Eighteen nonprofit organizations serving Wayne County have been awarded $127,000 in grants through the Wayne County Community Endowment, which continues to fulfill the philanthropic legacy of a longtime resident.
The endowment was established in 1984, thanks to charitable gifts from Jeanette “Nettie” Bullis, a lifelong Wayne County resident who believed in supporting her community. Today, the endowment’s all-volunteer advisory committee—composed of county residents—distributes grants, typically ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, to meet the needs of local nonprofits.
This year, however, saw some larger grants awarded, including a $25,000 contribution to the Sodus Central School District to support a countywide expansion of food pantries. This initiative, a collaboration between Wayne County Community Schools, Foodlink, and local school districts, aims to address food insecurity by making free food available at schools. The project is designed to remove barriers for rural families by placing the pantries in locations they already frequent.
“We’ve seen how even a few thousand dollars can make a big difference, but to tackle larger issues like food insecurity, transportation, and housing, we sometimes need bigger grants,” said Sara Bukowiec, senior program officer with the Rochester Area Community Foundation.
In addition to the $25,000 for Sodus, another $15,000 was distributed to existing food pantries across Wayne County, enhancing efforts to make basic necessities more accessible to residents.
Community projects get support
The organizations that received funding this year cover a wide range of services, from educational programs and leadership development to healthcare and poverty alleviation.
Catholic Charities of the Finger Lakes received $8,000 to support its Community Clothing Center, which distributes thousands of clothing items to people in need. Other recipients include Cornell Cooperative Extension of Wayne County, awarded $2,000 to expand a community garden that provides free produce, and Cracker Box Palace, which secured $4,200 to support its farm-based youth programs, including 4H and FFA groups.
Mental health also took center stage, with Delphi Rise receiving $5,000 to address the youth mental health crisis in rural Wayne County. The organization will use the funds to expand support services and outreach programs.
For younger residents, organizations like Glow Up Girl and Literacy Volunteers of Wayne County secured $5,000 grants to support life skills programs for girls and early childhood learning initiatives, respectively. The Glow Up Girl program teaches girls in grades 3 through 12 skills in areas like nutrition and finance, while the Literacy Volunteers grant funds the Infant and Toddler Book Club, which provides parents with tools to support early learning.
Senior and youth services get a boost
The Lyons Community Center was one of the largest beneficiaries, receiving $25,000 to support both senior meals and an expanded youth sports program. These services are seen as crucial for bolstering the well-being of both young and older residents in the community.
Other youth-oriented grants include $7,000 for the Sodus Bay Junior Sailing Association, which runs a program that teaches Wayne County youth problem-solving and leadership skills through sailing. Meanwhile, the Rural & Migrant Ministry received $5,000 to fund a summer day program for children from low-income households, especially those of farmworkers.
Expanding opportunities for leadership and health
The grants also aim to foster leadership and career development. Expeditions of Empowerment received $5,000 to support its leadership program for young women in Wayne County high schools. Similarly, the Western New York Rural Area Health Education Center was awarded $5,000 for its Medical Academy of Science and Health (MASH) Camp, which introduces middle and high school students to careers in healthcare.
In the realm of environmental education, the National Audubon Society received $5,000 to involve local students and adult mentors in bird conservation and ecosystem restoration through the Montezuma Audubon Center.
These initiatives are all made possible through the Wayne County Community Endowment and affiliate funds, including contributions from the Arley Mae and Louis Delisio Youth Fund, Wayne County Health and Quality Life Fund, and other charitable sources. Additional funding this year came from Rochester Area Community Foundation’s Community Impact Fund, which pools donations from more than 100 permanent funds.
For Wayne County nonprofits, the annual grant cycle serves as a crucial source of funding for programs that aim to meet both immediate and long-term community needs. With this year’s grants, the Wayne County Community Endowment continues to honor the vision of its founder, Nettie Bullis, by improving the quality of life for residents across the region.
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