OVERVIEW: The Niagara Area Foundation supports arts, civic needs, community development, education, the environment and health and human services, and youth development in Niagara County, New York.
FUNDING AREAS: Arts, civic needs, community development, education, the environment and health and human services, youth development
IP TAKE: This local funder is particularly interested in youth issues, so try to make any new proposals have a youth-focused angle in its programming.
PROFILE: Established in 2000, the Niagara Area Foundation (NAF) is a locally focused funder that supports the Niagara region of New York. Local community leaders founded it to address critical needs and improve the lives of residents. It is an affiliate of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo and an example of county-wide philanthropy. NAF has its own officers and councils for leadership. The funder supports local arts, civic needs, community development, education, the environment and health and human services, with an emphasis on youth development.
The Niagara Area Foundation funds a broad range of local causes each year. However, it prioritizes grant applications that impact positive youth development. NAF does not support religious causes, schools not registered with the New York State Education Department, events or festivals, partisan political activities, or higher education scholarships.
Grants range between about $5,000 and $10,000. The funder has awarded approximately $60,000 in recent years. Learn more about this funder’s local giving on the funder’s website. Grantmaking focuses on the Niagara County in Western New York. Funding must benefit Niagara County residents. Past local grantees include EPIC – Every Person Influences Children Family Bonding, Grassroots Gardens of WNY Garden to School Niagara, and Reach Out and Read Inc. Early Literacy Program for Pediatric Primary Care in Niagara County.
This foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits. Grantseekers must submit applications electronically. In the past, NAF has posted requests for proposals online in mid-September, and application deadlines have been in mid-October. The foundation typically notifies applicants about grant decisions by mid-December. Direct general questions to Darren Penoyer on the staff at darrenp@cfgb.org or by phone at 716-852-2857, ext. 206.
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