Community Fund Grant Program

The Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation (CRCF) is currently offering multiple grant opportunities through its online grant portal. The Community Fund is a key offering of the Foundation, established as an unrestricted fund to address the community's most pressing needs. Grants through this fund are available in two cycles annually, with deadlines on April 15 and October 15 for consideration in the May and November board meetings respectively. Applications are evaluated by a committee composed of professionals and community volunteers using criteria such as organizational strength, community need, feasibility, impact, and budget. Applicants are encouraged to consult the proposal assessment rubric and are advised that grants are generally not intended to support recurring annual expenses. Awards are capped at $2,500. The Community Fund supports a broad range of program areas including animal welfare, arts and culture, community and economic development, education, environment, health and wellness, human services, mental health, recreation, and youth development. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, school districts, universities, government entities, and religious institutions provided that the request serves a charitable purpose. Funding is not available for ongoing operational needs, salaries, marketing, fundraising sponsorships, endowments, religious activities, individual assistance, or political purposes. Additionally, only one proposal per organization will be considered each calendar year. A second grant program, the Mental Wellness in Cattaraugus County Fund, supports mental wellness initiatives reflective of the mission of the former Mental Health Association in Cattaraugus County. These grants are restricted to 501(c)(3) organizations and cannot be used for overhead or start-up expenses. Applications for this fund are accepted annually, with a deadline of September 1. The Wagner Family Library Fund is another offering, which provides grants to libraries in Cattaraugus and Allegany counties. These funds are designated for educational programming and new activities for both youth and adults. The application process for this fund opens on August 1 and closes on September 30. Additional funding opportunities may be available under specific named funds, which follow a rolling deadline schedule. Interested applicants are advised to contact the Foundation office for details on these opportunities. Scholarships are managed separately and have their own distinct guidelines and application process. All applications are submitted through the online system and reviewed by the Grant Allocations Committee. Those recommended for funding are then presented to the board of directors for final approval. Applicants are typically notified within two weeks of the board’s decision. Successful grantees must submit a final report on the use of funds. For further assistance, applicants are encouraged to contact CRCF staff by phone at (716) 301-2723 or email at foundation@cattfoundation.org.