Testimonials

The Grigg Lewis Foundation is often blessed to receive notes and updates from our grant recipients allowing us to reflect on the impact that our contributions are making in our community. Because our grant dollars can only go so far, we rely heavily on the passion, dedication and commitment of our local non-profits and their staff, who work hard every day to affect the lives of residents across Niagara County, and throughout Western New York.
To these agencies we offer our thanks for their dedication, their good work, and their ability to maximize the resources that bring about transformational changes in our community.
– Chris Smith, Executive Director

JT Sports and Recreation

“We wanted to thank you for your generous donation…for JT Sports & Recreation Programs. Also, for the upcoming grant that you have approved for us with the Spokes Program. This could not have happened without you. Without your help JT Sports and Recreation would not have been able to give back to the community by providing free healthy activities for the youth and adults. We have been getting great feedback from parents in the community and the children are very excited. We look forward to expanding and offering more programs at the new location once we are up and running. With your help we have already made a valuable difference in our community. It means a great deal to us here at JT Sports And Recreation. Thank you!!”

– Joseph (2023)

YWCA of the Niagara Frontier

“On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff of the YWCA of the Niagara Frontier, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Grigg-Lewis Foundation for your kindness and generosity for your Core Group Grant. Your generous gift will be an invaluable help to us as we continue to provide critical programming and services to women and children in our community. Your financial and moral support has been and continues to be an encouragement to us, and we are so appreciative of your dedication to our mission. Your grant will make a tremendous difference in so many lives. Once again, you have made it possible for the YWCA to provide vital services to some of the most vulnerable members of our community.”

-Kathleen (2022)

Olcott Beach Carousel Park

“The Grigg-Lewis Foundation is vital to the quality of services that we deliver to the community of Olcott and to the thousands of guests who come to Olcott Beach Carousel Park. First, it helps us provide employment to the students in our community, many of whom are saving money for college. Secondly, the students learn valuable lessons in responsibility and working as a team. As a result, we are able to provide a safe, clean and fun environment for the children who visit the park.”

-Rosemary (2022)

Lockport Housing Authority

“Thank you for doing what you do. The work you do is so important and helps so many. We want to express our gratitude and appreciation for all you do in the community. You all went the extra mile and advocated for us to have programming to make individual lives better. Our hope is to exceed any expectations and bring happiness to as many people as possible. Thank you for going above and beyond, and we are simply grateful for the effort you all put forward.”

-Donny (2023)

Niagara County Historical Society

“Thank you for offering the Workerships again this year. We are always delighted to be able to provide good, solid experience to students, and we are truly grateful for their help with our office and Collections functions. We know how fortunate the Niagara County Historical Society and eastern Niagara County are to have the Grigg Lewis Foundation in our community. Thank you for your continuing encouragement and support.”

-Ray (2023)

Pets Alive WNY

 

“Thank you so much for your kind donation this holiday season. We have had a tough year with animals needing emergency medical care. As you may already know, emergency care is very expensive, but we are always committed to doing everything we can for them because we truly believe that every life counts and every life matters. Your donation will go far in helping us keep our commitment to them.”

-Clara (2022)

WAHI Studio INC.

“We have received even more positive feedback from students, including some in Newfane who have attended since the beginning of the program. They liked the lesson content and the flow from instruction to free creation and support for their current academic challenges. Having the grant for this program has grown our students as individuals and our organization as a resource to our youth.”

-Jessica (2023)

New Junior Achievement of WNY

“On behalf of the Junior Achievement of WNY Board, staff, volunteers, teachers and students, thank you for your continued support of JA learning experiences. The Grigg-Lewis grant…successfully funded Junior Achievement learning experiences, reaching 240 students, out of a total of 338 students in grades K-12 in eastern Niagara County during the 2021-2022 academic year.”

– Lisa (2022)

New Directions Youth and Family Services

“Core grant funding from Grigg Lewis Foundation enables New Directions to continue to deliver impactful services to children and families. Core group funding enables us to address an important need. New Directions is extremely grateful to be designated as a Grigg Lewis Foundation Core Group recipient. The flexibility in utilizing grant funding as needed is of great benefit.”

– Leslie (2023)

Iroquois Trail Council, Inc. Boy Scouts of America

“The annual grant funding is integral to our ability to continue reaching out to new youth and families, and to providing quality service to our participants. Throughout the Covid-related downturn in program fees and special events revenue, the Grigg Lewis grant funds have provided a lifeline that enabled us to continue programs uninterrupted.”

– Jim (2022)

DeSales Catholic School

“Your contribution will help greatly in our efforts to enhance the learning experience shared by all of the students at DeSales. Your support continues to make it possible for us to advance our school’s mission and to provide our students with the Catholic education that sets DeSales Apart.”

-Karen (2023)

WNY Heroes, Inc.

“On behalf of WNY Heroes, and our Veteran families we serve, we would like to thank you for your donation toward our programs/services.
Veterans of Western New York and their families are helped with everyday essential needs.
On any given night, there are homeless Veterans living on the streets. Western New York has the 2nd highest Veteran’s population, 2nd only to NYC and Long Island. Our financial assistance program has kept several Veterans from becoming homeless and all because of you. It is our hope to ease the burdens that plague Veterans returning from combat and transitioning into civilian life. Many times, this is not an easy task for men and women leaving military service.
As we continue to grow and expand our current programs, your generosity makes it possible for us to hep our Veterans and Veteran families.”

-Chris (2020)

VIA – Visually Impaired Advancement

“On behalf of the staff, students, and clients of the VIA, formerly Olmsted Center for Sight, thank you kindly for the grant to be used to support operations for our 2-1-1 WNY Contact Center. 
VIA would not be able to fullfill its mission of helping blind and visually impaired individuals live fulfilling, independent lives of not for the support of generous foundations like yours. 

-Renee (2020)

Aquarium of Niagara

“On behalf of the Aquarium of Niagara and the communities we serve, we would like to thank the Grigg Lewis Foundation for the opportunity to participate in a challenge grant. We truly appreciate the Foundation’s trust in our commitment to the care of more than 120 species, including our rescued and non-releasable animals. We intend to leverage this commitment in our pursuit of other funding sources as we seek to secure critical support for our essential animal care costs. We enter the new year grateful for the opportunity to continue finding meaningful ways to inspire people to make a difference for aquatic life. Thanks to organizations like the Grigg Lewis Foundation, we continue to strive to be a destination of choice for the communities of Western New York and beyond.”

-Gary (2020)