During the third 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.
The SEA Change Fund ($1,300,000)
The Strengthening Every Angle (SEA) Change Fund was launched at the beginning of 2026 to support organizations that are experiencing challenges resulting from drastic changes in public funding. It provides a combination of general operating support grants and targeted organizational capacity building.
The first round of 16 SEA Change grants was awarded in June. The Health Foundation’s Board of Trustees recently approved an additional 20 grants for the next phase; the organizations will be selected from the original pool of applicants.
“General operating funds are an essential resource for the long-term strength of nonprofit organizations, especially in the current funding landscape,” said Nora Suric, PhD, President, Health Foundation for Western & Central New York. “The SEA Change Fund represents the Health Foundation’s overall approach to imagining better—trust-driven partnerships with the nonprofit sector to create big-picture solutions for a healthier community.”
Help Me Grow Western New York ($300,000)
Funds will support CCNY Inc. to continue to develop as the backbone organization for Help Me Grow WNY over the next two years. The goal is to continue building and strengthening a comprehensive and coordinated system of early childhood development services and care that supports the development and well-being of children in western New York. CCNY’s technical support and data analysis will enable Help Me Grow WNY to continue responding to emerging needs while bringing new partners to the collective table, especially as the nonprofit sector faces unprecedented cuts in government funding.
Grants $50,000 and under
SUNY Upstate – Virtual Reality Implicit Bias Training – $50,000
Buffalo Toronto Public Media 2026-2027 – $49,400
DUMAS R.I.S.E. Providers – Strengthening Community Mental Health Capacity – $35,000
Buffalo Prenatal Perinatal Network Implicit Bias Project – $30,000
Primary Care Development Corporation – FQHC Medicare Planning Grant – $25,000
Grantmakers in Aging Annual Conference Sponsorship – $25,000
March of Dimes’ 2026 Maternal Health Deserts Report – $25,000
Onondaga County Health Department – Maternal Health Landscape Scan – $22,500
Oswego County Opportunities Inc.’s Improving Maternal Health – Postpartum Engagement Project – $20,000
Healthy Living with Patti Green – 2026 Farm 2 Fork Sponsorship – $12,000
Holy Cross Head Start – Cavity Free Kids – $10,000
Inclusive Alliance Bridge Funding – $10,000
Journalists in Aging 2026 Fellowship – $10,000
Center for Elder Law and Justice – Nursing Home Residents’ Rights Booklet Reprint – $4,000
