Enhancing and Leveraging Significant
Natural, Historic &
FOCUS AREAS
I. Economic Self-sufficiency
II. Reducing Racial Disparity
III. Environment & Architecture
IV. Arts & Culture
CONTENTS
● Grantee Impact Stories
● Leadership Initiative Review
● CFGB Investments
● Quick Facts
● Investment Summary
March 2008
Architectural Resources
Community Impact Report
New CFGB Publication Series Takes Closer Look at Key Issues
In 2007, we introduced the four focus areas defined in our five-year strategic plan.
Throughout last year, we began to concentrate our leadership efforts, information
gathering, programming and discretionary funding in these areas.
Throughout 2008, we will go into even more depth. Our Community Impact Reports
will share information on critical issues; anticipated and actual outcomes of our
efforts; and stories about the impact we are making on people’s lives. Our goal is
to inform the community on these issues and on the progress the Community
Foundation is making towards our mission of “Connecting people, ideas and
resources to improve lives in Western New York.” Thank you for your interest!
The Context
Our region has a wealth of natural assets, including the rich ecosystems shaped by
our proximity to two Great Lakes, and a system of public green spaces that dates
back to the region’s economic boom. Our region, like many others, also faces a
wide range of challenges in protecting and restoring the quality of the air, water,
land, flora and fauna which is vital for a healthy environment for residents. The
protection and enhancement of these natural and built assets are crucial to the
revitalization of the area, yet relatively few philanthropic resources are devoted to
their preservation. CFGB sees an opportunity to play a leadership role on issues
related to the environment by convening groups and shepherding resources to
support local environmental assets.
Impact in Action: Grassroots GardensGardens

The Problem: Vacant City Lots

For decades, many Buffalo neighborhoods have been
decimated by crime, economic distress, transitory
populations, and the ills of absentee landlords. Buffalo’s
vacant property issues have exacerbated these problems.
While demolishing abandoned houses alleviates some
problems, the empty lots left in their places quickly attract
trash, crime and a host of other troubles that destroy our
urban neighborhoods. The lowest income neighborhoods
have suffered the most. Despite the abundance of vacant
land, Buffalo, one of the country’s oldest industrialized
cities, has urban neighborhoods that lack easily
accessible, safe, community green space, such as
neighborhood pocket parks and community gardens.
A Working Solution: Community Gardens
In 2007, the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo awarded Grassroots
Gardens of Buffalo $7,500 to support the enhancement and expansion
J. Milton, “Zeke”of
Zeckhauser
community gardens on vacant properties in Buffalo. Grassroots Gardens
helps people develop and sustain community gardens, with a focus
on neighborhoods that have suffered from population loss, crime and economic
adversity.
Grassroots Gardens was founded in
"I was s urp rise d how ma ny g roup s an d citize ns a re co nce rne d ab out revitaliz ation ...o ur r egio n ha s passi on and ene rgy in ab und ance! "
1995 by J. Milton Zeckhauser, “Zeke”
Summit attendee
—

to his many friends, a lifelong Buffalo

resident and businessman who
recognized the impact community
gardens could have on Buffalo’s
urban neighborhoods.
The community gardens are
developed on city-owned vacant
properties throughout Buffalo. These
gardens, which include ornamental, produce and mixed-use gardens help to:
City lot before Grassroots Gardens.
● Beautify neighborhoods
● Provide fresh produce to city residents
● Empower people in their communities
● Provide ongoing health benefits
● Serve as "living classrooms"
● Improve the quality of life for city residents
● Help beautify and strengthen the neighborhoods around
them while providing fresh fruit and vegetables to many
city residents
From just a few gardens in 1995, Grassroots Gardens has developed nearly 40
gardens on more than 80 vacant lots. Their success is due largely to volunteer
gardeners, of whom there are about 200-250 in any given season, with hundreds
more participating in spring clean ups and installations.
For more information, visit www.GrassrootsGardens.org.

City lot after Grassroots Gardens.

Recent CFGB Investments in the Environment
Funding Priorities
The following goals and community solutions were identified by the Community Foundation as priorities in the
natural resources area for funding:

1. Build community understanding and capacity for environmental stewardship (protection, restoration,
management, awareness, advocacy)
2. Restore and protect significant water resources
3. Restore and increase public green spaces to include urban parklands and livable neighborhoods

CFGB awarded a total of 10 grants to support the environment

environment and area natural resources in the 2006-
2006-2007
competitive grant cycles, totaling $135,945.

Buffalo Audubon Society $20,000

Enhancement of 324 acre nature preserve, Beaver Meadow, in Java, NY that features programs and services to
serve the general public with natural history education and outdoor recreation opportunities. The site hosts more
than 17,000 visitors a year.

Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper $12,500

To improve water quality by distributing 1,000 rain barrels into the community to prevent 130,000 gallons of storm
runoff into sewer system, preventing pollution and flooding.

Buffalo Olmsted
Olmsted Parks Conservancy $20,000

To give 300 participants of Erie County Department of Social Services program training and experience in parks
management in 1000+ acres of parkland designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.

Grassroots Gardens of Buffalo $7,500

To support the enhancement and expansion of community gardens on vacant properties in Buffalo. Grassroots
Gardens has already helped the community create 40 gardens on 80 vacant properties.

Visitors enjoy Beaver Meadow. Conserved WNY farmland.

Community Impact Report March 2008
CFGB Impact Summary: By the Numbers Grants By Strategic Goal - Environment & Architecture
• Train 300 new workers in parks maintenance

• Revitalize 1,586 acres of green space

• Educated 200 from 10 counties on farmland

preservation, 260 acres of farmland preserved

• 130,000 gallons of cleaner water

• Improved 457,800 visitor experiences at

environmental and architectural destinations

• Restore 3 architectural landmarks further

CFGB 2006-2007 Investments = $195,945

Additional Dollars Leveraged = $120,000
Total Financial Impact = $315,945
New CFGB Informational Report
This newly developed Community Impact Report takes a closer look at our third focus area: Enhancing and
Leveraging Significant Natural, Historic & Architectural Resources.
We welcome your feedback on this new publication, our grant making, leadership activities and focus areas. If you
have comments or would like to join our efforts, please contact us at mail@cfgb.org or call (716) 852-2857. Ask for
Cara Stillman, VP, Program or Stuart Lerman, Senior Gift Planning Officer. We look forward to hearing from you.

WNY. York
improve lives in
resources to
ideas and
Connecting people,
OUR MISSION

www.cfgb.org 852-2857

Buffalo, NY 14202

712 Main Street

Permit #518
Buffalo, NY
PAID
U.S. Postage
Nonprofit org.
Recent CFGB Investments (continued)

Nature Conservancy $17,000 Quick Facts

Land acquisition as part of 447 acre parcel in Zoar Valley, which contains a
Trees and green space remove air
stunning series of valleys and deep gorge canyons carved out by Cattarau- pollutants, carbon monoxide,
gus Creek as it winds its way across Western New York to Lake Erie, nitrogen oxide, ozone, small
nourishing ancient forests, floodplains and fertile valleys as it moves. particulate matter, and sulfur
dioxide.
Pfeiffer Nature Center $6,490
The US Forest Service calculated
To develop 1,200 feet of accessible interactive interpretive trail as part of a that over a 50 year lifetime one
permanent trail system on the 188 acre educational resource near Olean. tree:
The Center has more than 9,000 visitors annually.
● Generates $31,250 worth
Valley
Valley Community Association, Inc.
Inc $18,845
of oxygen
To protect, manage and maintain more than 38 acres of public green
spaces and urban parklands including the Valley Nature Park & Habitat Trail ● Recycles $37,500 worth of
and Buffalo River Park. water

West Village Renaissance Group — Johnson Park

Park Restoration $5,000 ● Controls $31,250 worth of
soil erosion
To support efforts for the Johnson Park Restoration Fund. Johnson Park is
Buffalo’s first park, established in 1837 and located in the West Village. ● Provides $62,000 worth of
air pollution control
WNY Land Conservancy $9,000 pollutants
To engage 10 county governments and local farmers on farmland
conservation. Approximately 200 people participated and an additional
260 acres of farmland is now protected.

Zoological Society of Buffalo, Inc. $19,610

To enhance educational opportunities for wildlife conservation and

stewardship as the Buffalo Zoo plans for growth and redevelopment.

What’s Next?
CFGB has established a steering committee to create a community-wide
coalition whose charge will be to develop and implement a shared regional
environmental agenda for Western New York.

The steering committee members reflect different sectors and include the
US Army Corps of Engineers, US Natural Resources Conservation Service,
Erie County Industrial Development Agency (ECIDA), University at Buffalo,
Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper, and a over a dozen other organizations.

The coalition will work to identify environmental challenges, establish

collaborations and cooperative planning, and work to develop priorities to
improve our region's environmental quality.

For more information or if you’d like to get involved, please call Cara
Weed and seed participants plant
Stillman, Vice President, Program at 852-2857, extension 209.
Leadership Initiative: Green and Growing
CFGB Forms “Green” Coalition
In response to the October storm of 2006, in which 25,000-30,000 trees were damaged in the region, the
Community Foundation formed a coalition to address the needs of the Greater Buffalo community in the aftermath
of the tragedy.

The Green and Growing Coalition, consisting of 19 organizations representing public, private and not-for-profit
sectors throughout the region, worked in partnership with CFGB to create and host an information sharing,
environmental summit in May 2007. The coalition worked together to identify attainable goals for measuring and
benchmarking the impact of the summit. 153 attended on Saturday May 19, 2007 at Buffalo State College.

Summit Objectives:
• Increase awareness of opportunities for greening
efforts

• Increase volunteer support for greening

• Increase coordination between greening efforts

The Results:
• Participants were surveyed to find out why they did not
do more collaboration on environmental issues in the
past. The majority stated that they simply did not know
Green and Growing tradeshow participants.
the other groups existed.

• 57.6% of respondents said they heard of a greening initiative that was new to them.

• 80.6% of those who answered the survey said they intend to follow up with someone they met at the summit.

• “Green” Volunteer Resource Guide produced and distributed

• $10,000 donation was given to Re-Tree WNY from a CFGB donor

Why It Matters

• Despite the community’s connection and interest in

our natural and built assets, many local citizens are
not engaged in the care of the region’s most valuable
treasures.

• The Great Lakes contain 20% of the world’s total fresh

water supply. It is vital to the quality of life of more
than 40 million people – 10% of Americans and 30%
of Canadians.

• Buffalo’s urban areas have the least amount of green

space per resident in the region. Less than 1% of the
city’s land use is dedicated to parks or open spaces.

Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper Tree Planting

Impact in Action: Restoring Graycliff’s Isabelle R. Martin House Lake Terrace

Photo credit: Graycliff/Carl Schmit-

The Graycliff Estate

Graycliff is a New York State Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Buffalo boasts two
distinctive complexes of buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for the Martin family, at two very different points
in Wright’s career. The Darwin Martin House illustrates Wright’s early Prairie style, and Graycliff is an example of
his later Organic style of architecture. Graycliff is considered a precursor to Fallingwater, perhaps Wright’s most
famous building. Graycliff is now completing the third phase of restoration, continuing to leverage community-wide
tourism efforts related to heritage and cultural tourism.

The Isabelle Martin House Lake Terrace

Graycliff, known as the “Jewel on the Lake,” was the summer
residence of Isabelle and Darwin Martin from 1927 to the
mid-40s. When it was in the planning stages, Isabelle Martin
herself requested that Frank Lloyd Wright alter his initial
design to Graycliff to include this terrace, so that she would
have a spot for viewing the lake. The Lake Terrace, so named
because it faces the lake, provides access to the scenic views
of Lake Erie and the Canadian shore beyond. It is gracefully
located just outside the living room doors, and adjacent to
the sweeping esplanade.

Frank Lloyd Wright considered the Lake Terrace to be an

Photo credit: Graycliff/Patrick Mahoney
extension of the living room projecting into the actual out-of-
doors, important to Graycliff’s style of Organic architecture.
The Lake Terrace is eight feet deep by thirty-nine wide, and is made of flagstone purchased from the City of Buffalo
in the 1920s, when the city was aggressively removing flagstone sidewalks and replacing them with a new “wonder
material”…concrete. Despite being an example of the use of recycled materials, Darwin Martin referred to the
flagstone, specified by Wright to outfit the terraces, as costing a “ruinous sum.”

The flagstones were specially cut and set in a diamond shape, characteristic of the architectural grammar of
Graycliff. This attention to detail is considered to be a step beyond what Wright would have designed for any other
project.

The Restoration
In 2007, the Community Foundation awarded Graycliff $19,000 to complete the restoration of its Lake Terrace.
Over the years, water infiltrated the terrace’s mortar and separated the stone from its concrete setting bed. Both
water and ice permeated and loosened the terrace surface and allowed vegetation to grow through the flagstones.
This project will continue the restoration of Frank Lloyd Wright’s “Jewel on the Lake” with oversight from the
Graycliff Conservancy who is dedicated to preserving the estate.

For more information visit www.graycliff.bfn.org.

www.graycliff.bfn.org.
Recent CFGB Investments in Historic Architecture
Funding Priorities
CFGB’s funding in this area is concentrated on restoring and
leveraging significant historic buildings and architectural
landmarks.
Total grants awarded in historic architecture in the 2006-
2006-2007
competitive grant cycles: 3 totaling $60,000.
60,000.
Graycliff Conservancy, Inc. $19,000
To complete the restoration of the Lake Terrace.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site Foundation $10,000
To support the effort to provide critical improvement to the
Wilcox Mansion and construct a new addition on the site of the
property's former carriage house.
Corpus Christi Church $31,000
To support capital improvements to continue the use of the
building as the headquarters of the Parish Nurse Ministries
of New York, serving more than 3,000 people annually.
Construction on Corpus Christi was completed in 1909. It
was funded at the then astronomical amount of $200,000.
The church, built of red sandstone, still rises above the roof
tops with its twin spires. Corpus Christi is a distinctive
“skyscraper” on Buffalo's East Side. During construction,
the gold crosses atop the copper domes of its twin towers
were filled with hundreds of letters written by the Parish's
children.
Why It Matters
• Buffalo is known for an abundance of
Victorian and early Modern architecture, a
heritage from the turn of the 20th century
prosperity. Buffalo's residents hired the best
architects in the country to design their
commercial buildings and residences.
• The region has signature buildings by
Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Sullivan,
H. H. Richardson, Stanford White, Richard
Upjohn, Eliel and Eero Saarinen, and Daniel
Burnham to name a few.
• The New York Times called Buffalo "a
textbook for a course in modern American
buildings." The remaining collection of
unique historic architecture draws visitors
from around the country and world as the
region is developing as a major tourist
destination of heritage and culture.
President William McKinley succumbed to his
injuries at the John Milburn home on September
14, 1901. Theodore Roosevelt arrived in Buffalo
and was met at the train station by Ansley Wilcox
and brought back to this home. This site was
chosen by Roosevelt as the most appropriate
place for the ceremony. Roosevelt wore formal
clothing borrowed from some of the guests who
were present. Immediately following the
swearing-in, Roosevelt held a brief cabinet
meeting in the library and then proceeded to the
morning room to issue his first presidential
proclamation.