The Chautauqua Region Community Foundation annually awards over $1 million through its competitive grant processes to charitable organizations working to make a difference across the region.
The Community Foundation is able to grant to 501 (c) (3) organizations located in or serving Southern Chautauqua County, with some grant funding made to municipalities, school districts (for public purposes) and religious organizations.
2021 Competitive Grant Opportunities
The General grant process occurs every other month and provides the most flexible funding opportunities for grantees. It is intended to assist with emerging needs or one-time costs. Requests could include, but are not limited to: program enhancement, communications or marketing, upgrades to technology or equipment, and modest capital improvements.
Recent grants include:
#IntegrityFirst – Marketing and Upfront Event Costs for Fit and Family Fun with the Jamestown Jackals
Audubon Community Nature Center – LED Lights and electrical supplies for “Audubon Lights”
Busti Historical Society – Security Camera System
Carroll Historical Society – Security Camera System
Chautauqua Adult Day Services, Inc. – Outdoor Therapeutic Gardening and Recreation
Chautauqua County Humane Society – Flooring Replacement at 2nd Chances Thrift Store
Chautauqua Regional Youth Symphony – String Orchestra: Baroque Bows and Instructor for Adapted Season
City of Jamestown (Dept. of Parks, Recreation and Conservation) – Replacing and Replanting Spruce Trees at Bergman Park
Hazeltine Public Library – Local Match for NYS Construction Grant: New Shed for Program Space and Storage
Housing Options Made Easy, Inc. – Purchase of Tablets for the Digital Literacy Education Program with Seniors
Lawson Boating Heritage Center on Chautauqua Lake – Replacement of Showroom Windows
Marvin Community House – Website Upgrades and Technology Upgrades for Historical and Architectural Tours
Mary E. Seymour Memorial Free Libraries – Local Match for NYS Construction Grant: Solar Electric Installation at the Stockton Library
Myers Memorial Library – Adult Non-Fiction Collection
The Salvation Army – Food Pantry- Replacement of Distribution Door
Village of Lakewood – “Welcome to the Village of Lakewood” Sign Replacement
Volunteer Fireman’s Association of Falconer – Thermal Imaging Units for Volunteer Firefighters
WCA Foundation – Support towards the cost of a Vein Finder Device in the radiology department at UPMC Chautauqua
YWCA of Jamestown – Start up support for “We are History”- James Baldwin, Black History Community Project
Additionally, the Community Foundation holds specific grant dollars available for churches. Religious organizations may apply through the General process. Available funding is intended to support congregational needs which could include, but are not limited to, modest capital improvements, upgrades or purchases for equipment and technology.
Recent grants include:
Christ First United Methodist Church – Sanctuary Piano Restoration Project
Ellery Baptist Church – Sanctuary, Auditorium and Foyer: Painting and Blinds Installation
New Hope Community Church – Technology Upgrades for Streaming Services
North Main Street Church of God – Technology Upgrades for Streaming Services
Peace Wesleyan Church – Technology Upgrades for Streaming Services
The Community Service grant process hosts two cycles per year and is intended to support larger programming, capital, and technology needs. Requests could include, but are not limited to: ongoing programming, upgrades to technology or systems, and larger capital improvements.
The Strategic Project grant process hosts two cycles per year and is intended to fund larger initiatives with wide-reaching and longer term community impact. Requests could include, but are not limited to: new and highly collaborative approaches to addressing significant community needs, projects that provide a significant economic impact on the region, and large-scale capital improvements.
Additional Grant Funding Opportunities
The Community Foundation utilizes Chautauqua Grants, a shared grants portal, for nonprofit organizations to access grant applications for more than 10 area funders. Each funding organization has an individual web page with details about their grant processes, including deadlines, priority areas and contact information.
