Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation Steps In After Springville Chamber Dissolves

The CRCF has created a new fund to support local businesses and community initiatives in the wake of the chamber's closure.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 3:12pm

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The former Springville Area Chamber of Commerce partnered with the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation (CRCF) after the chamber dissolved in 2024. Together, they established a field-of-interest fund to continue supporting local businesses and community initiatives in Springville, New York.

Why it matters

The dissolution of the Springville chamber left a void in the community, as chambers often play a crucial role in supporting small businesses, organizing events, and advocating for local interests. The CRCF's new fund aims to step in and ensure the Springville community continues to receive the resources and assistance it needs.

The details

The CRCF and the former Springville chamber worked together to create a field-of-interest fund that will provide grants and other support to local businesses, nonprofits, and community programs in the Springville area. This fund will allow the community to access resources and continue initiatives that were previously handled by the chamber.

  • The Springville Area Chamber of Commerce dissolved in 2024.
  • The CRCF and former chamber partnered to establish the new fund shortly after the chamber's closure.

The players

Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation

A nonprofit organization that manages charitable funds and provides grants to support local communities in the Cattaraugus County region of New York.

Springville Area Chamber of Commerce

The former chamber organization that represented businesses and coordinated community initiatives in the town of Springville, New York, before dissolving in 2024.

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What they’re saying

“We recognized the important role the chamber played in Springville and wanted to ensure the community continued to receive the support it needs.”

— Karen Niemic Buchheit, Executive Director, Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation

What’s next

The CRCF will begin accepting grant applications for the new Springville fund in the coming months, allowing local businesses and organizations to apply for funding to support their initiatives.

The takeaway

The dissolution of the Springville chamber left a gap in community support, but the CRCF's new fund demonstrates how nonprofit organizations can step in to fill that void and ensure vital resources and programming continue to benefit local businesses and residents.