During the fourth quarter of 2025, the Health Foundation for Western & Central New York invested in partnerships and programs to improve community health and strengthen the nonprofit infrastructure in western and central New York. Below is a summary of these philanthropic investments.
Health Leadership Fellows Program, Cohorts 13 and 14 ($1,702,000)
Our Health Leadership Fellows program strengthens the collaborative skills of leaders in health and human service organizations in western and central New York. Over the past two decades, 12 cohorts representing over 400 participants and 190 organizations have benefited from the 18-month experiential learning program. This new funding will support cohorts 13 and 14 over the next four years.
Advancing Black Maternal Health Equity ($270,564)
Jericho Road Community Health Center and the Buffalo Center for Health Equity will receive $270,564 over two years for a community based collaborative initiative called Advancing Maternal Health Equity in the Black Community on Buffalo’s East Side. The goal will be to increase access to maternal and primary health care, improve health outcomes, enhance health literacy, increase linkage for health-related social needs, and empower Black women on Buffalo’s East Side.
Nonprofit Support Group in Western New York ($267,551)
The Nonprofit Support Group (NSG) enables a collaborative approach to strengthening the nonprofit sector across western New York. By pooling resources and expertise from multiple foundations, NSG addresses challenges that no single organization could tackle alone, ensuring nonprofits have access to essential training, infrastructure, and sector-wide initiatives. Continued support will enable NSG to respond quickly to emerging needs and policy changes, helping nonprofits remain resilient and effective in serving their communities.
Oswego County Help Me Grow ($180,000)
Integrated Community Planning of Oswego County (ICPOC) in central New York will receive $180,000 over two years to expand the existing Help Me Grow initiative. The expansion will include support for developmental playgroups which help families learn developmentally appropriate activities to do with their young children. Playgroups serve all children but are especially important for those waiting for early intervention services. ICPOC will also strengthen relationships with child health providers, provide leadership opportunities for parents, and continue to advocate for universal developmental screening for all children in Oswego County.
2026 Healthy Equity Innovation Awards: Partnership with Univera Healthcare ($150,000)
The Health Equity Innovation Awards empower community-based organizations to develop targeted programs for populations underserved because of their race, ethnicity, disability status, gender, or rural location. This strategic partnership between the Health Foundation and Univera Healthcare will address health disparities and improve health equity in western New York. The awards program will fund innovative solutions to reduce health inequities and strengthen community partnerships.
Family Engagement in Healthcare Pilot ($110,600)
EPIC, a New York State leader in family engagement for over 43 years, will use proven strategies from education in health care settings. By helping providers understand family challenges and encouraging collaboration, the project aims to boost patient satisfaction, health literacy, and treatment adherence—leading to better health outcomes for children and stronger provider performance. The project will be piloted in partnership with two federally qualified health centers in western New York: Neighborhood Health Center (Buffalo) and The Chautauqua Center (Chautauqua County).
Grants $50,000 or under
Integrated Community Planning of Oswego County, Inc. – Trauma Informed Care (TIC) Strategic Planning – $20,000
March of Dimes – Maternal and Infant Health Report Card – $25,000
Generations United, Inc. – Supporting Grandfamilies in the Buffalo Area Planning Grant – $15,000
Oswego County Opportunities – Migrant Health Program – Interpretation Services and Follow-Up Support – $22,000
Sankofa Reproductive Health & Healing Center – $25,000
Grantmakers in Aging – 2025 Conference Sponsorship – $5,000
Say Yes Buffalo – Professional Development for Teachers in the Young Scholars Program – $20,000
EPIC (Every Person Influences Children) – Family Engagement in Healthcare Assessment – $14,656
Buffalo Business First – Health Equity Panel Sponsorship – $8,390
