To improve the health of underserved populations in western and central New York, we must bolster the health care systems they depend on. We understand the strength and long-term sustainability of our community partners is essential to achieving our vision.
The Foundation has been funding community health capacity since its inception, though it didn’t become a formal focus area until 2009. This work is aligned with our other focus areas, improving the health of vulnerable older adults and young children impacted by poverty, and is designed to provide the resources, tools, strategies and training to enhance the capacity of organizations to improve health outcomes in our community.
We have two strategies to build community healthy capacity:
- Developing a network of diverse, driven and skilled leaders who will work collaboratively toward goals that can only be achieved by people working together; and
- Giving organizations the resources and expertise to respond strategically to a shifting fiscal and regulatory environment, as well as the breathing space to shore up their infrastructure for long-term success and sustainability.
Our programs in this focus area typically support leadership development, community health planning, organizational development and community education.
- Challenge: Fiscal and regulatory upheaval: With the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid redesign transforming how health care is delivered and paid for, organizations need to change the way they do business. They need to be strategic and proactive to increase quality and reduce costs.
- Challenge: Need to collaborate: The health challenges in our region can’t be tackled by any one organization acting alone. Working in silos leads to gaps, duplication of services and missed opportunities. Leaders at local non-profits must work collaboratively.
STRATEGIES

Develop Strong
Leaders
To build a network of skilled leaders who work collaboratively, the Foundation created the Health Leadership Fellows program and supports the Fellows Action Network.

Build Organizational
Capacity
By providing financial and expert assistance, we help health care and social service providers strengthen their core competencies and ensure their financial sustainability.
PROGRAMS
Below are our programs related to community health capacity:
OUTCOMES
Collaborative Leaders, Collaborative Projects
Approximately 400 leaders have taken part in the Health Leadership Fellows program and become part of the Fellows Action Network, working collaboratively to address critical health issues.
Expertise and Resources for Long-Term Planning
Since 2012, we’ve provided more than 20 organizations with the financial and expert assistance to strengthen their infrastructure so they can respond strategically to the changing fiscal and regulatory environment.