Jim Fretthold’s Ongoing Commitment

As many grant writers can tell you, funders often favor new ideas.  Supporting innovative programs is one way that philanthropists can help create systemic change, nurture new initiatives, and fulfill their individual missions.  However, this emphasis on new ideas can mean that well-developed programs with proven results can sometimes get lost in the application shuffle. 

Which is why YA-WNY is so thankful for people like Jim Fretthold, Director of Fretthold Funeral Home, who has helped secure support for YA-WNY programs through the York Children’s Foundation during several funding cycles over the past two years.  The York Children’s Foundation was created in 1992 by the York Group, the second largest manufacturer of caskets in the country.  Each time the York Group sells a casket a donation is made to the Foundation.  Directors like Mr. Fretthold endorse local applications to the Foundation for programs that serve children in their region. 

Mr. Fretthold has been successful in securing funding for YA-WNY’s Writing for Life program, an interdisciplinary residency for special needs and at-risk youth, and the Memoirs Project, a poetry and collage residency for 5th and 6th graders.  YA-WNY is not the only organization that Mr. Fretthold has supported.  He has also secured funding for Kids Escaping Drugs, Camp Good Days, and the Niagara Orleans Special Olympics.  In fact, Mr. Fretthold currently submits the most applications to the Foundation of anyone in the country and has secured $184,100 in grants for 29 different organizations throughout Western and Central New York.  Thank you Mr. Fretthold, for your unflagging commitment to YA-WNY and to the children in our region.

Advantage Professionals
Cantor, Lukasik, Dolce and Panepinto
Chiampou Travis Besaw & Kershner LLP
Computer Task Group, Inc.
Frank T. Gaglione, P.C.
Gastroenterology Associates, LLP
Hooper Family Foundation

Jaeckle, Fleischmann, Mugel, LLP
Key Bank
M&T Charitable Foundation
McGard LLC
Phymedco Business and Consulting Services, Inc.
Rich Products Corporation
SofTrek Corporation
UBS Financial Services, Inc.