21st Century Fund
The 21st Century Fund awards $100,000 biennially to a capital project that delivers lasting, high-impact benefits to Western New York’s eight-county region.
Funder: Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo
Due Dates (Anticipated): December 2026 (application deadline, projected)
Funding Amounts: Single $100,000 grant awarded biennially to one nonprofit; funding must be used within one year of award.
Summary: Biennial grant supporting a high-impact, sustainable project benefiting the eight-county Western New York region.
Key Information: Strong preference for capital projects from established nonprofits with annual budgets of $400,000+; odds are competitive (1 award, 50+ applicants typical).
Description
The 21st Century Fund, managed by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, is a giving circle of over 350 donors that awards a single $100,000 grant every other year to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The grant is intended to support a high-impact, sustainable project that delivers significant, long-term benefits to the eight-county Western New York region (Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, Wyoming). The selection process is highly participatory, with applicants engaging directly with fund members through presentations at large group events. The fund prioritizes capital projects (such as facility renovations, equipment purchases, or other tangible improvements) over programmatic or operational requests.
