Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds
Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds support Western New York organizations with caregiver resources, arts and historic preservation, outdoor access, and youth sports to expand community opportunities.
This grant was recently updated
Applications open November 2, 2026, and close November 30, 2026, at 4 PM; decisions follow in April 2027, replacing the late-October update notice. Community Assets now targets low-income communities for arts instruction and makes cultural tourism an objective rather than a preference; other details also changed.
Funder: Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo
Due Dates: November 2, 2026 (Applications open) | November 30, 2026, at 4 p.m. (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: $10,000–$25,000 for Caregivers, Community Assets, and Youth Sports; $10,000–$50,000 for Design and Access; no multi-year requests
Summary: Annual grants support Western New York caregiver resources, arts and historic assets, outdoor recreation access, and youth sports.
Key Information: Community Assets is limited to Erie County 501(c)(3) nonprofits; the other categories also accept government agencies across Western New York.
Description
The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds are administered by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. Established in 2015 by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, these endowments provide annual support for localized programs and initiatives reflecting Mr. Wilson’s personal passions. The funds are distinct from grants made directly by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation.
The four funding areas support caregivers, equitable access to youth arts instruction and historic assets, outdoor recreation and active transportation, and children’s participation in sports. Priorities include resources for caregivers of older adults, cultural tourism, environmentally sustainable and universally accessible outdoor spaces, and collaborative youth sports programs. Caregiver funding also supports community-based experimentation, pilot programs, and evidence-building to inform future expansion.
