General Information & How to Apply

We Help Non-profit Organizations that Serve the Residents of Allegany County

Chamberlain Park Playground

The Foundation makes grants to tax-exempt, non-profit organizations for programs and projects that serve Allegany County communities and residents.


We do not provide grants to individuals.


Grant application and policy may be obtained through the button below or by writing to the Foundation at:   

6087 State Route 19N Belmont, NY 14813


Applying for a grant is not yet an online process. Applications can be downloaded or printed, completed and then returned to ACAF by US Mail, or scanned and e-mailed.


Generally, the Foundation will award grants of between $500 and $1,500 (Over the years a few have been approved above $1500). We anticipate having the ability to make larger grants with the start of our 2024-2025 fiscal year.


Grant applications are reviewed by ACAF’s Grant Committee, which meets quarterly. The committee meetings for the 2023-2024 year are:

  • August 30
  • December 13
  • March 27
  • June 19


Grant applications should be received by ACAF at least five days prior to the meeting date.


When urgent needs arise, we can review grant applications between the prescribed dates by e-mail. 


Please contact Bruce Campbell, our executive director, at 585-296-5616 with any grant-related questions



The Foundation requires that grant recipients submit a report of grant-funded project or activity to the ACAF executive director following the completion of the project or program.


Scholarship Application Review

While scholarships may have donor-established criteria, such as the high school you attend(ed) or your career goals, scholarship applications are evaluated based on the following: academic record (that is, your grades), activities, work experience, essays (do put some time into these), and special circumstances. Some scholarships will require a recommendation (we’ll let you know). What we DO NOT look at – SAT or ACT scores. Please note, too, that scholarships are reviewed “blind.” The Dollars for Scholars application system removes identifying information so that the scholarship committee (a group of volunteers from all over Allegany County) does not know who submitted the application it is seeing.

Repeat Applicants

Repeat Applicants – please read over ACAF Repeat Applicants to avoid potential complications when applying again.

Potential applicants

Potential applicants – please DO NOT wait until the deadline approaches to begin your application. Your guidance will need time to submit your transcript to complete your application. Plus, ACAF staff check applications and contact students with updates and reminders. If you apply last minute, you may miss out on that assistance.

If you have any questions, please call 585-296-5616 or e-mail: director@acafny.org


From our Community

Thank you so much for your generous donation to support food needs within our school and community. Your generosity has been a blessing to our community in seen and unseen ways, and we appreciate it so much!


~Fillmore Central School PTO

We continue to be devoted to providing safe and affordable homes to families in our area and are so grateful for those who choose to join us in our endeavors.

With your gift we will be able to build the home that we are in the process of in Bolivar, NY.


~Genesee Valley Habitat for Humanity

I would also like to thank the Foundation for your outstanding efforts in helping us make our dream of a new playground a reality. Thank you so much to everyone involved with record keeping, thank you notes, and giving constant help and encouragement. We are thrilled that many current and future children will benefit from all our efforts!


~Cuba Chamber of Commerce (Chamberlain Park Playground Project)

Thank you so much for the opportunity to participate in the Leadership Allegany program. I am very grateful to be a part of this!


~Molly

Thank you so much for the grant. Our event was a success because of your support. We had representatives from 3 local agencies (Sheriff’s Dept., Cuba PD, and New York State Police). Your support is very much appreciated.


~DSS Foster Care (Foster Care Holiday Party)

The Bolivar Library is so appreciative for the funds allocated to the Great Graphic Gallery – we have had so much fun researching and selecting the graphic novels that will meet the needs of our readers … Thank you again for your support.


~Bolivar Free Library

Thank you so much for your generous donation to support food needs within our school and community. Your generosity has been a blessing to our community in seen and unseen ways, and we appreciate it so much!


~Fillmore Central School PTO

We continue to be devoted to providing safe and affordable homes to families in our area and are so grateful for those who choose to join us in our endeavors.

With your gift we will be able to build the home that we are in the process of in Bolivar, NY.


~Genesee Valley Habitat for Humanity

News and Events

Fillmore Central School Alumni Scholarship

March 18, 2025
Graduating classes pool leftover class gift funds to create an endowed scholarship.

Leadership and Innovation Fund

March 18, 2025
New Fund Will Boost ACAF Grantmaking

ACAF Grants Boost Libraries, Arts, and Wellness Programs

By ACAF • January 8, 2024
(Dec 2023) Alfred and Whitesville libraries, Fountain Arts Center, Allegany County Blind Association, Andover Central School, and Pioneer Oil Museum were awarded grants at the Allegany County Area Foundation’s (ACAF) December meeting. All grants were made through ACAF’s Allegany Fund unless otherwise noted. The Allegany County Blind Association received $500 to provide pre-school amblyopia screenings […] The post ACAF Grants Boost Libraries, Arts, and Wellness Programs appeared first on Allegany County Area Foundation.

Allegany County Area Foundation June Grants Support Archery Program, Scouting, Libraries

By ACAF • November 20, 2023
(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) September meeting. Wellsville’s Boy Scout Troop 733 will receive $725 for the purchase of new tents and related items needed for its growing program. Genesee Library was awarded $750 for landscaping […] The post Allegany County Area Foundation June Grants Support Archery Program, Scouting, Libraries appeared first on Allegany County Area Foundation.