During the second quarter of 2026, 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.
Keep New York Covered 2 ($135,000)
Funding will support targeted outreach to people at risk of losing public health care coverage through the Essential Plan and Medicaid. Led by Community Service Society of New York (CSS), the program will strengthen the capacity of community-based organizations to educate residents on health coverage options through in-person events, printed materials, and digital marketing campaigns. This work will build on the first round of Keep New York Covered, launched in 2022. CSS has already secured $1,050,000 from other funders for this effort, including the Greater Rochester Health Foundation, Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, New York Community Trust, New York Health Foundation, and United Hospital Fund. Funding from the Health Foundation is supporting three additional sites in the regions we serve: two in central New York and one in western New York.
Stronger Starts Maternal Health Program ($93,179)
The Onondaga County Health Department, in collaboration with Crouse Health and other partner organizations, will pilot the Stronger Starts Maternal Health Program, designed to transform the maternal-infant health system and reduce infant and maternal morbidity and mortality in Onondaga County. Stronger Starts will establish a preventive, coordinated, culturally responsive, sustainable, and scalable model to help mothers and newborns transition from the hospital to the home as part of a continuum of care for maternal and infant health.
Grants $50,000 and under
SNAPCAP – Preparing for Medicaid Eligibility and Coverage – $50,000
YWCA of Niagara Frontier, Child & Family Services, and Center for Elder Law & Justice – planning grant for Older Adult Inclusive Shelters – $27,500
Farm 2 Fork “Healthy Living” segment on WIVB-TV – 2026 sponsorship – $20,000
King Urban Life Center and Urban Christian Ministries – funding for a shared staff position – $ 22,750
Association of Health Care Journalists, Center for Excellence in Healthcare Journalism – sponsorship of five journalists as 2026 AHCJ Fellows – $18,000
Silver Fox Consulting for Social Adult Day Center Development – $16,000
New York State Association for Rural Health (NYSAHR) – RaP Fellowship: Exploring Policy Support and Change for Rural Aging in New York – $12,600
Karen Society for Social Adult Day Program Development – $9,000
Care Management Coalition of Western New York – Family Engagement Conference sponsorship – $2,500
Southside Community Center Doula Training – $1,500
