Northern Chautauqua Environmental Fund

The Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation (NCCF) serves as a cornerstone philanthropic institution in Chautauqua County, New York. With a mission centered on building a strong and connected northern Chautauqua community, NCCF advances this goal through grantmaking, capacity-building, and donor partnerships. Founded to channel community resources toward local needs, NCCF supports a wide variety of nonprofit initiatives, helping organizations develop sustainable programming and deepen their impact across the region. NCCF manages several grant programs, each focused on addressing specific community issues or populations. These include Community Grants, Service Learning Grants, Live Like Luca Youth Sports Grants, and the Northern Chautauqua Environmental Fund. The Environmental Fund, for example, supports local programs that focus on environmental education, particularly related to Lake Erie and its watershed. Other programs, such as the Lake Shore Savings Community Reinvestment Grants and the DFT Communications Robert Maytum Memorial Golf Tournament Community Betterment Fund, enable donor-advised and targeted funding for community betterment projects. Eligibility for these programs is primarily nonprofit organizations that serve Chautauqua County residents. The foundation does not detail specific eligibility restrictions per program on the general website, but applicants are encouraged to reach out for program-specific criteria and guidance. The foundation is not a nationwide funder; it supports organizations operating within Chautauqua County or its surrounding areas. Each grant opportunity has its own application window and procedures. While specific dates for each program were not provided in the available material, applications for many NCCF programs are announced seasonally or tied to local event schedules. For the Northern Chautauqua Environmental Fund, for instance, interested applicants are directed to contact the Program Coordinator, Eileen Ardillo, at eardillo@nccfoundation.org or 716-366-4892 for further information and to begin the application process. This reflects a hands-on, individualized approach to funding that allows for tailored technical assistance. In addition to direct grant funding, NCCF also hosts The Capacity Lab, an initiative created in collaboration with five other foundations in the county and funded by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. This initiative enhances nonprofit effectiveness and sustainability by offering strategic support, operational resources, and leadership development. The Capacity Lab is headquartered at NCCF and led by Project Director Noah Goodling. Beyond grantmaking, NCCF also supports nonprofit resilience through its Agency Endowment Funds, which provide a permanent investment mechanism for organizations seeking long-term stability. Currently, 23 such funds are held with a total value exceeding $4 million. These funds offer structured giving vehicles for donors and provide recipient organizations with income, visibility, and access to investment and development expertise. Staff such as Leslie Wille (lwille@nccfoundation.org) assist nonprofits interested in establishing new endowments. In summary, NCCF offers a dynamic range of grant opportunities and support services aimed at building nonprofit strength and community development in northern Chautauqua County. Contact information, eligibility, and funding scopes vary by program, and applicants are encouraged to engage directly with staff for guidance. The organization is located at 212 Lake Shore Drive West, Dunkirk, NY 14048 and can be reached via phone at 716-366-4892 or email at nccf@nccfoundation.org.