 Linda Niedbalski, of the M&T Bank office in Fredonia, and Joshua Heim (second from right), of M&T Bank headquarters in Buffalo, deliver a check to Dr. David Tiffany, executive director of the Fredonia College Foundation. Joining in the presentation are SUNY Fredonia’s Timothy Murphy (left), director of Development, and Rich Ryan, associate director of Development. |
M&T Bank is continuing its longstanding support of SUNY Fredonia with two substantial gifts, made through the Fredonia College Foundation, to benefit the SUNY Fredonia Technology Incubator and the Keeper of the Dream Scholarship and Leadership program.
The Western New York-based bank is providing $75,000 over a five-year period to the technology incubator to help cover general operating expenses. Since its founding, the incubator has admitted 22 tenants, including four that have graduated and relocated to other facilities. At last count, these companies have created 72 jobs. Fifteen tenants currently operate in the incubator, and eight more business opportunities are being evaluated.
At the incubator, which opened three years ago in downtown Dunkirk, tenants receive the support, infrastructure, resources, guidance and expertise necessary to successfully launch a new business.
M&T Bank is also affirming its support of the Keeper of the Dream program with a $20,000 contribution.
The program, established by the SUNY Fredonia Office of Student Affairs, provides renewable $4,000 scholarships to five entering freshman based on high school achievement, community service and a demonstrated commitment to multiculturalism. It has produced numerous campus leaders, Chancellor’s Award winners and outstanding graduates.
Funding of Keeper of the Dream scholarships by M&T Bank began in 2002.
“M&T Bank has a great and continuing commitment to the communities it serves,” said Dr. David Tiffany, executive director of the Fredonia College Foundation. “They have supported our Keeper of the Dream Scholarship for years, and their support for our incubator has been essential to providing the funding needed to assure its growth and success.”
The two gifts were arranged with the assistance of Josh Heim, vice president of Government Banking at M&T Bank’s headquarters in Buffalo; and Linda Niedbalski, vice president-branch manager of the M&T Bank office in Fredonia. The $75,000 incubator contribution is among the largest gifts ever made by M&T Bank to the Fredonia College Foundation.
In addition, M&T Bank supports SUNY Fredonia in other ways, including sponsorship of the popular Walter Gloor Mainstage Series that brings five theatre and dance productions to Rockefeller Arts Center each year.
