Brighter Future Fund Donates Over $135,000

November 6, 2008

Grants target youth and senior programs, many based in City of Buffalo

Erie County Executive Chris Collins and former Deputy County Executive Mark Davis have contributed over $135,000 in salary to local charitable organizations since January. Collins and Davis have been working for one-dollar per month since taking office and have been donating their salaries to the Brighter Future Fund. The Brighter Future Fund committee has reviewed several dozen funding applications and has awarded 20 grants totally more than $135,000.

"It is humbling to see the need in our community and it is gratifying to know that we were able to help provide these organizations and their clients with a brighter future," said County Executive Chris Collins. "It is important to me that these donations directly impact the organizations and the people they serve and I am pleased we were able to support all the great non-profit work happening in our community, especially in the City of Buffalo."

"I also want to thank the Brighter Future Fund committee members for their dedication and hard work," said Collins. "They have had the difficult task of reviewing the applications and selecting the most worthy organizations for funding."

The County Executive continues to work for one-dollar a month and will do so until the Erie County Fiscal Stability Authority reverts back to advisory status. Davis left the Administration in July. Mr. and Mrs. Collins will be working directly with the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo to award future grants.

Brighter Future Fund Grant Awardees:

American Academy of Ballet Guild - $2,500

Boy Scouts of America - $3,500

Boys & Girls Club of Buffalo - $1,000

Buffalo Inner City Ballet - $7,000

Buffalo Renaissance Foundation - $10,000

Buffalo State College Foundation - $1,000

Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo - $35,012.85

Compass House - $10,000

Delaware Soccer Club - $1,800

Eden Co-Operative Nursery School - $3,525

Hearts and Hands - $5,000

Holy Cross Church - $5,700

Homeless Alliance of WNY - $4,000

Junior Achievement of WNY - $5,000

Locust Street Neighborhood Art Classes - $10,000

Matt Urban Human Services Center - $9,934.93

People, Inc. - $1,000

Suicide Prevention and Crisis Service - $5,000

Theatre of Youth Company - $10,000

Urban Christian Ministries - $5,000

Villa Maria College of Buffalo - $2,500

Total: $138,472.78

Brighter Future Fund Committee Members:

Theresa Jehle (Chair) - Junior League of Buffalo, Past President

Schuyler Banks - National Grid

Mary Collins - Chris Collins Representative

Nancy Davis - Mark Davis Representative

Mary Jo Hunt - Leadership Buffalo

Francisco Vasquez, PhD - People, Inc.