Grant Details

It is the mission of the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation to enrich the area in which we live and work. To this end, the Foundation has five primary goals:

1. to be a catalyst for the establishment of endowments to benefit the community both now and in the future;
2. to provide a vehicle for donors' varied interests;
3. to promote local philanthropy;
4. to serve as a steward of funds;
5. to provide leadership and resources in addressing local challenges and opportunities.

Current programs of the NCCF include:

Community Grants Program: This biannual program addresses the most pressing and immediate needs within northern Chautauqua County. These grants are made possible through the generosity of those who have established or who have contributed to an unrestricted fund. In determining the merits and priority of an application, we will give particular consideration to:

• The degree of how the proposed project will potentially benefit the community.
• The capability of the organization and its personnel to achieve the desired results.
• Special consideration will be given to projects that include meaningful collaborations.
• Special consideration will be given to projects that can leverage additional funds, community resources, or both. 

The Northern Chautauqua Environmental Fund: The purpose of the fund is to increase public knowledge of environmental issues in Chautauqua County, particularly those relating to Lake Erie and its watershed. A broad range of educational activities will be funded, including educational events, hands-on educational experiences, stipends for internships and lectures. Research projects are permitted, providing that the research is shared in a useful manner. Priority will be given to applications involving Lake Erie or its watershed. 

Neighborhood Pride Program: Quality of life concerns have always been a priority for the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation. Clean neighborhoods, well-maintained parks, community gardens, and safe, healthy neighborhoods influence how citizens feel about where they live, work and play. NCCF has historically been a proud supporter of Community Pride initiatives and now welcomes the opportunity to work more closely with our neighborhoods through this Neighborhood Pride imitative. 

Neighborhood Pride:

• Encourages cross-sector partnerships among residents, businesses, non-profits and institutions (e.g., schools) within the neighborhood;
• Is generated, led, and executed by residents of the neighborhood to the full extent possible; and,
• Builds on the assets existing in each neighborhood, (including using the skills of residents, involving youth or working with existing neighborhood groups, clubs, etc.) 
• Identify and strengthen neighborhood resources while engaging citizen involvement.  

Community Betterment Fund: DFT Communications has earned a reputation as a strong supporter of the community they serve. In 2001, the Foundation began administering their "DFT Communications/RMM Golf Tournament Community Betterment Fund." Priority will be given to:

• the potential impact and the number of people who benefit;
• programs representing innovative, efficient approaches to serving community needs;
• requests which will assist those citizens whose needs are not being met by existing programs or services;
• those organizations that work cooperatively with other agencies in the community to encourage efficient use of community resources and elimination of duplicated services;
• and projects which promote volunteer participation and citizen involvement. 

Lake Shore Savings' Community Reinvestment Fund: Lake Shore Savings is proud to continue their tradition of Putting People First throughout our communities by awarding a series of Community Reinvestment Grants to help fund vital programs and services to local non-profit organizations. The NCCF is proud to work with Lake Shore Savings on their biannual community grant-making program.

Priority will be given to:

• Community development and investment projects serving the needs of the low to moderate income population or geographies.
• Projects which have the greatest potential impact on the community.
• Projects that will benefit the most number of people.
• Programs representing innovative, efficient approaches to serving community needs.
• Requests which will assist those citizens whose needs are not met by existing programs or services, particularly low to moderate income recipients.
• Projects which promote volunteer participation and citizen involvement.
• Community economic development
• Financial education 

Ripley Community & Heritage Fund: The mission of the Ripley Community & Heritage Fund is to enrich the lives of Ripley residents. To this end, an endowment fund has been established for not-for-profit organizations serving the Ripley community. Grants will be awarded from the fund for projects and programs that support the mission of the Ripley Community & Heritage Fund (RCHF), and that strive to better the lives of Ripley community members. The RCHF will prioritize:

• requests from organizations that are primarily volunteer;
• requests that support historical preservation within Ripley;
• requests that give quantifiable (measurable) results;
• and, requests that demonstrate cooperation among community organizations. 

Silver Creek Irving Heritage Fund: The Silver Creek-Irving Heritage Fund (SCIHF) provides funding to new community initiatives, leadership development and charitable programs that address the most pressing issues within the Silver Creek and Irving community. Their slogan is Remembering Our Past – Securing Our Future”.

Priority will be given to:

• the potential impact and the number of people who would benefit;
• programs representing innovative, efficient approaches to serving community needs;
• requests which will assist those citizens whose needs are not being met by existing programs or services
• those organizations that work cooperatively with other agencies in the community to encourage efficient use of community resources and elimination of duplicated services;
• and projects which promote volunteer participation and citizen involvement. 

Service Learning Mini-Grants Program: Service-Learning is an approach to teaching and learning in which students use academic knowledge and skills to address genuine community needs. Funding is available for projects involving Middle and High School students at any school in northern Chautauqua County. Projects must include a community service component and a related learning component. Funding is available for equipment, materials, technology, transportation, speakers and similar items.