Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo

Today is National Philanthropy Day! At the Community Foundation, we are grateful to all of the generous individuals and families who are committed to making a positive difference in Western New York today, tomorrow and forever. In honor of this special day, AFP WNY also recognized The Josephine Goodyear Foundation, our client, as this year's Outstanding Philanthropic Foundation. Congratulations to all for making a lasting impact in our region.

We are excited to join the national network of over 1,000 community foundations celebrating Community Foundation Week! For 105 years, we have connected people, ideas and resources to improve lives in Western New York and today, we are working alongside our clients and community partners toward a vibrant and equitable Greater Buffalo region where every individual thrives. Learn more about some of our collective efforts underway and how we help people do the good they want to do today, tomorrow and forever by watching this recent video:

Congratulations to Daniel Byles-Smith, CPA, CFP? and Principal at Waterford Advisors, LLC, for being named to Buffalo Business First's 2024 40 Under 40 list! Dan is dedicated to working with his clients on achieving their charitable goals, and regularly looks for opportunities to do just that by partnering with the Community Foundation. Dan is also the Chair of the Community Foundation’s Professional Advisor Council, and leads the Council’s efforts toward gaining a deeper understanding of the Community Foundation’s services and its role in Western New York, and providing feedback to enhance its ability to be a preeminent resource on charitable giving for the professional advisor field.

The Communities of Giving Legacy Initiative (CGLI)? announced its 2024 Pay It Forward Award recipients who were honored at the 13th annual Pay It Forward Awards held on November 7, 2024. The award recognizes personal and professional accomplishments and how those actions increase philanthropy in communities of color. The 2024 Pay It Forward honorees are: - Tracy Cooley, MPA, Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency - Kareema Morris, Bury the Violence - Felicia Walker, Presidio Network Solutions The recipients of the two community service awards that honor the legacy of the late Judge Hugh B. Scott, who were also recognized at the Pay It Forward Awards, are: - Tiffany Torres, Manager of Diversity and Belonging, Evergreen Health - Jonathan Evans, a student at St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute Click here for more information about this event: https://lnkd.in/dWc65R6s

Congratulations to all of the inspiring leaders named to the 2024 Buffalo Business First Power 100 Business Leaders of Color list, including Bonita R. Durand, Ph.D., Community Foundation Board member. Read more about Dr. Durand’s recent accomplishments here:

Community foundations around the region are always sharing ideas and resources that help their community. On October 18, the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo hosted professionals from community foundations across the state who were in town for the NYS Funders Alliance Conference for a Community Foundation Convening. It was a great opportunity to meet peers, network and participate in a unique event designed to bring members from other foundations together!

Help us spread the word across all eight counties of Western New York... We are now accepting applications for the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds! Applications should support the following areas of interest: - Caregivers - Community Assets - Design and Access - Youth Sports Applications are due Monday, December 2, 2024 @ 4 p.m. Click the link for more information on how to apply: https://lnkd.in/gU8shmJF

Our Impact Bus Tour is a much-anticipated annual event that illustrates how the Community Foundation facilitates long-term transformative change in our region through its leadership work. Our leadership work is made possible by the generosity of our clients that specifically ask us to address the changing needs of our community over time. This year’s tour highlighted initiatives that showcase how the Community Foundation is creating community connections for regional vibrancy. Topics included: - The incredible advancements that have been made and that are underway in the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor - Efforts underway to protect our environmental assets and achieve a climate resilient region - Initiatives that support an educated workforce, starting with our youngest learners. This is just one of many learning opportunities we offer our clients to show them how their generosity is helping us to create a vibrant and equitable Greater Buffalo region with opportunity for all!

Happy Native American Heritage Month! This November, we’re recognizing the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the United States. The month of November is also important to Native Americans as it is a time when many tribes traditionally gather for cultural, spiritual and social events. This month-long celebration provides an opportunity to learn more about the contributions and unique experiences of Native Americans in the Greater Buffalo region and beyond.

Our Impact Bus Tour is a much-anticipated annual event that illustrates how the Community Foundation facilitates long-term transformative change in our region through its leadership work. Our leadership work is made possible by the generosity of our clients that specifically ask us to address the changing needs of our community over time. This year’s tour highlighted initiatives that showcase how the Community Foundation is creating community connections for regional vibrancy. Topics included: - The incredible advancements that have been made and that are underway in the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor - Efforts underway to protect our environmental assets and achieve a climate resilient region - Initiatives that support an educated workforce, starting with our youngest learners. This is just one of many learning opportunities we offer our clients to show them how their generosity is helping us to create a vibrant and equitable Greater Buffalo region with opportunity for all!