News from the Buffalo Renaissance Foundation                        Winter 2024-25

Buffalo Renaissance Moves Into 2025 With New President James Iglewski

Two New Directors Invited to Board

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,

New Directors Join BRF

In October, the Board invited two local leaders to join the Board of Directors of the Foundation. Michael DeJoy (Lifetime Service Center) and Robert P. Manley (R.P. Manley & Company) have joined the group and we look forward to their stewardship in the years to come.

West Herr Owner Scott Bieler Honored at 2024 BRF Luncheon as Man of the Year

In May at Kleinhans’ Mary Seaton Room, West Herr executive and overall Buffalo promoter Scott Bieler was honored as our Renaissance Man of the Year. Joining an exclusive club of honorees, Mr. Bieler’s approach to philanthropy made him a well-deserved recipient of this year’s award.

Mr. Bieler provided a $100,000 surprise at the luncheon by handing every luncheon attendee an envelope with $200 to pay it forward to someone in need. His speech was enlightening to all who were there and he made the 2025 luncheon one of the most memorable in Renaissance history.

BRF Outreach Program

In August, BRF directors continued their annual visit to The Miracle League of WNY for a night at Miracle Field on Grand Island. Our directors and their families volunteer to participate in baseball with individuals with adaptive needs. The specialized rubber field surface can accommodate wheelchairs, crutches and walkers.

Golf Classic at Niagara Falls CC Huge Success

The annual Golf Classic was held in May at the Niagara Falls Country Club where we were challenged by the weather. The Classic is the second oldest charitable tournament running in Western New York, the inaugural event being held in 1982 at Crag Burn. Event chairs Lou Panzica, Mark Gaulin and Michael Wisler chaperoned a day of comradery on the Niagara Escarpment, raising over $100,000 in revenue, the profits from the event going directly to support WNY charities.

Special thanks to our event sponsors:

• Flag Sponsors – Hoffman Hanifan, Ciminelli Real Estate Corp.. and D.V. Brown and Associates
• Putting Contest Sponsor – Uniland Development
• Straightest Drive – Hunt Real Estate Corp.
• Longest Drive – Sanderson Wealth Management, LLC
• Closest to the Pin – Tim Horton’s/Kelton Enterprises, LLC

Appropriations in 2024 Provided Grants to Eleven Area Charities

Our Appropriations Committee awarded grants to eleven area charities in 2024:

• 716 Squash, Inc.
• Assembly House 150
• Buffalo Creek Academy Charter School
• Buffalo Yacht Club Foundation, Inc.
• Grassroots Gardens of WNY
• Jewish Community Center of Greater Buffalo, Inc.
• NativityMiguel Middle School of Buffalo
• Polish Arts Club of Buffalo, Inc.
• Puppy Mill Rescue Team
• Ronald McDonald House Charities
• Visually Impaired Advancement (VIA)

Military and Uniformed Services Luncheon Highlights

Our annual Military and Uniformed Services Luncheon, an event that continues to grow and support our local Veteran community was well attended in November.  Rear Admiral Ten Eyck B. Powell, III was the keynote speaker and delivered an inspiring address to those in attendance.  Many thanks to the Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR)  for their support in co-hosting this year’s luncheon.

The three Military & Uniformed Services, including the annual Gary M. Stott Scholarship were awarded to Ashley Malave (Empire State University), Navroop Cheema (Canisius) and Tiembra Elder (University of Phoenix).

The Military and Uniformed Services Committee remained active making local donations in 2024 to the Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park (Challenge Coin Project) and hosting several luncheon meetings for the Buffalo chapter of the ESGR during 2024.

2024 UB Athletics Scholarship

Founded in 1981, the Buffalo Renaissance Foundation (BRF) is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization dedicated to moving Buffalo forward, to help our future generations realize the best opportunities to enjoy a high quality of life in Western New York.