Wyoming Foundation

05/28/2026

A meaningful day focused on the future of the community. ☀️

The Wyoming Foundation is guided by a group of dedicated local residents, and committed to bringing people together, connecting partners and sparking collaboration to respond to our community’s changing needs.

On May 20, the Wyoming Foundation Council had its quarterly meeting in Warsaw. Council members carefully reviewed applications to determine this year's grant recipients, who will be announced at our anniversary celebration in July. They also read through many inspiring nominations for the 2026 Leadership Awards and enjoyed reviewing the imaginative submissions for the 2026 Creativity Contest. Winners for those will also all be honored in July.

05/20/2026

For 50 years, the Wyoming Foundation has strived to be a force for good in Wyoming County.🌎

One of the ways it does this is through its annual grant process, made possible through the generosity of individuals and families who are passionate about giving back to support the needs of our Wyoming County residents.💡

Recently, we checked in with some of our 2025 grantees including Friends of Letchworth. This organization has a mission to support the preservation, conservation and careful development of Letchworth. Some of the ways they do this is by offering services and activities reflective of and consistent with the history and nature of the park and supporting and assisting in offering educational and recreational programs.

“The Friends of Letchworth have been extremely supportive in the stewardship and programming goals of the Letchworth State Park. The funding that the Wyoming Foundation granted to the Friends of Letchworth has helped to provide programming to educate patrons in the Haudenosaunee way of life in the area,” said Douglas Kelly, Park Manager, Letchworth State Park. "The kiosks that were built give patrons of the park a new experience in history to take home with them after visiting.

“The video kiosks built with funds from a Wyoming Foundation grant enable the Friends of Letchworth to effectively share with the public a beautifully produced series of videos focusing on the life of the Haudenosaunee people of Western New York,” said Vici Campbell, Friends of Letchworth. "Exhibits of this nature not only provide an educational resource for the community but enhance Letchworth Park’s role as a global tourist destination.”

The kiosks are located at the William Pryor Letchworth Museum accessible from May through October and the Humphrey Nature Center accessible year round during Nature Center operating hours.

Learn more about the Wyoming Foundation: https://www.cfgb.org/about/wyoming-foundation/

05/13/2026

When Sam Gullo bought a shopping plaza in Geneseo, he had no idea that the sale of it would ultimately help him to establish a fund at the Wyoming Foundation and make a positive impact in his beloved hometown.

Perry, New York, is an idyllic small town in the heart of Wyoming County. Among its 3,600 residents is Sam, who has called it home all of his life.

“I’ve been lucky enough to make a pretty good living here, and now I want to help other people,” he said.

Sam grew up as the youngest of three children, and his parents instilled in them that it is better to give than to receive.

While Sam spent a lot of time at his parents’ furniture store in the center of Perry, he didn’t plan on taking over the family business. That all changed when Sam was in college and his father passed away suddenly, changing the trajectory of his career path. After graduating from Niagara University, Sam returned to his hometown to learn the business, which he still runs to this day in the same location it has been in for 80 years.

“I always had other interests besides the furniture business, and I was quite interested in real estate,” Sam explained.

That led Sam to pursue a second career in real estate development. He eventually purchased a nearly vacant shopping plaza in Geneseo at an auction. After redeveloping and selling it, the proceeds provided an establishing gift for the Sam and Cherie Gullo Foundation, a fund at the Wyoming Foundation, which is a geographic division of the Community Foundation.

Noting that there are many needs in Wyoming County, staying local with their support is important to Sam; his wife, Cherie; and son, Adam. Through their fund, they are able to provide grants to numerous organizations that are meaningful to their family.

“The fund has been a great way for me to do what I’m trying to accomplish, which is to do something for somebody else whenever I can, and that desire goes back to my parents, no question. I just feel good about giving,” said Sam.

Learn more: https://www.cfgb.org/about/wyoming-foundation/

04/30/2026

Welcome MarcAnthony Bucci and Matthew Torres, the new Community Foundation team members who will be focused on rural initiatives.

MarcAnthony is the Director of Rural Initiatives and Regional Partnerships. He plays a key role in leading strategic initiatives to strengthen rural communities across designated counties. He oversees two affiliated foundations and their councils in Western New York – the Niagara Area Foundation and the Wyoming Foundation, ensuring alignment with the broader mission of the Community Foundation.

Matthew is the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Philanthropy Fellow, part of the inaugural cohort of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation’s Rural Philanthropy Fellows Program designed to strengthen leadership capacity within rural-serving community foundations. In this role, Matthew conducts outreach to a variety of community groups to increase awareness and community engagement.

04/23/2026

On April 15 and 16, members of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation Rural Leadership Cohort gathered at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel for the third Rural Convening. The learning-packed agenda gave cohort members the chance to share updates, ideas and best practices for working in rural communities, and explore opportunities to collaborate.

Cohort members represented both Southeast Michigan and Western New York and included Community Foundation team members Emily Wyckoff, Megan Sommerfeldt, MarcAnthony Bucci and Matthew Torres, and Wyoming Foundation 50th Anniversary Chair Scott A. Gardner, who shared how the Wyoming Foundation is marking its 50th anniversary.

Matthew, a member of Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation’s Rural Fellowship program, stayed an extra day with his cohort to learn more about the rural challenges and solutions shared by cohort members and their foundations in Southeast Michigan and Western New York, and participated in a fun teambuilding day at the National Comedy Center in Jamestown.

04/21/2026

The future is in good hands—and we’re proud to honor one of the hands shaping it! The Wyoming Foundation’s Youth Leadership Award recognizes a remarkable youth between the ages of 13 and 20 from Wyoming County who exemplifies leadership qualities and a commitment to creating positive change through community service, civic engagement, or volunteerism.

The recipient will be recognized at our 50th Anniversary Celebration in July, and will have the opportunity to award a $1,000 grant to the nonprofit of their choosing. Learn more and nominate by May 1, 2026.

https://www.cfgb.org/wyoming-foundation-leadership-awards-information/

04/20/2026

The Batavia Daily News (TAG) recently featured an article about Wyoming County’s Accelerator Academy, which is supported by the Marjorie and Charles Van Arsdale Family Fund at the Wyoming Foundation.

“The Wyoming County Business Accelerator Academy is integral to our mission of supporting local entrepreneurs. We invite all business owners—whether they’re established or just starting — to explore the resources available through our Economic Development website wycoida.org,” said Jennifer Tyczka (TAG), program manager of the Wyoming County Business Center and Chair, Wyoming Foundation.

Read more about how this is program is strengthening local roots to boost local businesses: https://www.thedailynewsonline.com/special/strengthening-roots-and-reaching-higher-wyoming-county-s-accelerator-academy-boosts-local-businesses/article_79a6a13e-766e-4cd5-b04c-6a5460f0d794.html

WARSAW — The Wyoming County Business Center has completed another session of its Business Accelerator Academy, an initiative designed to equip local entrepreneurs with the tools, strategies, and support needed

04/07/2026

Do you know someone 21 years of age and older in Wyoming County who exemplifies a commitment to creating positive change in their community through community service, civic engagement or volunteerism outside of their professional position? Nominations are now open for the Dr. James MacCallum Community Leadership Award, an annual award named after the Wyoming Foundation’s founder.

The recipient will be recognized at our 50th Anniversary Celebration in July, and will have the opportunity to award a $1,000 grant to the nonprofit of their choosing. Learn more and nominate by May 1, 2026. www.WyomingFoundation.org.

03/30/2026

In celebration of our 50th anniversary, nominations are now open for our Leadership Awards! Anyone can nominate by May 1 and awards will be given in three categories:
• Dr. James MacCallum Community Leadership Award is an annual award, named after the Wyoming Foundation’s founder, that recognizes anyone 21 years of age and older in Wyoming County who exemplifies a commitment to creating positive change in their community through community service, civic engagement or volunteerism outside of their professional position.
• Non-Profit Award recognizes a designated 501(c)(3) charitable organization that has made measurable change in moving their cause forward and helping transform Wyoming County, leading to a stronger, more successful community.
• Youth Leadership Award recognizes a remarkable youth between the ages of 13 and 20 from Wyoming County who exemplifies leadership qualities and a commitment to creating positive change through community service, civic engagement, or volunteerism.
Nominate at www.WyomingFoundation.org.

03/27/2026

We loved kicking off the Wyoming Foundation's 50th anniversary! Dozens of community members joined the fun at Farmcraft Brewery. What a great opportunity to connect with Wyoming Foundation Council members and residents who are passionate about giving back in Wyoming County, and we enjoyed sharing how the Foundation is celebrating this milestone with its Leadership Awards, Creativity Contest for youth, and a Garden Party Anniversary Celebration in July.

Click here to learn more and to watch the new video that was also shared during the event!
https://www.cfgb.org/about/wyoming-foundation/