Axel W. Carlson was born on a humble farm in Sweden in the early 1890’s. In his youth he not only learned farming skills, but also learned the carpentry skills that sustained him after he immigrated to the Southern Tier when he was in his teens. He and his wife eventually settled in Sunnyside, which is located in the Town of Ellery. Mr. Carlson worked hard all his life, and saved and invested his money wisely. He was always there to help people in need, but never looked for a reward or recognition. He was always interested in assisting individuals rather than institutions...

Thirty years ago, the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation was established by a group of forward-thinking, community conscious citizens who believed the people of the Chautauqua region should have a charitable organization created by the people for the people. Today, the Community Foundation is growing and continues to thrive, based on the support of a very philanthropic community...

You may have noticed in recent news reports that the U.S. House of Representatives passed a two-year extension on the Charitable IRA legislation as part of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. As a result, the new law allows taxpayers 70 ½ and older to rollover amounts from their IRA directly to charity and bypassing income tax...

To many people in the Chautauqua Region, the Community Foundation has become synonymous with the word “scholarships”.  This is especially true of local students and their parents. Last year, the Community Foundation awarded over $750,000 in scholarships to local college students. With over 200 active scholarship funds, the Community Foundation certainly makes an impact on educational funding...

Carl Cappa was a kind and generous man. He was born and raised in Jamestown, the oldest child of hard working Italian immigrants. Like his parents, he had a strong work ethic and strived to do his best with whatever project he undertook. This served him and his commitment to his community well...

 Squeaky, Ladybug, Frosty, Gunther, Lucy, Trigger, Pepper. Last year, these cats and dogs and 85 others from the Humane Society found their forever homes with the help of a Community Service Grant from the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation...

Honoring the memory of someone who has passed on is one of the purposes for establishing memorial funds with the Community Foundation. Donors can honor the loved one lost, knowing their gift is benefiting the community in his /her name. One new fund at the Community Foundation that fits this purpose is the Stacey Boltz Palasek Memorial Scholarship Fund...