About Us

Supporting the people and organizations feeding Western New York.

Our Mission

Our mission is to raise and distribute capital for non-profit organizations throughout WNY that provide sustenance to those in need.

Our Vision

Ensuring that organizations already working to eradicate food insecurity have the tools and support they need to maximize their impact. 

A smiling man with a beard and short brown hair, wearing a blue-gray button-up shirt, is seated at a table in a kitchen or dining area.

Our Values

  • Connection

    We bridge the gap between donors and non-profits, introducing supporters to trustworthy and impactful organizations.

  • Collaboration

    We value partnership over competition and work with our non-profit cohorts to find creative ways to engage the giving spirit of the Western New York community.

  • Camaraderie

    We make giving back fun! Whether we're bowling or golfing, hosting concerts or meat raffles, we bring joy to philanthropy to honor Conor and his zest for life.

Two men taking a selfie. The man on the left has a beard and is smiling, wearing a brown shirt and beaded necklace. The man on the right is looking directly at the camera, wearing a blue shirt and a wristwatch. They are in a room with a wooden ceiling and shelves in the background.

Turning loss into purpose

The Conor J. Casey Foundation was born out of a desire to honor Conor’s legacy in a way that brings hope and support to others. What began as a response to loss has grown into a mission to strengthen communities and expand access to nourishment. Through this work, we carry forward a spirit of compassion, generosity, and connection.

A man in a blue t-shirt cooking a large seafood paella outdoors at sunset near a river, with trees and a partly cloudy sky in the background.
Young man with curly hair and a beard pointing towards the camera, surrounded by people in a lively, dimly lit indoor setting.
A young person wearing a white hockey jersey with a black and white illustration of a hockey player on the front, and a white chef's hat. They are standing indoors with a decorated Christmas tree visible in the background.
A man with curly hair wearing a red bandana is smiling, giving a thumbs-up, and sitting behind a large pile of cooked lobsters on a table with a yellow tablecloth in a kitchen.
A family gathering at a dinner table with food, candles, and drinks. A woman is celebrating a birthday with cake and candles.
Three friends smiling at a social gathering or party, close together and looking happy.
A man with dark hair and a beard, wearing a red shirt, is smiling at the camera, taking a selfie in a restaurant. On the table in front of him, there is a bowl of salad with greens, tomatoes, and other vegetables. The restaurant has decorative elements on the wall and a table with a white tablecloth and chairs with a woven pattern.
A group of five people smiling and posing for a photo in a bar or pub decorated with sports memorabilia and Christmas stockings. The group includes three men and two women, dressed casually.
A man posing in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, with other visitors nearby on a cloudy day.
A group of smiling people, young women and men, at a social gathering, with a dark background and a window or glass wall behind them.
A person in a red culinary uniform holding a platter with a sliced oyster dish, with a decorative wooden frame around them.

A culinary career rooted in love of food and community

Conor was known for his infectious enthusiasm, largely appropriate sense of humor, apropos movie quotes, love of corduroy, abhorrence of denim, and never-ending appreciation of a good time. Conor passed in 2022 at the age of 34, just 14 months after being diagnosed with glioblastoma.

Conor’s entrances were always late and energetic, relying on his cheeky smile and casual charm to make amends. Unlike his entrances, his final departure was peaceful and much, much too early.

Portrait of Conor J. Casey (1987-2022). Oil on Linen, 2023 by Aloria Weaver. Held in private collection in Buffalo, NY.

About Conor

  • In his early years, Conor’s tepid relationship with the classroom prompted his grandma Rita to teach him fractions through baking and cooking. A passion for food, both in the kitchen and at the dining table, was inevitable.

    Born of summers at Crescent Beach and winters in Ellicottville, Conor found in the culinary program at Paul Smith’s College in the Adirondacks a familiar milieu of woods and water in which to hone his art.

    Upon his return to Buffalo, Conor pursued a culinary career that included stints at Le Metro, Papaya, the obligatory tour of duty at Tempo, Muse at the Albright Knox, and Solé.

    At the tender age of 24, Conor became the founding chef and creative collaborator of Coco Bar and Bistro. Always willing, able, and eager to handle every culinary challenge he and Maura Crawford (the owner of Coco) dreamed up: Moules Fest, Game of Thrones dinners, Rosé Soiree, Wanderlust Weekends, wine dinners, and more. Conor was one of the most adventurous and accomplished chefs in Western New York.

    Conor’s dedication to his craft garnered admiration from his peers and devotion from both friends and strangers, who continue to return to Coco to enjoy his culinary creations and the atmosphere of food and fun that he leaves behind.

Meet our Board of Directors

The Foundation is led by a Board of Directors composed of Conor’s family and trusted community leaders. Together, they provide thoughtful leadership and stewardship, carrying forward his legacy through impactful work across Western New York.

Group of nine people standing in front of a backdrop with the 'Feed the Need' logo, smiling.