Communities of Giving Legacy Initiative

09/17/2021

Hispanic Heritage Month, or Mes de la Herencia Hispana, is an annual celebration set to commemorate Hispanic and Latino/a/x independence, culture, history and achievements in America. Observed from September 15 to October 15, it aims to bring awareness and education of the impact and the ongoing contribution the Hispanic and Latino/a/x people have across the U.S.

The mission of the CGLI is to cultivate positive change in the lives of trailblazing youth of color, including those of Hispanic descent, in our communities. This month and beyond we honor and celebrate the Hispanic and Latino/a/x communities in Western New York.

Hispanic Heritage Month, or Mes de la Herencia Hispana, is an annual celebration set to commemorate Hispanic and Latino/a/x independence, culture, history and achievements in America. Observed from September 15 to October 15, it aims to bring awareness and education of the impact and the ongoing contribution the Hispanic and Latino/a/x people have across the U.S.

The mission of the CGLI is to cultivate positive change in the lives of trailblazing youth of color, including those of Hispanic descent, in our communities. This month and beyond we honor and celebrate the Hispanic and Latino/a/x communities in Western New York.

09/08/2021

Mark your calendars! The 2021 Pay It Forward Awards will be held on November 4. This annual event recognizes community leaders for their personal and professional accomplishments that have increased philanthropy, services and education to communities of color in Western New York.

Mark your calendars! The 2021 Pay It Forward Awards will be held on November 4. This annual event recognizes community leaders for their personal and professional accomplishments that have increased philanthropy, services and education to communities of color in Western New York.

09/01/2021

Do you know an individual or organization in Western New York that has consistently supported and helped youth of color in our community? Consider nominating them for the CGLI’s Pay It Forward Awards!

Each year, the CGLI recognizes four outstanding individuals or organizations that embody its mission of cultivating positive change in the lives of trailblazing youth of color living within Western New York. Awardees will be honored at the annual Pay It Forward Awards in November.

Learn more and nominate here:
https://forms.office.com/r/9UsSeD8Dk7

Do you know an individual or organization in Western New York that has consistently supported and helped youth of color in our community? Consider nominating them for the CGLI’s Pay It Forward Awards!

Each year, the CGLI recognizes four outstanding individuals or organizations that embody its mission of cultivating positive change in the lives of trailblazing youth of color living within Western New York. Awardees will be honored at the annual Pay It Forward Awards in November.

Learn more and nominate here:
https://forms.office.com/r/9UsSeD8Dk7

08/28/2021

On this day in:
1955: 14-year-old Emmett Till was brutally murdered by three white men, which, became a “flashpoint in the civil rights movement.”
1963: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his iconic “I Have A Dream” speech in Washington, D.C.
2005: Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Louisiana. The storm, which devastated New Orleans, inordinately impacted many of the city’s Black residents.
2008: Then-Senator Barack Obama accepted the Democratic nomination for president, becoming the first Black man to ever win the nomination and bid for the presidency.

August is Black Philanthropy Month and today is Give 8/28, a giving day dedicated to grassroots, Black nonprofits.

The CGLI cultivates positive change in the lives of trailblazing youth of color living within Western New York. Learn how the CGLI is inspiring philanthropy within and for communities of color in Western New York, today and every day: https://www.cfgb.org/community-change/initiatives/cgli/

On this day in:
1955: 14-year-old Emmett Till was brutally murdered by three white men, which, became a “flashpoint in the civil rights movement.”
1963: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his iconic “I Have A Dream” speech in Washington, D.C.
2005: Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Louisiana. The storm, which devastated New Orleans, inordinately impacted many of the city’s Black residents.
2008: Then-Senator Barack Obama accepted the Democratic nomination for president, becoming the first Black man to ever win the nomination and bid for the presidency.

August is Black Philanthropy Month and today is Give 8/28, a giving day dedicated to grassroots, Black nonprofits.

The CGLI cultivates positive change in the lives of trailblazing youth of color living within Western New York. Learn how the CGLI is inspiring philanthropy within and for communities of color in Western New York, today and every day: https://www.cfgb.org/community-change/initiatives/cgli/

07/15/2021

Karla General was first introduced to the CGLI during a collaborative event with the Native Professionals Network. She had just moved to Buffalo and was interested in opportunities to connect with those working to improve the lives of communities of color. “As a q***r, Mohawk woman who is relatively new to Buffalo, I was drawn to the mission of CGLI for its inclusivity and focus on building opportunities for positive change in the lives of all youth of color,” Karla said.

Now a CGLI Council member, Karla hopes to pay it forward to communities of color in Western New York, especially its Indigenous communities.

“I am looking forward to building partnerships and networks with like-minded people and organizations that value the diversity of Western New York, engaging with others to share Indigenous perspectives, and working together to contribute to building back Buffalo,” she said. “Organizations like the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo and its Communities of Giving Legacy Initiative are critical for creating those lasting experiences and opportunities for youth of color that will strengthen all of our communities in sustainable ways that can benefit generations to come in Western New York.”

Karla General was first introduced to the CGLI during a collaborative event with the Native Professionals Network. She had just moved to Buffalo and was interested in opportunities to connect with those working to improve the lives of communities of color. “As a q***r, Mohawk woman who is relatively new to Buffalo, I was drawn to the mission of CGLI for its inclusivity and focus on building opportunities for positive change in the lives of all youth of color,” Karla said.

Now a CGLI Council member, Karla hopes to pay it forward to communities of color in Western New York, especially its Indigenous communities.

“I am looking forward to building partnerships and networks with like-minded people and organizations that value the diversity of Western New York, engaging with others to share Indigenous perspectives, and working together to contribute to building back Buffalo,” she said. “Organizations like the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo and its Communities of Giving Legacy Initiative are critical for creating those lasting experiences and opportunities for youth of color that will strengthen all of our communities in sustainable ways that can benefit generations to come in Western New York.”

07/08/2021

The Emerging Philanthropists of Color Grant Process is officially open! Nonprofit organizations whose work has a positive impact on youth of color in the city of Buffalo, Niagara Falls, or Lackawanna are invited to apply.
Applications are due Tuesday, August 31, 2021 by 4 p.m. Learn more here: https://www.cfgb.org/nonprofits/grants/emerging-philanthropists-of-color/

The Emerging Philanthropists of Color Grant Process is officially open! Nonprofit organizations whose work has a positive impact on youth of color in the city of Buffalo, Niagara Falls, or Lackawanna are invited to apply.
Applications are due Tuesday, August 31, 2021 by 4 p.m. Learn more here: https://www.cfgb.org/nonprofits/grants/emerging-philanthropists-of-color/

06/24/2021

Khaleel Gathers was first introduced to the CGLI in 2019 when he was invited to its annual fundraising breakfast by CGLI past Chair, Dr. Bonita Durand. “It was a wonderful experience and I looked forward to continuing the relationship with the organization moving forward.,” Khaleel said.

Over the years, he had looked for opportunities to work with organizations that provided educational and developmental activities for members of the community,. He was impressed with the outstanding programs and activities the CGLI provided for trailblazing youth of color, noting that he had benefitted from similar programs growing up in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Now a CGLI Council member, Khaleel said, “I thought this would be an excellent opportunity to pay it forward. ‘Each One Teach One’ is what we would say, and as a CGLI Council member, I hope to have an excellent opportunity to provide more service in that capacity.”

Khaleel Gathers was first introduced to the CGLI in 2019 when he was invited to its annual fundraising breakfast by CGLI past Chair, Dr. Bonita Durand. “It was a wonderful experience and I looked forward to continuing the relationship with the organization moving forward.,” Khaleel said.

Over the years, he had looked for opportunities to work with organizations that provided educational and developmental activities for members of the community,. He was impressed with the outstanding programs and activities the CGLI provided for trailblazing youth of color, noting that he had benefitted from similar programs growing up in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Now a CGLI Council member, Khaleel said, “I thought this would be an excellent opportunity to pay it forward. ‘Each One Teach One’ is what we would say, and as a CGLI Council member, I hope to have an excellent opportunity to provide more service in that capacity.”

06/07/2021

Congratulations to the CGLI's 2021 Young Philanthropists (TYPs), who were honored at a virtual Capstone Ceremony on June 4.

The students met twice a month from February until June, and learned about the grant making process— what a 501(c)(3) organization classification means, guidelines for writing a proposal, understanding a project budget, conflict of interest disclosure, interviewing nonprofit leaders and consensus building. They also reviewed nonprofit proposals and at the ceremony, awarded two $1,500 grants: one to the The Buffalo Urban League and one to the Belle Center.

The 2021 TYPs include: Denise Bobbitt, Cheektowaga High School; Sakiba Chowdhury, Buffalo Academy of Science Charter School; Makka Djibrine, Lafayette High School; Madine Djibrine, Lafayette High School; Gabriel Morgan, Buffalo Academy of Science Charter School; and Dakari Sawyers, Canisius High School. They are pictured here with Ruth Bryant, CGLI Chair and TYP Mentor.

Congratulations to the CGLI's 2021 Young Philanthropists (TYPs), who were honored at a virtual Capstone Ceremony on June 4.

The students met twice a month from February until June, and learned about the grant making process— what a 501(c)(3) organization classification means, guidelines for writing a proposal, understanding a project budget, conflict of interest disclosure, interviewing nonprofit leaders and consensus building. They also reviewed nonprofit proposals and at the ceremony, awarded two $1,500 grants: one to the The Buffalo Urban League and one to the Belle Center.

The 2021 TYPs include: Denise Bobbitt, Cheektowaga High School; Sakiba Chowdhury, Buffalo Academy of Science Charter School; Makka Djibrine, Lafayette High School; Madine Djibrine, Lafayette High School; Gabriel Morgan, Buffalo Academy of Science Charter School; and Dakari Sawyers, Canisius High School. They are pictured here with Ruth Bryant, CGLI Chair and TYP Mentor.

05/05/2021

Please join us for this virtual event as we celebrate the 2021 Young Philanthropists! Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMvduivpjIrGNzhf5nUtS2A8Pih9i_A3bud

Please join us for this virtual event as we celebrate the 2021 Young Philanthropists! Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMvduivpjIrGNzhf5nUtS2A8Pih9i_A3bud

02/23/2021

Western New York mourns Hugh B. Scott, its first Black federal judge

We offer our sincere condolences to the family of U.S. Magistrate Hugh B. Scott, a remarkable man who defined what it meant to give back to Western New York. He was a trailblazer in the legal community, and was the first African American to be appointed to the Federal bench in the Western District of New York in 1994.

The Honorable Hugh Scott also made an impact to Western New York through his commitment to the Community Foundation, where he served as a Board member from 2004 to 2014. He was a founding member of the Communities of Giving Legacy Initiative, led the effort to develop free legal clinics for students and families in the Buffalo Public Schools through Say Yes Buffalo, and was a guiding force as a founding member of the Greater Buffalo Racial Equity Roundtable.

The Honorable Hugh Scott will be dearly missed by all those who knew him, and his contributions will certainly be felt for generations to come as will his kindness live on in our hearts.

https://buffalonews.com/news/local/western-new-york-mourns-hugh-b-scott-its-first-black-federal-judge/article_24dae006-73e1-11eb-8720-b3876686c3df.html

"I try not to talk of it in those terms. But yes, there have been a number of firsts in my life, and yes, I'm proud of it," Scott told

01/12/2021

Tanya Staples was introduced to the CGLI when she attended the inaugural information session when it launched. She followed its work and impact for several years and joined the CGLI Council because she believed in its mission of cultivating positive change in the lives of trailblazing youth of color living within Western New York.

“The programs are designed to elevate the opportunities and voice youth have in changing the trajectory of their lives,” she said. “It provides a safe space for emerging leaders to understand and learn about the power of philanthropy and how their support will impact future generations.”

Tanya Staples was introduced to the CGLI when she attended the inaugural information session when it launched. She followed its work and impact for several years and joined the CGLI Council because she believed in its mission of cultivating positive change in the lives of trailblazing youth of color living within Western New York.

“The programs are designed to elevate the opportunities and voice youth have in changing the trajectory of their lives,” she said. “It provides a safe space for emerging leaders to understand and learn about the power of philanthropy and how their support will impact future generations.”

01/04/2021

Michele Agosto, the Director of Arts, Department of Arts for Buffalo Public Schools, was introduced to CGLI by fellow Council member Oswaldo Mestre, who shared with her the great work CGLI was doing in funding, educating and investing in young professionals, future philanthropists, and youth in communities of color. “It was something I wanted to be part of because it is this type of organized, community outreach that is central to my own belief systems and is integral to the work I do in our Buffalo Public Schools,” Michele said.

Michele Agosto, the Director of Arts, Department of Arts for Buffalo Public Schools, was introduced to CGLI by fellow Council member Oswaldo Mestre, who shared with her the great work CGLI was doing in funding, educating and investing in young professionals, future philanthropists, and youth in communities of color. “It was something I wanted to be part of because it is this type of organized, community outreach that is central to my own belief systems and is integral to the work I do in our Buffalo Public Schools,” Michele said.

12/23/2020

Entrepreneur awarded Durand scholarship

The inaugural recipient of the Drs. Henry J. and Bonita R. Durand Scholarship— named after CGLI Council Chair Bonita Durand and her late husband, Henry— is a local entrepreneur and nontraditional student driven to be a role model for her two young children. Read more:

http://www.buffalo.edu/ubnow/stories/2020/12/durand-scholarship-winner.html

Charice Thompson is the inaugural recipient of the scholarship established by the late UB administrator and GSE faculty member.

12/21/2020

CGLI Grantees

Here at the Communities of Giving Legacy Initiative we have a mission to cultivate positive change for trailblazing youth of color in WNY.

We are happy to support local students with the technology they need to be successful for remote learning...

12/16/2020

Join our Listening Session! Thursday, December 17 at 5:30 p.m. The Communities of Giving Legacy (CGLI), a fund of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, exists to support trailblazing youth of color in Western New York. We invite you to engage in this guided conversations with youth participants from programs supported by CGLI. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIkfuuvrTkjHtUC3wCiaAb2KBFGeYkJpwlu

Join our Listening Session! Thursday, December 17 at 5:30 p.m. The Communities of Giving Legacy (CGLI), a fund of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, exists to support trailblazing youth of color in Western New York. We invite you to engage in this guided conversations with youth participants from programs supported by CGLI. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIkfuuvrTkjHtUC3wCiaAb2KBFGeYkJpwlu