To realize our vision of a vibrant, prosperous northern Chautauqua community by focusing on strategic and responsive grantmaking; encouraging local philanthropy and building permanent endowments for the future; and actively serving as a community leader and partner for the benefit and enrichment of our community.
Northern Chautauqua Community Found’s giving is shaped by a local, community-foundation model that pairs strategic grantmaking with a broad set of named programs for northern Chautauqua County. The foundation supports community development, youth services, education, the arts, environment and watershed education, human services, scholarships, and nonprofit capacity building, with grants directed almost entirely to recipients in New York. Its recent awards show a strong pattern of support for community institutions and service providers, including multiple grants to Chautauqua Region Economic Dev Corp in Jamestown and to 1891 Fredonia Opera House in Fredonia across several years. It also funds local intermediaries and service organizations such as United Way of Northern Chaut Co in Dunkirk and Chautauqua County Rural Ministries in Dunkirk. Beyond general community benefit grants, the foundation operates scholarship funds and targeted programs for service learning, local environmental education, and small community funds tied to specific places such as Silver Creek, Westfield, and Ripley. That mix makes the foundation a central grantmaker for both recurring local needs and place-based initiatives across the northern Chautauqua region.
In community development, the foundation backed Chautauqua Region Economic Dev Corp with $100,250 in 2025 after earlier grants of $135,000 in 2024 and $100,000 in 2023, showing sustained support for regional economic work. For arts and civic life, it gave 1891 Fredonia Opera House $67,341 in 2025 following grants of $70,838 in 2024 and $58,544 in 2023. Human services also appear in the recent record through awards to Chaut Hospice and Palliative Care in Lakewood, Feedmore Wny in Buffalo, and Chautauqua County Rural Ministries in Dunkirk. Education and youth programs are present in grants to Ahira Hall Memorial Library in Brocton, Nccs in Dunkirk, and Hilbert College Basketball Camp in Hamburg. The foundation’s named programs reinforce those themes with scholarships, service learning grants, and environmental education focused on Lake Erie and its watershed.
Typical awards are mid-sized: the 25th percentile is $7,546, the median is $11,750, and the 75th percentile is $17,412. The recent record also includes larger community-benefit awards, which suggests a layered grant pattern with both routine operating support and higher-dollar initiatives. Recipients appear across multiple years in several cases, including Chautauqua Region Economic Dev Corp, 1891 Fredonia Opera House, and Lily Dale Assembly, indicating recurring support rather than one-time awards only. Northern Chautauqua Community Found is a mixed community foundation, and its programs include both unsolicited and non-unsolicited grant channels. The active portfolio also includes scholarships and small-dollar programs such as service learning grants and the Live Like Luca Youth Sports Grants.
$855K
$42.7M
$4.3M
$1.8M
Most grants fall between $8K and $17K, with a median of $12K.
25th Percentile
$8K
Median
$12K
75th Percentile
$17K
DAVE TRAVIS
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Giving is highly concentrated in northern Chautauqua County and nearby Western New York communities. The top recipient city in the recent grants list is Jamestown, followed by Fredonia and Dunkirk, with other awards landing in Lakewood, Mayville, Brocton, Silver Creek, Sinclairville, and Hamburg. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 103 grants to U.S. recipients. The named local programs extend that footprint to community-specific funds in places such as Ripley, Westfield, Silver Creek-Irving, and Brocton-Portland.
The foundation funds community development, youth services, education, the arts, environment and watershed education, human services, scholarships, and nonprofit capacity building. Its active programs also include service learning grants, environmental education tied to Lake Erie and its watershed, and community funds for specific local places.
The typical grant distribution is modest and local: the 25th percentile is $7,546, the median is $11,750, and the 75th percentile is $17,412. Some named programs also set narrower ranges, such as service learning grants up to $1,000 and Live Like Luca Youth Sports Grants up to $5,000.
Both patterns appear, but several recipients show up in multiple years. Chautauqua Region Economic Dev Corp, 1891 Fredonia Opera House, and Lily Dale Assembly each received grants in more than one year, which suggests ongoing relationships alongside single-year awards.
Yes. NCCF manages over 200 individual scholarship funds, and the active programs include the Chadwick Bay NYS Women Inc. Scholarship for women currently enrolled in college. The scholarship portfolio also includes field-specific awards for areas such as forestry, counseling, and veterans.
Very local. The foundation’s geographic scope is local, the top giving state is New York, and 98% of grants go to recipients in New York. Recent recipient cities include Jamestown, Fredonia, Dunkirk, Lakewood, Mayville, Brocton, Silver Creek, Sinclairville, and Hamburg.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Northern Chautauqua Community Found that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Organizations aligned with the Silver Creek–Irving Heritage Fund’s charitable purpose; specifics determined by fund guidelines.
Deadline: Annually by September 20
Who can apply: Organizations serving northern Chautauqua County and seeking funding to improve and strengthen the region.
Deadline: The deadline to submit a letter of interest for the next round is September 1, 2026.
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHAUTAUQUA REGION ECONOMIC DEV CORP | JAMESTOWN, NY | $100,250 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| MORGAN STANLEY | FREDONIA, NY | $80,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| LUCA S CALANNI FOUNDATION | FREDONIA, NY | $75,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| 1891 FREDONIA OPERA HOUSE | FREDONIA, NY | $67,341 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| UW OF NORTHENR CHAUTAUQUA CTY | DUNKIRK, NY | $43,169 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| FEEDMORE WNY | BUFFALO, NY | $42,500 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| LILY DALE ASSEMBLY | LILY DALE, NY | $41,703 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| CHAUT HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE | LAKEWOOD, NY | $30,054 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| CRCF | JAMESTOWN, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| AHIRA HALL MEMORIAL LIBRARY | BROCTON, NY | $19,797 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| NCCS | DUNKIRK, NY | $19,349 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| HILBERT COLLEGE BASKETBALL CAMP | HAMBURG, NY | $19,200 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| LAKESHORE HUMANE SOCIETY | DUNKIRK, NY | $16,460 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| SINCLAIRVILLE FREE LIBRARY | SINCLAIRVILLE, NY | $16,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| ST FRANCIS HIGH SCHOOL | ATHOL SPRING, NY | $16,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| CHILD ADVOCACY PROGRAM | JAMESTOWN, NY | $15,450 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| CITY OF DUNKIRK DEPT PLANDEV | DUNKIRK, NY | $15,100 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| CHAUTAUQUA OPPORTUNITIES INC | DUNKIRK, NY | $14,470 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| LITERACY VOLUNTEERS -CC | FREDONIA, NY | $12,194 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| YWCA OF WESTFIELD | WESTFIELD, NY | $10,561 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| CAMP GROSS FOUNDATION | DUNKIRK, NY | $10,558 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| JEWISH COMMCENTER OF GREATER BUFF | GETZVILLE, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| FULL CIRCLE FAMILY SERVICES | BUFFALO, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| SALVATION ARMY | DUNKIRK, NY | $9,728 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF NCC | DUNKIRK, NY | $9,400 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| SEAS | DUNKIRK, NY | $8,704 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| ANDERSON-LEE LIBRARY | SILVER CREEK, NY | $8,544 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| CASSADAGA BRANCH LIBRARY | CASSADAGA, NY | $8,500 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY RURAL MINISTRY | DUNKIRK, NY | $8,281 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| FESTIVALS FREDONIA | FREDONIA, NY | $8,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| SHERIDAN VOLUNTEER FIRE CO INC | SHERIDAN, NY | $8,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| FREDONIA COLLEGE FOUNDATION | FREDONIA, NY | $7,593 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| OLD FIRST WARD COMMUNITY ASSOC INC | BUFFALO, NY | $7,500 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| DUNKIRK POLICE DEPARTMENT | DUNKIRK, NY | $7,200 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| DUNKIRK-FREDONIA MEALS ON WHEELS | FREDONIA, NY | $7,117 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| STACEY TIRADO TORRES | DUNKIRK, NY | $6,975 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| REVITALIZE DUNKIRK | DUNKIRK, NY | $6,825 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| ST COLUMBAN'S ON THE LAKE | SILVER CREEK, NY | $6,755 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| CHAUTAUQUA INSTITUTION | CHAUTAUQUA, NY | $6,500 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| BROCTON PORTLAND TRI-CHURCH PARISH | BROCTON, NY | $6,095 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| OUR LADY OF MT CARMEL | SILVER CREEK, NY | $6,044 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| UNITED REFINING COMPANY | WARREN, PA | $6,009 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| CORNELL CO-OP EXTENSION CHAUT CTY | JAMESTOEN, NY | $6,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| CHAUTAUQUA REGION ECONOMIC DEV CORP | JAMESTOWN, NY | $135,000 | 2024 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| 1891 FREDONIA OPERA HOUSE | FREDONIA, NY | $70,838 | 2024 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| LILY DALE ASSEMBLY | LILY DALE, NY | $40,068 | 2024 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| CHAUTAUQUA REGION COMMUNITY FDTN | JAMESTOWN, NY | $38,750 | 2024 | COMMNUITY BENEFIT |
| CHAUTAUQUA AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANIT | MAYVILLE, NY | $27,451 | 2024 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY RURAL MINISTRIES | DUNKIRK, NY | $27,403 | 2024 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
| FEEDMORE OF WNY | BUFFALO, NY | $20,000 | 2024 | COMMUNITY BENEFIT |
CHAUTAUQUA REGION ECONOMIC DEV CORP
$100,250COMMUNITY BENEFIT
MORGAN STANLEY
$80,000COMMUNITY BENEFIT
LUCA S CALANNI FOUNDATION
$75,000COMMUNITY BENEFIT
1891 FREDONIA OPERA HOUSE
$67,341COMMUNITY BENEFIT
UW OF NORTHENR CHAUTAUQUA CTY
$43,169COMMUNITY BENEFIT
FEEDMORE WNY
$42,500COMMUNITY BENEFIT
LILY DALE ASSEMBLY
COMMUNITY BENEFIT
CHAUT HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE
$30,054COMMUNITY BENEFIT
CRCF
$20,000COMMUNITY BENEFIT
AHIRA HALL MEMORIAL LIBRARY
$19,797COMMUNITY BENEFIT
NCCS
$19,349COMMUNITY BENEFIT
HILBERT COLLEGE BASKETBALL CAMP
$19,200COMMUNITY BENEFIT
LAKESHORE HUMANE SOCIETY
$16,460COMMUNITY BENEFIT
SINCLAIRVILLE FREE LIBRARY
$16,000COMMUNITY BENEFIT
ST FRANCIS HIGH SCHOOL
$16,000COMMUNITY BENEFIT
CHILD ADVOCACY PROGRAM
$15,450COMMUNITY BENEFIT
CITY OF DUNKIRK DEPT PLANDEV
$15,100COMMUNITY BENEFIT
CHAUTAUQUA OPPORTUNITIES INC
$14,470COMMUNITY BENEFIT
LITERACY VOLUNTEERS -CC
$12,194COMMUNITY BENEFIT
YWCA OF WESTFIELD
$10,561COMMUNITY BENEFIT
CAMP GROSS FOUNDATION
$10,558COMMUNITY BENEFIT
JEWISH COMMCENTER OF GREATER BUFF
$10,000COMMUNITY BENEFIT
FULL CIRCLE FAMILY SERVICES
$10,000COMMUNITY BENEFIT
SALVATION ARMY
$9,728COMMUNITY BENEFIT
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF NCC
$9,400COMMUNITY BENEFIT
SEAS
$8,704COMMUNITY BENEFIT
ANDERSON-LEE LIBRARY
$8,544COMMUNITY BENEFIT
CASSADAGA BRANCH LIBRARY
$8,500COMMUNITY BENEFIT
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY RURAL MINISTRY
$8,281COMMUNITY BENEFIT
FESTIVALS FREDONIA
$8,000COMMUNITY BENEFIT
SHERIDAN VOLUNTEER FIRE CO INC
$8,000COMMUNITY BENEFIT
FREDONIA COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$7,593COMMUNITY BENEFIT
OLD FIRST WARD COMMUNITY ASSOC INC
$7,500COMMUNITY BENEFIT
DUNKIRK POLICE DEPARTMENT
$7,200COMMUNITY BENEFIT
DUNKIRK-FREDONIA MEALS ON WHEELS
$7,117COMMUNITY BENEFIT
STACEY TIRADO TORRES
$6,975COMMUNITY BENEFIT
REVITALIZE DUNKIRK
$6,825COMMUNITY BENEFIT
ST COLUMBAN'S ON THE LAKE
$6,755COMMUNITY BENEFIT
CHAUTAUQUA INSTITUTION
$6,500COMMUNITY BENEFIT
BROCTON PORTLAND TRI-CHURCH PARISH
$6,095COMMUNITY BENEFIT
OUR LADY OF MT CARMEL
$6,044COMMUNITY BENEFIT
UNITED REFINING COMPANY
$6,009COMMUNITY BENEFIT
CORNELL CO-OP EXTENSION CHAUT CTY
$6,000COMMUNITY BENEFIT
CHAUTAUQUA REGION ECONOMIC DEV CORP
$135,000COMMUNITY BENEFIT
1891 FREDONIA OPERA HOUSE
$70,838COMMUNITY BENEFIT
LILY DALE ASSEMBLY
$40,068COMMUNITY BENEFIT
CHAUTAUQUA AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANIT
$27,451COMMUNITY BENEFIT
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY RURAL MINISTRIES
$27,403COMMUNITY BENEFIT
