WELCOME

The Southern Tier West Development Foundation is a reigonal community foundation created by and for the people and communities in Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua Counites and is tax exempt under Sections Sections 501(c)(3), 509(a)(1) and 170(b)(A)(iv) of the Internal Revenue Code. 

We're governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and work to improve the region's quality of life and economic viability by meeting changing needs, strengthening community capacity, and helping important community and economic development projects fund success.

While most charitable organizations fund their activities from annual contributions, we pool charitable contributions received from many different donors into permanent, income-earning endowment funds.

We enable people with philanthropic interests to easily and effectively support the issues they care about - - immediately, or through their will.  Donors can establish a charitable fund with us by contributing a variety of assets and may also recomment grants in their name; if they choose, to communities and non-profit groups they want to support.

We seek to serve as a catalyst for the region to recognize its strenghts and develop and common vision for the future.