Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo opens 2027 Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds grants to Western New York nonprofits
Nonprofits in eight Western New York counties have until 4 p.m. Nov. 30 to apply for grants of $10,000 to $50,000 for caregivers, arts and historic sites, outdoor recreation and youth sports. Decisions are expected in April 2027.
Buffalo. The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo is taking applications for the 2027 round of grants from its Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds, endowments that the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation set up at the community foundation in 2015. The online application opened Nov. 2, the community foundation announced the round on Nov. 9, and the deadline is 4 p.m. on Nov. 30.
The funds cover four areas that reflect the personal passions of Mr. Wilson, the community foundation says: caregivers, community assets, design and access, and youth sports. Mr. Wilson, who died in 2014, left part of his estate and the proceeds of the sale of the Buffalo Bills to the Detroit foundation that bears his name.
Who may apply and for what
Applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits in the eight counties of Western New York: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming. Government agencies may also apply for the caregiver, design and access, and youth sports grants, which are meant to add to public money, not replace it. Community Assets grants are open only to 501(c)(3) organizations in Erie County. The announcement says located in or serving the county; the program page says they must reside there.
Caregiver grants support paid, volunteer or family caregivers of people who cannot fully care for themselves and are part of an underserved community, with preference for those caring for older adults. Community Assets grants go to long-term arts instruction for children and youth in low-income communities, or to restoring historic buildings and landmarks to draw cultural tourism; historic means listed on the State or National Register of Historic Places or protected by a local preservation ordinance.
Design and Access grants pay for planning, development or construction that improves waterways, greenways and outdoor recreation corridors, or makes communities easier to walk and bike. Sports facilities, playgrounds and community gardens are not eligible. Youth Sports grants serve children ages 5 to 13; tackle football programs and requests for traditional sporting goods are not considered.
Amounts and timeline
Requests may range from $10,000 to $25,000 for caregivers, community assets and youth sports, and from $10,000 to $50,000 for design and access. They may be for capital or programs, and design and access requests may also be for planning. Each organization may file one application per category. Multi-year requests are not accepted, nor are requests for endowments, religious purposes or event sponsorship.
Applications are filed only online, in the community foundation's grant portal. Decisions are expected in April 2027.
The announcement does not say how much the round will award. In the 2026 round, announced in May, 77 Western New York organizations received more than $1.26 million from the funds, the community foundation said.
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