Chautauqua County > Dunkirk
Dunkirk has faced a severe economic crisis in recent years, with the state comptroller’s office citing crippling debt, fund deficits and sloppy accounting. Residents’ taxes nearly doubled in 2024. The state saved the city from default in 2025 with an emergency loan.
School districts: Dunkirk City School District
Libraries: Dunkirk Public Library
Hospitals: Brooks Memorial Hospital
Emergency services: Dunkirk Fire Department
Fraternal organizations: American Legion, Elks, Lions, VFW
Not-for-profit cemeteries: Willow Brook Park Cemetery
Change agents:
Grants to local organizations have funded a fatherhood program, summer camp, redevelopment of the Woolworth’s building, and transitional living.
Recent grants:
Boys and Girls Club of Northern Chautaugua County
Foundation 214 - Williamsville, NY - $8,000 (2024)
Brooks-TLC Hospital System
J L Blair for Tlc Health Network - Pittsburgh, PA - $7,299 (2024)
Brooks-TLC Hospital System
Livermore Memorial Fund - Chicago, IL - $99,600 (2024)
Brooks-TLC Hospital System
Livermore Memorial Fund - Chicago, IL - $99,600 (2024)
Chautauqua Center
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Washington, DC - $1,589,674 (2025)
Chautauqua Center
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Washington, DC - $2,089,674 (2025)
Chautauqua Center
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Washington, DC - $38,995 (2024)
Chautauqua Center
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Washington, DC - $600,000 (2024)
Chautauqua Center
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Washington, DC - $3,179,348 (2024)
Chautauqua County Rural Ministry
Buffalo Bills Foundation - Orchard Park, NY - $5,476 (2024)
Chautauqua County Rural Ministry
John R. Oishei Foundation - Buffalo, NY - $12,000 (2024)
Chautauqua Opportunities
R R & Clara J Gould Foundation - Milwaukee, WI - $1,440 (2024)
Chautauqua Opportunities
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Washington, DC - $472,108 (2025)
Chautauqua Opportunities
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Washington, DC - $6,767,042 (2025)
Chautauqua Opportunities
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Washington, DC - $128,586 (2024)
Chautauqua Opportunities
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Washington, DC - $199,998 (2024)
Chautauqua Opportunities
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Washington, DC - $245,600 (2024)
Chautauqua Opportunities
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Washington, DC - $993,292 (2024)
Chautauqua Opportunities
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Washington, DC - $1,430,771 (2024)
Chautauqua Opportunities
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Washington, DC - $5,536,718 (2024)
Chautauqua Opportunities
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - Washington, DC - $31,096 (2025)
Chautauqua Opportunities
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - Washington, DC - $30,000 (2024)
Chautauqua Opportunities
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - Washington, DC - $53,514 (2024)
Chautauqua Opportunities
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - Washington, DC - $104,636 (2024)
Chautauqua Opportunities
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - Washington, DC - $125,000 (2024)
Chautauqua Opportunities
Zumiez Foundation - Lynnwood, WA - $1,837 (2024)
City of Dunkirk
Appalachian Regional Commission - Washington, DC - $50,000 (2025)
City of Dunkirk
Community Development Block Grant - Albany, NY - $103,500 (2025)
City of Dunkirk
Municipal Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Grants - Albany, NY - $53,400 (2024)
City of Dunkirk
Regional Economic Development Councils - Albany, NY - $1,600,000 (2024)
City of Dunkirk
Restore New York Communities Initiative - Albany, NY - $1,500,000 (2024)
City of Dunkirk
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - Washington, DC - $441,279 (2024)
City of Dunkirk
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - Washington, DC - $1,855,008 (2024)
Dunkirk Police Department
NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services - Albany, NY - $63,502 (2024)
Northern Chautauqua Catholic Schools
Horace A and Helen A Pantano Family Foundation - Boca Raton, FL - $3,641 (2024)
Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation
Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation - Detroit, MI - $100,000 (2024)
Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation
Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation - Detroit, MI - $50,000 (2024)
Southern Tier Environments for Living
Regional Economic Development Councils - Albany, NY - $1,200,000 (2024)
Largest nonprofits in Dunkirk (by assets) include:
Brooks-TLC Hospital System
Chautauqua Center
Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation
Chautauqua Opportunities
Southern Tier Environments for Living
Dunkirk Conference Center
Shorewood Association
Dunkirk Humane Society
Chautauqua County Agricultural & Fair Association
East Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Company
Chautauqua Opportunities for Development
LSP Corporation
Southern Tier Foundation
United Way of Northern Chautauqua County
West Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Company
Historical Society of Dunkirk New York
Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club
Dunkirk Historical Lighthouse and Veterans Park Museum
Chautauqua County Rural Ministries
Friends of the New York State Liberty Partnerships
Dunkirk Memorial Post 62
United Steelworkers
Dunkirk Yacht Club
Dunkirk Local Development Corporation
Exempt Volunteer Firemens Association of the City of Dunkirk