Randolph Native Named Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Data and Learning Fellow
Christian Riethmiller joins the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation’s growing team of professionals through grant support made by RCWJF
OLEAN - Through the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation Rural Philanthropy Fellows Cohort, the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation has brought on Randolph native Christian Riethmiller to take on the role of data and learning fellow.
The Rural Philanthropy Fellows Cohort is comprised of 15 fellows - 12 Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Rural Philanthropy Fellows and 3 Herrick Foundation Philanthropy Fellows. Each two-year fellowship offers a unique opportunity to make meaningful contributions to either Michigan or New York philanthropy and the larger philanthropic community.
Through grant support made by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, the fellows will support and be employed by the community foundations to support their rural-focused efforts.
As data and learning fellow, Riethmiller will play a key role in helping the Foundation use data to guide decision-making, evaluate impact, and communicate effectively with stakeholders, internally and externally - including the CRCF Board of Directors, donors, grantees, and the Cattaraugus region as a whole.
A graduate of St. Bonaventure University, Riethmiller earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in finance and a minor in political science. During his time at SBU, he was a member of the cross country/track and field programs and was actively involved in campus organizations, including NvestNus - a student group dedicated to teaching local high school students about investing and personal finance.
Riethmiller brings several years of nonprofit experience from his work with the Tri-County Arts Council, where he worked closely with the executive director to support community-based initiatives that focused on bringing art to the region. He also gained valuable experience in the financial services sector while working at KeyBank, where he developed skills in banking operations.
“Adding a data and learning position reflects CRCF’s commitment to continuous learning and improvement,” said CRCF Executive Director Kirk Windus. “With Christian joining our team, we will be better equipped to turn data into insight and insight into action - ensuring our work remains responsive to the evolving needs of our community.”
Beyond direct job experience, the members of the rural philanthropy cohort will also benefit from being part of a larger cohort of Rural Philanthropy Fellows. The cohort will receive ongoing support from a group of philanthropic practice experts via the New York Funder Alliance (NYFA) for:
Development of skills and knowledge, supported by the Fellowship Cohort learning opportunities and an individualized professional development budget.
Tailored 1:1 networking support to explore potential career paths post-fellowship across the philanthropic sector and adjacent fields.
The Fellow will also benefit from attendance at local and national stakeholder meetings and conferences. Riethmiller can be contacted at christian@cattfoundation.org.
About the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation: The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation is a grantmaking organization dedicated primarily to sustained investment in the quality of life of the people of Southeast Michigan and Western New York. The two areas reflect the devotion of Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. to his hometown of Detroit and greater Buffalo, home of his beloved Buffalo Bills NFL team. Prior to his passing in 2014, Mr. Wilson provided that a significant share of his estate be used to continue a life-long generosity of spirit by funding the Foundation that bears his name. Based in Detroit, the Foundation began with a grantmaking capacity of $1.2 billion over a 20-year period, which expires January 8, 2035. This structure is consistent with Mr. Wilson’s desire for the Foundation’s impact to be immediate, substantial, measurable, and overseen by those who knew him best. For more information about the foundation visit www.rcwjrf.org.
The Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation is the area’s supportive, responsive and trusted community foundation. Established in 1994, CRCF is growing good by connecting donors to the causes they care about most in the region. Grants from the foundation support many areas, including education, scholarships, healthcare, the arts, community development, human service, and youth development. To learn more, call 716-301-CRCF (2723), email foundation@cattfoundation.org, or visit online at www.cattfoundation.org. CRCF is also on Facebook (facebook.com/cattfoundation) and Twitter (@CattFoundation).