A number of local organizations have been awarded grants from four donor-designated funds at the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation, to the tune of over $10,500 total.
The donors who established these four funds – Luella Potter Endowment Fund, Kay and Oliver Williams/Rushford Endowment Fund, Jim and Gail Olson Mercy Flight Fund, The Rev. Leo J. Gallina Endowment Fund for St. Bernard of Clairvaux Church – designated organizations that mattered to them to receive annual support from their funds.
The Kay and Oliver Williams/Rushford Endowment Fund makes possible annual grants to eight organizations that support the identity and long history of the Rushford community.
Grants made in March include:
- First Baptist Church of Rushford - $1,116
- United Methodist Church of Rushford - $1,116
- Rushford Library - $1,116
- Podonque Cemetery - $755
- Rushford Boy Scouts - Boy Scouts Pack 708 based in the Cuba-Rushford School District - $755
- Rushford Cemetery - $755
- Rushford Concert Band – $755
The fund also made possible a grant in January of $755 to the Cuba-Rushford Central School Outdoors program in support of the conservation camp program.
The Luella Potter Endowment Fund will provide for a grant of $2,173 to Southern Tier Catholic School. The fund was named in honor of Luella Potter who taught at Southern Tier Catholic School for some 39 years.
Southern Tier Catholic School has received over $40,000 in support from the fund since its inception.
The Jim and Gail Olson Mercy Flight Fund made possible a grant of $989 to support the Olean Mercy Flight station. Mrs. Olson established the fund in 2013 to provide annual support for Mercy Fight in Olean.
The Rev. Leo J. Gallina Endowment Fund for St. Bernard of Clairvaux Church, established by Father Gallina, supports St. Bernard of Clairvaux Church, Bradford, Pa., including support of parishioners in need and its community outreach to help others. This year’s grant totals $1,045.
“Every March I am reminded of the power of an endowment when these funds make annual grant distributions,” said CRCF Executive Director Karen Niemic Buchheit. “These funds provide meaningful and reliable support to organizations loved by the donor.
“Because the financial and administrative work is handled by the Foundation, the donors can make these philanthropic contributions with ease and — in the case of donors like Kay and Oliver Williams — that support can last even after they have passed away.”
Donations can be made to any of these funds at CRCF, 301 North Union St., Suite 203, or online at cattfoundation.org.
For 25 years, the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation has been the area’s supportive, responsive and trusted community foundation. Established in 1994, CRCF is growing good by connecting donors to the causes they care about most in the region. Grants from the foundation support many areas, including education, scholarships, health care, the arts, community development, human service, and youth development. To learn more, call (716) 301-CRCF (2723), email [email protected], or visit online at www.cattfoundation.org. CRCF is also on Facebook (facebook.com/cattfoundation) and Twitter (@CattFoundation).
