The Chautauqua Region Community Foundation recently awarded $16,000 in grants to organizations in Randolph, NY thanks to the John Edward McLaughlin Family Fund, an endowment fund established to support charitable activities in Randolph, NY.

Through an annual grant application, the fund provides financial assistance to nonprofits, churches, municipalities and the school district. This year marked the fifteenth anniversary of the fund making grants to organizations in the area.

The 2023 grants were awarded to assist with maintenance, repairs and upgrades at Grace Episcopal Church, East Randolph Cemetery, Randolph Cemetery Association, Randolph Fire Dept, Randolph Free Library, Randolph Seventh-Day Adventist Church, and St. Patrick Church. Additionally, grants supported ongoing community activities at the Arts and Crafts Festival and Summer Ecumenical Vacation Bible School.

A grant to the 49th Annual Arts and Crafts Festival to incorporate family-friendly activities, emphasizing entertainment for children. "By including more activities geared towards children, we can entice more people to attend the festival and patronize our downtown businesses,” Randolph Area Community Development Corporation’s Deb Miller added.

Another project that will impact children is the relocation and update of the children’s area of the Randolph Free Library. “We are excited to update our children’s fiction and non-fiction sections that are somewhat outdated,” said Mary Johnson Randolph Free Library Director. “Also, new STEM games will be an exciting new offering for the Library.”

The John Edward McLaughlin Family Fund was established in 2007 at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, and over $115,000 has been awarded to community projects, initiatives, and activities in the last fifteen years. This year, funding requests exceeded the amount available to grant, signaling the growing need in the region. Contributions to grow the John Edward McLaughlin Family Fund can be made by visiting crcfonline.org/give, or by check at: Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, 418 Spring St., Jamestown, NY 14701. 

The Chautauqua Region Community Foundation administers over 700 endowments in support of emerging community needs, charitable organizations and local students pursuing higher education. For more information visit www.crcfonline.org or contact Lisa Lynde, Donor Services Officer at 716-661-3390 or llynde@crcfonline.org.