The mission of the Niagara Area Foundation (NAF) is to address the philanthropic void in Niagara County through charitable efforts. Established in 2000 by a collective of individuals from the private and nonprofit sectors, NAF aims to support and positively impact the community of Niagara County.
The grant program, established by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation through endowments at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, aims to support programs that align with Mr. Wilson's interests such as Caregivers, Community Assets, Design and Access, and particularly Youth Sports. The grants support localized projects across the Western New York region, preferring smaller, impactful initiatives or pilot projects. For Youth Sports, the grants focus on inclusive activities that encourage free play, sport sampling, revitalized local leagues, small-scale interventions, developmental design, coach training, and injury prevention, reflecting a broad approach to making sports accessible and beneficial for all children.