COVID-19 Updates from the Health Foundation

New information is developing rapidly each day as our community responds to COVID-19. Below you will find links to all of the information the Health Foundation has provided on our website in response to the pandemic. If you have any questions about this information or need additional assistance, please contact us at info@hfwcny.org or 716-852-3030.

WNY COVID-19 Community Response Fund Seeking Ideas from Nonprofits to Address Challenges
Seeking collaborative solutions from nonprofit leaders to address challenges our community is facing due to COVID-19, coupled with the persistent challenges of racial inequities.

CNY COVID-19 Community Support Fund Report
See the latest updates on how emergency funds are being invested in community-based organizations in Onondaga County.

CNY COVID-19 Grants in Oswego, Madison and Cayuga Counties
Learn more about these regional response funds and view grantee lists for these counties.

Mohawk Valley COVID-19 Response Fund Investment Update
Learn how donations to the COVID-19 Response Fund are being invested back into the community.

Health Leadership Fellows Cohort 10 Postponed
See this page for more information on the program.

WNY COVID-19 Community Response Fund Awards Additional $1 Million to Support Nonprofits Addressing Immediate Needs
Details about grants awarded to the community as of April 29, 2020.

Western New York Community Leaders are Pledging their Personal Financial Support in Response to COVID-19 Crisis
An update on the latest community support for the WNY COVID-19 Community Response Fund.

WNY COVID-19 Community Response Fund Announces Grants Totaling $4.5 Million to 74 Nonprofit Organizations
This press release shares details on the recipients of grant funding through the WNY COVID-19 Community Response Fund.

Advocacy Update: Legislation to Support Nonprofits in Difficult Times
This post provides information and links to additional resources about recent legislation that may benefit nonprofit organizations, including the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act and the CARES Act.

A Message to Our Grantees
An update on reporting deadlines for active grantees.

Updates to Health Foundation Events and Programs in Response to COVID-19
This post provides important information about changes to Health Foundation programs and events. It will be updated as needed.

WNY Philanthropic Community Announces Fund to Support Immediate Needs In Response to COVID-19
An announcement about how the Health Foundation is partnering with other WNY foundations to support front line organizations responding to this health crisis.

CNY COVID-19 Community Response Fund
An announcement about the Health Foundation’s efforts to support front line organizations in Central New York. Learn more.

Our COVID-19 Response
Initial details about changes to our day-to-day operations in response to the COVID-19 situation.

The Health Foundation’s Co-Creating Well-Being program offers online activity books and other resources for helping children process their feelings during this time.

Below are some additional resources that may be valuable to community-based organizations and nonprofits during this time.

For more information about services available in our community, please call 211, an information referral hotline that services counties in both western and central New York. Agencies and programs are encouraged to call with updates on how COVID-19 is affecting their ability to provide services to the community.

The John R. Oishei Foundation has posted this helpful template for nonprofit organizations designed to help them plan for re-opening.

Causewave, a Rochester-based group specializing in helping organizations with capacity building and community impact initiatives, is offering free virtual consultations for any nonprofit in the Greater Rochester and Western New York area to help with their COVID-19 planning and response.

The Center for Elder Law and Justice posted a comprehensive list of information and resources for New York residents responding to COVID-19, including information about the CARES Act, unemployment options, and much more. They are continuing to update the page as new information develops.

The John R. Oishei Foundation compiled a list of resources and information for nonprofit organizations to know during this evolving situation.

The Horton Management Law Blog shared an overview of New York’s Shared Work Program, which may provide some organizations an alternative to layoffs.

Lorman Education is offering a series of free, on-demand webinars on topics relevant to organizations who have moved staff to work-from-home status, on a series of topics including Work From Home Programs Do’s and Don’ts and Managing Telecommuting in a Changing Legal Environment.

The Alliance for Strong Families and Communities created a set of resources for community-based human services organizations dealing with COVID-19.

The United Hospital Fund created a comprehensive guide to New York State health insurance coverage options during the pandemic.

The National Council on Aging shared these tips for older adults and caregivers on managing mental health.

VolunteerWNY helps connect volunteers with organizations in need across WNY.

Early Childhood Alliance of Onondaga County shared this list of resources for families with children ages birth through five years old.

Hearts and Hands is partnering with Erie County Senior Services, with support from the Health Foundation, to connect older adults with volunteers who can assist with transportation to or delivery of groceries, medication and other essential services.