A group of residents are making sure charitable activity will continue to thrive in the Falconer Region.                                            

Recently, they established the Falconer Region Community Fund with the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation. This fund will be unrestricted in nature-meaning the funds for this grants process may be used to benefit a wide variety of charitable projects or needs.

In a letter submitted to the Foundation from the members of the Falconer Region Community Fund Committee, members expressed pride for the region they call home. The desire to provide the same opportunities to future generations, led them to create this endowment fund.  

Maurice Roach, lifelong Falconer resident and owner of Falconer Printing and Design, has been a driving force in the establishment of this fund. “This (fund), which will serve the entire region, is important because it looks toward the future and will provide for benevolent activities,” Roach said.

Roach, an active participant in many community-based programs, noticed a lack of younger generations becoming involved in these types of organizations. He is hopeful this fund will provide the necessary financial support that organizations such as the Lion’s Club, Rotary Club and Kiwanis Club provide, if ever they are unable to do so.

More than forty residents, all ages and walks of life, attended a meeting on October 24 to discuss the establishment of the fund. Attendees shared stories about what various community organizations mean to them and how this fund could preserve those “natural jewels” of their community. From this meeting an advisory committee was created to establish criteria for those seeking grants.

The committee has decided that applicants must either be a non-profit organization, church or public entity. These organizations must also be located within the Falconer Central School District. Grants may be awarded to religious or nonreligious organizations. Grants are not to be made for political purposes or to retire indebtedness of an organization.