By Rose S. Prinzi
Thirty-two years ago, the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation began with the simple concept of “enriching the quality of life in the Chautauqua Region.” Today, we continue to follow this mission, fueled by the generous financial support from the community.
A Community Foundation Field of Interest Fund is one of the many options for individuals who wish to make a donation or a planned gift. A Field of Interest Fund offers donors the choice to identify their personal area of interest or passion. Once a fund is established, it becomes a permanent community resource, funded through the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation. The John Edward McLaughlin Family Fund is an example.
John Edward McLaughlin was a life-long resident of the Randolph community. For more than 20 years, he and his wife, Bea, owned and operated Cain Oil Company, a gas service station and small store in East Randolph. The McLaughlins had one son, Patrick. Due to complications at birth, Patrick had medical and physical problems. However, he was fortunate to have been raised by loving parents who arranged for his care upon their death. Upon Patrick’s death, the John Edward McLaughlin Family Fund was established at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation through a bequest from the estate of the McLaughlin family.
Created in 2007, the John Edward McLaughlin Family Fund is designed to provide financial assistance to religious and non-religious charitable activities in the Randolph area. As a special field of interest fund, applications are accepted once a year with awards being made through a competitive process.
All nonprofit, charitable activities in the Randolph area are eligible to submit an application. Grant application forms are available at www.chautauquagrants.org website. The deadline to submit completed applications is April 15, 2010.
Project requests are reviewed using the following criteria:
• demonstrates a definite benefit to Randolph, NY
• adequately serves a wide segment of the community not otherwise served
• provides leverage for generating other funds from community sources
• productively solves a community problem rather than reactively treat symptoms of the problem
• promotes volunteer participation and citizen involvement
• Uses, or will use, existing facilities and does not result in duplication of administrative costs
• projects whose funding needs are in the $200 to $1,000 range
The McLaughlin Fund has awarded grants to: Randolph Historical Society, Randolph Fire Co. Inc., United Presbyterian Church of Randolph, NY, Randolph Area Community Development Corporation, Toymakers of Randolph, Randolph Community Cupboard, Randolph Ministerium, Gail N. Chapman Elementary School, New Directions Youth and Family Services, Randolph Area Community Development Corporation, and Randolph Free Library.
If you are interested in learning more about the John Edward McLaughlin Family Fund, call the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation office at 661-3390.