A Bridge to the Future
For All of Us
The Allegany County Area Foundation (ACAF) offers an opportunity for everyone to invest in the present and future of Allegany County, NY. Support for the Foundation comes from local individuals, civic groups, businesses, and estates. We also receive a number of donations annually from persons who left Allegany County years ago but retain a fondness for their former home and want to support our local students, organizations, and communities.
News & Information
ACAF Grants Have Supported
Highlighted Funds
The Arts
Shake on the Lake
After School Programing
Youth Mentoring in Schools
Preserving Local History
College Scholarships
Library Programs
News & Information
ACAF Grants Have Supported
The Arts
Shake on the Lake
After School Programing
Youth Mentoring in Schools
Preserving Local History
College Scholarships
School Security Enhancement
Library Programs
Highlighted Funds
What is the Allegany County Area Foundation?
Founded in 1983, the Foundation is a non-profit organization that manages donations and endowments (now $12M) and devotes the earnings from those funds to efforts that serve the educational, social, cultural and wellness needs of Allegany County residents. The Foundation awards scholarships to individuals and grants to community non-profits. It helps organizations secure their futures by managing endowment funds and works with individuals (and their advisors) – helping them to establish endowments that create a lasting benefit to their causes and interests.
Why a community foundation?
The community foundation movement started with the founding of the Cleveland (OH) Foundation in 1914. There are now 700 such organizations in the US, and 1700 worldwide. ACAF is in this tradition. Community foundations provide for the pooling of donations and efficient investing of funds and coordinated grantmaking for the benefit of a specific community or region.
What We do
The Allegany County Area Foundation was established in 1983, with scholarships our primary focus. That continues to be our main activity, though our grantmaking has increased significantly in recent years. We currently manage 70 scholarship and grant programs that have been created through gifts and endowments from individuals, business and organizations. These funds and the students and programs they support are described on the pages of this web site.
Our annual support for Allegany County approximates $300,000 for scholarships, and $60,000 in grants. ACAF’s assets of $12,000,000 are invested with Vanguard’s Institutional Division and overseen by the Foundation’s Investment Committee.
What fund options does the Foundation have?
ACAF offers donors the opportunity to establish (or support existing) Field of Interest funds, Donor-Advised funds, general unrestricted funds, and scholarships.
ACAF Founder Peter Sprague: A man with a vision and on a mission
Judge Peter Sprague, founding member of the Board of Directors of the Allegany County Area Foundation had a vision and a belief…
Scholarships 2024
Allegany County produces many outstanding students and ACAF is pleased that we are able provide them with $330,000 in scholarships for this upcoming 2024-2025 school year. We encouraged recipients to send a photo. Shown below are several local graduates that are benefitting from the generosity of donors like you.
More News
Historical Society, Oil Museum, and Palmer Opera House Benefit from ACAF Grants.
(Sept. 2024) The Allegany County Area Foundation (ACAF) made the following grants at its September meeting. The Pioneer Oil Museum received a grant to help purchase museum quality display lighting. The Museum is currently working on an expansion of its Hahn &...
Allegany County Area Foundation June Grants Support Archery Program, Scouting, Libraries
(June 2023) Scout Troop 733, Genesee and Belfast libraries, and Canaseraga Central School were approved for grants during the Allegany County Area Foundation’s (ACAF) June meeting. Wellsville’s Boy Scout Troop 733 will receive $725 for the purchase of new tents and...
ACAF Grants Support Four Organizations
(April 2023) The Grant Committee of the Allegany County Area Foundation awarded four grants at its December meeting. The recipients include the Fountain Arts Center, Wellspring Ministries, Fillmore Central School PTO, and the Cuba Chamber of Commerce. Wellspring...
Ardent Solutions, Libraries, Salvation Army Among ACAF Grant Recipients
(April 2023) The Allegany County Area Foundation made several grant awards at its March meeting. Recipient organizations include: Ardent Solutions - for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, which offers new books to each month to children five and under. Ardent...
Your Community, Your Foundation, Your Legacy
Thank you for your consideration. If you wish to support the Foundation but prefer to do so by check, you can send that to:
Allegany County Area Foundation
6087 State Rte. 19N
Belmont, NY 14813
Our phone number: 585-296-5616
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