Connect. Create. Change. 2016 ANNUAL REPORT 2 We all have a vision for our community. A bright and prosperous future for Western New York: quality education and plentiful cultural opportunities, racial/ethnic equity, healthy homes and a vibrant environment. At the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, we believe that creating positive change is an art form. Continuous learning, imagination, collaboration and commitment are important tools in transformational change. Our community is a dynamic work of art. We are honored to do this work on behalf of our generous clients who give through the Foundation. Together, we are painting a more promising tomorrow for all. Clotilde Perez-Bode Dedecker Marsha Joy Sullivan President/CEO Chair, Board of Directors 33 Creating a legacy. RUTH D. BRYANT Ruth Bryant can still hear her namesake, She believes strongly in supporting these Aunt Ruth, saying, “May the works I have transformational experiences, which is done speak for me.” Those words have why she established a legacy gift through stayed with her throughout her life of the Community Foundation. A portion of service to our community and shaped her gift will also support the Community her legacy planning with the Community Foundation’s work in addressing the Foundation for Greater Buffalo. Ruth says changing needs of our community she has often thought about what she over time. would like to be known for and the impact she wants to have on her community. “I trust the Community Foundation to do the best it can and use the funds wisely “I, like many others, want to be involved to address our community’s needs for in something successful that benefits generations to come,” said Ruth. “The our community,” said Ruth. “That is Foundation has the reputation locally, why I decided to create a fund at the nationally and internationally to be good Community Foundation because I know stewards of its clients’ funds.” my vision will be fulfilled and my gift will be leveraged to do the most good.” Ruth is well aware of the benefits of working with the Community Foundation. “ I know my vision will She served as Board Chair from 2001- 2002, was a founding member of the 21st be fulfilled and my gift Century Fund and is an active founding will be leveraged to do member of the Communities of Giving Legacy Initiative®(CGLI). Ruth talks the most good.” passionately about how giving students RUTH D. BRYANT new opportunities through the CGLI helps them envision possibilities. 4 Ruth D. Bryant, former Assistant Dean of the School of Architecture and Planning, in front of Hayes Hall on the State University at Buffalo South Campus. 5 Teaming up for a brighter tomorrow. THE RALPH C. WILSON, JR. FOUNDATION Imagine being tasked with giving away To kick off Phase One, the Foundation $1.2 billion in 20 years to improve two sought out trusted philanthropic partners communities important to a man who in the communities to get on the ground entrusted you with his legacy. The and start learning about the needs and Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation leaders opportunities for impact. consider this challenge an honor and a privilege. They are now creating a “When we reached out to the Community strategic playbook to carry out Ralph C. Foundation for Greater Buffalo, they Wilson, Jr.’s wishes through a phased immediately set up a tour to show us approach to make the greatest impact places most in need in Western New while creating long-lasting support for York,” said Mary Wilson, Ralph C. Wilson, the communities he cared about. Jr. Foundation Life Trustee. “We needed a partner we could trust that would teach “We see our Foundation as having four us best practices in philanthropy, as unique life phases with the first being well as connect us to key players in the Transition. It is what we call our ‘get community.” smart’ mode and that is where we are now,” said David Egner, President Additionally in its first year, the Ralph and CEO of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation created Foundation. “This phase started with multiple endowments at the Community ‘legacy gifts’ that the trustees put in Foundation to provide permanent funding place knowing that Mr. Wilson would for causes Mr. Wilson cared about deeply. have wanted to see these funded right away, as well as a process of getting to “These field of interest endowments know Southeast Michigan and Western will live in perpetuity beyond the limited New York.” lifetime of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation,” said David Egner. “We have David describes Phase Two as the already expanded our investments based Impact Phase, which may encompass on the access to ideas and collaboration more traditional grantmaking and focus through the Community Foundation.” on funding multi-year pilot projects. Phase Three will be a Transformational The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation Phase and may involve doubling down recognizes that it must operate on funding to provide long-lasting and differently, with urgency and a sustainable change. The final phase will collaborative spirit, to create meaningful be an Exit and Legacy Phase. It is still too change in our community and to honor early to set a timetable for these phases. the remarkable legacy and generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson. 6 “ We needed a partner we could trust that would teach us best practices in philanthropy, as well as connect us to key players in the community.” MARY WILSON Mary and Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. 7 Securing the future. BUFFALO ALUMNI CHAPTER OF KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY, INC. ENDOWMENT FUND William Bobo, Jr. is celebrating his 50th “We wanted to find a way to invest year as a member of the Kappa Alpha the money that would provide us with Psi Fraternity, Inc. When he joined opportunities to give additional funds the fraternity, he never imagined the outside of our scholarships,” said camaraderie or the opportunities to give Andrew. “By establishing an endowment back he would gain for decades. William at the Community Foundation, we knew is proud of the positive impact the Buffalo the money would not run out. It allowed Alumni Chapter of his fraternity has us to put safeguards in place to ensure made in the community by mentoring the money would be used to carry out young leaders to carry on their shared our mission forever.” core values for generations to come. The next generation of the Buffalo William’s fraternity brother Andrew Alumni Chapter, led by current president Johnson, Jr., the self-described “keeper Justin Lewis, is appreciative of the of the coin” for the Buffalo Alumni financial foresight and guidance put in Chapter, knows that every penny counts place by the elder brothers to carry on toward making a difference in the the fraternity’s commitment to service. community. When he became treasurer, he noticed there was an account that was “I have learned about what an not being used, so he gathered a couple endowment is and how important it is of fellow brothers to figure out the best to carrying on our mission,” said Justin. place to invest it. During that search, “Sustainability and growth are important they were introduced to the Community to me as a young leader in a historical Foundation for Greater Buffalo. fraternity that is more than 100 years old. I want to make sure we are still here and making a positive impact for another 100 years.” “ I want to be able to maintain a legacy of giving well beyond my lifetime.” WILLIAM BOBO, JR. 8 BUFFALO ALUMNI CHAPTER OF KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY, INC. ENDOWMENT FUND Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity brothers Justin Lewis, Andrew Johnson, Jr. and William Bobo, Jr. in front of Buffalo Public School 76 Herman Badillo Bilingual Academy, a school their fraternity supports. 9 Shaping a family tradition. GRAHAM-KUCERA PHILANTHROPIC FUND Dr. Jon Kucera and Dr. Susan Graham Understanding those philanthropic fondly recall being raised by parents values, their financial advisor introduced who taught them at a young age the them to the Community Foundation for importance of giving back in any way Greater Buffalo many years ago when they were able to, whether it was helping the couple started thinking about their family members in need or volunteering long-term charitable goals. with community organizations. Now they would like to ensure that their family “We have been impressed with the values live on through their sons. Community Foundation’s approach to strategic planning and have seen what it “When our two sons were young we can do. It is a well-steered ship and we started giving them $100 each to give have confidence in the long-term plan away at the end of the year around to address the needs of our community,” Christmas. It was important for us to said Jon. start a conversation with them early on about philanthropy,” said Susan. Jon and Susan have established a fund at the Community Foundation for their While neither is from Buffalo, Susan and own giving during their lifetime. They take Jon have spent most of their careers in comfort in knowing they have enabled Western New York and they have been their grown sons to continue their impressed with the region’s strong spirit family’s legacy of giving for generations of giving. to come. “It has been gratifying to support local organizations because you know what the needs are and see the results,”said Jon. “ We want to give our sons a One organization that the couple has reason to continue gathering supported for nearly 30 years is the together for years to come Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.