By Michael Mroziak
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-987119.mp3
Buffalo, NY – This Give 4 Greatness campaign was launched earlier this year in response to Erie County Executive Chris Collins' budget, which erased funding to dozens of local organizations. This inaugural campaign raised approximately $90,000.
On Wednesday, 47 local arts and cultural groups, big and small, received funding from this drive. Of them, 37 lost their funding in this year's county budget.
"We raised $90,000 with the spring campaign, and we are giving away all but about $6,000 of that, which is rolling over into the next campaign" said Give 4 Greatness executive director Megan Callahan.
When the startup money for next year's campaign is subtracted, approximately $84,000 was distributed. Callahan says no money was subtracted for administrative costs thanks to a partnership with the publication Artvoice.
Plans are already underway for the 2012 Give 4 Greatness campaign, but Callahan pointed out that this is just one source for what she hopes will be a greater community effort to support local arts and cultural organizations.
"We hope our activities will foster a sense of philanthropy among individuals and private sector corporations, collaboration amongst arts and cultural groups, individual artists and the community at large, and new patrons and supporters of the arts and cultural organizations in Western New York.," said Callahan.