Kelly for Kids Foundation Community Grants

The Kelly for Kids Foundation, based in Western New York, is a charitable organization with a long-standing commitment to supporting children in need throughout the region. The foundation was established to honor the legacy of Jim Kelly, former quarterback of the Buffalo Bills, and aims to make a positive impact on the lives of economically disadvantaged and disabled youth in the Western New York area. The foundation operates under the 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and provides financial assistance through its annual Community Grants program to qualifying organizations focused on child welfare and development. The primary objective of the Kelly for Kids Community Grants is to provide funding to health and social service organizations that address the needs of vulnerable children and teenagers in the region. The foundation prioritizes innovative initiatives that have a direct, tangible benefit for the youth served. Funding may be used for programmatic support, acquisition of equipment, or physical improvements within facilities that cater specifically to disadvantaged or disabled young individuals. Organizations interested in applying must be charitable nonprofits with current 501(c)(3) status. The foundation specifically restricts funding from being used for purposes such as individual support, sponsorships for events (e.g., corporate tables or golf holes), public playground development, or national organizations that redirect a substantial portion of funds to their central offices. Additionally, grants cannot be used to support lobbying efforts or to cover general operating or overhead expenses. The application process includes an initial screening by foundation staff to determine basic eligibility. Proposals that do not meet the initial screening criteria are dismissed, and the respective organizations are notified. For eligible applications, the foundation's Board of Directors conducts a more thorough review and may request further documentation, a site visit, or schedule a meeting as part of the evaluation process. Clarity on how funds will be used is crucial, and applicants are encouraged to be as specific and detailed as possible in their proposals. The 2024 grant cycle is now closed, and new information for the 2025 cycle is expected to be released at the end of August 2025. While no official submission deadlines have been announced for the 2025 round, organizations seeking funding are advised to begin preparing their materials in anticipation of the next release. Because the grant is offered on a recurring annual basis, those planning to apply should monitor the foundation’s announcements around late summer. For further inquiries, applicants may contact Ann Lantz at alantz@kellyforkids.com or call 716-204-1212. The foundation's physical mailing address is 8205 Main Street, Suite #13, Williamsville, NY 14221. More information will be made available on the foundation's website toward the end of August 2025, offering additional guidance for interested applicants in the upcoming cycle.