Daniel C. and Beatrice M. Fisher Fund

The Daniel C. and Beatrice M. Fisher Fund was established through the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo to honor the legacy of Dr. Daniel C. Fisher and Beatrice M. Fisher, longtime residents of Clarence Center, New York. Married in 1925, the Fishers were committed to supporting social, professional, and civic non-profits in Western New York, particularly in their hometown of Clarence. Their wills stipulated that the fund should provide lasting support for charitable activities that benefit residents of the Town of Clarence, ensuring their dedication to community improvement continues in perpetuity. The purpose of the Fisher Fund is to provide financial support to organizations engaged in public educational, charitable, recreational, conservation, cultural, or benevolent initiatives. Funding is restricted to activities that directly benefit individuals living in Clarence, Erie County, New York. This local focus makes the fund unique, as it is not available statewide or nationwide but specifically dedicated to improving quality of life within the Town of Clarence. Organizations seeking support must apply through the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo’s Foundant Grant Lifecycle Manager system. Applications will only be accepted electronically through this platform, and no other submission methods are permitted. The application period for the 2025 cycle opens on August 22, 2025, and closes on September 22, 2025, at 4:00 PM. Funding decisions are expected to be announced in late November 2025. There are no pre-application requirements such as letters of intent or concept papers noted in the current cycle. The application process is competitive, with a strong emphasis on demonstrating maximum impact for Clarence residents. Eligibility is limited to organizations located in or providing services to the Town of Clarence. Applicants must also hold valid 501(c)(3) nonprofit status as determined by the Internal Revenue Service. The Foundation has indicated that priority will be given to projects aligning with needs identified in a community assessment. These priorities include addressing the needs of the senior citizen population, improving academic outcomes for special needs students, and enhancing the natural environment through conservation and recreational initiatives. Requests that cannot demonstrate a clear and significant benefit to Clarence residents are unlikely to be considered. Applications will be evaluated based on alignment with the Fisher Fund’s mission, demonstration of community impact, and ability to address identified priorities. While all eligible requests will be reviewed, those most closely matching the outlined priorities will be favored. The Community Foundation provides applicants with resources, including frequently asked questions and examples of past grant recipients, to help organizations prepare competitive proposals. For assistance, applicants may contact Darren Penoyer, Director of Community Impact at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. He can be reached at (716) 852-2857 ext. 206 or by email at darrenp@cfgb.org. The Community Foundation’s office is located at Larkin at Exchange, 726 Exchange Street, Suite 525, Buffalo, NY 14210. The Foundation also maintains a general phone line at (716) 852-2857 and a fax line at (716) 852-2861. These resources provide applicants with direct support as they navigate the grant process.