Buffalo, N.Y. – The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo announced that 85 Western New York organizations received more than $1.3 million in grant awards from endowment funds created to carry on the legacy of Ralph C. Wilson, Jr.
The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation established the Legacy Funds in 2016 as endowments at the Community Foundation to provide annual support to areas that were important to Mr. Wilson during his lifetime: Caregivers, Community Assets, Design and Access, and Youth Sports. Endowment funds are designed to grow over time and provide funding for charitable causes according to a client’s wishes, forever.
The Legacy Funds at the Community Foundation complement the work of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and were created to provide immediate impact and long-term benefit in Western New York. Below are the grant awards for the Youth Sports support area:
Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Fund for Youth Sports
- 716 Squash – $10,000 for Increase Middle School Buffalo Youth Participation in Summer Camp Program
- Be-A-Friend Program, Inc., Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie, Niagara and the Southern Tier – $10,000 for Sports Buddies in Partnership with Alpha Phi Alpha
- Boys & Girls Club of Northern Chautauqua County – $16,000 for Empower Her Athletic Club
- Buffalo City Swim Racers, Inc. – $10,000 for City Swim Project
- Buffalo Community Boathouse – $10,000 for Yes, it’s Sailing
- Buffalo Regals – $5,000 for Girls Development 2024-2025
- Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center – $8,000 for Sport through Therapeutic Riding for Children with Special Needs
- Buffalo Wrestling Foundation – $10,000 for Wrestling for All: Building Confidence and Community Through Sport
- Chautauqua Striders Inc. – $9,000 for 2025 Youth Track & Field Development Program – Chautauqua Striders
- City of Dunkirk Youth and Recreation Department – $10,000 for Dunkirk Sports Sampling
- El Batey Inc. – $15,000 for Level Up Sport Mentoring
- EPIC – Every Person Influences Children – $12,000 for “Literacy on the Move”: Year-Round Early Childhood Literacy and Movement
- First Tee of Western New York – $5,000 for I’m Just a Golfer Free Golf Clinics
- Friends of Youngstown – $8,000 for Youngstown Summer Sport Sampling & Coach Development
- Full Circle Family Services – $8,000 for EmpowerSports Initiative
- GEK In The Game – $10,000 for GEK Bite Size Sports Sampling
- Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council – $25,000 for GO ART! Global Dance Initiative
- Girls Sport Foundation – $10,000 for G.I.R.L.S. Sports Foundation Sports Sampling and Mentoring on Campus
- GLOW YMCA – $10,000 for Free Youth Sports For All
- Harrison’s Playmakers – $10,000 for Harrison Playmakers Every one plays 2025
- Karen Society of Buffalo – $12,000 for Buffalo Soccer Society
- Kenan Center – $10,000 for Sport for All: Developing Access Through Play and Sampling in Kenan ACRES
- Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda Union Free School District – $10,000 for Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda UFSD Before School Sports Equity & Opportunity Expansion Project
- King Urban Life Center – $10,100 for Enhancing and Expanding STEAM TEAM Sports at King Urban Life Center
- Lockport Ice Arena and Sports Center – $10,000 for 2024-25 Healthy Youth On Ice
- Mental Health Advocates of WNY – $10,000 for Sports for Military Children (Operation Children of the Military)
- Police Athletic League of Niagara Falls NY – $10,000 for Niagara PAL Youth Sports Programs
- Resource Council of WNY Inc. – $15,000 for Resource Council of WNY Youth Ice Hockey Program
- Seneca Nation – $12,500 for Summer Sports Program
- SOLID Foundation Prep, Inc. – $10,000 for SOLID Foundation Prep ACHIEVE Camp and Yearly Programming
- The Champion Project – $12,000 for The Champion Project – TCP Plays and High Five
- The Salvation Army of Buffalo, NY – $8,000 for Support for Youth Sports at The Salvation Army
- Town of Yorkshire – $10,000 for Town of Yorkshire and Village of Delevan Summer Recreation Program
- United Somali Alliance of Buffalo – $5,000 for Fun on the Run
- West Buffalo Charter School – $12,000 for Embrace the Bear Within: A Sports Sampling
- Willie Hutch Jones Educational and Sports Program – $10,000 for East Buffalo Soccer Training & Developmental League
- WNY Lacrosse Foundation – $5,000 for WNY Lacrosse Foundation
- YMCA Buffalo Niagara – $6,800 for Y On the Fly – Niagara County
- YMCA of the Twin Tiers – $10,000 for Family Free Play Fridays “On The Move”
- Youth Advantage/Buffalo Legacy Project – $12,000 for Youth Advantage Free Play Zones
- Youth Mentoring Services of Niagara County – $10,000 for Summer Adventures
