1. The Foundation supports sustainable organizations that improve the quality of life in Western New York.
2. Grants are limited to non-profit organizations which have obtained tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Code; Proof of the exemption in the form of a copy of the IRS Determination Letter must be submitted with the application for all 501(c)(3) organizations.
3. Grants are limited to agencies that are physically located in one of the seven counties of Western New York: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, and Wyoming.
4. The Foundation will allow the submittal of one application per 501(c)(3) organization at a time.
5. Organizations who have been granted an award may reapply to the Foundation two (2) years following the final payment of a grant.
6. Grants will be considered in these categories:
   1. Human Services
   2. Education
   3. Urban and Rural Development
   4. Arts, Culture, and Humanities
   5. Housing, Park and Land Use
7. Grants for the following types of groups and uses are not made:
   1. Religious Organizations for Religious Purposes
   2. Political Organizations, Campaigns, and Candidates
   3. Municipal and Government
   4. Grants or Loans to Individuals
   5. Fund-Raising Events, i.e. Sponsorships, Tables, Dinners, and Telethons
   6. Endowments
   7. Scholarships
   8. Operating Expenses
   9. Hospital Capital Campaigns
   10. General Capital Campaigns
8. Please note that it is our normal practice to schedule a meeting with applicants, schedules permitting. This is exploratory in nature and does not in any way indicate a predisposition of the Board toward approval.
9. All applications and additional attachments should be mailed or emailed directly to the Western New York Foundation. A written response will be sent to you when a decision has been reached by our Board

Electronic submittals are welcome, however, an original hard copy with a Board member's signature must be mailed to the Foundation. Submit electronic copies to bgosch@wnyfoundation.org. Deadline dates for the submittal of applications are June 30th and November 30th.

Please carefully complete the application form, returning a signed form with the required attachments. You may also request this form as an e-mail file by calling (716) 839-4225. Please do not place the submitted application and required attachments in a binder or other type of cover or otherwise alter the form.

Incomplete applications will not be reviewed or placed in our evaluation cycle until all information is submitted. An application is incomplete if it does not contain the required attachments, is not signed and dated by a member of the board, or has unanswered questions.