Four Foundations Are Boosting Dozens of Groups Serving Detroit’s Communities of Color
More than 24 community organizations in Detroit led by or serving Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) will share $11 million in operating support over the next two years thanks to grants announced last month by Enterprise Community Partners, a national nonprofit focused on the affordable housing crisis.
Read the full article at »Array of organizations share $2 million from Wilson Foundation
Some 90 organizations are receiving over $2 million from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation. The Legacy grants, administered through the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, were given to support caregivers, youth sports, cultural and arts organizations and recreational trails – all areas important to Wilson when he was alive.
Read the full article at »Niagara Falls visitor center to be replaced with $46 million building
For the past few years, State Parks officials have been thinking about a makeover for the visitor center at Niagara Falls State Park. Now, they’ve decided on a do-over instead. The 36-year-old building will be demolished and replaced with a larger building on the same site, officials announced Friday.
Read the full article at »$500,000 from trusts of Ralph C. Wilson Jr.’s daughters to support Detroit park named for him
A $500,000 gift from the trusts of Ralph C. Wilson Jr.’s late daughters will support the Detroit riverfront park named for their father.
Read the full article at »Millions more going to Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park
A million dollars from the trusts of two of Ralph C. Wilson Jr.’s daughters, both deceased, will go toward a relocated Barkyard, Buffalo’s first dog park, and a planned entry garden by a pedestrian bridge that will be built in the park named in his honor.
Read the full article at »Group of government and nonprofit leaders targets economic growth in Pontiac
A cross-sector group of government and nonprofit leaders in Pontiac is working to finalize data-driven goals for the next five to 10 years to help spur economic growth and revitalization in the city.
Read the full article at »Wilson foundation to grant $3 million to afterschool programs inspired by real feedback from teens
The Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation is putting $3 million in grants behind afterschool programs inspired by feedback it solicited from 1,000 high school students.
The foundation last fall paid 1,000 high school students across its focus areas of Southeast Michigan and Western New York $1,000 each for their year-long participation in a project dubbed “Generator Z.”
Read the full article at »Conservancy formed to oversee Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park
With the groundbreaking for a transformed Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park one year away, the question of who will operate and maintain the park has become clear.
A newly-established not-for-profit called the Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy will be in charge.
Read the full article at »Wilson Foundation investment is changing the face of Buffalo’s waterfront (Video)
Parks and trails have always been a big part of the Western New York experience, but their prominence and accessibility have grown significantly in recent years thanks to the support of the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation.
Read the full article at »ESPN Recognition Brings $100,000 to Support COVID-safe Play
Watch the ESPN award announcement made on SportsCenter last month.
The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation was honored to be named the recipient of ESPN’s inaugural Sports Philanthropist of the Year honor as part of its 2020 Sports Humanitarian Awards. We’re proud to share and celebrate this recognition with our amazing Project Play Western New York and Project Play Southeast Michigan partners, and incredible grantees that are working each and every day to provide equitable access and a better youth sport experience for all children.
We are excited to announce that as part of this special recognition ESPN Citizenship is directing a $100,000 charitable donation in our honor. We have requested their donation be split equally between our two regions, to support COVID-safe play initiatives being led by our Project Play partners. This includes a mini-grant program in Western New York and the Project Play Kit project in Southeast Michigan providing sports equipment, games and activity ideas for home play. More details will be shared in the coming weeks.
And be sure to check out this great recap by Tom Farrey, executive director of Aspen’s Sports & Society Program, reflecting on the #DontRetireKid campaign we helped to launch together nearly a year ago with ESPN and our Project Play 2020 partners.