Community Grants

The Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation (NCCF), founded in 1986, is a private philanthropic organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for all residents in the northern Chautauqua region of New York. The foundation takes a localized, community-first approach, emphasizing its deep commitment to understanding and addressing the needs of the area it serves. Over the years, NCCF has provided funding and support to a wide range of community-focused projects. These span from the arts and environmental initiatives to health, human services, and neighborhood revitalization. The foundation’s aim is to make strategic investments that foster long-term community transformation. The Community Grants Program is NCCF’s core funding initiative designed to partner with nonprofit organizations working to address complex challenges or advance promising opportunities. The program supports projects that demonstrate both practical impact and visionary planning. Applicants are encouraged to propose projects that further their organization’s mission while addressing a clear community need. Proposals that include measurable outcomes, impact assessments, and meaningful collaborations are especially valued. Moreover, initiatives that leverage additional funding or resources from the community are given special consideration. Funding decisions are based on a biannual review cycle, with deadlines on March 1st for the spring round and September 1st for the fall round. The first step in the application process is the submission of a Letter of Interest (LOI). This letter must be no longer than two pages and must be submitted electronically. It should describe the project, its alignment with the organization’s mission, expected community impact, total project cost, the specific amount requested, and must be signed by the Executive Director or President. The letter should also include contact details for the individual primarily responsible for the proposal. Applicants selected after LOI review will be invited to submit a full proposal. It is important to note that even if a project aligns with program priorities, this does not guarantee an invitation to proceed to the next stage. The grant program gives priority to projects that clearly benefit the northern Chautauqua community, demonstrate the organization’s capacity to deliver results, and are aligned with NCCF’s goal of a healthy and prosperous community. Organizations may only have one active competitive grant at any given time, and previous grant obligations must be completed before applying again. Grants are typically in the range of $500 to $15,000, with competitive awards most often falling between $1,500 and $3,000. Funding is generally provided for one year, though two-year grants may be approved in limited cases contingent on the success of the first year. NCCF will not consider requests to fund overhead or administrative costs, fundraising campaigns, or salaries unrelated to the proposed project. Grants to religious organizations will only be considered if the funded project is open to and benefits the general public, and does not include proselytizing. Only 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or appropriate not-for-profits, including those with a fiscal sponsor, are eligible to apply. Individuals are not eligible. Questions about the application process can be directed to Program Coordinator Eileen M. Ardillo via email at eardillo@nccfoundation.org or by phone at 716-366-4892. For full proposal guidelines and timelines, applicants are advised to visit the NCCF website.

Keep LOI concise and outcome-focused; submit before 4:00 p.m. on deadline day.