FIRST NIAGARA FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES $50,000 IN GRANTS TO SUPPORT MENTORING ORGANIZATIONS IN TRI-STATE REGION

First Niagara Foundation, the not-for-profit charitable foundation established by First Niagara Bank, today announced $50,000 in grants to support seven youth mentoring programs in the Tri-State area, including four located in Rockland and Westchester Counties. The grants were made in conjunction with First Niagara’s contribution of $1 million to support non-profit youth mentoring programs and organizations across New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Massachusetts through its Mentoring Matters℠ program.

“Giving young people access to caring adult mentors and role models is a proven way to help guide them to make positive life decisions and develop into healthy, productive adult members of our community,” said First Niagara Tri-State President, Cathie Schaffer. “This is why we have made mentoring a key focus area of our charitable giving program, and support organizations that provide quality mentoring programs in our markets.”

The four Hudson Valley nonprofits receiving grants were Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rockland County to support the Veteran Enlightenment Time program; Boys and Girls Club of Northern Westchester, Inc. for the College Quest program; Project Morry, Inc. for their High School Youth Development and Mentoring Program; and YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester Inc. for GEMS (Girls Empowered through Meaningful Support) program. Representatives from the four organizations joined Cathie Schaffer and other bank representatives at a check presentation ceremony at First Niagara’s Mount Kisco branch office.

First Niagara launched Mentoring Matters in 2007 with the goal of supporting organizations that help children improve their grades and school attendance, build self-esteem, and avoid the dangers of substance abuse. First Niagara has provided more than $6.25 million to nonprofits and mentoring programs over the past six years.

This year, First Niagara provided grants to 39 nonprofits across its regional footprint, directly benefiting approximately 39,000 children collectively participating in these programs.

“First Niagara is wholly committed to supporting the communities we serve –both through financial support and through volunteer efforts. Our team members are equally as passionate about mentoring – volunteering their time and expertise to help youths across our footprint reach their true potential,” said Elizabeth Gurney, Executive Director of First Niagara Foundation.

To learn more about First Niagara’s Mentoring Matters program, please visit https://www.firstniagara.com/About_Us/Community_Commitment/Mentoring_Matters/Mentoring_Matters.aspx

About The First Niagara Foundation

The First Niagara Foundation is a not-for-profit charitable entity. Founded in 1998, the First Niagara Foundation is committed to supporting organizations in the communities in which we live and work, with specific focus on Youth and Education, Community Development and Neighborhood Revitalization. In 2013, First Niagara contributed more than $9.0 million in charitable grants to community partners across the bank’s four-state footprint. For additional information on First Niagara, visit us at www.firstniagara.com, follow us on Twitter @FirstNiagara, or like us on Facebook at FirstNiagaraBank.

About First Niagara

First Niagara, through its wholly owned subsidiary, First Niagara Bank, N.A., is a multi-state community-oriented bank with approximately 410 branches, $39 billion in assets, $27 billion in deposits, and approximately 5,900 employees providing financial services to individuals, families and businesses across New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Massachusetts. For additional information on First Niagara, visit us at www.firstniagara.com, follow us on Twitter @FirstNiagara, or like us on Facebook at FirstNiagaraBank.

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First Niagara Contact:

Karen Crane

VP, Corporate Communications, Tri-State Region

(203) 789-2752

Karen.crane@fnfg.com

News Media: Dean Bender

Thompson & Bender

(914) 762-1900

dean@thompson-bender.com