Community Service Grant
This type of grant is unrestricted in nature - meaning that the funds for this grants process may be used to benefit a wide variety of charitable projects or needs. This is by far the most flexible and powerful tool available to the Foundation to address the needs of the community. Applications are carefully reviewed by a volunteer committee of community members and recommendations are made to the Board of Directors for the final approval. These grants are made possible through the generosity of those who have established or who have contributed to an unrestricted fund.
Application Deadlines: March 31st, June 30th, and December 1st of each year (Online applications must be received at the CRCF office by 5:00 p.m.)
Guidlines
Geographic scope: Projects that demonstrate a definite benefit to the Chautauqua Region. (The Fredonia/Dunkirk area is served by the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation.)
Non-religious projects. (Church related requests are referred to the Foundation's Karl Peterson Fund grant cycle. Call for details.)
Awards amounts: The majority of awards are in the $2,000 to $5,000 range - maximum funding request is $7,500. (Smaller grant requests-under $2,000-are referred to the Foundation's Field of Interest grant cycle. Call for details.)
Grants are not made for political purposes or to retire indebtedness of an organization.
The Foundation will consider ongoing support of a program.
Eligibility: 501 (c) 3 status
Timetable
The Chautauqua Region Community Foundation accepts Community Service Fund Grant applications three times annually (3/31, 6/30, 12/01). The Grants Committee will interview applicants shortly after the deadlines. The Grants Committee presents a recommendation on all completed applications to the Board Of Directors within three months of submission.
Previous Grant Final Reports
As specified in the Grant Agreement, it is a condition of all Community Foundation grants that Final Reports are required within 30 days of completion of the project or program. If the applicant has previously received funding from this particular grant process, the Final Report from that project must be submitted.
Funding Interests
Community Betterment Project
“This project or program attracts and/or retains individuals to the region who will make a positive contribution to our community and society”.
Other Project
“These projects or programs empower individuals to make a positive contribution to our community. These requests should include a statement on each of the following:”
- Identification of a root cause
- Explanation of how this is a collaborative effort to maximize resources
- Clearly illustrating there is no duplication of service
- A plan for agency self-sufficiency
The Chautauqua Region Community Foundation strives to enrich the quality of life in the Chautauqua Region. Grant awards will be made in conjunction with the philosophies shown above.
FIELD OF INTEREST GRANTS
This type of grant makes awards based on matching applicant requests with the purposes of the fund from which the grant monies originate. For example, a request for money to buy books for a library could match a fund at the Foundation created to aid area libraries.
Consideration is given to requests that adhere to the following criteria:
- Projects that demonstrate a definite benefit to the Chautauqua Region. (The Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation serves the Fredonia/Dunkirk area.)
- Projects that adequately serve wide segment of the community not otherwise being served.
- Projects of demonstrational or experimental nature that provide leverage for generating other funds from community sources.
- Projects that productively solve a community problem rather than reactively treat symptoms of the problem.
- Projects that promote volunteer participation and citizen involvement.
- Projects that use or will use existing facilities and do not result in duplication of administrative costs.
- Projects that are non-religious in nature. (Church related requests are referred to the Foundation’s Karl Peterson Fund grant cycle. Call for details.)
- Projects whose funding needs are in the $200 to $2,000 range with the majority of the awards in the $500 to $1,000 range. (Larger grant requests are referred to the Foundation’s Community Service Fund grant cycle. Call for details.
- Grants are not made for political purposes, or to retire indebtedness of an agency.
Feel free to contact the Community Foundation (661-3394) for additional information.
Field of Interest Grants Application Deadline: The last Friday of the month (Online applications must be received at the CRCF office by 5:00 p.m.)
Munson-Carlson-Reynolds Field of Interest Fund
Lucy M. Munson Assistance Fund
To assist families dealing with cancer or diabetes.
Charles Bradley Carlson Memorial Fund
To assist people with substance abuse.
Michelle Reynolds Memorial Leukemia Fund
To assist the community with projects recommended by
William and Kathleen Roehm, friends and family.
Each year the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation receives numerous requests to fund agency or organization projects. The Lucy M. Munson Assistance Fund, the Charles Bradley Carlson Memorial Fund and the Michelle Reynolds Memorial Leukemia Fund present special and valuable opportunities for individuals with specific financial needs. In order to best evaluate the proposals, the Community Foundation has set a number of basic requirements and procedures for the grant request process. The applicants must follow these requirements and procedures completely for their application to be considered. Any application not in compliance will not be considered.
- Grant applications must be submitted BEFORE THE LAST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH. Field of Interest Grants are considered on a monthly basis.
- Grant awards are specifically to assist an individual or family that is experiencing financial difficulties based on the areas covered by the Munson, Carlson and Reynolds Funds.
- Grant awards will be considered based on the determination of financial hardship. Financial hardship will be determined based on the potential recipient’s available liquid assets, such as cash, disposable assets, etc. If it is determined that with the use of all sources that it is insufficient in meeting basic needs and obligations, then a financial hardship is determined to exist.
- Financial assistance may be provided to a person covered by health insurance depending on the facts and circumstances of a person’s overall financial condition. Assistance can be provided where insurance does not cover losses.
- Grant award consideration will be structured to provide necessities of life rather than strictly as income replacement.
- Documentation is needed to substantiate any outstanding expenses. Examples of documentation are balances due on unpaid medical invoices; balances due on prescription drug invoices, special treatment expenses, or other expenses related to the focus areas of the funds.
- Chautauqua Region Community Foundation Field of Interest Grants are generally given to provide assistance that demonstrates a definite benefit to individuals or in the Chautauqua Region, which is primarily the area south of the Dunkirk/Fredonia area.
- Individuals whose funding needs are in the $200 to $2,000 range with the majority of awards in the $500 to $1,000 range.
- The Michelle Reynolds Memorial Leukemia Fund, while using this application to gather proposals, is reviewed under a different process than the Munson and Carlson Funds, and consequently may take longer to review.
Help For Kids Fund
The Help For Kids Fund was established to assist youth (birth to 18 years of age) with medical expenses. These medical expenses will have incurred due to lack of funds by the parents or guardians. The list below outlines examples of areas for support and is not limited to the following:
Teeth related expenses, braces, etc.
Vision related expenses, glasses, etc.
Hearing related expenses
Cosmetic/appearance issues
Orthopedic issues
Prostheses
Medically necessitated appliances
John Edward McLaughlin Family Fund
This Field of Interest Fund is designated to provide financial assistance to religious and/or non-religious charitable activities in Randolph, New York.
The next deadline date for submission of applications is April 15th.
Consideration is given to requests that adhere to the following criteria:
- Projects that demonstrate a definite benefit to Randolph, NY.
- Projects that adequately serve wide segment of the community not otherwise being served.
- Projects of demonstrational or experimental nature that provide leverage for generating other funds from community sources.
- Projects that productively solve a community problem rather than reactively treat symptoms of the problem.
- Projects that promote volunteer participation and citizen involvement.
- Projects that use, or will use, existing facilities and do not result in duplication of administrative costs.
- Projects whose funding needs are in the $200 to $1000 range.
- Grants are not made for political purposes, or to retire indebtedness of an agency.
Karl Peterson Fund & Lynn Foundation Fund
DEADLINE: March 1st
The Karl Peterson Fund and the Lynn Foundation Fund could potentially benefit the same organizations. For the convenience of our local churches and charitable organizations, only one application is necessary. All applications will be considered by the Peterson Grant Committee and the Lynn Grant Committee.
The Lynn Foundation was established with the Community Foundation in 2006. The Karl Peterson Fund was a private foundation for many years. It merged with the Community Foundation on January 1, 1993.
Criteria: To provide financial assistance to religious and/or non-religious charitable activities within the Chautauqua Region.
Applicants should consider the following:
- The Karl Peterson and the Lynn Foundation geographical scope is limited Chautauqua County, with priority to Southern Chautauqua County.
- The Karl Peterson Fund and the Lynn Foundation awards are usually funded at a level of $1,000 or below.
The Karl Peterson Fund and the Lynn Foundation Fund grant applications will be accepted online between January 1st and March 1st. All applications will be considered by the Peterson Grant Committee and the Lynn Grant Committee.
We prefer that you file an online application, but a paper copy is available here.
Feel free to contact Lisa Lynde, Program Officer at the Community Foundation office,
(716) 661-3394, for additional information or clarification of the grant procedures.