Application process open for Community Foundation's 21st Century Fund $100,000 grant

Organizations invited to submit ideas for high-impact projects; deadline is Dec. 5

Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo Press Release

The 21st Century Fund, a fund and giving circle of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, is now accepting applications from nonprofit organizations for its 2025-2026 grant cycle through 4 p.m. Dec. 5. Details and application information, including the link to apply online, can be found at http://www.cfgb.org/nonprofits/grants/21st-century-fund/.

A group of selected applicants with high-impact projects will be invited to present at an event in March 2026, where 21st Century Fund members will learn about the projects and vote to narrow the pool down to a group of finalists. In April, the finalists will present at a second event where members will vote and a $100,000 grant will be given out live on stage that evening.

The fund has awarded more than $1 million since its inception in 2000.

Members of the 21st Century Fund awarded the 2024 $100,000 grant to Family Promise of WNY in support of an expansion to a second shelter. The grant helped fund Family Promise's pre-development process of finding a site for its additional shelter that will provide critical housing support for community members in need.

The 21st Century Fund is unique in that the members pay a one-time fee to join and, every two years, they come together to vote and award a grant for a project that they feel will have a meaningful impact in Western New York. The fund is always accepting new members (individual, family, business or organization). Learn more at www.21stCenturyFund.org. 

More about the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo: For more than a century, the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo has enhanced and encouraged long-term philanthropy in the Western New York community. A 501 (c)(3) organization, the Community Foundation’s mission is: Connecting people, ideas and resources to improve lives in Western New York. Established in 1919, the Community Foundation has made the most of the generosity of individuals, families, foundations and organizations who entrust charitable assets to the Community Foundation’s care. Learn more at http://cfgb.org.