Buffalo Renaissance Foundation
Moving Buffalo Forward
Since 1981, the Buffalo Renaissance Foundation has had only one direction in mind for Western New York. Comprised of a group of local business leaders who value Buffalo as the ideal place to live, work and raise a family, our mission is to help the community move FORWARD for generations to come.
PRESIDENTS LETTER
As we embark on another year of dedication and service to Buffalo and Western New York, I am honored to address you as the newly elected President of the Buffalo Renaissance Foundation (BRF). Since our inception in 1981, our mission has been steadfast: to move Buffalo forward and enrich the lives of its residents, making it a great place to live, work and raise a family. Our four-decade journey has been marked by unwavering commitment, collaborative efforts, and a shared vision for a brighter future.
Reflecting on Our Achievements
Over the past year, BRF has continued to make significant strides in several initiatives, mainly in three distinct areas:
Fundraising and Grant-Making: Primarily through the annual luncheon and golf tournament, fundraising generated record revenues for the Foundation, half of which will go into our annual grantmaking activities and half into the long-term endowment for the benefit of our community.
Community Engagement: Events such as Shop-With-a-Cop, participation with Miracle League of WNY, and a new program in coordination with Olivia’s Bears have strengthened our bonds with local neighborhoods, bringing joy and unity to families across the region.
Military & Uniformed Services: The Foundation supports numerous activities that benefit veterans, uniformed services personnel and, through our scholarship program, aspiring college-bound active of the military. We thank Employer Support for the Guard & Reserve (ESGR) for its partnership at the annual luncheon.
You can read more about all these activities further on in this newsletter.
Looking Ahead
The upcoming year promises to be filled with opportunities to further our mission.
At this year’s luncheon on May 15 at Kleinhans Music Hall we will be honoring Jonathan Dandes as the 2025 Buffalo Renaissance Foundation Honoree of the Year. Jon’s decades of service to make our community better represent all that we at the Foundation strive for.
The BRF Golf Classic, which I am told is the oldest golf fundraiser in WNY, will be held on Thursday September 11, 2025 at Niagara Falls Country Club. We hope you will consider joining us for a day of great golf and networking.
Acknowledgments
Our accomplishments as a Foundation are a testament to the collective efforts of our supporters, benefactors, and dedicated Directors. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your unwavering support. Together, we have transformed challenges into opportunities and have laid the groundwork for a promising future. I also especially wish to thank my predecessor, immediate past-President William S. Cleary, who guided this organization, and me, with dedication and skill these past two years. Indeed, thank you to all of our past leaders of this Foundation.
I also wish to welcome two new Directors to the organization, Michael DeJoy, President/COO of Lifetime Service & Solutions, and Robert Manley, President of R.P. Manley & Co. Thank you both for your willingness to serve.
Call to Action
While we have come a long way in the forty-four years since the Foundation’s founding, there is much more to be done. Your support and participation in our events, initiatives, and community outreach programs amplifies our impact. Let us harness our collective energy to propel Buffalo to new heights.
In closing, I am reminded of the resilience and spirit that define our city. The Buffalo Renaissance Foundation stands as a beacon of hope and progress, and with your continued support, we will usher in a new era of growth and prosperity for all.
Thank you for being an integral part of moving this renaissance FORWARD.
Warm regards,
Jim Iglewski
President
Buffalo Renaissance Foundation
Positive Thinking and Positive Change
Through our active support of educational, cultural and benevolent organizations and activities, the Buffalo Renaissance Foundation has been planting the seeds of positive thinking and positive change for decades. Unlike other community organizations, our influence doesn’t end with charitable giving. We aim to clear one of the biggest hurdles of social change – engaging the community.
Our community is moving in the right direction, and our foundation is here to enable continued progress. By fostering positive change, the Buffalo Renaissance Foundation is thinking, acting and driving our community forward.
Let's Make Buffalo Better.
We have a long track record of wide-reaching effects.
