Luca S. Calanni Foundation Provides $26,000 in 2021 Q4 Grants
The Luca S. Calanni Foundation (Live Like Luca) is pleased to announce the approval of over $26,000 in grants to local organizations in Q4 2021.
“It’s amazing that we were able to provide over $50,000 worth of grants in the inaugural year of the foundation, said Ashley Calanni, Luca’s mother. “Many thanks to the generosity of the countless individuals and companies that have made this foundation possible”.
Organizations receiving grants include Hilbert College Basketball Camp, St. Francis High School Basketball Camp, Full Circle Family Services, The Chautauqua Children’s Gym, The Champion Project, The Buffalo Scholastic Rowing Association and The Falcon Volleyball Club. Monies will fund sport, camp and developmental opportunities for over 150 fiscally challenged youth in the WNY region.
“We’re so excited to be able to increase funding to organizations we started working with last year as well as develop new partnerships with other important and deserving groups” said Roger Calanni, Luca’s father. “The Q4 2021 grants will double the number of participants to the Hilbert College and St. Francis High School Summer Basketball camps that the foundation funded in 2021”.
Some new initiatives include supporting a winter basketball program in partnership with Full Circle Family Services and developing an introductory rowing program in partnership with The Buffalo Scholastic Rowing Association and The Buffalo Creek Academy Charter School.
“The Live Like Luca Foundation is also proud to announce that it will be awarding $75,000 in grants in 2022”, said Foundation Secretary Melanie Allesi. “This 50% funding increase will allow us to impact significantly more deserving children in our region”.
Luca Calanni passed on January 11th, 2020, from flu related complications at the age of 11.
In a little over one year, the Luca S. Calanni Foundation has made grants exceeding $70,000 benefitting well over 400 local children through various local youth and sports oriented non-profit organizations in Erie and Chautauqua Counties.
Applications for Q1 2022 grant requests are due no later than 5:00PM on Friday, February 18th.
The Luca S. Calanni Foundation celebrates the life and legacy of Luca Calanni by following his example of kindness and caring. Our mission is to help all children experience the joys of participating in sports, camps, the arts and other activities that made Luca’s light shine bright.
For more information or to donate visit LiveLikeLuca.com
These grants were made possible through Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation’s and generous community-minded donors. The NCCF is committed to improving the community through the promotion of local philanthropy, strategic grantmaking, and community leadership. The organization has distributed over $17 million in the form of grants and scholarships within the community. For more information on applying for grants, call 716-366-4892 or visit www.nccfoundation.org.