequests over $1 million. What’s unique about gifts to NCCF? That money stays here in northern Chautauqua County and provides for our community for – ever!

Visit our website www.nccfoundation.org for additional information. We welcome your questions, comments, and visits. Please reach out to us at 716-366-4892, dhannum@nccfoundation.org, or 212 Lake Shore Drive West in Dunkirk.

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