Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo 2022 Annual Report

— Malala Yousafzai

I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban

May every be heard

During the darkest of times, a visionary voice can inspire hope, courage and an unwavering sense of community.

Through our collective heartbreak and anger following the hate-filled mass shooting on May 14, 2022, we are more unified in our determination to create meaningful change in the wake of this unthinkable tragedy.

By lifting up visionary voices, we can amplify how individuals, families and organizations are sparking purposeful and transformative change to make our region brighter. That includes the voice of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo’s innovative and inspiring leader, Clotilde Perez-Bode Dedecker, who retired at the end of 2022.

As always, but especially throughout these challenging times, we are grateful for our clients’ steadfast commitment to moving our community forward today, tomorrow and forever. Your generosity speaks volumes.

Melissa G. Baumgart, Chair, Board of Directors Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo

On a beautiful warm and sunny day in May in Buffalo, N.Y., a person filled with hate and racism targeted a local grocery store in a historically Black neighborhood and killed 10 members of our community because of the color of their skin. We will never forget the 10 lives lost on May 14, 2022, those that were injured and the countless others whose lives were forever changed that day.

Together, we must do better for their families, our community and for future generations.

In the minutes, hours and days following May 14, 2022, there was a resounding collective desire to accelerate our commitment to achieving racial equity. The Community Foundation was flooded with emails and calls from partners across our community and the country asking, “How can we help?” and “What does your community need?”

We immediately took action both internally and externally to process the tragedy through our racial healing work and provide support and hope.

The Buffalo Together Community Response Fund (BTCRF) was established by 14 local funders and is coordinated by the Community Foundation and United Way of Buffalo & Erie County to support our Jefferson Avenue community in the wake of this horrific racially motivated hate crime. The group recognized that its first priority was to start with support for Black-led organizations that were on the front lines serving critical needs, often with unequitable resources. We invested the first dollars raised by immediately providing $655,000 in grants to support 86 Black-led nonprofits located in or serving East Buffalo.

The focus then shifted to a community change effort to accelerate the revitalization of East Buffalo by addressing economic and racial inequities through a community informed process, resulting in a long-term investment plan. LaVonne Ansari, Ph.D., Community Health Center of Buffalo, Inc., and Thomas Beauford, Jr., Buffalo Urban League, agreed to lead this effort. Together, they established a steering committee to engage the community in developing long-term solutions in East Buffalo. As of December 2022, more than $5.5 million was committed to the BTCRF from nearly 100 local and national foundations and corporations, as well as more than 2,000 individuals from across the country.

BUFFALO TOGETHER COMMUNITY RESPONSE FUND STEERING COMMITTEE

LaVonne Ansari, Ph.D., Co-Chair

Community Health Center of Buffalo, Inc.

Thomas Beauford, Jr., Co-Chair

Buffalo Urban League

Felicia Beard

Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo

Trina Burruss

United Way of Buffalo & Erie County

Marie A. Cannon, MSW

Erie County Department of Social Services

DeAnna Eason

Housing Opportunities

Made Equal, Inc.

Zeneta Everhart

Senator Tim Kennedy’s Office

Dr. Uzo Ihenko

Black Chamber of Commerce

Thomas Kim

Community Action Organization

Oluwole (OJ) McFoy

Buffalo Sewer Authority

James Morrell

NFTA

Chiwuike Owunwanne

KeyBank

DeLawndrea Purdue-Grant

Moog

Garnell Whitfield

City of Buffalo, retired

Dr. Tonja M. Williams

Buffalo Public Schools

By the end of 2022, the steering committee completed a nationwide search for a consulting group to help facilitate the process to identify critical issues and develop potential solutions. Rainbow Research, a Black-led organization with team members who have ties to the Buffalo area, began working in earnest with the steering committee in 2023 to listen, learn and develop solutions. Funding for the consultants was raised separately from the BTCRF.

In the minutes, hours and days following May 14, 2022, there was a resounding collective desire to accelerate our commitment to achieving racial equity. The Community Foundation was flooded with emails and calls from partners across our community and the country asking, “How can we help?” and “What does your community need?”

We immediately took action both internally and externally to process the tragedy through our racial healing work and provide support and hope.

The Buffalo Together Community Response Fund (BTCRF) was established by 14 local funders and is coordinated by the Community Foundation and United Way of Buffalo & Erie County to support our Jefferson Avenue community in the wake of this horrific racially motivated hate crime. The group recognized that its first priority was to start with support for Black-led organizations that were on the front lines serving critical needs, often with unequitable resources. We invested the first dollars raised by immediately providing $655,000 in grants to support 86 Black-led nonprofits located in or serving East Buffalo.

The focus then shifted to a community change effort to accelerate the revitalization of East Buffalo by addressing economic and racial inequities through a community informed process, resulting in a long-term investment plan. LaVonne Ansari, Ph.D., Community Health Center of Buffalo, Inc., and Thomas Beauford, Jr., Buffalo Urban League, agreed to lead this effort. Together, they established a steering committee to engage the community in developing long-term solutions in East Buffalo. As of December 2022, more than $5.5 million was committed to the BTCRF from nearly 100 local and national foundations and corporations, as well as more than 2,000 individuals from across the country.

BUFFALO TOGETHER COMMUNITY RESPONSE FUND STEERING COMMITTEE

LaVonne Ansari, Ph.D., Co-Chair

Community Health Center of Buffalo, Inc.

Thomas Beauford, Jr., Co-Chair

Buffalo Urban League

Felicia Beard

Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo

Trina Burruss

United Way of Buffalo & Erie County

Marie A. Cannon, MSW

Erie County Department of Social Services

DeAnna Eason

Housing Opportunities

Made Equal, Inc.

Zeneta Everhart

Senator Tim Kennedy’s Office

Dr. Uzo Ihenko

Black Chamber of Commerce

Thomas Kim

Community Action Organization

Oluwole (OJ) McFoy

Buffalo Sewer Authority

James Morrell

NFTA

Chiwuike Owunwanne

KeyBank

DeLawndrea Purdue-Grant

Moog

Garnell Whitfield

City of Buffalo, retired

Dr. Tonja M. Williams

Buffalo Public Schools

By the end of 2022, the steering committee completed a nationwide search for a consulting group to help facilitate the process to identify critical issues and develop potential solutions. Rainbow Research, a Black-led organization with team members who have ties to the Buffalo area, began working in earnest with the steering committee in 2023 to listen, learn and develop solutions. Funding for the consultants was raised separately from the BTCRF.

Let the hopeful healing waters flow

Ushering in a rebirth of our sense of self

sense of self time

Let the flowing waters remind us of time

Let the remind of

Current yet fleeting like life itself

Large yet within reach just as the ancestors

Let the hopeful healing waters flow

Cleansing all pain and fear

All hurt and regret

Let the water heal our people

Reminding us that even our small marks on this huge world are necessary

Let the hopeful healing waters flow

Let the water tell the stories of those that came before us

Those who fought and believed for us

Those with the strength and power of a high tide

Those with the meekness of a still pond

Let the beauty of the unknown offer comfort and hope

came Those Those and hope

For within water there will always be life

by JILLIAN

HANESWORTH,

BUFFALO’S FIRST POET LAUREATE

— Robin Hodges Vice Chair of African American Veterans Monument Inc.

African American Veterans Monument Inc. Board members stand in front of the monument. From left: Warren Galloway, Chair; Henry W. Curtis, III; Robin Hodges, Vice Chair; Richard Cummings; Mark Boyd, Treasurer.

Honoring the voices of those who have served

CLIENT STORY:

AFRICAN AMERICAN VETERANS MONUMENT ENDOWMENT

Did you know that the first casualty of the Revolutionary War was a Black man? Throughout history, Black soldiers have played a vital role in every U.S. war.

To honor those veterans, the African American Veterans Monument was unveiled in 2022, a culmination of many years of hard work.

“In each war, African Americans had to fight for freedom and to defend this nation, and then returned home and fought against segregation and discrimination, yet they still answered the call,” said Robin Hodges, Vice Chair of African American Veterans Monument (AAVM) Inc. “With this monument, we will educate and inspire people to look deeper into the major role that African American veterans played.”

The monument, located at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park, features a series of 12 black pillars that represent each American war, positioned according

to the latitude and longitude coordinates of when and where each war took place. The space between the pillars signifies peacetime, and names of veterans grace the bricks – engraved like military dog tags –around the pillars. “The monument is for everyone that has served past, present, future, wartime and peacetime,” noted Mark Boyd, Treasurer of AAVM.

To maintain the monument for years to come, including adding bricks, AAVM established an endowment at the Community Foundation in 2021, which will permanently support it.

“It felt like a natural fit, knowing that the Community Foundation is responsible for many organizations’ endowments and investments,” explained Mark. “There was a level of comfort, professionalism and just accessibility.”

Since establishing the endowment, AAVM has benefited from the value-added educational opportunities, like a monthly

planned giving webinar offered to Community Foundation clients. “I have enjoyed learning about the different avenues of fundraising to help maintain and advance the monument’s endowment for ongoing expenses,” Robin said.

Through the endowment, AAVM will be able to share the important contributions of Black soldiers with Western New York for many years to come.

Henry W. Curtis, III, a retired Army veteran, points to his engraved brick at the foundation of the monument.

Inspiring the voices of future generations

THE SCHEFF FAMILY

Hy Scheff was known for his sharp wit and generosity. “He was very charitable because he came from such modest means,” said his wife, Marjorie. “It was always important to him to give back.”

Married for nearly 66 years, Marjorie and Hy met after he returned from the Korean War. Of their decades-long love story, Marjorie recalls he was already talking about marriage on their first date.

They started a family and shared their love of giving back and being part of the Jewish community with their children, Alan and Susan. Growing up, the Scheff children spent much of their time at the Jewish Community Center and at Jewish summer camps, experiences that Alan said shaped his childhood. “Camp was one of the greatest experiences of my life, and it taught me so much,” Alan noted.

As time went on, Alan met his wife, Michele, and they settled down in Western New York, where he joined his father’s firm as a

financial advisor. He never forgot the fond memories he made at camp and wanted other children to be able to experience that joy as well.

In 2010, Hy and Marjorie created the Hy & Marjorie Scheff Foundation at the Community Foundation as a way to carry out their charitable giving and plan for their family’s legacy. After Hy’s passing, Marjorie continues to use the fund to support their shared charitable causes. In 2011, Alan and Michele established the Alan and Michele Scheff Family Fund. Both funds are used to support causes and organizations that have long been important to the family, and the Scheffs hope to continue their tradition of giving for many years and many generations to come.

“It is so easy to give through the Community Foundation and support the causes that are meaningful to us,” Alan said. “My dad taught me to help people, and that is what I hope to do.”

Hy Scheff

From left: Marjorie, Michele and Alan Scheff stand in the fitness center named after Marjorie and her late husband, Hy, at the Jewish Community Center.

— Mary Roberts Executive Director Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House Corporation

Cementing a historic landmark’s future

FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT’S MARTIN HOUSE CORPORATION

Nestled in Buffalo’s Parkside neighborhood, just minutes from Delaware Park, you will find the Martin House, a National Historic Landmark, N.Y. State Historic Site and premier tourist destination that is the very definition of a grand masterpiece.

“Thoughtful architecture and good design matter,” explained Mary Roberts, Executive Director of the Martin House. “In a certain sense, architecture is about improving the human condition.”

Built between 1903 and 1905, the Martin House was designed by acclaimed American architect Frank Lloyd Wright for Buffalo business executive Darwin D. Martin and his family. Over the years, it fell

into disrepair, but thanks to a nearly 30-year restoration project guided by passionate community members beginning in 1992, the campus has now been brought back to its former glory.

“The Martin House is remarkably beautiful and timeless, and now it is just unbelievably restored,” said Donna DeCarolis, Immediate Past President of the Martin House.

“As much as this is about historic preservation, it is also about economic development,” added Mary. “This is everyone’s Martin House.”

To ensure the Martin House remains a pillar in our region for many years to come, its Board turned to the Community Foundation to establish the Martin House

Endowment Fund in 2013. Already familiar with the Community Foundation through receiving its inaugural 21st Century Fund grant in 2001, the Board trusted the Community Foundation to be a good steward of its funds. Through the endowment, the Martin House has secured a perpetual stream of funding for the future. As Mary prepared for retirement at the end of 2022, she reflected on the years-long partnership. “Whether offering advice, providing continuing education or just being accessible, the Community Foundation has been a wonderful partner,” she said.

“We feel a deep connection to the Community Foundation,” added Jack Walsh, Martin House Capital and Endowment Campaigns Chair. “We see what it is doing in Western New York, and it is important for us to be part of that change.”

From left: Mary Roberts, Executive Director, Martin House, who retired at the end of 2022; Jack Walsh, Martin House Capital Endowment and Campaigns Chair; and Donna DeCarolis, Martin House Immediate Past President, stand on the Martin House lawn.

Carrying out a legacy

CLIENT STORY:

PICKBURN MEMORIAL FUND FOR WILDLIFE

“It seems like every time we were in need, the Pickburn Memorial Fund was there to help,” said Hannah Brenner, Development Manager of Hawk Creek Wildlife Center.

Born in 1948, Barbara Pickburn developed a love of animals and wildlife at a young age, a passion that would inspire her generosity for years to come.

She and her husband, Alfred, settled down in Clarence, and Barbara worked as a stenographer for the University at Buffalo’s University Development department for more than 25 years.

Barbara knew she wanted to give back to the community she called home, and also continue to support her lifelong passion of caring for animals after her lifetime.

To do so, she became a member of the Community Foundation’s Legacy Society, created to acknowledge individuals who have committed to supporting the community in the future through a planned gift. As such, when Barbara passed away in 2002, she bequeathed a gift to the Community Foundation.

According to her wishes, the Pickburn Memorial Fund for Wildlife was established in 2003 to support nonprofits whose primary objectives are to care for, shelter, preserve and enhance the environment, habitat, health and general well-being of animals and wildlife.

Through her fund, Barbara has been able to support organizations such as Hawk Creek Wildlife Center, which aims to inspire minds to become environmental stewards and conserve wildlife to fulfill the circle of life for generations to come.

Over the years, the fund has helped Hawk Creek hire its first paid staff member, secure vehicles, teach programs, build kits to help teachers educate about wildlife, and feed its animals.

Twenty years after her lifetime, Barbara remains a friend to the animals and wildlife that were so important to her.

“The Pickburn Memorial Fund has helped push us forward so we could make more of an impact,” noted Hannah.

— Hannah Brenner

Development Manager

Hawk Creek Wildlife Center

— Martin Luther King, Jr.

Envisioning a brighter tomorrow

To facilitate long-term transformative change in our region, the Community Foundation prioritizes its leadership work using community goals developed through a strategic planning process led by the Board of Directors every five years. In 2022, this thoughtful process was informed by publicly available data and trends, along with interviews with community leaders, a sector survey, focus groups and input from 950 residents experiencing financial hardship. Our new strategic plan will take effect in 2023 and guide us through 2027.

Through the 2022 strategic planning process, the following community goals were determined:

Achieve racial/ethnic equity

Steward significant environmental resources in the context of climate resilience

Promote economic mobility through educational achievement, workforce readiness and access to family-sustaining jobs for residents living in low-income households

Promote regional vibrancy through architecture, arts and culture

This work is supported by Change Makers who understand that the unique challenges of Western New York, as well as the solutions, are ever-changing. Through endowment funds, Change Makers create an impact now and into the future by providing sustainable support to address these changing needs.

The following pages list some of the work within our current goals and the Change Makers that support them.

Permanent Changing Needs Endowment Funds

1910s

Mr. & Mrs. George F. Rand Memorial Fund

1920s

William Henry Andrews Bequest

Lilla B. McCready Bequest

Jacob F. Schoellkopf-Jefferson Penn Fund

1930s

Harry S. Hilliker Bequest

Jacob G. Joseph Bequest

Albert J. Klinck Memorial Fund

Richard C.R. Taggesell Fund

1940s

Louis R. Davidson Bequest

William Hengerer Company Fund

Howard Kellogg Trust

Madeline A. Kraft Bequest

Horace L. Mann Memorial Fund

Horace B. Pomeroy Fund

George F. Rand Bequest

Jacob F. and Wilma S. Schoellkopf Trust

Walter H. Schoellkopf Memorial Fund

1950s

M. Florence Fraley Fund in memory of her son, George K. Fraley Jr.

Charles & Marion Hahn Fund

Edward H. Letchworth Bequest

Edward H. Letchworth Memorial Fund

C. Edgar & Roberta S. Schabacker Trust

J.F. Schoellkopf Jr. Bequest

Special Fund #7

Ellsworth M. Statler Trust

1960s

Anna May Andrews Trust

Thekla R. Groben Bequest

J.F. Schoellkopf IV Memorial Fund

Edna Foster Smith Bequest

1970s

Josephine Biontolillo Bequest

Jean Knowlton Brown Fund

Martin A. Buecking Bequest

Helen Anderson Cobb Bequest

Herbert F. & Bertha W. Darling Trust

Elizabeth Crosby Gardner Fund

Louise Kimberly Bequest

Ralph Kimberly Bequest

Gretchen Rand Penney Bequest

Philip S. Savage Trust

Catherine Swerdloff Bequest

Henrietta M. Wiley Bequest

1980s

Ina D. Alt Trust

Adrian A. & Betsy B. Bennett Fund

Burtsell-Steuernagel

Memorial Fund

Eldon H. Chaddock Bequest

The D-B Trust

Ruth E. Farrington Bequest

William F. Goodson Bequest

Dr. Harry G. LaForge Bequest

Ida M. Mevius Bequest

Open Key Fund

Howard T. Saperston Sr. Trust

Edward C. Schlenker Trust

Judith Abbott Schoellkopf Fund

Judith Abbott Schoellkopf Memorial Fund

Ruth and Darwin Schmitt Fund

Albert, Maude & Marion Schuele Memorial Funds

Charles E. Stewart Memorial Fund

Mr. & Mrs. Franz T. Stone Trust

Polly Rumsey Wolfe Fund

1990s

Virgil A. & Margaret L. Black Memorial Fund

Walter L. Byram Bequest

Sonja H. & Carlton P. Cooke Jr. Fund

Damon Family Fund

Holly Augspurger

Donaldson Fund

Marjorie & Mary Louise

Emerson Bequest

Peter J. Ferraro Memorial Fund

Fuzak Family/Joan M. & Victor T. Fuzak Fund

G. R. S. Fund

William J.C. & Louise Grupp

Memorial Fund

Leonard L. & Blanche F. Hank Fund

Daphne Hare Fund

Harvey Family Fund

Kittinger Family Fund

Howard C. Laverack Bequest

Dr. Gustave P. Milkey & Janet B. Milkey Fund

Henry M., Patricia A. & Mary Brainard Naylon Bequest

Pearl B. & J. Lawrence

Osborne Memorial Fund

Braman Pomeroy Trust

Natalie Kubera Roth Fund

Gretchen L. & A. Warren Smith

Jr. Changing Needs Fund

Evelyn Stiem Fund

William L. Van Schoonhoven Fund

Wadsworth Fund

William B. Walsh Trust Fund

Eileen and Rupert Warren Charitable Fund

Bernard D. Welt & Ida Z. Welt Fund

Betty Ball Wilder Fund

2000s

Anonymous

Elizabeth & John Angelbeck Foundation

Henry E. & Susan W. Beamer Endowment Fund

Thelma L. & Milfred R. Beck Fund

Change Makers establish permanent endowments to address the changing needs of our community over time.

In May 2022, racial equity leaders from across the country met in San Francisco, California, to participate in The Aspen Partnership for an Inclusive Economy convening. The team from Western New York included partners in the Greater Buffalo Racial Equity Roundtable’s Youth Employment Coalition work, from left: Devon Patterson; Sherman Webb-Middlebrooks; Ken Colon; Katya Kroll-Haeick; Felicia Beard, Senior Director, Racial Equity Initiatives, Community Foundation; Petrina Cheatom-Hill; Betsy Behrend; Kate O’Sullivan; and Stephanie Peete.

Charles A. & Anne L. Bird Fund

Stanley A. Brzezinski Memorial Fund

Michael R. Butler & Glenys Maschoff Butler Fund

Betty Crump Fund

Eugene A. DeFelice, M.D. & Maryanne Harvey Fund

M. Dolores Denman Fund for Community Needs

Heather J. DePaolo-Johnny Memorial Fund

DePerno Family Fund

Eastern Niagara Fund

Barbara Ennis Endowment Fund

June Farrington Fund

Fischle-Laesser Endowment Fund

Fisher Family Fund

George Family Foundation

Gordon R. & Gretchen S. Gross Family Fund

Grover & Isabel James Fund

D. Bruce and Gail Johnstone Fund

Gail Johnstone Community Leadership Fund

A. David & Heather M. Jones Advisory Fund

Kreher Family Fund

William F. Long Fund

Arlene & Ruth Mathews Fund

Melson Fund

Niagara Area Foundation Endowment Fund

Norma E. Pfeifer Fund

Herman Spiegel & Amanda Spiegel Memorial Fund

Rosemarie C. Steeb Endowment Fund

Edna L. Carroll Trust

Centennial Changing Needs Endowment Fund

Beuline Crawford Bequest

Clotilde Perez-Bode Dedecker & Adrian F. Dedecker III

Centennial Endowment

Elizabeth Deichman Fund

Virginia Deuel Memorial Fund

Paul P. Dosberg Charitable Fund

Mary Alice and Ross Jay Eckert Fund

Worth L. Farrington Fund

George Byron Fisher Fund

The Gregory Family Fund

Gross Family Fund

Ilene N. Hein Fund

John Hulley & Elizabeth

Rydzynski-Hulley Fund

Pieroni Greco Family Fund

Reed Family Fund

Gerald F. and Karen Reger

Centennial Changing Needs Endowment

The Thomas K. Singer Charitable Trust

SJM3 Fund

The Stockton Family Changing Needs Fund

Jim Y. and Emilia M. Tou Foundation

Vogt Family Foundation Fund for WNY

Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Fund for the Community Foundation

2020s

Lucas, Clayton, and Gabrielle

Baumgart Changing Needs Endowment

Evelyn Swarts Fund

Marjorie and Charles Van

Arsdale Family Fund

Kuang Mei Wang Fund

Alyne D. White Bequest

Wyoming Foundation

Endowment Fund

2010s

Anonymous (2)

James & Kristin Allen Fund

Sheriff Michael S. Amico Fund

Joyce & Stuart Angert

Philanthropic Fund

Lawrence M. Appleby Fund

Charles and Ione Arrick

Charitable Fund

Beard Family – In Honor of Michael Dorian Beard

Belmore Hicks Bridgford Fund

Hulley WNY Changing Needs Fund

H. Reed Hunt Fund

Kucera – Graham Family Foundation

Langley Family Fund

Edmond & Margaretha

Lawrence Fund

Sally S. Lenahan Bequest

Barbara Wirtner

Liberatore Fund

The Mathews Family Fund

Frank Mesiah Family

Legacy Fund

The Michael E. and Lorrie

Chamberlain Munschauer

Centennial Fund

Normandy Fund

Donald A. Pause Fund

Lois and Thomas Pause

Charitable Fund

Peter W. Bridgford Trust

Rose M. Bridwell Bequest

Amico Castiglione

Charitable Fund

Peter C. Cornell Trust for WNY Cox-Conant Fund

Joan B. and James L. Crane, Jr. Fund

Clotilde Perez-Bode Dedecker Change Maker Fund

Detwiler Family Changing Needs Fund

Raymond and Maryann Laks Foundation

William and Janet Long Fund

Anthony D. Mancinelli Fund

Jean “Gigi” McKeown

Community Service Endowment Fund

Turin Fund

Annual Change Makers

Annual Change Makers are individuals who gave a gift in 2022 to support the changing needs of our community over time.

Anonymous (3)

Mr. Orin and Mrs. Judine Agostini

Dr. Tamara Alsace

The Stuart and Joyce Angert Fund

Ms. Cynthia Appleton

Mr. & Mrs. Stephen C. Ash

Ms. Yvonne Askew

Mr. Charles E. Balbach

Jennifer Balbach

Barr Foundation

Ms. Melissa Baumgart

Mr. Gerald R. and Mrs. Bridget M. Bertoldo

Mr. Denis and Mrs. Nancy Berwanger

David and Peggy Blesy

Ms. Rosemary Bolza

Nancy E. Brock

Ms. Jane Brownley

The Buffalo City Cemetery

Mr. Daniel Burling

Mr. Harold Bush

Charities Aid

Foundation America

Ms. Jody Katz Chassin

The Peter C. Cornell Trust

Betsy Constantine

Mr. Gary M. Crosby

Ms. C. Elizabeth Crump

Mr. Mark and Mrs. Margaret Dadd

Ms. Laurie Dann and Mr. Tom C. Hunt

Eugene A. DeFelice, M.D. & Maryanne Harvey Fund

Ms. Mary Lou Detwiler

Dr. Bonita Durand

Mary Alice and Ross Jay Eckert Fund

Mr. David and Mrs. Tamatha Egner

Every Person Influences Children

Fair Buffalo Fund

Steve and Lillian Finch

Mr. Theron Foote

The Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies c/o Michael Cohen Fund

Ms. Diane Franciose

Lawrence and Deborah Franco

Mr. Laurence and Mrs. Eileen Franz

FreeWill Impact Fund

Mr. James and Mrs. Marjorie Fulmer

The Fund for Nature

Ms. Dottie Gallagher

Watch Justice Sconiers talk about the importance of racial healing in a video produced by NBC News in anticipation of the National Day of Racial Healing.

Linda Gallagher

Mr. Gene Gardner

Mr. Geoffrey Garver

Dr. Danis J. Gehl

Mr. Daniel Gerstman and Mrs. Sharon Stern Gerstman

Angelica Gonzalez

In October, Justice Rose H. Sconiers, Community Foundation Board member and Chair of the Greater Buffalo Racial Equity Roundtable, was interviewed by NBC News journalist Claretta Bellamy for a three-part digital series entitled “Changing the Narrative” about Buffalo that was released in December.

Mr. Michael and Mrs. Patricia Griffith

Pete Grum

Ms. Amy Habib Rittling

Ms. Candice Hale

Brendan Harrington

Mr. Stuart and Mrs. Janis Hempel

Mr. Owen Herne and Ms. Lisa Manchester

Ms. Nina Hoban

Ms. Eula Hooker and Mr. Gilbert Maxwell

Mr. Ralph and Ms. Kathryn Houseknecht

Carolyn Human

Ms. Gail Humphrey

In. Site: Architecture, LLP

Alice and Jeremy Jacobs Jr.

Cheryl A. Jankowski, CPA

Mrs. Peggy Johnson

Ms. Janine Kane

Jeffrey and Susan Katz

Kibbe King & Moran Attys

Mr. Keith D. and Mrs. Mary E. Kibler

Mr. Timothy Kibler

Mr. Hans R. and Mrs. Leslie A. Kunze

Ms. Sandra Kushner

Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd Lane

Myra Lawrence

Cindy Abbott Letro

Mr. John Lipsitz and Ms. Maria Scrivani

Lynch Park Associates, Inc.

Mr. Timothy and Mrs. Carolyn Lyons

Mr. John MacCallum

Anthony D. Mancinelli*

Tony and Kate Masiello

Mr. Gerard Mazurkiewicz

Ms. Nancy Meissel

Mr. Jeffrey Mellow and Mrs. Mary O’Toole Mellow

Ms. Francesca Mesiah

Ms. Joyce Metcalf

Ms. Cheryl Miller

Ms. Joan Mokdessi

Mrs. Alex Montante

Michael & Lorrie Munschauer

Mrs. Barbara Myers

Dr. Thaddeus Naprawa

Mr. David H. Nelson, Esq.

Ms. Mary Beth Parrinello

Ms. Jennifer Pauly

Mr. Hal D. Payne

Ms. Lorna Peterson

Ms. Suzanne L. Phillips

Emily Procknal

Ms. Linda Purdy

Ms. Ruth A. Rauch

Dr. J. Thomas and Mrs. Mary Reagan

Adele Redfern

Gerald F. and Karen Reger

Family Foundation

Robinson and Hackemer

Funeral Home, Inc.

Mr. Luis Rodriguez, Jr.

Mr. J. Sebastien Rogers

Mr. Kenneth and Mrs. Kathleen Rogers

Mr. Joseph Ruh and Ms. Julia Garver

Rutecki Family Charitable Fund

Ms. Mary Scaglione

Mr. Vincent and Mrs. Elizabeth Schwartz

Hon. Rose H. Sconiers

The Mark L. Serventi Family Foundation

Mary Sheehan

Ms. Kay Sheehan

Ms. Eleanor Smith

Mr. Ryan Sobeck

John Somers

St. John AME Federal Credit Union

Gerould R. Stange*

Mr. Brian and Mrs. Linda Sterling

The Stockton Family Fund

Dr. Richard A. Stockton, Jr.

Mr. Edward and Mrs. Beverly Strusa

Ms. Jacqueline Swaby

Swiss Valley Farms LLC

United Way of Buffalo & Erie County

United Way of Greater Niagara

Ms. Virginia Van Hengel Loughlin

Mr. George VanArsdale and Ms. Elizabeth Osta

Vogt Family Foundation

Mr. Richard and Mrs. Maria Walczak

Jack Walsh

Ward & Kutzuba PLLC

Nancy & Don Ware

Mr. Ronald Wert

Western New York Public Broadcasting Association

Wildroot Floral

Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation

Ms. Susan York

*Deceased

Community Foundation Board members John Somers, Jack Walsh and Owen Herne at a Community Foundation event.

Community Foundation Board Chair Melissa Baumgart stands at the podium to honor Clotilde Perez-Bode Dedecker at a Community Foundation event.

Changing systems to advance racial equity

GREATER BUFFALO RACIAL EQUITY ROUNDTABLE

In the wake of the horrific racially motivated shooting that occurred in our community on May 14, 2022, the Greater Buffalo Racial Equity Roundtable doubled down on its efforts to create much-needed change in Western New York, including building our capacity for necessary racial healing.

Convened by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo in 2015, today the Roundtable encompasses more than 350 community partners working together in coordinated ways to advance racial equity and achieve an expanded, inclusive economy.

The Roundtable has a 10-point strategic agenda to close racial equity gaps in our community. This work is intentionally focused on changing systems by changing policies, practices and procedures so that more residents will be able to live, work and raise their children to reach their highest potential.

The next few pages highlight some of the progress of the Roundtable’s initiatives.

Business Leaders

Task Force

The Business Leaders Task Force (BLTF) is comprised of 14 major employers who are collectively committed to finding ways to create more inclusive workplaces.

A strategy of the BLTF, the Buffalo Purchasing Initiative (BPI) was formed in 2019 to leverage the employers’ collective demand to advance economic inclusion in the Buffalo region, help create jobs and employment opportunities for local residents within communities of color and expand purchasing opportunities with local businesses owned by people of color.

Since the BPI pilot began, the participating businesses have reported a 100 percent increase in average annual spend with businesses of color in Western New York and have nearly tripled the number of business relationships with local businesses owned by people of color.

Employ Buffalo Niagara

Employ Buffalo Niagara is the region’s largest employer-led talent initiative that is embedded at the Buffalo Niagara Partnership. Representing the current interests and needs of large and small businesses, and realizing that finding talent remains the top priority, Employ Buffalo Niagara offers multiple workforce development programs to encourage a more inclusive workforce pipeline.

Through the Employ Buffalo Niagara initiative, in 2022, the Buffalo Niagara Partnership and the Atlanta Federal Reserve created a local Benefits Cliff Calculator. This tool was developed to bring awareness to employers regarding the thousands of hardworking employees in our community that are held back in progressing in their career by the benefits cliff – or the point at which they will lose necessary public benefits if they take a promotion or raise that is insufficient to replace the value of those benefits. The calculator is free and accessible, and was built using data from our community. Employers can plug in potential income increases and current benefits to better understand how employees and businesses can thrive by mitigating the benefits cliff through changes in their policies and practices.

Reentry Coalition

The Reentry Coalition provides key support to improve outcomes for reentering citizens and puts them on a path to economic self-sufficiency. In 2020, the Service Link Stop was opened with 14 co-located reentry service providers to wrap comprehensive support around returning citizens and create pathways for their success.

“If we can use the jail as an opportunity to create linkage to supports and services, then we can potentially affect the likelihood of whether or not people come back to jail,” said Tom Diina, who co-chairs the Reentry Coalition and also serves as Chief of Community Reintegration at the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, a position created in 2022.

Scan here to learn how Tom Diina (right), Chief of Community Reintegration, Erie County Sheriff’s Office, is helping to pave a path forward for reentering citizens.

Laquisha Ross, Warehouse Support at Zehnder Rittling

Scan the QR code to learn more about the Benefits Cliff Calculator.

Narrative Change Workgroup

In 2022, the Greater Buffalo Racial Equity Roundtable launched a new website to share updates and the impact of its work more effectively. We encourage you to visit racialequitybuffalo.org to read more about all of the Roundtable’s initiatives.

our community.

Boys and Young Men of Color Alignment

The Boys and Young Men of Color Alignment was created to increase academic achievement and job readiness for young men of color and to develop them as leaders and advocates for change to strengthen and ultimately improve life outcomes for their peers in the Greater Buffalo community.

This Alignment created the Breaking Barriers Youth Leadership Council. “Breaking Barriers empowered me to become a young leader in my community,” said Malik Stubbs. “It has shown me that young men have to make a difference right now. Not wait until they are 18 or 25 or 30. The need in our community is here. And we need to be involved.”

Scan here to see how Malik Stubbs is amplifying youth voice in

— Malik Stubbs Breaking Barriers Youth Leadership Council

— Damion Brown Hutchinson Central Technical High School, ’22

Coordinating pathways to career growth

CAREERWISE GREATER BUFFALO

at several local employers. During the three-year program, apprentices are trained alongside seasoned professionals in fields such as information technology and financial services. All the while, they are still supported by Say Yes Buffalo through a dedicated success coach.

him up with a mentor and a “buddy” at work, while CareerWise supports him in other ways.

“Damion will learn about four different areas of finance and then hopefully he’ll want to stay with us,” said Donette Czyrny, Senior Financial Manager at M&T and Damion’s hiring manager. “Additionally, CareerWise has provided seminars on email and phone etiquette. The support system is incredible.”

In September 2022, Say Yes Buffalo addressed this issue by launching CareerWise Greater Buffalo. A strategy of the Greater Buffalo Racial Equity Roundtable’s Youth Employment Coalition, this initiative is designed to provide career pathways for youth ages 16 to 24 that lead to familysustaining incomes.

“The ultimate goal of CareerWise Greater Buffalo is to connect students who need immediate access to the workforce to secure career pathways,” said Daphne Ross, Chief Impact Officer at Say Yes Buffalo, who was overseeing CareerWise Greater Buffalo in 2022.

Those pathways are created through modern youth apprenticeships in which youth from Buffalo Public Schools “earn while they learn”

The impact was felt immediately by students like Damion Brown, a 2022 graduate of Hutchinson Central Technical High School, who is now an apprentice in M&T Bank’s accounts payable department.

“This opportunity is major. I have never seen wages like these and the fact that I’m learning on top of it is just unbelievable,” said Damion, who hopes to eventually earn a degree and enough money so his mom can retire. “I have learned time management skills and enjoy processing invoices – it’s never boring.”

As a participating employer, M&T empowers Damion by setting objectives and pairing

With 25 youths participating in the 2022 cohort of CareerWise Greater Buffalo, the goal is to double that number every year until it reaches 600 students each year. That impact will have a ripple effect on the entire community.

“We are filling a gap between a talented workforce from Buffalo Public Schools and some businesses that have not always had the ability to reach those students,” Daphne explained. “It is going to change the makeup of these workplaces to make them more diverse and more inclusive. It will ultimately make our region better.”

“Sometimes making the choice between college and work isn’t truly a choice if you have to go to work to earn money to support yourself and your family,” said David Rust, Chief Executive Officer of Say Yes Buffalo.

Students and Say Yes Buffalo staff at the CareerWise Greater Buffalo launch in September.

Investing in a vision for the arts

From musical and theatrical performances spanning genres to art programs, writing workshops and historical societies, the arts are woven into the fabric of Western New York. The Community Foundation is focused on promoting regional vibrancy through architecture, arts and culture. Residents and visitors alike benefit from the arts and culture sector, and it plays an important role in a thriving and vibrant Western New York regional economy.

One way that the sector is supported is through the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Arts & Culture Initiative, established at the Community Foundation in 2021. Part of that announcement included $500,000 in annual funding to be awarded primarily to support small- to mid-sized arts and culture organizations in the eight counties of Western New York, plus Monroe County.

The key to this new grant process was community input. As such, in early 2022, representatives from over 100 arts and cultural organizations across all nine counties participated in several listening sessions with the Community Foundation team to help shape the inaugural grant process.

The selection of the grantees was made through a committee of arts and cultural leaders representing all the counties. In December, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Arts & Culture Initiative awards totaling $500,000 were announced to support more than 75 small- to mid-sized arts organizations.

RALPH C. WILSON, JR. ARTS & CULTURE INITIATIVE

The funding was awarded in two categories:

• Single arts and culture nonprofit organizations for which the funding awarded will make a meaningful impact on their annual operations

• Multiple arts and culture organizations with collaborative efforts that have a meaningful impact on inclusion and for which small- to mid-sized arts and culture organizations receive the majority of the funding requested

“When we established the endowment to support Western New York’s arts and culture sector, we did so out of the Foundation’s economic development focus area. These organizations, both large and small, are key economic drivers in their neighborhoods, communities and the broader region,” said Jim Boyle, Vice President of Programs and Communications, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. “This investment is our unique and long-term contribution to the arts and culture sector. We look forward to witnessing the amazing work to come from these new grantees.”

RALPH C. WILSON, JR. ARTS & CULTURE INITIATIVE GRANTEES

Arcade Historical Society

“ The Arcade Historical Society will use grant funds from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Arts & Culture Initiative to support the purchase of a digital microfilm reader for the archive research center at the Old Fire Hall. The society welcomes individuals doing genealogy and history research and has an extensive collection of microfilmed local newspapers and town minute books dating from 1818. This equipment will replace the microfilm reader purchased by the society in 1999, which is no longer functioning and cannot be repaired.”

Arts for Learning WNY

“ General operating support from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Arts & Culture Initiative will allow Arts for Learning WNY to build a strong and sustainable infrastructure to provide programs and services that will have the greatest impact on our shared community.”

Stitch Buffalo

“ Until 2022, Stitch Buffalo served primarily adults through our Community Classes programming. With this funding, we were able to expand our programs to include opportunities for children (primarily ages 8-13). Offering youth-oriented programming at community centers and other neighborhood facilities has allowed us to expand our reach into different sectors of the community. In particular, it has improved our ability to work in under-resourced communities where textile-arts education and supplies can be difficult for residents to access.”

— Beth Ireland, Arts for Learning WNY

— Michelle Perkins, Stitch Buffalo

— Susan Andrews, Arcade Historical Society

Honoring a leader

At the end of 2022, Clotilde Perez-Bode Dedecker retired as President/CEO of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. Here is a snapshot of her extraordinary 17 years leading innovative change on behalf of our Foundation.

— Clotilde Perez-Bode Dedecker Retired President/CEO Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo

From 2005 to 2022, Clotilde led the Community Foundation’s strategy to create meaningful community change by bringing together public, private, nonprofit and government partners to address systemic issues facing the community. She brokered unprecedented partnerships to problem solve together, some of which you read about in this book, including Say Yes Buffalo, the Greater Buffalo Racial Equity Roundtable and the WNY COVID-19 Community Response Fund.

Recognized as a changemaker on the national stage, Clotilde’s work attracted more than $100 million to Western New York to support these collective efforts. She also earned countless seats at the table with federal, state and local officials, and with national and international philanthropic decision makers.

Although Clotilde has retired from the Community Foundation, her impact will be felt here and in all of Western New York for many years to come, and we look forward to building upon the solid foundation she helped create.

We are forever grateful for Clotilde’s visionary leadership and we will continue to link arms with you – our clients – to carry forward the mission of the Community Foundation and to work toward a vibrant and equitable Greater Buffalo region where every individual thrives.

To honor Clotilde’s lasting legacy, the Community Foundation commissioned a poem from Buffalo’s first-ever poet laureate, Jillian Hanesworth, titled “That Woman Is Fearless.” Please scan the QR code to read the poem.

In December, Clotilde sat down with incoming President/CEO, Betsy Constantine, to discuss their mutual optimism for the future of the Community Foundation and Western New York. Scan the QR code to hear that conversation.

— Clotilde Perez-Bode Dedecker Retired President/CEO Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo

From 2005 to 2022, Clotilde led the Community Foundation’s strategy to create meaningful community change by bringing together public, private, nonprofit and government partners to address systemic issues facing the community. She brokered unprecedented partnerships to problem solve together, some of which you read about in this book, including Say Yes Buffalo, the Greater Buffalo Racial Equity Roundtable and the WNY COVID-19 Community Response Fund.

Recognized as a changemaker on the national stage, Clotilde’s work attracted more than $100 million to Western New York to support these collective efforts. She also earned countless seats at the table with federal, state and local officials, and with national and international philanthropic decision makers.

Although Clotilde has retired from the Community Foundation, her impact will be felt here and in all of Western New York for many years to come, and we look forward to building upon the solid foundation she helped create.

We are forever grateful for Clotilde’s visionary leadership and we will continue to link arms with you – our clients – to carry forward the mission of the Community Foundation and to work toward a vibrant and equitable Greater Buffalo region where every individual thrives.

To honor Clotilde’s lasting legacy, the Community Foundation commissioned a poem from Buffalo’s first-ever poet laureate, Jillian Hanesworth, titled “That Woman Is Fearless.” Please scan the QR code to read the poem.

earth Ring with the harmonies of Liberty / Let our rejoicing loud the chast’ning / with beat weary fathers have 32

Lift

Scan the QR code to hear students from the Buffalo Academy of Visual and Performing Arts sing “Lift Every Voice” at a Community Foundation event for Clotilde’s retirement in December.

the blood of the slaughtered / Out from the gloomy past / Till now we stand at last / Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast God of our weary years / God of our silent tears / Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way / Thou who hast by Thy might / Led us into the light / Keep us forever in the path, we pray / Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee / Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee / Shadowed beneath Thy hand / May we forever stand / True to our God / True to our native land

LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING the BLACK NATIONAL ANTHEM by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON

Our approach to charitable investing

The Community Foundation’s Investment Committee has oversight of more than $800 million in charitable assets. Members of the Committee are specifically recruited because of their knowledge of investments. They receive advice throughout the year from our independent investment consulting firm, Crewcial Partners LLC, which specializes in advising large endowments and foundations nationwide.

Together, they work to allocate the charitable assets entrusted to the Community Foundation’s care into a highly diversified mix of global equities, fixed income and alternative investment strategies. This includes more than 50 different investment management organizations pursuing strategies within 11 different asset classes. Within each asset class, the Community Foundation seeks to utilize world-class investment managers with the goal of outperforming appropriate target market benchmarks over long periods. The Committee remains focused on maintaining a prudent strategy that is consistently executed.

2022 INVESTMENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Jennifer Balbach Committee Chair & Board Member

David Blesy, CPA Board Member

Gary Crosby Board Member

Pete Grum Board Member

Former Board Member

Bill Joyce

Former Committee Chair & Former Board Chair

Gerard Mazurkiewicz, CPA

Former Committee Chair & Former Board Chair

Michael Munschauer, CFP

Luke Jacobs

Strategic asset allocation

The size of the Community Foundation’s investment pool allows us to have a highly diversified portfolio with access to a full range of asset classes and top investment managers, increasing the likelihood of exceeding performance objectives under varying economic and market conditions.

The Community Foundation received an unmodified (clean) audit opinion on its most recently issued audited financial statements. Audited financial statements are available at cfgb.org or by request Please contact Emily Wyckoff, Associate Vice President, Client Relations and Communications, at (716) 852-2857 ext. 217.

As of December 31, 2022

PRIVATE ASSETS: 15%

HEDGE FUNDS: 9%

Total Alternatives

24%

CASH: 1%

GLOBAL BONDS: 4%

TREASURY INFLATION-PROTECTED SECURITIES: 3%

U.S. AGGREGATE BONDS: 6%

Total Fixed Income

14%

Total Equity 62%

U.S. LARGE/MID CAP EQUITY: 17%

U.S. SMALL CAP EQUITY: 6%

NON-U.S. DEVELOPED EQUITY: 15%

NON-U.S. EMERGING EQUITY: 6%

SELECT STRATEGIES: 18%

Investment performance

The investments of the Community Foundation regularly outperform our benchmarks, on average adding 7.2 percent per year over the past 10 years. Investing in the Community Foundation portfolio provides stability and growth over time. This growth provides significant value to the charitable assets entrusted to the Community Foundation. Long-term returns have been well above market benchmarks and regularly perform in the top 25 percent of endowments and foundations.*

For updated information, visit cfgb.org.

*Per the MSCI InvestorForce Endowments and Foundations Index.

Investment Returns

As of December 31, 2022

Community Foundation returns presented net of investment management fees. Investment results are presented net of all investment related fees. **Weighted average of sector benchmarks.

Power of endowment

HOWWILLYOUBEREMEMBERED?

Whenyoucreateanendowmentfundthrough theCommunityFoundationforGreaterBuffalo, youcansupportthecommunityyoulove, inyourname,forever.

YOURGIFTISINVESTEDOVERTIME.

Earningsfromyourendowmentfundare grantedtosupportorganizationsandneeds inthecommunity,basedonyourdirection.

YOURLEGACYISENSURED.

Clientswhoendowgiftscanmakeadifferencein theircommunitiesduringtheirlifetimesand,atthe sametime,establishlegaciesthatlastforever.

HOWITWORKS.

Thisendowmentwasestablishedwith$2.1millionin 1978throughalegacygift(bequest)totheCommunity Foundationfromaparentinhonorofhisson,who diedtragicallyasayoungman.Today,decadesafter bothfatherandsonhavepassedon,theinitialgift hasmorethantripledto$7.6million,allwhilegiving $9.9millioningrantstotheorganizationstheycared about.Thefundwillcontinuetohonorthisfamily’s charitablegivinglegacybymakinggrantstotheir favoriteorganizationsintheirname,forever.

WECANHELP.

Please call Emily Wyckoff, Associate Vice President, Client Relations and Communications, at (716) 852-2857 ext. 217.

$9.9M $7.6M $2.1M

From left: Tiffany Lewis, 2022 Pay It Forward Award recipient; Afsah Kamran, 2022 Hugh B. Scott Inspiring Youth Award recipient; and Daphne Ross, 2022 Hugh B. Scott Community Service Award recipient.

Amplifying opportunities for trailblazers

COMMUNITIES OF GIVING LEGACY INITIATIVE

Committed to cultivating positive change in the lives of youth of color in Western New York, the Communities of Giving Legacy Initiative® (CGLI) continues to make an unforgettable difference.

In 2022, it provided unique educational opportunities to dozens of young professionals and students like Bith Deng, a senior at City Honors. Bith participated in the CGLI’s Close Up Washington, D.C., experience, which provides students with opportunities to learn about government and democracy while engaging with fellow high school peers from around the world.

The takeaways of the experience were many, and one that stood out to Bith was being able to take one side of a debate and effectively convey points and arguments, strengthening his voice and equipping him with experience that will serve him well for years to come. “With this program, I was able to develop my skills and acquire

knowledge on the elements of debate and how to approach an argument,” Bith said.

James Heard, a senior at South Park High School, also participated in the Close Up experience. “I learned that to make change in this nation, we have to start from our local city or town and talk with our Mayor to start a change. That way, our voices can be heard and spread throughout every state so we can achieve our mission of justice, peace and equality,” he noted. James was also part of the CGLI’s Young Philanthropists

In September, CGLI Close Up students met with City of Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown, who spoke about local government, and the students had a chance to ask their prepared questions before taking a tour of the office.

Pictured here, from left: Miko Noel, Buffalo Urban League; Ja’Mya Keenan; Bith Deng; Ruth Bryant, CGLI Chair; Mayor Byron W. Brown; Briana Hernandez; James Heard; Bryant Pagan; and Oswaldo Mestre, CGLI Council member.

program, a teen leadership opportunity in which students learn about philanthropy.

Another highlight of the CGLI is its annual Pay It Forward Awards, which took place for the 11th time in November. The Pay It Forward Awards recognize personal and professional accomplishments and how they increase philanthropy in communities of color. In 2022, two new community service awards were introduced, honoring the legacy of the late Judge Hugh B. Scott, a founding member of the CGLI.

Learn more about the Close Up program and the students’ trip to Washington, D.C., by scanning the QR code or visiting thecgli.org.

Professional Advisor Honor Roll

For more than 100 years, the Community Foundation has worked alongside attorneys, certified public accountants and financial professionals to create customized solutions that best achieve their clients’ charitable goals.

We offer our support as a charitable giving resource to advisors and their clients to help maximize the impact of clients’ giving in the ways most important to them. The following are professional advisors we have had the opportunity to collaborate with in 2021 and 2022.

Wyatt R. Arthurs, CFP

Michael R. Brace, CFA

Daniel Byles-Smith, CPA, CFP

Michael J. Collesano, Esq.

David J. Colligan, Esq.

Jill E. Colombo, CPA

Robert W. Constantine, Esq.

Michael A. de Freitas

David D. Fenster, Esq.

Sarah E. Fenster, Esq.

Jennifer G. Flannery, Esq.

Lawrence C. Franco, Esq.

Scott A. Gardner

Nickole M. Garrison, CPA

Christina L. Good, Esq.

Linda Stravalaci Grear, Esq.

Christopher T. Greene, Esq.

Kenneth A. Grossberg, Esq.

Robert S. Jellinick, CPFA

Jeffrey H. Katz, Esq.

Brian J. Kern, CPA

Thomas G. Landers, CPA

Steven M. Lustig CPA, CLU

David J. Luzon, Esq.

James Magavern, Esq.*

Christine Mathieu

Patrick T. McGuire, J.D., CPFA

Michē C. Needham, CPA

Andrew J. Pace

John Pieroni, CFP

Andrew J. Pitt, CPA

Justin Reid, CPA, CHFP

Elizabeth H. Riddle

George E. Riedel, Jr., Esq.

Jamie M. Smith, Esq.

Ellen Grimm Spencer, Esq.

Read about how Jamie works with the Community Foundation to support her clients’ charitable wishes by scanning the QR code.

Thomas J. Hanlon, CFA, CFP, CEBS

Elizabeth R. Hulley

James E. Iglewski

Mark A. Stebbins, CPA

Dennis J. Szymkowiak, CPA

Catherine T. Wettlaufer, Esq.

The Community Foundation is responsive and will go out of its way to help clients explore different possibilities and set up a customtailored approach for what they are looking to do with their money.

It is eye-opening for clients to see the legacy they can leave through the Community Foundation.

— Jamie Smith

Smith Vavonese, LLP

“The client is the most important part of our work,” said David D. Fenster. That is engrained in the fabric of the attorneys who work at Fenster, Lewis & Good, LLC, a small firm in Williamsville that concentrates on estate planning, started by David and his wife, Beverly Lewis, nearly three decades ago.

“We have always had an interest in the two sides of charitable planning,” said David. “One is the technical side like charitable remainder trusts and informing about permanent endowments or foundations, and the other is the gratification we get when we get to play a role in our clients’ enormous generosity.”

To ensure their clients can meet their charitable goals and maximize their dollars, David and his colleagues look to the Community Foundation to expand

what opportunities are available. “Clients come to us with charitable intentions, and we have a great deal of confidence recommending they speak with the Community Foundation,” said Christina Good, attorney and partner at Fenster, Lewis & Good. “We appreciate the value they can bring our clients by walking them through different charitable options and helping them to maximize the impact of their giving in the ways that are meaningful to them. It really complements the work we do with them.”

“I greatly appreciate the honesty, flexibility and creativity that the Community Foundation brings to clients who may be unsure about how to approach charitable giving,” added Sarah Fenster, attorney and partner at the firm. “The Community Foundation allows clients to be genuine with their intentions, will work with them to bring those intentions to fruition and is able to further the clients’

charitable intentions in a way in which other planning options cannot.”

Whether working with clients to establish a fund that ensures their legacy, creating endowments to provide a perpetual source of funding for organizations and causes important to them, or transitioning private foundations to alleviate administrative burden, David, Christina and Sarah trust the Community Foundation to partner with them and their clients to make the most of their clients’ generosity. They also appreciate the resources the Community Foundation provides to help in conversations with clients.

“We have confidence knowing that when we refer our clients to the Community Foundation, they come back with very positive feedback,” said David. “With the Community Foundation, promises made will be promises kept.”

FENSTER, LEWIS & GOOD, LLC

Uplifting Niagara County

NIAGARA AREA FOUNDATION

Whether enjoying a musical performance or strolling renowned waterfronts, Niagara County is a place where entertainment and beauty collide. When it comes time for generous individuals to help support causes and organizations they care about in this region, they turn to the Niagara Area Foundation (NAF).

Established in 2000 by local community leaders, the NAF is committed to strengthening Niagara County by addressing critical needs to improve lives.

In 2022, the NAF went through a strategic planning process to identify the evolving needs of Niagara County and reprioritize its goals. As a result, for the 2022 grant process, the NAF considered applications with maximum positive impact in Niagara County that align with one of the Council’s two goals:

• To build stronger communities through the enrichment of youth, positive youth development and equity and inclusion

• To support and enhance education and awareness about the importance and creation of a healthy, vibrant and safe ecosystem for Niagara County residents

More than $60,000 in grants were awarded to: Be-A-Friend Program, Inc.; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie, Niagara and the Southern Tier; Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northtowns of WNY; Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper; FeedMore WNY, Inc.; Imagine Community Gardens, Inc.; Independent Health Foundation; Newfane Public Library; Niagara Falls Boys & Girls Club; The Salvation Army; and Youth Mentoring Services of Niagara County, Inc.

For 22 years, the Niagara Area Foundation has supported numerous organizations in Niagara County, including Horizon Health Services, Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides hope and healing for individuals and their families dealing with substance abuse or mental health disorders.

NIAGARA AREA FOUNDATION FUNDS

Henry E. & Susan W. Beamer Endowment Fund

Thelma L. & Milfred R. Beck Fund

Martha H. Beeman and Judge

William L. Kellick Endowment Fund

The Lorraine M. & Eugene P. Brady Memorial Scholarship Trust

Barbara C. and Edward M. Brink Fund

BRI-NK Foundation

Agnes Clarke Brown

Memorial Scholarship Fund

Stanley A. Brzezinski

Memorial Fund

Jerry and Liz Canada Fund

Joanne and Franklyn Collins Fund

Eugene A. DeFelice, M.D. & Maryanne Harvey Fund

Eastern Niagara Fund

Ross & Mary Alice Eckert Fund

Barbara Ennis Endowment Fund

Grace Foundation

Theresa Elizabeth Insana

Memorial Scholarship Fund

Laird Family Foundation

Lockport Public Library Endowment Fund

Stephen C. McKinney Scholarship Fund

Joseph and Riva Mehr Fund

Niagara Area Foundation

Endowment Fund

Niagara Education Foundation Fund

Fund for Niagara Hospice

Elsie & Eugene Oliver Memorial Scholarship Trust

Our Lady of Lebanon Fund

Patricia L. Parkinson

Scholarship Fund

Positive Youth Development

Philanthropic Fund

The Thomas K. Singer

Charitable Trust

Daunt & Irene Stenzel

Scholarship Fund

Fern J. White & Neva A.

Jackling Scholarship Fund

Wilson Free Library Forever

Friends Endowment Fund

Youngstown Free Library Foundation

YWCA of Niagara Fund

YWCA of Niagara Munk/Human Memorial Scholarship Trust

YWCA of Niagara Ruth N. Downes

Fund for Domestic Violence

Elevating Wyoming County

WYOMING FOUNDATION

From picturesque hillsides to postcard-worthy towns, Wyoming County is full of charm and history.

With the goal of improving the lives of residents, the Wyoming Foundation was created in 1974 by Dr. James MacCallum. Today, it continues to serve as a trusted partner to provide deep local knowledge and a vehicle through which individuals give to causes and organizations they care about. In addition to the work that the Wyoming Foundation does assisting generous individuals and families make a difference through their giving, each year it runs a competitive grants process where funding is distributed to support local nonprofit organizations.

In 2022, the Wyoming Foundation Council learned from local healthcare providers that County youth were in need of additional support due to conditions exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as isolation and academic struggles. In turn, it encouraged innovative, collaborative requests for funding that addressed youth mental health for its grants process.

As a result, more than $22,000 was awarded to seven Wyoming County nonprofit organizations. The grant recipients include: Arcade Free Library, Arts Council for Wyoming County, Cordelia A. Greene Library, Eagle Free Library, GLOW YMCA, Warsaw Historical Society, and Wyoming Free Circulating Library Association.

WYOMING FOUNDATION FUNDS

Michael & Elaine Almeter Fund

Lawrence M. Appleby Fund

Leonard M. Barkin

Environmental Conservation Trust for Youth

Dr. Charles E. Bartlett Memorial Essay Contest

Russell C. Christ Jr. Fund

James and Ethel DeAmesy Fund

DeLaVergne Family Fund

Stacy Marie Geercken Scholarship Fund

Sam and Cherie Gullo Foundation

Katharine Pingrey Hopkins Memorial Scholarship Fund

Mabel Mason Fund

Middlebury Historical Society Fund

Mr. and Mrs. George Schaumleffel Scholarship Fund

Silver Lake Institute Fund

Mark E. Strome Scholarship Fund

Marjorie and Charles Van Arsdale Family Fund

Marjorie Z. Van Arsdale Fund

Gary Weidman Fund

Western New York Rural Area Health Education Center Fund

Wyoming Foundation Endowment Fund

Wyoming Free Library Fund

Since 1974, the Wyoming Foundation has supported numerous organizations in Wyoming County, including Western New York Rural Area Health Education Center, which provides arts enrichment programs to young learners throughout our region.

— Maya Angelou

Legacy Society

The Community Foundation Legacy Society was created in 1999 to acknowledge individuals who have committed to supporting the community in the future through a planned gift. According to their specific directions, the Community Foundation will support the organizations, issues and communities these individuals care about, in their names, forever, in Western New York and beyond.

Anonymous (12)

Mr. Edward Adamczyk

Richard B. Adams

Robert A. & Ruth E. Allen*

Mr. & Mrs. H. John Angelbeck

Mr. Lawrence Appleby*

Mr. & Mrs. C. Dixon Arrick*

Mr. & Mrs. Stephen C. Ash

Jeff Bagel & Maryalice Nowak

Mr. Charles E. Balbach

Ms. Mary L. Banks

Allene C. Barans

Marion* and Alan Baumgardner

Henry & Susan Beamer

Thomas R. & Judy* Beecher

Ms. Dianne Bennett &

Mr. William Graebner

Mr. Harry J. Beu*

Dr. Mary H. Botsford*

Mr. James A. Bourne

Mr. Richard W. Bowen*

Mr. Davis Bradley

John F. Briggs

Ms. Mary L. Brink

Mr. & Mrs. Gary M. Brost

Jean M. Brown*

Keirn C. Brown Sr.*

Mr. & Mrs. Henry W. Bruner

Ruth D. Bryant

Mr.* & Mrs. Charles Burdette

Jane & Jerry Burzynski

Michael & Glenys Butler*

Mr. Lewis Buttery

Martha Buyer, Esq.

Mrs. Helen M. Callan*

Mr. John M. Callan

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Cardamone

Leslie Carraway & B.J.* Verts

Mr. Paul Carroll

Joanne Castellani & Michael Andriaccio

Jerry* & Barbara Castiglia

Dr. Irwin H. Cheskin* & Mr. Edward Koryl

Ms. Mary E. Clemesha*

Robert & Patricia Colby*

Robert T.* & Sylvia R. Coles

Carmela M. & Anthony* J. Colucci Jr.

Elizabeth B. Conant, Ph.D.* & Camille Cox

Mrs. James L. Crane Jr.*

Ms. Beuline Crawford*

Ms. C. Elizabeth Crump

Mrs. Wilma T. Csont*

Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Cyran*

Mr. & Mrs. Matthew J. Czajka

Eleanor C. Daigler

Chet & Delight Dann*

Ms. Laurie Dann

Ms. Elizabeth Deichman*

Ms. Sandra Demus

Miss Virginia Deuel*

Larry R. & Sheila Drake

Judith & Alan Duchan

Ross & Mary Alice Eckert

Dr. Kenneth H. Sr. & Marjorie B. Eckhert*

Mr. Robert J. Ellis

Miss June M. Farrington*

Miss Ruth Farrington*

Mr. Worth Farrington*

Mrs. Dorothy T. Ferguson

Dr. Edward A. Fial*

Ms. Anne Catt Filer*

Max* & Shirley Fischer

Dr. Mildred J. Fischle*

Paula C. Flynn

Mr. Bob Fortenbaugh

Ms. Carol A. Fowler

Jean S. Frederick

Mr. Fred* & Mrs. Fay Friedman

Dennis J. Galucki

Mr. Andrew C. Giarrizzo

Mr. & Mrs. Robert D. Gioia

Mr. Kevin K. Gluc

Barbara Goldman &

Linda Banas

Barbara Ina Goldstein

Paul & Joyce Golibersuch

Aimee Gomlak

Jane Taylor Goraj*

Dr. Susan P. Graham & Dr. Jon C. Kucera

Gordon & Gretchen Gross*

John Gucwa & William Majuk

Mr. Michael Hamann

Thomas J. Hanifin*

Mr. Daniel E. Hannah

Mr. Hans Heckelman

Ms. Marsha S. Henderson

Ms. Alice B. Hilborn

Ms. Judith A. Hirsch

Mr. & Mrs. L. Nelson Hopkins Jr.*

Mary Louise Hopkins*

Phillip & Jayne* Hubbell

Ms. Ellen E. Hughes

John & Bette Hulley

Mr. & Mrs. H. Reed Hunt*

Rev. Dr. Leona M. Irsch

Ms. Mary Jarecki

Gail & Bruce Johnstone

Mr.* & Mrs. A. David Jones

Legacy Society members Dr. Susan P. Graham and Dr. Jon C. Kucera on a grantee site visit.

Dr. & Mrs. Jeffrey D. Kashin

Ms. Suzanne Kashuba

Mrs. Nancy Kent*

Ms. Jane B. Kinkead*

Mr. & Mrs. Irvine J. Kittinger Jr.*

Mr. & Mrs. George F. Koch*

Dr. Kenneth A. Krackow

Bruce A. Kratzenberg*

Leonard H. & Sylvia J. Kratzke

Rev. & Mrs. Warren W. Lane*

Mr. Harry H. Lang Jr.*

Mr. Frank P. Langley Jr.*

Wilfred & Joan Larson*

Mrs. Margaretha Lawrence*

Mr. Almon E. Leach*

Mr. & Mrs. Julian & Barbara Leggett

Gerald A. & Barbara E. Lipa

Mr. & Mrs. Martin J. Littlefield, Jr.

Philip C. Lombardo*

Ms. Jo Ann Long*

Mrs. William F. Long*

Jean Maday

Mr. David W. Marshall

Ruth Mathews

Charles* & Cara Matteliano

Dr. Keith F. & Mary E. McBride*

David E. & Andrea J. McGeein

Sheldon E. Merritt & Anne S. Merritt

Mr. Ronald V. & Kathleen A. Metzger

Karin Michelson & Russell Deer

Barbara D. Mierzwa

Mary Ann Milak-Young

Jock & Betsy Mitchell

Mrs. Kathleen Modd*

Richard E. Moot, Esq.*

Ms. Albertine K. Moran*

Mr. John J. Myers, Jr.*

Mr. Robert North, Jr.*

James R. Owen*

Ms. Linda Pratt Page

Jane M. Pattison

Mr. Donald A. Pause*

Lois & Thomas Pause

C. Jane Pendergast

Dr. Charles D. Perry*

J. Warren Perry, Ph.D., D.Sc.*

Mr. Arlan Peters & Mr. Dominick T. DeFillippo

Mrs. Barbara Pickburn*

Edwin & Georgina Polokoff

Mr. & Mrs. Braman Pomeroy*

Becky M. Powell

Jayne K. Rand

Ms. Dorothy Rapp

Mr. Alfred H. Rasp

Gerald F. & Karen Reger

Luke & Molly Rich

Mrs. Lynn Robillard

Alexandra Romanczuk*

Mr. & Mrs. Arthur H. Rosche*

Ms. Doris F. Rosen

Dr. Andrew J. Rudnick

Ms. Geraldine N. Ryder

Mr. & Mrs.* James M. Sampson

Carmelo Scaccia

Mr. Robert A. Scharf & Dr. Lawrence Van Heusen

Dr. Gilbert Schulenberg

Ms. Melba Y. Seibold*

Mr. & Mrs. Henry B. Sheets Jr.*

Mary B. Sippel*

Mr. & Mrs. Michael S. Smith

A. Warren & Gretchen L. Smith Jr.*

Mr. William H. Smith

Ms. Susan M. Spadinger

Rosemarie C. Steeb*

Richard A. & Ruth V. Stockton*

Dr. Richard A. Stockton, Jr.

Mr. Franz T. Stone*

Cheryl S. Strub

Father F. Norman Sullivan*

Mr. Peter W. Swanson, Jr.*

Dr. Walter* & Jeanie M. Sy

Stanley A.* & Sharon K. Tirrell

Deborah & Susan Torres

Mr. William Townsend*

Mr. Charles L. Van Arsdale*

Mr. William L. Van Schoonhoven*

Mr. Steven Vathy and Ms. Leslie Fox

Mr. Raymond C. & Ms. Sheila M. Vaughan

James & Michal Wadsworth

Dr. & Mrs. John M. Wadsworth*

Ms. Carol A. Wagner*

Mr. & Mrs. Richard C. Wagner*

Ms. Karen E. Waible

Emily W. Wettlaufer

Mr. & Mrs. Christopher J. Whiteford

Tom & Diana Witkowski

Mr. Jay Wopperer & Ms. Linda Schmieder

Mr. Charles E. Wright*

David & Susan* Zebro

Mr. Eddie Zewin* & Mrs. Christine Zewin

Barbara M. Ziegler

*Deceased

As members of the Community Foundation’s Legacy Society, Dr. Keith F. & Mary E. McBride* will support scholarships for veterinarians.

2022 New Funds

AIA Buffalo/WNY Bethune Lecture & Scholarship Endowment

The Stuart and Joyce Angert Fund

Andy Anselmo Fund

Richard C. Arena, Sr. and Anne Sweeney Arena Charitable Fund

Henry and Susan Beamer

2022 Response Fund

Buffalo 5/14 Survivors Fund

Buffalo Together Community Response Fund (BTCRF)

Buffalo Renaissance Foundation Endowment

Community Owned Resiliency and Empowerment (CORE) Fund

Peter C. Cornell Trust for WNY

Clotilde Perez-Bode Dedecker Change Maker Fund

Clotilde Perez-Bode Dedecker

Say Yes Forever Fund

Detwiler Family Changing Needs Fund

Mary Alice and Ross

Jay Eckert Fund

Family Promise of WNY Endowment Fund

Peter Gold & Athalie Joy Fund

Graycliff Conservancy Endowment

The Houston Family Fund

Linda Angert Kahn & Kenneth R. Kahn Fund

George and Nancy Kent Endowment Fund

Kleinhans Music Hall Endowment Fund

Bruce Klonsky Psychology Scholarship Fund

Harry H. Lang, Jr. Staff Scholarship Fund

Anthony D. Mancinelli Fund

Katherine “Kat” Massey Memorial Scholarship Fund

Jean “Gigi” McKeown Community Service Endowment Fund

Military & Veterans Fund

NYSUT Memorial Scholarship Fund for the Buffalo Victims and Families

Operation Dinner Out Fund

David C. Prahler

Baseball Scholarship

Andrew J. Rudnick Fund

Savarino Community Investment Fund

“ Placing our ‘Forever Free Fund’ at the Community Foundation represents our gratitude to the community for their decades of love and support, and reflects on our commitment to ensure the sustainability of Shakespeare in Delaware Park’s free performances – forever!”

— Rosa Alina Pizzi, Board President, Shakespeare in Delaware Park

Stuart Scheff and Lori Morreale Philanthropic Fund

Shakespeare in Delaware Park Forever Free Fund

Shakespeare in Delaware Park Forever Free Fund –Board Restricted

Richard E. Thoma, DVM Endowment Fund

Richard E. Thoma, DVM Small Animal Clinical Sciences Fund

Richard E. Thoma, DVM Unrestricted Fund

United Fund of Orleans County Western New York Rural Area Health Education Center Fund

Youngstown Free Library Foundation

All Funds

Anonymous (4) 21st Century Fund

Acacia Park Fund

Advancing Arts & Culture Endowment Fund

African American Veterans Monument Inc.

AIA Buffalo/WNY Bethune

Lecture & Scholarship Endowment

The AJL Fund

Akron, NY Community Band Fund

Charlotte Albright Fund

Dorothy & Eugene Allbert Fund

James & Kristin Allen Fund

The Robert A. & Ruth E. Allen Memorial Fund

Allentown Village Society, Inc.

Scholarship Fund

Michael & Elaine Almeter Fund

Paul & Jean Almeter Fund

Ina D. Alt Trust

Amherst Central Alumni Foundation

Amherst South Rotary Club Endowment Fund

Sheriff Michael S. Amico Fund

Anna May Andrews Trust

Joseph & Margaret Andrews

Educational Trust Fund

William Henry Andrews Bequest

Elizabeth & John Angelbeck Foundation

The Stuart and Joyce Angert Fund

Henry E. & Susan W. Beamer Endowment Fund

Beard Family – In Honor of Michael Dorian Beard

Thelma L. & Milfred R. Beck Fund

Reverend A. Joseph Bissonette Memorial Fund

Peter D. Blacher

Health Care Fund

Virgil A. & Margaret L. Black Memorial Fund

Book and Material Buying Endowment Fund

Boubaris Family Foundation

Richard Boyd Bowen

Memorial Scholarship Fund

Joyce & Stuart Angert

Philanthropic Fund

Annual Odd Fellows-Rebekah Award

Andy Anselmo Fund

Lawrence M. Appleby Fund

Richard C. Arena, Sr. and Anne

Sweeney Arena Charitable Fund

Charles and Ione Arrick

Charitable Fund

Arts Academy Fund

Augustine Family Fund

AV3 Foundation

Emily E. Babchak

Memorial Fund

Cameron Baird Endowment Fund for BP Chorus

Cameron Baird Fund

Dara L. Barker Memorial Fund

Leonard M. Barkin

Environmental Conservation Trust for Youth

C. Edgar Barlow Scholarship Fund

Nora Shea Barnwell Endowment Fund

James M. and Barbara J. Barrett Family Foundation

Dr. Charles E. Bartlett Memorial

Essay Contest

Oliver G. & Sarah Sloan Bauman

Fund for the Arts

Lucas, Clayton, and Gabrielle

Baumgart Changing Needs Endowment

Henry and Susan Beamer

2022 Response Fund

George E. Becker Fund for Heart Research

Beechwood/Blocher Fund

Martha H. Beeman and Judge William L. Kellick Endowment Fund

Bell Fund Trust #1

Bell Fund Trust #2

Grover E. Bell Award

Lawrence D. Bell Bequest

Edgar Bellersheim

Scholarship Fund

Benaiah Fund

Lana and Howard Benatovich

Philanthropic Fund

Matthew Benedict’s One Last Goal Fund

Adrian A. & Betsy B. Bennett Fund

Bennett Alumni Association

Foundation Fund

Bennett Alumni Endowment Fund

Bennett High School Alumni

Scholarship Fund

The Berardi Fund

The Hubert & Dennis Bernhardt Foundation

The Better Buffalo Fund

Harry J. Beu Scholarship Fund

Rosemary P. Biddle Fund

Alanson C. Bigalow

Scholarship Fund

Josephine Biontolillo Bequest

Charles A. & Anne L. Bird Fund

Corrine G. Bird Bequest

Blackchief Family Foundation

Brian H. Blesy Memorial Scholarship Fund

Anna Kowalska Bley

Music Memorial Award

Maurice G. Bley Drama Memorial Award

BlueCross/BlueShield Physicians Fund for Children’s Health

The Robert Bodkin Foundation

Jule Bogner Philanthropic Fund

Robert Bojdak & Sarah Williams Fund

Bollier Family Fund

Dr. Germante L. Boncaldo Scholarship Fund

Kathleen M. Box-Krycia

Memorial Scholarship Fund

Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo Fund

Boys & Girls Club of Eden Fund

BP/Carborundum Scholarship Fund

The Lorraine M. & Eugene P. Brady Memorial Scholarship Trust

Irma Brand Bequest

James E. Braunberns Bequest

Anthony A. Brese Scholarship

Rosalie H. Bretzfelder Fund

John Bridge Memorial Fund

Belmore Hicks Bridgford Fund

Peter W. Bridgford Trust

From left: Felicia Beard, Senior Director, Racial Equity Initiatives, Community Foundation; Daycia Clarke, Director, Youth Sports Initiatives, Community Foundation; Hon. Rose H. Sconiers, Board Member, Community Foundation; and LaVonne Ansari, Ph.D., Co-Chair, Buffalo Together Community Response Fund, at a Community Foundation year-end event.

21st Century Fund

Established in 2000, the Community Foundation’s 21st Century Fund is a giving circle open to anyone who wants to support high impact projects across Western New York. Every other year, members come together to vote on awarding a $100,000 grant to one organization for a specific project that will benefit the community.

At the Final Vote Event in April, 21st Century Fund members awarded the 2022 grant to Mercy Flight Inc. The award will enhance Mercy Flight’s lifesaving air ambulances by allowing their team to rely on instrument readings rather than solely on visual cues, thereby decreasing travel time and increasing positive patient outcomes. This project will install specialized equipment at four strategic locations: Wyoming County Community Hospital (Warsaw), Olean General Hospital (Olean), Bertrand Chaffee Hospital (Springville) and Medina Memorial Hospital (Medina), creating a service area that includes rural areas of Wyoming, Orleans, Cattaraugus and southern Erie Counties, serving over 500,000 residents.

All funds cont.

Rose M. Bridwell Bequest

BRI-NK Foundation

Barbara C. and Edward M. Brink Fund

Maureen E. Brinkworth

Memorial Scholarship

Agnes Clarke Brown Memorial Scholarship Fund

Jean Knowlton Brown Fund

Jean M. Brown Fund

Henry W. & Martha L. Bruner

Philanthropic Fund

Stanley A. Brzezinski

Memorial Fund

Brzezinski Philanthropic Fund

BTF Make a Dream Come

True Scholarship Fund

Martin A. Buecking Bequest

Buffalo 5/14 Survivors Fund

Buffalo Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Endowment Fund

Buffalo Audubon Endowment Fund

Buffalo Bills Social Justice Fund

Buffalo City Mission Fund

Buffalo Eye Bank Foundation

Endowment Fund

Buffalo Forward Foundation

Buffalo Green Fund

Buffalo Green Fund –Moscicki Fund

Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park Fund

Buffalo Niagara Manufacturing

Alliance Scholarship Fund

Buffalo Olmsted Parks

Conservancy Fund

Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra

Permanent Endowment Fund

Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra

Society Endowment Fund

Buffalo Prep Endowment Fund

Buffalo Renaissance Foundation Endowment

Buffalo Rotary Foundation Fund

Buffalo Seminary

Alumnae Association

Buffalo Seminary Board

Designated Investment Fund

Buffalo Seminary Brown Funds

Buffalo Seminary Core Investment Fund

Buffalo Seminary Historic Dollar Value Preservation Fund

Buffalo Seminary Carin Wyckoff

Phillips ‘51 Scholarship Fund

Buffalo Together Community Response Fund (BTCRF)

Buffalo Yacht Club Fund

Built to Play Fund

Joseph E. Buran Music Fund

Burtsell-Steuernagel

Memorial Fund

Michael R. Butler & Glenys

Maschoff Butler Fund

Walter L. Byram Bequest

Callan Family Scholarship Fund

Christopher Callan Memorial Scholarship Fund

Calpin Family Fund

Jerry and Liz Canada Fund

Elizabeth J. Cappella

Birthday Trust

Cappuccino Family Foundation

Career Aspiration

Scholarship Fund

Cargill Scholarship Fund

Gustaf & Sigrid Carlson

Memorial Fund

Margaret E. Carnahan Bequest

Edna L. Carroll Trust

Mary B. Cassata Library Studies and Information Department Scholarship Fund

S. J. Cassata and Mary B. Cassata Communication Department Scholarship Fund

S. J. Cassata Memorial Scholarship Fund at Depew High School

Jerry and Barbara Castiglia Family Fund

Amico Castiglione Charitable Fund

Leonard M. Castrianno Scholarship Fund

Keith Celniker Memorial Fund

Philip & Joyce Celniker Family Fund

Centennial Changing Needs Endowment Fund

Center for Elder Law and Justice Fund

Center for the Study of Art, Architecture, History and Nature Fund

Eldon H. Chaddock Bequest

Robert J. Chambers, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund

R. Mark Chandley

Scholarship Fund

Clifford C. Chapman Memorial Fund

Dr. Norman Chassin Endowment Fund

Irwin H. Cheskin Fund

Child Care Resource Network

Children’s Programming & Resources Endowment Fund

Willis E. Chilson Memorial Fund

Mark Chowaniec Memorial Fund

Russell C. Christ Jr. Fund

William & Ida Christie Fund for Music

Mary & Robert Chur Healthcare Scholarship Fund

Frances G. Churchill Bequest Fund f.b.o. the Churchill Memorial United Methodist Church

Helen Anderson Cobb Bequest

Velma C. Cobb Scholarship Fund

The Ilka Cohn Fund

The Ilka Cohn Health Fund

Colligan Family Fund

Bronson & Margaret Collins Scholarship Fund

Joanne and Franklyn Collins Fund

Michael Collins and Kathleen O’Leary Charitable Fund

James and Judith Collord Fund

Communities of Giving Legacy Initiative Endowment Fund

Community Impact Fund

Community Owned Resiliency and Empowerment (CORE) Fund

Community Services Support Foundation

Conable Family Foundation Fund

Angela Y. Coniglio Memorial Scholarship Fund

Mildred Bork Conners & Joseph E. Conners Fund

Mildred Bork Conners & Joseph E. Conners Scholarship

Owen D. Connolly Flex Fund

Gerhard A. & Lura L. Cook Educational Fund

Cook Family Foundation

Sonja H. & Carlton P. Cooke Jr. Fund

Joseph & Bernadette S. Corcoran Fund

The Peter C. Cornell Trust

Peter C. Cornell Trust for WNY

Russell E. Corser Fund

Kathryn R. Cottrell Scholarship Fund

Cox-Conant Fund

Joan B. and James L. Crane, Jr. Fund

Beuline Crawford Bequest

Gary M. Crosby Endowed

Scholarship Fund

Betty Crump Fund

Wilma T. Csont Fund

Jeanette Marie Daigler, Aldine M. Tarbell and Alan T. Karcich Scholarship Fund

Damon Family Fund

Mason O. Damon Endowment Fund

Grace Neff Daniels Memorial Fund

Dorothy C. Darlak Memorial Fund

Herbert F. & Bertha W. Darling Trust

Louis R. Davidson Bequest

Ethel M.C. Davis

Scholarship Fund

Madeline Davis LGBT Archives Endowment Fund

The D-B Trust

Eaton Deabold Scholarship Fund

Deaconess Hospital Nurses Alumni Fund

James and Ethel DeAmesy Fund

Decillis Family

Philanthropic Fund

Clotilde Perez-Bode Dedecker & Adrian F. Dedecker III

Centennial Endowment

Members of the Communities of Giving Legacy Initiative Council attended the Pay It Forward Awards in November.

Clotilde Perez-Bode Dedecker Change Maker Fund

Clotilde Perez-Bode Dedecker

Say Yes Forever Fund

Dedrick Family Foundation

Eugene A. DeFelice, M.D. & Maryanne Harvey Fund

Elizabeth Deichman Fund

Elizabeth Deichman Fund f.b.o. Buffalo Animal Shelter

DeLaVergne Family Fund

M. Dolores Denman Fund for Community Needs

Heather J. DePaolo-Johnny Memorial Fund

DePerno Family Fund

Derby Fund

Detwiler Family Changing Needs Fund

Virginia Deuel Memorial Fund

Loraine Altro Dietz

Scholarship Fund

Alfred H. & Irene N. Dobrak Trust

David Donald Fund

Holly Augspurger

Donaldson Fund

Dopkins Philanthropic Fund

Stu & Nancy Dorfman Foundation

Jeffrey T. and Jeanne R. Dorn Fund

Paul P. Dosberg University of Pennsylvania Scholarship

Paul P. Dosberg Charitable Fund – Endowed

Pictured here, from left: Oluwole (OJ) McFoy, Ruth D. Bryant, Dr. Danis J. Gehl, Robert Lowery and Oswaldo Mestre.

All funds cont.

Paul P. Dosberg Charitable Fund – Non-Endowed

Francis P. Douglas Memorial Fund

Henry and Constance Drew Foundation for Children

Jerome Dreyfuss

Scholarship Fund

Peter Dominik, Helen & Paul

Leon Drumsta Memorial Fund

Charles G. Duffy Jr. and Virginia

Leahy Duffy Scholarship Fund

Drs. Bonita R. & Henry J. Durand Fund

Eagan Family Endowment Fund

East Side Collaborative Fund

Eastern Niagara Fund

Ross & Mary Alice Eckert Fund

Mary Alice and Ross Jay Eckert Fund

Dr. Kenneth H. Sr. & Marjorie B. Eckhert Fund

ECMC Lifeline Fund

Economic Self-Sufficiency Endowment Fund

Eden Community Foundation

EHS, Inc. Reserve Fund

Darwin E. & Evelyn E. Ellis Fund

Pauline Ellis Scholarship Fund

Marjorie & Mary Louise

Emerson Bequest

Christine Holly Emery Scholarship Fund

Esther Link Emig Fund

Empire of America Federal Savings Bank Scholarship Fund

Barbara Ennis Endowment Fund

Erie County SPCA Fund

Herman G. & Emma A. Ernst Fund

Herman G. and Emma A. Ernst Fund for Catholic Charities

Josephine & Michael Ervolina Charitable Fund

Evans Bank Foundation Fund

Everywoman Legacy

Fagin Family Foundation

Fair Buffalo Fund

The Evelyn Falk Fund for the North Collins School District

Derek Falkenbach Scholarship Fund

Family Promise of WNY Endowment Fund

FANA Adoption Support Fund

FANA Scholarship Fund

Emmons B. Farrar Scholarship Fund

June Farrington Fund

Ruth E. Farrington Bequest

Worth L. Farrington Fund

The Celia Lipton Farris & Victor

W. Farris Foundation Home Community Fund

Victor W. Farris Textbook

Scholarship Fund

Theodore S. Fassett

Memorial Fund

Paul S. Feinstein Scholarship Fund

David R. Fendrick Theatre Fund

Peter J. Ferraro Memorial Fund

Edward A. &

Stephanie E. Fial Fund

Robert J. and Martha B. Fierle Scholarship Fund

Anne Catt Filer Fund

First Niagara Foundation in Partnership with Key Bank for WNY Impact Investment Fund

Fischle – Laesser Endowment Fund

G&W Follies Scholarship Fund

George & Lydia Richards Form Endowment Fund

Frank S. Fosdick Scholarship

Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies

M. Florence Fraley Fund in memory of her son, George K. Fraley Jr.

The Philip Frandina Scholarship Fund

Harriet Frank Scholarship Fund

Fay & Fred Friedman Family Foundation Fund

Friends of Night People Endowment Fund

Marjorie D. Frink

Scholarship Fund

Fund for the Arts

Fund for the Environment

The Fund for Nature

Future Growth Fund

Fuzak Family/Joan M. & Victor T. Fuzak Fund

Galbraith Family Fund

Sean P. Galliher Jr.

Scholarship Fund

Kelly Diane Galloway

Legacy Fund

William Paul Ganley

Scholarship Fund

Elizabeth Crosby Gardner Fund

The Community Foundation served as the local host for the 2022 Collaboration of Regional Trail Initiatives, a network of regional trail organizations sharing a desire to better understand some of the challenges they collectively face, and address opportunities to find solutions to increase impact and reach equitable access for all.

Pictured, from left: Charles “Chuck” Flink, President, Greenways Incorporated; Jean McKeown, Vice President, Community Impact, Community Foundation; James “J.J.” Tighe, Director of Parks & Trails Initiative, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation; Davitt Woodwell, President, Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC); and Ba Zan Lin, Associate Vice President, Community Impact, Community Foundation.

Fischle Scholarship Fund

Fischle-Swartney

Scholarship Fund

Fisher Family Fund

Daniel C. and Beatrice M. Fisher Fund

George Byron Fisher Fund

Burt Flickinger Jr.

Leadership Fund

Doris L. Flierl Trust

Garman Family Foundation

Richard and Patricia Garman

Endowment for Lutheran Organizations

Richard and Patricia Garman

Endowment for Outdoor and Environmental Education

Richard and Patricia Garman

Scholarship for East Aurora Union Free High School

In September, high school juniors were honored at a Capstone Ceremony for completing the Communities of Giving Legacy Initiative’s Young Philanthropists (TYP) program, designed to spark curiosity about grantmaking, community impact and philanthropy. After hearing from community leaders and philanthropists in the community, the students also had the opportunity to award two $1,500 grants to community organizations: one to the Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology and one to the Belle Center.

Dr. Alan J. Gross Dental Student Fund

Gross Family Fund

Gordon R. & Gretchen S. Gross Family Fund

Lou and Marv Gross Memorial Fund

Grosvenor Society Endowment Fund

Seth Grosvenor Book and Material Endowment Fund

G. R. S. Fund

Joan Willard Gruen

Philanthropic Fund

Lillian M. Gruener Business Education Scholarship Fund

William J.C. & Louise Grupp Memorial Fund

Ray and Doris Guenter Scholarship Fund

Sam and Cherie Gullo Foundation

Charles & Marion Hahn Fund

HealthNow Healthy Living Fund

Healthy Community Alliance

William J. & Frieda H. Heckelman Memorial Fund

Leo J. Winter & Marie R. Winter Heim Fund

Leo J. Winter & Marie R. Winter Heim Fund II

Ilene N. Hein Fund

Loren Hendrix Memorial Award

William Hengerer Company Fund

Herbst-Miller Family Fund

Heritage Christian Services –

Anne Wolf Quality of Life Fund

Margaret Bierl Herr

Memorial Fund

Jean Bernecky Hess Fund

Herbert A. Hickman Fund

Mildred T. Hill Fund

Harry S. Hilliker Bequest

Helen S. Garms Bequest

Gateway – Longview Future Fund

Stacy Marie Geercken

Scholarship Fund

Gelman-Koessler Foundation

Eleanor M. and Willard A. Genrich Scholarship Fund

George Family Foundation

Joseph G. Giambra

Legacy Fund

J. Giles Foundation

The Anthony H. and Richard E. Gioia Fund

Robert and Sally Gioia Fund

The Gisel Family Fund

GLYS WNY

Peter Gold & Athalie Joy Fund

Norman Goldfarb Award Fund

Nathan Goldin Research Fund

Dena Goldstein Memorial Scholarship Fund

Gondree Family Fund

The Lillian Lewandowski

Gondree Scholarship Fund

Diane J. Goodberry

Memorial Scholarship Fund

William F. Goodson Bequest

Josephine Goodyear Foundation

The Gow School Fund

Grace Foundation

Graham-Kucera

Philanthropic Fund

Joanne Champion Granger Fund

Grassroots Gardens

Legal Defense Fund

Grassroots Gardens J. Milton Zeckhauser Memorial Fund

Graycliff Conservancy Endowment

Great Lakes United Endowment Fund

Greater Buffalo Alumnae

Panhellenic Scholarship Fund

Greater Buffalo Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation Fund

The Wilbert H. Green Jr. Charitable Fund

Greene Family Fund

The Gregory Family Fund

Grelick Family Foundation

Elmer P. Groben Memorial Fund

Thekla R. Groben Bequest

Gronk Nation Youth Foundation

Joan Hetzelt Hanifin Memorial Fund

Rae A. Hanigan Memorial Fund

Leonard L. & Blanche F. Hank Fund

Andrew C. Hansen Scholarship Fund

Daphne Hare Fund

Harvard Summer Community Service Fund

Harvey Family Fund

Dominik Hasek Sports & Scholarship Fund

Hawk Creek Foundation Fund

Health Foundation of Western and Central New York

Philanthropic Fund

HealthNow Healthy Living Endowment Fund

Hispanic Heritage Council’s Ralph R. Hernandez Bilingual Education Scholarship

Hispanic Women’s League Endowment Fund

Historic & Architectural Landmarks Endowment Fund

Carolynne Schutz Hoddick Memorial Campership Fund

Katharine Pingrey Hopkins

Memorial Scholarship Fund

L. Nelson Hopkins Jr. Family Fund

L. Nelson Hopkins, Jr. and Jane D. Hopkins Designated Advised Fund

The Mary Lou Hopkins Fund

The John R. Hotchkin Memorial Endowment Fund

The Houston Family Fund

Pictured, from left: Ruth Bryant, CGLI Chair; Robert Lowery, CGLI Council member; Aaron Hord, Director, Client Relations, Community Foundation; mother of Brian Croom, TYP; Miko Noel, Buffalo Urban League; James Heard, TYP; and Alyssa Wafford, TYP.

All funds cont.

Marie S. and Frederic K. Houston Fund

Dr. Irene Hu and Ronald Chang Scholarship Fund

Jayne & Phil Hubbell Foundation

Margaret Huffman Scholarship Fund

Martin R. Hughson Memorial Fund

Hull House Foundation

Geoffrey Hull Memorial Scholarship

John Hulley & Elizabeth Rydzynski-Hulley Fund

Hulley WNY Changing Needs Fund

H. Reed Hunt Fund

Hurwitz-Kucera Fund

Hutch-Tech Alumni Scholarship Fund

Nick Iannarelli Memorial Fund

Increasing Racial & Ethnic Equity Endowment Fund

Industrial Educational Fund

Ingleside Home Memorial Fund

Theresa Elizabeth Insana

Memorial Scholarship Fund

International Association of Administrative Professionals Scholarship Fund

Mariann Inzinna Camp Good Days & Special Times Fund

Mariann Inzinna Extra Mile Fund

Irish Classical Theatre Company Endowment Fund

Bill and Jean Irr Family Foundation

Irsch Fund

Jacobs Endowment Fund

The Jacobs Foundation

Grover & Isabel James Fund

A. Wesley Johns Fund (as established in the Will of June B. Johns)

D. Bruce and Gail Johnstone Fund

Gail Johnstone Community Leadership Fund

A. David & Heather M. Jones Advisory Fund

Blanche B. Joseph Trust

Jacob G. Joseph Bequest

Jacob G. Joseph Bequest (Camp)

Jacob G. Joseph Bequest –Jewish Federation

The Joy Family Foundation

The William and Anne Joyce Fund

Junior League of Buffalo 1919 Fund

Just Buffalo Literary Center Legacy Fund

Kenneth R. Kahn & Linda Angert Kahn Fund

Linda Angert Kahn & Kenneth R. Kahn Fund

Peter G. Karamanos II Scholarship Fund

Nellie Karlak Scholarship

Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Karsten Scholarship Fund

Ruth M. Keeney Bequest

Howard Kellogg Trust

Kensington High School Alumni Association Fund

George and Nancy Kent Endowment Fund

Jenna Kern Memorial Scholarship Fund

Kevin Guest House Endowment Fund

C. Taylor Kew Memorial Fund

KeyBank Inclusive Economy Fund

Ahmed & Farhana Khan Fund

James William Kideney & Isabel

Houck Kideney Fund

Barbara King & Marion Mabee Memorial Fund

Jane B. Kinkead Community Service Fund

Alfred H. & Emma M. Kirchhofer Fund

Kirchner Family Fund

Kirchner Family Scholarship Fund

Kite Charitable Fund

Kittinger Family Fund

Kiwanis Club of Kensington Fund

Klein Family Foundation

Klein Family Philanthropic Fund

Kleinhans Music Hall Endowment Fund

Albert J. Klinck Memorial Funds

Bruce Klonsky Psychology Scholarship Fund

Charles M. Knapp Educational Memorial Fund

Florence L. Knorl Memorial Kensington High School Scholarship Fund

Howard J. Knorl Scholarship Fund

The Seymour H. Knox Foundation

John T. and Carol V. Kociela Endowment

John and Byron Koekkoek Endowment for Fair Housing Education

John and Byron Koekkoek Fund for Fair Housing Education

In October, Project Play WNY, a youth sports initiative at the Community Foundation and launched by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation to ensure all children in Western New York have the opportunity to be active through sports, named 18 local youth sports coaches to its 2022 Coaches Honor Roll. Those selected exemplify the qualities of a great sports coach who is youth development focused, promotes sportsmanship among their athletes and families and demonstrates leadership within their organization while embodying the values that align with Project Play WNY.

Donald E. Killingbeck Memorial Fund

Louise Kimberly Bequest

Ralph Kimberly Bequest

Kinerk Family Fund

Madeline A. Kraft Bequest

Leslie Shuman Kramer Lion of Judah Endowment

Kreher Family Fund

Howard G. Kreiner Bequest

Krieger Family Fund

Albert P. & Maryon C. Krueger Fund

Kucera – Graham Family Foundation

L414 Children’s Memorial Fund

Columbus McKinnon Herbert P.

Ladds Jr. Scholarship Fund

Allen & Lillian Laese

Memorial Fund

Allen & Lillian Laese

Scholarship Fund

The LaFalce Foundation

Lafayette High School

Scholarship Fund

Dr. Harry G. LaForge Bequest

Laird Family Foundation

Raymond and Maryann Laks Foundation

Harry H. Lang, Jr. Staff

Scholarship Fund

Langley Family Fund

Frank P. Langley Jr. Fund

Edith Haake Lankler

Scholarship

Janet K. Larkin & John D. Larkin III Fund

Wilfred and Joan Larson Fund

Albert H. Laub Bequest

Robert and Tammy Laughlin Fund

Howard C. Laverack Bequest

Lawley Insurance

Scholarship Fund

Edmond & Margaretha

Lawrence Fund

Leadership Buffalo Legacy Fund

David & Marie Leamy

Endowed Fund

Legacy II Fund

Hubert George & Alice Shyne

Leising Fund

Sally S. Lenahan Bequest

Edward H. Letchworth Bequest

Edward H. Letchworth

Memorial Fund

Mrs. Rosemary LoDestro Lett

Memorial Fund

Lewis Family Fund

Barbara Wirtner Liberatore Fund

Library Foundation of Buffalo & Erie County Anonymous Donor

Endowment Fund

Library Foundation of Buffalo & Erie County, Inc. Fund

Library Foundation of Buffalo & Erie County, Inc. Permanent Endowment Fund

Life Storage Foundation

For A Better WNY

Olga Murray Lindberg –

National League of American

Pen Women Scholarship Fund

Lions Blind & Charity Fund

Andrée and Joel Lippes

The Stanford and Judith C.

Lipsey Capital Endowment Fund

Stanford Lipsey Fund

L.K.P. Trust

Lockport Public Library Endowment Fund

Lockport Public Library

Endowment Fund –

Andrews Fund

Locust Street Art Classes

Forever Foundation

Phillip C. and Josephine

R. Saglibene-Lombardo

Endowment Fund

Jo Ann Long Charitable Fund

William F. Long Fund

William and Janet Long Fund

Long Pond Fund

Maria M. Love Endowment Fund

Maria M. Love Long-Term Fund

George and Teresa Lukis Family Fund

Edward P. Lupfer

Memorial Scholarship

Lutheran Charities of Western New York Endowment Fund

Lutheran Foundation of Western New York Endowment Fund

Sam Lux Fund

Katherine & John MacDonald Foundation

Norman E. Mack II Fund

The Maclay Family Foundation

R & J Magavern Fund

Samuel D. Magavern Fund

Make a Difference – UB MSW Scholarship

Antoinette Malanowicz Fund for Cancer Research

Anthony D. Mancinelli Fund

Horace L. Mann Memorial Fund

The MaRK Foundation

Julia W. Marks Fund

Marie A. Marshall Fund

Martin House Endowment Fund

Mabel Mason Fund

Katherine “Kat” Massey Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Mathews Family Fund

Arlene & Ruth Mathews Fund

The Maverick Foundation

Raymond F. May, M.D. Memorial Scholarship Fund

McBride Veterinary Scholarship Fund

Belton & Mabel McCarley Scholarship Fund

Cara Matteliano, Senior Director, Policy and Strategic Partnerships, Community Foundation (pictured third from right) and advocates join a press conference to create more awareness of the dangers of childhood lead poisoning during Lead Awareness Week. The Community Foundation has been working with cross-sector community partners to reduce childhood lead poisoning since 2008.

Lilla B. McCready Bequest

The Michael J. McDermid Exemplary Citizenship Fund for the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site Foundation

Heather A. McGowan Scholarship Fund

Frank and Donna McGuire Fund

Jean “Gigi” McKeown

Community Service Endowment Fund

Stephen C. McKinney Scholarship Fund

Grace Fallon & Rapier Hayden McMenamy Fund

Arthur J., Alice M. & Dr. James McMullen Memorial Fund

The Marilyn Gohr McTaggart Reveal Fund

Barbara T. Meech & Robert B. Meech Fund

Joseph and Riva Mehr Fund

Robert H. & Rita Meier

Memorial Scholarship Fund

Melson Fund

Frank Mesiah Family Legacy Fund

Ida M. Mevius Bequest

MIBBS Fund

Middlebury Historical Society Fund

Thomas F. Miklejn Scholarship Fund

Benjamin Milak Memorial Scholarship Fund

Military & Veterans Fund

Thomas and Jennie Militello Family Foundation

Dr. Gustave P. Milkey & Janet B. Milkey Fund

Alice Greger Miller Memorial Fund

All funds cont.

Lloyd A. Miller Scholarship Fund

Susan & Richard Minekime

Family Fund

Sperry W. Miner Bequest

Amos J. & Leigh Hunt Minkel

Memorial Student Fund

Minority Bar Foundation Fund

Marcella & Felix Mioducki Fund

Mitchell Family

Philanthropic Fund

The MJA Wildlife Fund

MJH Fund

Edward H. Moeller

Scholarship Fund

Mildred Moffat Bequest

Carol and Carl Montante Fund

Albertine K. Moran Fund

Richard H. Morse Fund

Mothers’ Club of Buffalo Scholarship Fund

MPZ Endowment Fund

The Michael E. and Lorrie

Chamberlain Munschauer

Centennial Fund

Dr. Carol A. Munschauer

Charitable Foundation

Sarah & Richard Munschauer Fund

Muto Charitable Fund

The Myszka Family Fund

Nativity Fund

NativityMiguel Middle School of Buffalo Fund

Henry M., Patricia A. & Mary Brainard Naylon Bequest

Robert B. Newcomb Trust

Jon Newman Memorial Scholarship Fund

The NFJC of WNY Fund

Niagara Area Foundation Endowment Fund

Niagara Education

Foundation Fund

Fund for Niagara Hospice

Niagara Relicensing

Environmental Coalition Fund

The Rosa L. and LaMarr

Norman, Sr. Education Fund

Normandy Fund

Robert and Marion North Fund

North Park Lutheran Church Fund

NTHS Alliance for Higher Education & Development Fund

NYSUT Memorial Scholarship

Fund for the Buffalo Victims and Families

The O’Neil-White Family Fund

The John R. Oishei Foundation

Scholarship Program Fund

Nathalie Hawthorne

Olena Bequest

Elsie & Eugene Oliver

Memorial Scholarship Trust

Mary Louise Olmsted Fund

O’Loughlin Charitable Fund

Open4 Fund

Open Key Fund

Operation Dinner Out Fund

Orchard Park Lions Club

Trust Fund

Orchard Park Public Library

Endowment Fund

Robert Oristaglio

Humanitarian Award

Pearl B. & J. Lawrence Osborne

Memorial Fund

Our Lady of Lebanon

FundJames R. Owen Scholar/ Athlete Cross Country Award Scholarship

The Park School

Foundation of Buffalo

Patricia L. Parkinson

Scholarship Fund

Vivian E. Pater Memorial Scholarship

People Inc. Foundation Endowment Fund

People Inc. Foundation Support Fund

The Perelandra Fund

J. Warren Perry & Charles

Donald Perry Memorial Trust

Michael J. Perry Scholarship Fund

Pet Emergency Endowment Fund

The Peter and Tommy Fund

Hanna Peters Trust

Norma E. Pfeifer Fund

PFLAG Buffalo/Niagara Endowment Fund

Albert & Mildred Pfrender Bequest

Phillips Lytle Foundation

Alexander & Irene Phillips

Scholarship Fund

Pickburn Memorial Fund for Wildlife

Frederick S. & Phyllis W. Pierce Family Fund

Pieroni Greco Family Fund

Pinto Foundation Fund

Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York Fund

Polish Arts Club of Buffalo Endowment Fund

Benny J. Polizzi Memorial Award Fund

Edwin Polokoff Fund

Georgina Polokoff Fund

Braman Pomeroy Trust

In October, the William F. Thiel Trust at the Community Foundation, the Thiel Roundtable members and the Wyoming Foundation hosted the Wyoming County Care Coordination Summit. The event featured several speakers on the topic of “Alternative Therapies to Wellness.”

Pictured, from left: Renee Cadzow, Ph.D., Associate Professor, D’Youville University; Jonathan Hoose, Program Officer, Community Foundation; Scott Gardner, Chair, Thiel Roundtable; and Darren Penoyer, Director, Community Impact, Community Foundation.

Donald A. Pause Fund

Lois and Thomas Pause

Charitable Fund

Norma & Samuel Payne Fund

Gretchen Rand Penney Bequest

The Ralph F. Peo Fund

Horace B. Pomeroy Fund

Edgar F. Pope Scholarship Fund

Positive Youth Development

Philanthropic Fund

David C. Prahler Baseball Scholarship

Susan Harvey Prentis Fund

Preservation Buffalo

Niagara, Inc. Fund

Professional Engineers Fund

David and Molly Quackenbush Fund

Lawrence Quinn Fund

Marnie Currie Quinones

Scholarship Fund

Mary A. Hodson & Josephine

E. Radziwon Memorial

Scholarship Fund

Raina Family Fund

Elizabeth A. Rambo Bequest

George F. Rand Bequest

Mr. & Mrs. George F. Rand Memorial Fund

George F. & Isabel W. Rand Memorial Fund

Rare Book and Special Collections Endowment Fund

Gregory K. Raynor Memorial Fund

Read to Succeed Buffalo Endowment Fund

Reed Family Fund

Gerald F. and Karen Reger

Centennial Changing Needs Endowment

Gerald F. and Karen Reger

Family Foundation

Douglas L. Rehlaender Trust

Reilly Family Foundation

Patrick Reilly Foundation

Ruth B. Reinhardt Memorial

Scholarship Fund

Eugene T. Reville Memorial Scholarship Fund

Charles Elbert Rhodes

Scholarship Bequest

Molly & Luke Rich Mental Health Fund

Sara B. Richmond Scholarship Fund

Mr. & Mrs. Raymond J. Riefler Memorial Fund

Mr. & Mrs. Raymond J. Riefler

Scholarship Fund

Mary N. Riggs Library Fund

Charles and Alice Rolland

Scholarship Fund

Arthur H. & Olga M. Rosche

Environmental Education Fund

The Sylvia L. Rosen

Philanthropic Fund

Ross Family Fund

Elizabeth Pierce Olmsted

Ross Fund

Natalie Kubera Roth Fund

Natalie Kubera Roth Fund for the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra

Andrew J. Rudnick Fund

Rudzinski Family Foundation

Jane Ruff Memorial Fund

Rumsey Fund

The Rung Family Foundation

Rupp Scholarship Award Fund

Rural Outreach Center (ROC)

Michael W. Russell Fund

The Nelson Russell Memorial Fund

C. Gordon Ryther Memorial Scholarship Fund

Axel Sack Memorial Fund

Salem UCC Endowment Fund

Salem UCC Reserves Fund

John P. Samson Memorial Fund

Sandstone Trust

Howard T. Saperston Sr. Trust

Philip S. Savage Trust

Savarino Community Investment Fund

Estelle Sawyer Writing Award

Say Yes Buffalo Endowment Fund

Say Yes Buffalo Scholarship Fund

Carmelo A. and Lynn L. Scaccia Fund

C. Edgar & Roberta S. Schabacker Trust

Scharf-Van Heusen Fund

Mr. and Mrs. George Schaumleffel Scholarship Fund

Alan and Michele Scheff Family Fund

Hy & Marjorie Scheff Foundation

Stuart Scheff and Lori Morreale Philanthropic Fund

Edward C. Schlenker Trust

Harley J. & Alice M. Schlieder Scholarship

Ruth and Darwin Schmitt Fund

Schneider Family Fund

Norman A. Schoell Charitable

Fdtn Inc. Philanthropic Scholarship Fund

Norman A. Schoell Scholarship Fund

Alfred H. Schoellkopf-Elizabeth

Pierce Olmsted, M.D. Center for the Visually Impaired

Alfred H. Schoellkopf-Roswell Park

Emmie F. Schoellkopf Fund

Jacob F. Schoellkopf-Jefferson Penn Fund

The Jacob F. Schoellkopf Trust for the University of Buffalo

Jacob F. & Wilma S. Schoellkopf Foundation Fund

Jacob F. and Wilma S. Schoellkopf Trust

J.F. Schoellkopf Jr. Bequest

J.F. Schoellkopf IV Memorial Fund

Judith Abbott Schoellkopf Fund

Judith Abbott Schoellkopf Memorial Fund

Walter H. Schoellkopf Memorial Fund

In June, members of the Greater Buffalo Racial Equity Roundtable who are part of CFLeads’ Economic Mobility Action Network (EMAN) cohort traveled to Evanston, Illinois, for a convening.

The group is made up of six community foundation teams who come together to advance economic mobility in their communities by facilitating shared learning and understanding, identifying content expertise to help deepen the knowledge of members of the cohort and creating a safe space for community foundations to learn from each other.

Pictured, from left: Maria Whyte, Chief Community Impact Officer/Chief of Staff; David Rust, Chief Executive Officer, Say Yes Buffalo; Betsy Constantine, Executive Vice President/incoming President/CEO; Felicia Beard, Senior Director, Racial Equity Initiatives; and Clotilde Perez-Bode Dedecker, President/CEO.

A collaboration of local philanthropic organizations, the WNY COVID-19 Community Response Fund was created to respond to our region’s needs during the pandemic. The Fund’s Moving Forward Together initiative is a collective effort among approximately a dozen funders, including the Community Foundation, that is funding solutions to address long-standing issues and strengthen key systems.

In September, one of the Fund’s Moving Forward Together initiatives, Food Future WNY, unveiled its final report following an 18-month community-focused, regionally coordinated planning process led by SCALE. The report articulates a vision for a regional food system (including the eight counties of Western New York plus Monroe County) that can achieve resilience, equity, strong economic performance, and reduced food insecurity.

You can view the full report here: foodfuturewny.org

All funds cont.

Laura C. Scholl Memorial Fund

Albert G. Schuele

Scholarship Fund

(Albert), Maude & Marion Schuele Memorial Fund

Albert, Maude, & (Marion) Schuele Memorial Fund

The Schultz Family Fund

S & J Schwartz Fund

Richard G. Schwind & Rhoda

Robertson Schwind Fund

D. Sinclair Scott & Dorothy Doane Scott Fund

Dr. & Mrs. Roy E. Seibel

Philanthropic Fund

Melba & Richard Seibold Fund

Irene Klingener Selover Fund

Albert R. & Alma E. Shadle

Endowment Fund

Shakespeare in Delaware Park

Forever Free Fund

Shakespeare in Delaware Park

Forever Free Fund – Board

Restricted

Brenda Kurtz Shelton & Harry C. Shelton Fund

Sherwood Family Fund

Bernard and Carolyn Shilt

Scholarship Fund

Shoemaker Family Foundation

Amy & Ken Shuman Fund

Bernard & Estelle Siegel Fund

Sigma Alpha Nu

Scholarship Fund

Leonard S. Sikora

Scholarship Fund

Silver Lake Institute Fund

Audrey and Lawrence Silverstein Foundation

Marjorie Joyce Simmons

Memorial Medical Fund

Simon Family Foundation

The Thomas K. Singer

Charitable Trust

H. William and Mary B. Sippel Fund

Michele Sirianni Resident Education Fund

SJM3 Fund

Joe & Brett Ski Scholarship Fund

Dr. Barnett A. Slepian

Memorial Fund

Edna Foster Smith Bequest

Gretchen L. & A. Warren Smith

Jr. Changing Needs Fund

A. Warren Smith Jr. & Gretchen

L. Smith Fund

Harris N. Snyder Fund

Society of Financial Service

Professionals Buffalo Chapter

Endowment Fund

The Somers Foundation

Christina M. Sonne Fund

Elizabeth & Mary June

Sonnenberg Scholarship Fund

South Buffalo Community Association

Robert G. Sr. & Loretta L. Spampata Fund for Education

Special Fund #7

Dr. Ralph and Lynn Sperrazza

Family Scholarship

Herman Spiegel & Amanda

Spiegel Memorial Fund

Janet M. Sporleder

Scholarship Fund

Janina B. Staniewicz

Scholarship Fund

Barbara C. Stanikunas

Scholarship Fund

Ronald A. Stanke Foundation

Lucie M. Stanton Memorial Trust

Lucie M. Stanton

Scholarship Fund

Ellsworth M. Statler Trust

Rosemarie C. Steeb

Endowment Fund

Lee Ann Steiner / James A. Bourne Fund

Daunt & Irene Stenzel

Scholarship Fund

The E.W. Dann Stevens Perpetual Endowment Fund

Charles E. Stewart Memorial Fund

Charles F. Stewart Scholarship Fund

Grace & Francis Stewart

Humanities Scholarship

Evelyn Stiem Fund

The Stockton Family Changing Needs Fund

The Stockton Family Fund

Mr. & Mrs. Franz T. Stone Trust

Morton & Joan Stovroff

Children’s Programming

Endowment Fund

Daniel W. Streeter

Memorial Fund

Ralph W. & Jane P. Strobel Memorial Fund

Mark E. Strome

Scholarship Fund

Studio Arena Theatre School Fund

Adele W. & Francis X. Sturner Trust

Judy Summer Library

Endowment Fund

Sustainable Use Fund of WNY

John P. & Lorraine

Altwater Sutkus

Charitable Fund

Swain Family Fund

Thomas Swan Fund

Swanson Community Fund

Joseph & Loretta Swart Fund

Evelyn Swarts Fund

Catherine Swerdloff Bequest

Walter P. Sy, M.D. Scholarship Fund

Richard C.R. Taggesell Fund

Diann R. Takens Endowment Fund

The Talboys Family Fund

Peter G. Taylor Endowment

Ambassador Paul D. Taylor ‘56 Scholarship Fund

Cecil J. Terwilliger Scholarship Fund

Edna M. Theobald Trust

William F. Thiel Trust

Richard E. Thoma, DVM Endowment Fund

Richard E. Thoma, DVM Small Animal Clinical Sciences Fund

Richard E. Thoma, DVM Unrestricted Fund

Lisa Georger Thompson Memorial Fund

Tifft Nature Preserve Fund

Stephen W. Tilton Bequest Fund

Richard Tobe and Susan B.

Tobe Donor Advised Fund

In honor of National Philanthropy Day, which signifies the importance of working together for the common good, the Community Foundation joined other Western New York nonprofits to acknowledge philanthropists whose achievements have made an impact on our community.

We are honored that the WNY COVID-19 Community Response Fund, created to address our region’s needs during the pandemic, was selected as Outstanding Philanthropic Foundation at the 2022 Philanthropy Awards hosted by the local chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP Global). Many of the funders involved in the collective effort attended to accept the award together.

Pictured from left: Beth Gosch, The Western New York Foundation; Carly Strachan, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation; Nora OBrien-Suric, Health Foundation for Western and Central New York; Michael Weiner, United Way of Buffalo & Erie County; Clotilde PerezBode Dedecker, Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo; Tracy Sawicki, The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation; and Curtis W. Robbins, The John R. Oishei Foundation.

Tobin/Filvaroff Family Endowment

Robin & Sharon Tomasula Foundation

Margaret & Glenn Tome

Scholarship Fund

City of Tonawanda Library Endowment Fund

Tops Friendly Markets Art & Music Scholarship

Jim Y. and Emilia M. Tou Foundation

Elinor Townsend Trust

Ethel Vick Wallace Townsend Memorial Fund

Townson Family Foundation

Eleanor R. Treiber Art Scholarship Fund

Trinity Episcopal Church of Buffalo Fund

Trocaire College Endowment Fund

Turin Fund

Dr. Clarence A. Tyler Scholarship Fund

Jim & Donna Tyrpak Family Fund

United Fund of Orleans County

United Way of Buffalo & Erie County Endowment

United Way Human Services Fund

Urban Christian Ministries Fund

Marjorie and Charles Van Arsdale Family Fund

Marjorie Z. Van Arsdale Fund

William L. Van Schoonhoven Fund

Blanch H. Van Valkenburgh Scholarship Fund

Variety Club Foundation Fund

Verizon Media Community Benefit Fund for Lockport

Verizon Media Community Benefit Fund for Niagara County –Empire State Development

Gertrude Angert Victor Child Development Fund

Amy J. Vilz Fund

James W. Vogel Memorial Scholarship Fund

All funds cont.

Vogt Family Foundation

Vogt Family Foundation

Fund for WNY

Frederick A. Vogt Scholarship Fund

Wadsworth Fund

The James and Michal Wadsworth Fund

Wagner Family Fund

Carol G. Wagner Fund for Historic Research & Preservation

Norman F. Walawender Fund

Aaron Matthew Waldeck

Scholarship Fund

Elizabeth DeWees Walker

Scholarship Fund

Helen V. Walker Bequest

William B. Walsh Trust Fund

Kuang Mei Wang Fund

Margaret M. Ward Bequest

The Ward Family Fund

Dr. Paul L. Warner Memorial

Chemistry Award

Edward and Kathleen Warnke Foundation

Eileen and Rupert Warren Charitable Fund

Watson Billings Family Foundation

Evelyn T. Watson Fund for the Promotion and Advancement of “Historical Phases of Prophetic Teaching”

Frieda W. Waugh Memorial Fund

Frieda W. Waugh Memorial Student Fund

Monica M. Weidenbach Memorial Scholarship Fund

Gary Weidman Fund

The Weiss Family Fund

Bernard D. Welt & Ida Z. Welt Fund

Western New York Land Conservancy Endowment Fund

Western New York Rural Area Health Education Center Fund

Spc. Blake D. Whipple Memorial Award

Spc. Blake D. Whipple Memorial Scholarship

Charlotte Potter Whitcher Trust

Alyne D. White Bequest

Fern J. White & Neva A. Jackling Scholarship Fund

Fred H. & Lorene L. White Fund

Betty Ball Wilder Fund

William and Betty Wilder Scholarship Fund

Dorothy Barrow Wilding Fund

James Wilding Fund

Walter Wiles Charitable Fund

Henrietta M. Wiley Bequest

Wilson Free Library Forever Friends Endowment Fund

Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation Endowment Fund for the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Wish Gift program to benefit Hunter’s Hope Foundation

Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation Explore and More Endowed Fund

Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation Fund to benefit Western New York Amateur Football Alliance

Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation Inclusive Arts & Culture Initiative

Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Fund for Caregivers

Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Trails Endowment for Western New York

Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy

Tom and Diana Witkowski Endowment Fund

WNY COVID-19 Community Response Fund – Moving Forward Together

WNY MEET Fund

WNY Women’s Foundation

Dick Wohler Hutch-Tech Professional Engineering Scholarship

Paul Wojtaszek Scholarship Fund

Genevieve Wojtusiak Fund

Polly Rumsey Wolfe Fund

Wyoming County Medical & Nursing Scholarships

Wyoming Foundation Endowment Fund

Wyoming Free Library Fund

Lucinda Yang Scholarship Fund

YMCA Buffalo Niagara Agency Endowment Fund

Youngstown Free Library Foundation

YouthTime

YWCA of Niagara Fund

YWCA of Niagara

Ruth N. Downes Fund for Domestic Violence

In February, a new landlord loan fund was announced that adds to the resources available for landlords to ensure they provide healthy housing for tenants and protect children from lead poisoning.

Pictured, from left: Thomas Beauford, Jr., President and CEO of Buffalo Urban League; City of Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown; Kerry Quaglia, Chief Executive Officer of Home HeadQuarters; Chi-Chi Owunwanne, Corporate Responsibility Officer, KeyBank; Royce Woods, Vice President of Community Development, Evans Bank; Cara Matteliano, Senior Director, Policy and Strategic Partnerships, Community Foundation; Reverend Kinzer Pointer, Pastor, Agape Fellowship Baptist Church; and Katie O’Connor, Western New York Regional CRA Officer, M&T Bank.

Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Fund for Community Assets

Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Fund for the Community Foundation

Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Fund for Design and Access

Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Fund for Youth Sports

Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Park Endowment Fund

YWCA of Niagara Munk/Human Memorial Scholarship Trust

David Zapfel Charitable Fund

Gustav & Grete M.

Zimmer Bequest

Laurette Zwelling Fund

2022 contributors and funding partners

These individuals contributed $1,000 or more in 2022.

Anonymous (5)

Mrs. Lucie Marie and Mr. Keith Albee

Renee Alexander

Mr. James and Mrs. Kristin Allen

Dr. Tamara Alsace

Mr. Richard W. Alt and Ms. Donna Marie Portale

American Endowment Foundation

American Institute of Architects (AIA) Buffalo/WNY, Inc.

Mr. Stuart and Mrs. Joyce Angert

Angle Foundation of NY

Antares Capital LP

Mr. Richard Arena, Sr. and Mrs. Anne Sweeney-Arena

Mr. & Mrs. Stephen C. Ash

AssetMark Trust Company

Dr. Fred Atkins and Mrs. Mary Ervolina

Avangrid Foundation, Inc.

John T. Bair

The Cameron and Jane Baird Foundation

Mr. Charles E. Balbach

Jennifer Balbach

Bank of America

Charitable Foundation

Mr. Charles and Mrs. Allene Barans

Ms. Melissa Baumgart

Henry and Susan Beamer

Mr. Dean Bellack

Mr. John W. Benedict

Benevity Community Impact

Bennett Alumni Association, Inc.

Mr. Marland and Mrs. Ruth Berdick

The Blackbaud

Giving Fund/YourCause

David and Peggy Blesy

Mr. Robert Bojdak and Ms. Sarah Williams

Mrs. Eleftheria Boubaris

Mr. Phillip and Mrs. Judith Brothman

Mr. Keirn C. Brown, Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. Henry W. Bruner

Ruth D. Bryant

Mrs. Mary Ann Budin

Buffalo & Erie County

Botanical Gardens

Buffalo Bills

Buffalo Bills Foundation

The Buffalo Club

Buffalo Prep

David J. Colligan, Esq.

Columbus Foundation

Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan

Dr. Elizabeth B. Conant*

Mr. Angelo F. Coniglio

Betsy Constantine

The Cravens Foundation

Mr. Gary Crosby

Crossroads Lutheran Church

Ms. C. Elizabeth Crump

Buffalo Renaissance Foundation, Inc.

The Buffalo Seminary

Kathleen Buran

California Community Foundation

Mrs. Corinne Elliott Carter

Mr. Wesley T. and Mrs. Jessie M. Carter

Casey Family Programs

Mr. Raymond and Mrs. Alicia Castiglione

Ms. Christina Casto

Mr. Philip and Mrs. Joyce Celniker

Central New York Community Foundation

Charities Aid Foundation America

Chautauqua Region Community Foundation Inc

Mr. Joseph and Mrs. Helene Chazan

Chur Family Foundation

Mr. James and Mrs. Martha Cipriani

The Cleveland Foundation

Cullen Foundation

James H. Cummings Foundation, Inc.

Ms. Laurie Dann and Mr. Tom C. Hunt

Jason Davis

Deaconess Alumnae Association

Adrian F. & Clotilde

Perez-Bode Dedecker

Paul and Eden Dedrick

Charitable Lead Annuity Trust

Delaware North Companies, Inc.

Community Foundation Board member Dr. Tamara Alsace (center) talks with former CGLI Council members Karen Lee Spaulding (left) and Dr. Anne Saldanha at the CGLI’s Pay It Forward Awards.

CLIENT STORY:

FRIENDS OF NIGHT PEOPLE

For more than 50 years, Friends of Night People has served as a beacon of hope in our community. Starting out as an organization that served coffee at night to those in need on Chippewa Street, it has evolved since to provide food and necessities to address the effects and impact of poverty across Buffalo.

“Over the past 15 years, we’ve gone from a feeding program at one site within our four walls to helping really distribute hot meals and other items related to poverty and homelessness across the east and west sides of Buffalo, but never losing sight of those individuals who are homeless and really need our services the most,” explained Joseph Heary, Executive Director of Friends of Night People.

“Our hope is that everybody is treated equally and fairly and they’re given the dignity that everybody deserves.”

Today, that focus is to assist people who experience homelessness and hunger reestablish themselves in the community, helping them to get personal identification, have a place to get mail, take showers, wash laundry, and work with case workers to do housing or job searches, apply for public benefits and more.

As Friends of Night People expanded the number of people it served and contributions from generous individuals increased, it turned to the Community Foundation to establish the Friends of Night People Endowment Fund. “The endowment allows us to leverage our resources with

the knowledge and skills at the Community Foundation, and to best manage these assets so Friends of Night People can grow and continue to positively impact the community,” noted Joseph.

As a relatively small organization with limited staffing, he appreciates that the Community Foundation takes care of some of the fiduciary responsibilities for Friends of Night People, as well as provides outreach and trainings to help fine tune the skills of the staff so that they can better steward its mission.

“The endowment at the Community Foundation has allowed us to really help ensure the stability and longevity of the organization for many years to come,” Joseph said.

Joseph Heary, Friends of Night People Executive Director

2022 contributors and funding partners cont.

Ms. Mary Lou Detwiler

Dion’s Dreamers

The Jones Doherty Foundation

Dopkins & Company, LLP

Mr. Peter and Mrs. Miriam Dow

Dr. Bonita Durand

Ross and Mary Alice Eckert

Eden Community Foundation, Inc.

El Paso Community Foundation

EMS Group Insurance Agencies, LLC

Erie-Niagara Chapter of the NYS Society of Professional Engineers

Mr. Michael and Mrs. Ann Marie Ervolina

Ms. Susan Ervolina

Kevin and Jennifer Ess

Mrs. Joan Ess

Ms. Xandra Ess

F.E. Munschauer

Family Foundation

Family Promise of Western New York

The Celia Lipton & Victor W. Farris Foundation

Mary A. Ferguson

Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund

Robert J. & Martha B. Fierle Foundation

Steve and Lillian Finch

First Niagara Foundation

Fiserv

Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies

The Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies c/o

Michael Cohen Fund

Mrs. Deborah Fox-Hahn

Mr. Kenneth and Mrs. Donna Franasiak

Lawrence and Deborah Franco

Mr. Paul Friedman

Friends of Night People

Ms. Dottie Gallagher

Dennis J. Galucki

Ms. Gwendolyn G. Garr

Joseph and Anna

Gartner Foundation

Mr. Scott and Dr. Danis J. Gehl

Ms. Karla General and Ms. Josie Raphaelito

Mr. Edwin and Mrs. Helen Gibson

M. McCormack Gisel and W. Gisel Family Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. William G. Gisel, Jr.

Mr. Michael Gnacinski

Mr. Peter Gold and Dr. Athalie Joy

Dr. Samuel Goodloe, Jr.

Goodway Cares

The Gow School

Dr. Susan P. Graham & Dr. Jon C. Kucera

Dr. Ellen Grant

Grassroots Gardens of WNY

Graycliff Conservancy, Inc.

Mrs. Ami A. Greatbatch

Greater Washington Community Foundation

Wilbert H. Green, Jr.*

Pete Grum

Ms. Amy Habib Rittling

Harter, Secrest & Emery LLP

Harvard Business School

Club of Buffalo

Health Foundation of Western and Central New York

Dr. Susan Hendricks

John and Sarah Henry Charitable Fund

Heritage Christian Services Foundation

Herne Law, PLLC

Owen Herne and Lisa Manchester

Mrs. Jean Hess

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York

Hon. Kathleen and Mr. William Hochul

Hockey Western New York LLC

The Hogan Family Trust

Housing Opportunities

Made Equal (HOME)

Mrs. Marie Houston

Hull House Foundation

Ms. Carolyn Human

Mr. Roger Hungerford and Ms. Linda Limina

Hunt Charitable Foundation

Dr. Salvatore and Mrs. Ellen Illuzzi

Imagine for Youth Foundation

Independent Health Foundation

Irr Supply Centers, Inc.

Alice and Jerry Jacobs, Jr.

Ms. Anne Jalali

Cheryl A. Jankowski, CPA

Mr. Robert Johnson

JPMorgan Chase & Co

Junior League of Buffalo, Inc.

Dr. Kenneth and Mrs. Linda Kahn

Mr. Emil Karcich

Kataly Foundation

Jeffrey and Susan Katz

Mr. Tarik Kawi

Nancy Kent*

Kevin Guest House

Key Bank Foundation

Mildred Kieffer*

Steve & Paula Kieffer

Kleinhans Music Hall

Landsman Development Corp.

Harry H. Lang, Jr.*

Lawley Insurance Inc.

Myra Lawrence

Ms. Linda Lazzaro

Patrick P. Lee Foundation

Mr. Marquel Lee

Mrs. Cindy Abbott Letro

Lisa Lewis

Life Storage Inc.

Bruno Lombardo

Lynch Park Associates, Inc.

M & T Charitable Foundation

Anthony D. Mancinelli*

Martin House Restoration Corporation

Tony and Kate Masiello

Ruth Mathews

Mr. Gerard Mazurkiewicz

McAuley Ministries

Dr. Keith F. McBride*

Ms. Jean McKeown

Ms. Anne M. Meilhede

Merrill Lynch

The Wayne & Patricia Mertz

Charitable Fund

Mid-America Football Officials Association

In September, members of the Greater Buffalo Racial Equity Roundtable met at the Northland Workforce Training Center for an all-day advance. It was the first time the group was able to come together in person since before the pandemic.

The day was an opportunity for members to acknowledge the accomplishments of the past few years, as well as reflect on lessons learned and discuss the Roundtable’s work going forward.

2022 contributors and funding partners cont.

Jock & Betsy Mitchell

Mr. Gary and Mrs. Carolyn Mucci

Michael & Lorrie Munschauer

Ms. Sally Murphy

Mrs. Kathleen Murray

Mrs. Rosanne Muto

Kenneth Myszka Charitable

Lead Annuity Trust

Mr. William Nannen

Mr. Anthony Nash

Ms. Margaret Nash

Mrs. Teresa Nash

National Grid

NativityMiguel Middle School of Buffalo

Nestle Purina PetCare Company

New York Foundation

New York State Health Foundation

Northwest Charitable Foundation Inc.

The John R. Oishei Foundation

Marion Osborn Charitable Lead Trust

James R. Owen*

PayPal Giving Fund

Mr. Richard and Mrs. Karen Penfold

Phillips Lytle LLP

Ms. Katharine Pierce

Mrs. Priya Pinto

Polish Arts Club of Buffalo

Mr. Lawrence Quinn

Ms. Alicia Quinones

R&P Oak Hill LLC

Mr. Nagendra and Mrs. Susan Raina

Rand & Jones Enterprises

Dr. J. Thomas and Mrs. Mary Reagan

Red Top Foundation

Rich Family Foundation, Inc.

Rite Aid Foundation

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Rochester Area

Community Foundation

Mr. Luis Rodriguez, Jr.

Mr. David and Mrs. Joan Rogers

Dr. Andrew J. Rudnick

Dr. Anne L. Saldanha

Salem United Church of Christ, Tonawanda, New York

Mr. Samuel J. Savarino

Dr. Paul and Mrs. Hope Schroy

Drs. Jeffrey and Susan Schwartz

Hon. Rose H. Sconiers

The Mark L. Serventi Family Foundation

Shakespeare in Delaware Park, Inc.

Shawangunk Runners

Mr. Patrick Shea

Brenda K. Shelton*

Mr. Eric M. Shelton, Esq.

Mr. Ken and Dr. Amy Shuman

Mr. David and Mrs. Cynthia Silverstein

Sloan Living Trust

Mr. James Sorrentino

Spaulding Family Foundation

St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute

Gerould R. Stange*

The Starbucks Foundation

State Employees Federated Appeal Niagara Frontier

Dr. Richard A. Stockton, Jr.

Strathman Manor LLC

Mr. Thomas Sweeney

Ms. Suzanne Sykes

Mr. Ronald and Mrs. Margaret Talboys

Mrs. Patricia Tufillaro

Two Lights Foundation

Uniland Development Corporation

United Way For Western Orleans County Inc.

United Way of Buffalo & Erie County

Mr. George VanArsdale and Ms. Elizabeth Osta

Mrs. Sandra Vedovato

Mr. Nils Vigeland

Ms. Jeanne Vilz

Mr. Paul Vukelic and Ms. Amy Vossen

Walsh Duffield Companies

Mr. John N. Walsh III

Amy Washington

Mr. Peter Weinmann and Mrs. Amelida Ortiz-Weinmann

Mr. Steven and Mrs. Ellen Weiss

The Weissman Family Foundation

Mr. Christopher and Mrs. Barbara Wende

The Margaret L. Wendt Foundation

Western New York Foundation

Dan and Kathy Wiechec

Clotilde Perez-Bode Dedecker and her family at a Community Foundation event at which Clotilde was honored for her visionary leadership and contributions at the Community Foundation before her retirement on December 31, 2022.

Scan the QR code to hear Clotilde’s inspiring words at the end of her tenure at the Community Foundation.

Say Yes Buffalo Scholarship, Inc.

Say Yes to Education

Mr. Carmelo Scaccia

Mr. Robert A. Scharf & Dr. Lawrence Van Heusen

Mr. Alan and Mrs. Michele Scheff

Mrs. Marjorie Scheff

Mr. Stuart Scheff

The Norman A. Schoell Charitable Foundation, Inc.

Dorcas B. Taylor, Ph.D.

Mr. Bruce Thielking

Richard E. Thoma*

Tides Foundation

Mr. Samuel Tilton

Mr. Richard and Mrs. Susan Tobe

Tower Family Fund Inc.

The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation

Town of Cheektowaga

The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation

Tom & Diana Witkowski

WNY Rural AHEC – Western New York Rural Area Health Education Center

Charles E. Wright*

Youngstown Free Library

Zemsky Family Foundation

Mr. Jacob Zimmer

*Deceased

2022 Board Members

ALLEN “PETE” GRUM

HAL D. PAYNE

DAVID J. BLESY

ALEX MONTANTE

MELISSA BAUMGART, CHAIR

DOTTIE GALLAGHER

JOHN N. WALSH, III

GARY CROSBY

OWEN HERNE, ESQ.

AMY HABIB RITTLING, ESQ.

JEFFREY H. KATZ, ESQ.

JENNIFER CHALMERS BALBACH

LAWRENCE C. FRANCO, ESQ.

JOHN F. SOMERS

TAMARA O. ALSACE, PH.D.

HON. ROSE H. SCONIERS

STEVE FINCH

CHERYL A. JANKOWSKI

LUIS RODRIGUEZ

BONITA R. DURAND, PH.D.

ALICE JACOBS, JD

THIS ANNUAL REPORT WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY