For those unfamiliar with the Community Foundation, many questions can arise when first learning of the organization. Some of these questions might include: What does CRCF do? What types of organizations does CRCF grant monies to? How can I apply for scholarship or grant assistance? However, probably the most important question that never seems to be asked is: Whose Foundation is this? It is this question that holds the easiest answer: Yours.

 

When the Community Foundation was established in 1978, it was done so with one goal in mind: To provide the community with a resource and conduit to charitable giving. It was created to serve the entire community by providing assistance where assistance was needed and by allowing each and every local citizen to aid in that process. Furthermore, CRCF was created to give every person an opportunity to establish charitable funds, no matter what the cause or what the person’s level of wealth. 

 

There are two simple ways to demonstrate how the Community Foundation is for you. The first shows how you, as a public citizen, can benefit from the Foundation. This is most easily illustrated through scholarships and grants. Every year, approximately 1,000 area students utilize the Foundation for scholarship assistance, as well they should. One of the main reasons the Foundation exists is to try and help provide a better way of life for all those within the community. Helping pay for college is one way in doing so, and the Foundation awards over $500,000 a year to aid this cause. Additionally, area non-profits can come to the Foundation and request assistance for community projects. CRCF is also their Foundation, and by utilizing grant assistance, these area non-profits work to better the whole community.

 

There is also a second way to demonstrate how the Community Foundation is for you. As a public citizen, you, through utilization of the Foundation, can create a fund for your own purpose to benefit the community. There have already been over 400 community members who have realized this and have established funds with CRCF for the benefit of the Chautauqua region. This number continues to rise each year, as more and more people realize that the Foundation is here to serve them and their needs, while aiding the community at the same time.   

 

The greatest way of showing how the Community Foundation is for you is most simply through accountability. Being a public foundation, CRCF is accountable to you to make sure we are fulfilling your charitable wishes and goals. If the Foundation ever fails in its mission, it is your right to ask for change so the CRCF may better serve the public. In 29 years of service to the community, CRCF has a built a strong reputation and is continually working to improve that reputation. 

 

As a collective community, we all have strengths to share, and, when we link these individual strengths, there is nothing that cannot be accomplished. Keep this is mind the next time you consider the Community Foundation. Remember that CRCF exists to serve you and the community, together…and, never forget, the Community Foundation could not be, without you.

 

If you would like to learn more about the Community Foundation, call 661-3390.