Current News

It has been said before that the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation started with just a group of volunteers and a dream. As CRCF celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2019 even the organization's most adamant advocates and supporters, its earliest board members and first executive director, admit that their expectations for the organization have been far exceeded.

Grant applications for the next funding cycle of the Community Fund at the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation are due April 21.

The Ernst family has always deeply valued education. When Gerry and Diane Ernst received a surprise gift from their sons in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary, it was only fitting that gift came in the form of a scholarship fund bearing the family's name.

For all his love of football, Patrick Shinners, a skilled high school player and later a dedicated high school official, was about more than the Friday night lights. A scholarship in his memory pays tribute to that.

Jonathan Teuscher faced challenges in his 19-year life. But like the most special among us, he knew that anything could be accomplished with enthusiasm, motivation and perseverance. Teuscher was born premature and diagnosed with cerebral palsy. And yet, he never let his physical limitations hinder his pursuits. A 1998 graduate of Portville Central School, he was a member of the school's football and track teams.

When Jessica Sweitzer, a loving mother and daughter, passed away in 2014 after struggling with bipolar disorder and depression for 10 years, her parents, Pat and Barb Sweitzer, decided to channel their grief into supporting those who may be struggling with similar mental health issues.

The Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation recently elected four board members, including two first-time board members and two CRCF charter board members. Beth Palumbo, Tyler Threehouse, Doug Price and Mike Kasperski were all elected to the 2019 CRCF board of directors.

Alfred Station, NY, February 1, 2019 - Announcing the open period for grant applications through the Allegany-Cattaraugus-Chautauqua Fund for Women (ACC-FFW). Grant applications, for individual grants, are being accepted February 1st through March 15th, 2019. A thorough review of applications will precede an award announcement on April 30th 2019.

When Jennifer DeLong passed away in June of 2018 at just 36 years old, her family — parents Ken and Sue DeLong and siblings Teresa and Kevin — almost immediately made the decision to establish a scholarship in her memory.

Joe and Cecily Higgins had a dream of bringing a recreational trail to the Olean/Allegany area. Thanks to their hard work and persistence, that dream became the Allegheny River Valley Trail. In much the same way, the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation started with a group of volunteers, one fund and a dream - a dream of supporting community members in their philanthropic endeavors, like the Allegheny River Valley Trail Project.

Five organizations that support local children and youth will receive grants this November from the Kaleigh Wilday Endowment Fund at the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation.

When two members of the Olean High School Class of 1995 passed away tragically, the rest of the class was left reeling and racking their brains for a way to support their classmates' families through the loss.

In this special blog post, CRCF Executive Director Karen Niemic Buchheit, shares some thoughts on the Cattaraugus Gives program and the true mission behind it.