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NORTHERN CHAUTAUQUA COMMUNITY FOUND

DUNKIRK, NY · EIN 161271663 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE T31Z · Philanthropy & Grantmaking · Medium ($1M-$10M) · nccfoundation.org
revenue
$4.3M
expenses
$1.8M
net assets
$38.7M
employees
8
volunteers
50
program ratio
87%
mission · from form 990

IT IS THE MISSION OF THE FOUNDATION TO ENRICH THE AREA IN WHICH WE LIVE AND WORK. TO THIS END, THE FOUNDATION HAS FIVE PRIMARY GOALS: 1. TO BE A CATALYST FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ENDOWMENTS TO BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY BOTH NOW AND IN THE FUTURE; 2. TO PROVIDE A VEHICLE FOR DONORS' VARIED INTERESTS; 3. TO PROMOTE LOCAL PHILANTHROPY; 4. TO SERVE AS A STEWARD OF FUNDS; 5. TO PROVIDE LEADERSHIP AND RESOURCES IN ADDRESSING LOCAL CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES.

profile · synthesized from sources

Community foundation serving northern Chautauqua County, NY, established in 1986 to enrich the local community through permanent endowments and strategic grantmaking. Focuses on building local philanthropy, stewarding donor-advised and scholarship funds, and supporting community needs in areas like education, youth, environment, and human services. Operates as a permanent charitable force with a decentralized governance model involving local advisory committees.

named programs · 8 · from sources

What they call their work

Community Donor Advised Funds
Locally directed funds for Ripley, Silver Creek-Irving, Westfield, and Sheridan; grant decisions are made by local committees
Community Grants Program
Supports charitable programs addressing current needs and opportunities in northern Chautauqua County; grants typically range from $1,000 to $15,000
DFT Communications Robert Maytum Memorial Golf Tournament Community Betterment Fund
Provides charitable grants within the service area of DFT Communications
Lake Shore Savings Community Reinvestment Grants
Funds vital programs and nonprofit organizations within Lake Shore Savings’ service area
Live Like Luca Youth Sports Grants Program
Supports youth sports programs and educational opportunities for children and families in financial need; grants generally do not exceed $5,000
Northern Chautauqua Environmental Fund
Supports local environmental education initiatives, particularly related to Lake Erie and its watershed
Scholarship Programs
Administers diverse scholarships for students attending universities, community colleges, trade schools, and non-traditional learners
Service Learning Mini-Grants Program
Provides up to $1,000 for middle and high school teachers to integrate community service into classroom learning
activities · 11 groups

What they do

  • Endowment and Gift Fund Management 2 activities
    • Managing endowment and donor-advised funds
      Holds and manages 23 Agency Endowment Funds valued at over $4 million, provides ongoing support through open-ended funds, and operates Community Donor Advised Funds for Silver Creek-Irving, Ripley, Westfield, and Sheridan (in development).
    • Managing school district scholarship funds
      Assumed management and long-term protection of Westfield Academy & Central School’s scholarship funds and received 20 separate scholarship funds from the Dunkirk City School District for administration.
  • Local High School Scholarship Programs 1 activity
    • Administering scholarship programs for regional students
      Administers over 200 individual scholarship funds for students in northern Chautauqua County, including graduating seniors enlisting in the U.S. Armed Forces, non-traditional learners, trade school attendees, and employees pursuing healthcare education. Awarded 298 scholarships totaling $264,482 in one year.
  • Community Foundation & United Way Support 1 activity
    • Facilitating planned giving and bequest recognition
      Recognizes individuals who include the organization in their wills or estate plans through the Bequest Society; uses bequests to strengthen local programs, support youth, uplift nonprofits, and create permanent resources for northern Chautauqua County.
  • Charitable Grantmaking to Specific Causes 1 activity
    • Funding community benefit grants
      Provides funding twice annually through the Community Grants Program, awarding grants ranging from $1,000 to $15,000 to support charitable programs addressing current community needs in northern Chautauqua County. Awarded $166,293 in Community Benefit Grants to local organizations serving the region.
  • Flexible Grants to Grassroots Organizations 1 activity
    • Funding inclusive classroom and community experiences
      Awards grants from the Lyford-Gugino Endowment for Inclusive Classroom and Community Experiences to support local organizations promoting inclusion; disbursed first grants to two organizations.
  • Teacher & Classroom Innovation Grants 1 activity
    • Funding youth and teacher-led service learning initiatives
      Offers mini-grants of up to $1,000 to middle and high school teachers in northern Chautauqua County to integrate community service into classroom learning, supporting youth engagement and civic education.
  • Summer Camp Access Scholarships 1 activity
    • Funding youth sports programs
      Provides youth sports grants of up to $5,000 to support educational opportunities and programs for children and families in financial need in Western New York.
  • Community Event Fundraising 1 activity
    • Hosting community fundraising events
      Organizes direct-service fundraising events such as the annual SOCKTOBER sock drive, Flapjack Fundraiser at Applebee’s, and “Paddles for a Purpose” pickleball tournament to support service learning and local nonprofits.
  • Fundraising for Community and Charitable Initiatives 1 activity
    • Launching and growing permanent community funds
      Launched the Today. Tomorrow. Together. campaign to build long-term community vitality, raising over $8 million to establish Community Funds. Directed flexible funding to address emerging community needs and priorities in northern Chautauqua County.
  • Nonprofit Capacity Building Services 1 activity
    • Providing capacity-building support to local nonprofits
      Provides office and meeting space, operational support, and resources to The Capacity Lab to strengthen the Chautauqua County nonprofit sector. Played an essential role in establishing the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth.
  • Municipal and Community General Support 1 activity
    • Supporting economic development and regional prosperity
      Funds economic prosperity initiatives and regional development, including a five-year investment of over $800,000. Supports the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth, an initiative established in 2020 that has attracted millions in external funding.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$4.30M
Contributions & grants$3.54M82%
Program service revenue$30K1%
Investment income$847K20%
Other revenue$-111K
expenses
Total expenses$1.84M
Program expenses87%
Admin / overhead8%
Fundraising5%
Salaries & benefits$449K
Grants paid out$1.28M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$42.69M
Cash$179K
Investments$42.39M
Liabilities$4.02M
Net assets$38.66M
Liquid reserves278.1 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +59.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

board members · 17
  • ADAM DIMITRI — BOARD MEMBER
  • ALEXANDRIA MURPHY — BOARD MEMBER
  • DANIELLE MARX — TREASURER
  • DAVE TRAVIS — PRESIDENT
  • JESSICA ROSS — BOARD MEMBER
  • JOHN HAMELS — BOARD MEMBER
  • JOSIAH LAMP — BOARD MEMBER
  • KATHY GEORGE — BOARD MEMBER
  • KYLE LEIKAM — BOARD MEMBER
  • NANCY ADAMS FRY — BOARD MEMBER
  • RACHEL FOLEY — VICE PRESIDE
  • RICHARD JOHNSON — BOARD MEMBER
  • RICHARD KETCHAM — BOARD MEMBER
  • SANDRA LEWIS — BOARD MEMBER
  • STEPHANIE STEVENS — BOARD MEMBER
  • SUSAN CRAWFORD-POSTER — BOARD MEMBER
  • SYLVESTER CLEARY — SECRETARY
relationships · 42

Who they work with

  • American Red Cross of WNY Partner — Receives Community Benefit Grant funding from NCCF.
  • Bequest Society Partner — Community of donors who have included NCCF in their estate plans
  • Camp Get-A-Way of Western NY Region Partner — Receives Community Benefit Grant funding from NCCF.
  • Centaur Stride Partner — Receives Community Benefit Grant funding from NCCF.
  • Chautauqua Adult Day Care Center Partner — Receives Community Benefit Grant funding from NCCF.
  • Chautauqua Children’s Gym Partner — Receives Community Benefit Grant funding from NCCF.
  • Chautauqua County Home Auxiliary Partner — Established a scholarship fund administered by NCCF for employees pursuing healthcare education.
  • Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth Partner — Established and supported by NCCF to advance regional economic growth
  • Chautauqua County Rural Ministry Partner — Receives Community Benefit Grant funding from NCCF.
  • Chautauqua Institution Partner — Receives Community Benefit Grant funding from NCCF.
  • Chautauqua Region Community Foundation Partner — Collaborated on the Amazing County project
  • Chautauqua Region Community Foundation Partner — Collaborates on adding Rural Philanthropy Fellows to support regional community development.
  • Chautauqua Safety Village Partner — Receives Community Benefit Grant funding from NCCF.
  • Concord Grape Belt Heritage Association Partner — Receives Community Benefit Grant funding from NCCF.
  • DFT Communications Partner — Partners through the Robert Maytum Memorial Golf Tournament Community Betterment Fund to award charitable grants within their service area.
  • Dan Reininga Partner — Campaign Chair for the Today Tomorrow Together Campaign
  • Darwin R. Barker Library and Museum Partner — Receives Community Benefit Grant funding from NCCF.
  • Diane Hannum Partner — Executive Director of NCCF and contact for campaign pledges
  • Dunkirk Historical Lighthouse Partner — Receives Community Benefit Grant funding from NCCF.
  • Dunkirk Police Department Government — Receives Community Benefit Grant funding from NCCF.
  • Dunkirk Public Library Partner — Receives Community Benefit Grant funding from NCCF.
  • FeedMore of WNY Partner — Recipient of grant funding from the Silver Creek-Irving Heritage Fund administered by NCCF.
  • Fredonia First Methodist Church Partner — Receives Community Benefit Grant funding from NCCF.
  • Gas Mark 8 Partner — Professional partner that powers the organization's website.
  • Gebbie Foundation Partner — Contributed funding to support the formation of The Capacity Lab.
  • Gebbie Foundation of Jamestown Funder — Awarded a multiyear grant for the Operating Expense Endowment Fund and a challenge grant to build unrestricted endowment funds
  • Great Lakes Community Foundation Environmental Collaborative (GLEC) Network — Selected as a member for environmental endowment development
  • Jamestown YWCA Partner — Receives Community Benefit Grant funding from NCCF.
  • John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Funder — Funded the Amazing County project as one of 24 innovative ideas nationwide
  • Lake Shore Center for the Arts Partner — Receives Community Benefit Grant funding from NCCF.
+ 12 more
strategies · 5

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Capacity-Building Partnership Model for Nonprofit Sustainability
    methodology: capacity_building_partnership_model
    By acting as a convener, facilitator, and strategic thought partner, the foundation strengthens the regional nonprofit sector, because building institutional capacity and fostering collaboration enhances the ability of organizations to meet community needs effectively over time.
  • Community-Led and Adaptive Grantmaking
    methodology: community_led_grantmaking
    By involving local committees and designing flexible funding mechanisms, the foundation enables responsive grantmaking that aligns with real-time community priorities, because locally driven decision-making increases relevance, trust, and effectiveness in addressing emerging needs.
  • Donor-Centered Philanthropy to Expand and Sustain Giving
    methodology: donor_centered_giving
    By offering donor-advised funds, planned giving options, and other personalized vehicles, the foundation increases philanthropic participation and long-term funding, because aligning charitable tools with individual donor goals encourages greater engagement and legacy commitments.
  • Permanent Endowment Model for Sustainable Community Impact
    methodology: permanent_endowment_model
    By structuring donor gifts as permanent endowments, the foundation ensures long-term financial sustainability and adaptive community benefit, because endowed funds generate ongoing returns that can be reinvested in response to evolving local needs across generations.
  • Targeted Scholarship Programs with Character-Based Selection
    methodology: character_based_selection
    By directing scholarships to students from specific geographic or identity-based backgrounds and prioritizing character over academic metrics, the foundation promotes equitable opportunity and community continuity, because personal qualities like resilience and service are seen as key drivers of long-term community contribution.