Beginning in 1996 Jim Fretthold identified an opportunity to partner with a supplier, the York Group, to attract philanthropic funds to our Western New York community. The York Group was acquired by Matthews Intl and the philanthropic fund now operates as the Matthews Childrens Foundation, continuing to offer youth-focused grants through funeral homes. This tailor-made relationship paved the way for our family business to make an astounding impact on our community. Funds raised to date total $394,600. Thirty-four youth-focused organizations throughout Niagara and Erie counties including Camp Good Days & Special Times, Bornhava, Young Audiences, SABAH, Pirate Toy Fund, Twin Cities Community Outreach, Kids Escaping Drugs, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Buffalo, Tonawanda's, and the Northtowns are among grant recipients. Our community outreach and the philanthropic support from the Matthews Childrens Foundation has attracted funds to our community from outside of Western New York. We get to know the local human service agencies through the process of developing the grant applications. We are building relationships and serving our community in ways that adds value to the lives of others and enriches services to youth across our region. We have had organizations approach us for grant support and we continue to grow in our community support. This initiative fully aligns with our family business in honoring the families we serve by serving our community.
FRETTHOLD FUNERAL HOME INC. - YORK GRANTS
- Twin Cities Community Outreach $ 56600
- Camp Good Days & Special Times $ 35850
- Kids Escaping Drugs $ 34200
- Pirate Toy Fund $ 25900
- Buffalo Kiwanis Club Foundation $ 21400
- WNY Physically Challenged YSO $ 20950
- Nor Ton Red Jacket Club $ 18950
- Tonawanda Kiwanis Foundation $ 18150
- Gliding Stars $ 16500
- Bornhava Specialized Preschool $ 16000
- Defend and Survive Program $ 13300
- Young Audiences of WNY $ 13250
- Kamp Kiwanis $ 11700
- Junior Achievement of Western New York $ 10600
- Be A Friend $ 10250
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo $ 9750
- Trooper Toys for Tots $ 8900
- Girl Scouts of WNY $ 6750
- Explore & More... a children’s museum $ 6500
- CASA – Voices for the Children $ 6400
- BBBS of Niagara County $ 6000
- Community Missions of N. Frontier $ 5700
- Computers for Children $ 4500
- Boys & Girls Club of the Tonawandas $ 3500
- North Tonawanda History Museum $ 3500
- North Tonawanda Catholic School $ 3000
- Kids Alive! $ 2000
- New York Special Olympics $ 2000
- Niagara Orleans Special Olympics $ 2000
- SABAH $ 1500
- Make-A-Wish Foundation of WNY $ 1500
- Alden Central School District $ 1500
- North Tonawanda Catholic Club $ 1000
- Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northtowns $ 1000
Total as of 7/28/2022 $400600
