A Few Things to Know About the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation in New York

In the far western corner of the state of New York, there’s a community foundation that gives locally in Jamestown and the surrounding areas. As one of New York’s numerous community funders, the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation (CRCF) focuses on areas that don’t necessarily catch the attention of other grantmakers in the state. Here are some important details to know about CRCF if your nonprofit works in this part of New York.

This is a well-established and growing foundation

CRCF has been on the local giving scene since 1978 and assets have been growing steadily since then. The funder recently reached nearly $100 million in assets and has awarded over $55 million back into the local community through grants and scholarships.

The foundation’s total giving in 2019, for example, was over $3.3 million. More 700 individuals have created funds at CRCF, which has a reputation as a trusted organization for carrying out people’s charitable wishes close to home.

General grants are flexible and frequent

CRCF has a bi-monthly process for its general grants, which support one-time costs and emerging needs. General grant application deadlines are the last Wednesdays of even months of the year, and CRCF allows organizations to make two requests annually. These grants go up to $4,000 each and often fund program enhancements, communications and marketing strategies, technology upgrades and small capital improvements.

Competitive opportunities at CRCF also include community service grants with March 1 and September 1 deadlines and strategic project grants with December 1 and June 1 deadlines.

Individual funds are accessible and have their own rules

Beyond these general grant opportunities, CRCF also manages numerous funds with open application processes. For example, the Gebbie Foundation focuses on revitalizing downtown Jamestown through economic development initiatives and has a letter of inquiry process that leads to full applications due in August.

Another example is the Carnahan-Jackson Foundation, which has various local interests and accepts paper applications ahead of April and October 1st deadlines. Fortunately, the CRCF website is straightforward and details what each fund requires, simplifying the process for local grantseekers.

CRCF has broad funding interests

CRCF funds nearly any type of nonprofit need in the community. Broad topics of interest include health, education, the environment, arts and culture, human services and economic development. Yet it is very clear that many grants go toward education and youth development, scholarships being the foremost focus. A few recent grantees include the Jamestown Public School’s Summer LEAP Program, the Audubon Community Nature Center and the Chautauqua Children’s Safety Education Village.

There are opportunities for religious groups too

CRCF funds local religious groups in addition to secular nonprofits. Religious organizations can apply for flexible general grants as described above. However, the foundation often makes just a few religion-focused grants per year. In addition to faith-based groups, special processes are also in place for organizations in the Falconer region and Randolph area.

Learn more about the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation and other community funders throughout the state of New York in IP’s New York City and Tri-State funding guide.

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