Community Foundation For Greater Buffalo Inc

OUR VISION IS A VIBRANT AND INCLUSIVE GREATER BUFFALO REGION WITH OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL.

WNY COVID-19 COMMUNITY RESPONSE FUND: THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, ALONG WITH OTHER KEY FUNDERS IN WESTERN NEW YORK, LED AN EFFORT TO BRING TOGETHER THE ENTIRE FUNDING COMMUNITY TO STAGE A COORDINATED AND REGIONAL PHILANTHROPIC RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. THE FIRST PRIORITY WAS TO EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY DISTRIBUTE FUNDS IN ALL EIGHT COUNTIES OF WESTERN NEW YORK THROUGH A RACIAL EQUITY LENS TO SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS ADDRESSING IMMEDIATE NEEDS INCLUDING FOOD, HOUSING, HEALTHCARE, CHILDCARE, MENTAL HEALTH, TRANSPORTATION AND OTHER EMERGENCY NEEDS. IN 2021, MORE THAN $4.6 MILLION WAS AWARDED TO APPROXIMATELY 150 ORGANIZATIONS.SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE FUND DECIDED TO EXPAND ITS RESPONSE AND LOOK TOWARD RECOVERY BY INVITING STAKEHOLDERS TO STRENGTHEN KEY SYSTEMS THROUGH NEW SOLUTIONS. THIS EFFORT IS CALLED MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER (MFT). DURING 2021, APPROXIMATELY $1.67 MILLION WAS GRANTED TO SUPPORT COLLABORATIVE WORK THROUGH SEVERAL MFT EFFORTS INCLUDING CONNECTING FOODS SYSTEMS, DEVELOPING PUBLIC POLICY, SOURCING PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AND ACHIEVING DIGITAL EQUITY.

BOARD DIRECTED GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS: THE BOARD OF THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION DIRECTS THE USE OF CERTAIN FUNDS (AS REQUESTED BY THE CLIENT/DONOR) AS FOLLOWS:(1) CHANGING NEEDS: CLIENTS/DONORS REQUEST THAT THEIR FUNDS BE DIRECTED BY THE BOARD TO ADDRESS THE CHANGING NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY OVER TIME. GRANTS FROM THESE FUNDS ARE AWARDED TO ADDRESS ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING FOUR IMPACT AREAS: (1) IMPROVE EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AND WORKFORCE READINESS FOR RESIDENTS LIVING IN LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS, (2) INCREASE RACIAL AND ETHNIC EQUITY, (3) PROTECT AND RESTORE SIGNIFICANT NATURAL RESOURCES AND PROMOTE EQUITABLE ACCESS, AND (4) STRENGTHEN THE REGION AS A CENTER FOR ARCHITECTURE, ARTS AND CULTURE. IN 2021 THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION GRANTED $329,000 FROM CHANGING NEEDS FUNDS IN SUPPORT OF THESE FOUR COMMUNITY GOALS (EXCLUDING GRANTS REPORTED ELSEWHERE IN PART III.)(2) FIELD OF INTEREST: CLIENTS/DONORS REQUEST THAT THEIR FUNDS BE DIRECTED TO A SPECIFIC AREA OF INTEREST. THE GRANTEES RECEIVING THESE FUNDS ARE DETERMINED BY THE BOARD OF THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION. DURING 2021, THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AWARDED $1.4 MILLION FROM FIELD OF INTEREST FUNDS.(3) SCHOLARSHIPS: CLIENTS/DONORS HAVE ESTABLISHED SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS, WHICH THE FOUNDATION AWARDS TO RESIDENTS OF WESTERN NEW YORK. THESE AWARDS ARE BASED PRIMARILY ON FINANCIAL NEED, ALTHOUGH THE CLIENT/DONOR MAY HAVE MADE ADDITIONAL STIPULATIONS SUCH AS FIELD OF STUDY OR GRADUATES OF A PARTICULAR HIGH SCHOOL. IN 2021, $3.3 MILLION WAS AWARDED FOR SCHOLARSHIPS, EXCLUDING THOSE AWARDED BY SAY YES BUFFALO (LISTED BELOW).

SAY YES BUFFALO (SYB): THE SAY YES BUFFALO INITIATIVE IS AN EDUCATION-BASED, ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION EFFORT DESIGNED TO STRENGTHEN THE REGIONAL WORKFORCE AND OFFER UNPRECEDENTED EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY TO URBAN YOUTH. THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION SUPPORTS AND ADMINISTERS THE SAY YES BUFFALO SCHOLARSHIP FUND WHICH SEEKS TO REMOVE ALL BARRIERS TO EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS THROUGH A COORDINATED SYSTEM OF SUPPORTS AND BY PROVIDING SCHOLARSHIPS FOR ALL GRADUATES OF BUFFALO PUBLIC AND CHARTER SCHOOLS TO PURSUE A POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION. THIS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM SERVES TO ARTICULATE THE POSSIBILITY AND EXPECTATION OF POST-SECONDARY COMPLETION FOR ALL STUDENTS AND GIVES HOPE TO STUDENTS AND FAMILIES WHO MAY NOT OTHERWISE HAVE THOUGHT THAT COLLEGE IS AN OPTION. IN 2021, THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ISSUED MORE THAN $3 MILLION IN SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED BY SAY YES BUFFALO.IN ADDITION TO CONTRIBUTING TO THE SCHOLARSHIP FUND, THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION HAS ALSO MADE GRANTS TO SUPPORT VARIOUS MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVES SPEARHEADED BY SAY YES BUFFALO. THESE INITIATIVES ARE CRUCIAL COMPONENTS OF THE OVERALL EFFORT TO ADDRESS THE FINANCIAL, ACADEMIC, HEALTH AND SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL BARRIERS TO EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT. DURING 2021, THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AWARDED $93,000 TO ORGANIZATIONS WHO ARE PROVIDING THE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SAY YES BUFFALO.

RACIAL EQUITY INITIATIVES: THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION LAUNCHED THE RACIAL EQUITY ROUNDTABLE IN 2015 TO ENGAGE COMMUNITY PARTNERS FROM THE PUBLIC, PRIVATE AND NONPROFIT SECTORS IN DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING A PLAN FOR ADVANCING RACIAL EQUITY AS WELL AS A COMMON FACT BASE ON RACIAL EQUITY INDICATORS. THE RACIAL EQUITY ROUNDTABLE HAS ENGAGED MORE THAN 250 ORGANIZATIONAL PARTNERS ARRAYED ACROSS TEN INITIATIVES FOCUSED ON SYSTEMS CHANGE. AN IN-DEPTH RESEARCH REPORT, "THE RACIAL EQUITY DIVIDEND: BUFFALO'S GREATEST OPPORTUNITY" ROOTS THIS BODY OF WORK IN DATA. THESE INITIATIVES ARE ADDRESSING A SHARED UNDERSTANDING AND LANGUAGE AROUND RACIAL EQUITY, NARRATIVE CHANGE; RACIAL EQUITY AND IMPACT ANALYSIS TRAINING; RACIAL HEALING CIRCLES; INCLUSIVE ECONOMY WORKPLACE, WORKFORCE AND YOUTH EMPLOYMENT; EDUCATION WITH A FOCUS ON BOYS AND YOUNG MEN OF COLOR; JUVENILE JUSTICE; AND THE REENTRY SYSTEM IN ERIE COUNTY. THE ROUNDTABLE HAS A GOAL OF BUILDING AN EXPANDED, INCLUSIVE ECONOMY. COMMUNITIES OF GIVING LEGACY INITIATIVE (CGLI): THE COMMUNITIES OF GIVING LEGACY INITIATIVE (CGLI), RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF ENDOWMENT-BUILDING AS A SUSTAINABLE MEANS OF INSPIRING PHILANTHROPY FOR AND WITHIN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR. CGLI AIMS TO CREATE A LEGACY OF SUCCESS THAT WILL ENCOURAGE COLLECTIVE GIVING TO SUPPORT POSITIVE CHANGE IN THE LIVES OF YOUTH OF COLOR LIVING IN LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES. ESTABLISHED IN 2008; THE MISSION OF THE CGLI IS TO CULTIVATE POSITIVE CHANGE IN THE LIVES OF TRAILBLAZING YOUTH OF COLOR LIVING IN WESTERN NEW YORK. CGLI ACCOMPLISHES THIS MISSION VIA ENDOWMENT BUILDING, ENGAGING STRATEGIC PARTNERS, AND INTENTIONAL COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS.THROUGH INTERGENERATIONAL GIVING THE CGLI HAS DEVELOPED INITIATIVES TO BUILD UPON PHILANTHROPY WITHIN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR. PHILANTHROPIC PROGRAMS INCLUDE THE YOUNG PHILANTHROPISTS (TYP), EMERGING PHILANTHROPISTS OF COLOR (EPC), AND PHILANTHROPIES OF COLOR NETWORK (THE NETWORK). A MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE CGLI IS TO CULTIVATE POSITIVE CHANGE IN THE LIVES OF YOUTH OF COLOR LIVING WITHIN WESTERN NEW YORK VIA ACCESS TO PEOPLE, PLACES, AND EXPERIENCES THAT HELP THEM ACHIEVE POSITIVE LIFE GOALS. AS A CONVENER AND CAPACITY-BUILDER FOR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, THE CGLI PROVIDES INSTITUTIONS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO RAISE AND DIRECT THEIR OWN RESOURCES TOWARD LONG-LASTING CHANGE. CAPACITY-BUILDING EFFORTS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED BY THE CGLI TO HELP EMPOWER AND ADVANCE THE WORK OF SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS WHO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF YOUTH OF COLOR.GREEN AND HEALTH HOMES INITIATIVE (GHHI): PART OF A NATIONAL NETWORK, BUFFALO'S GREEN AND HEALTHY HOMES INITIATIVE PROVIDES WEATHERIZATION, LEAD REMEDIATION, AND OTHER HOME HEALTH AND SAFETY INTERVENTIONS IN HOMES OF LOW-INCOME FAMILIES. VIRTUALLY EVERY HOUSING ORGANIZATION IN BUFFALO IS A MEMBER OF THE GHHI COALITION, SHARING RESOURCES AND COORDINATING ACTIVITIES. SINCE INCEPTION, MORE THAN 563 FAMILIES RECEIVED INTERVENTIONS FOR THEIR HOMES. THE GHHI APPROACH ALSO PROVIDES ECONOMIC BENEFIT TO FAMILIES IN THE FORM OF COST SAVINGS, DEVELOPS CAREER PATHWAYS TO HIGHER PAYING 'GREEN' JOBS, AND PRODUCES MORE STABLE NEIGHBORHOODS BY INCREASING THE QUALITY OF HOUSING STOCK.LEAD POISONING PREVENTION: THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION HAS BEEN WORKING ON THE ISSUE OF LEAD POISONING FOR SEVERAL YEARS. IN 2018 THE FOUNDATION RELEASED A COMMUNITY LEAD ACTION PLAN, WHICH IDENTIFIES WHERE MOST LEAD POISONING OCCURS LOCALLY. THE BUFFALO AND ERIE COUNTY LEAD SAFE TASK FORCE MANAGES THE RECOMMENDATIONS AND MONITORS THE PROGRESS GOING FORWARD. MAJOR PRIORITIES INCLUDE PASSING LEGISLATION REQUIRING INSPECTIONS OF RENTAL SINGLES AND DOUBLES, IMPROVING EDUCATION AND RESOURCES FOR LANDLORDS TO REMEDIATE THEIR PROPERTIES, AND ENABLING TENANTS AND FAMILIES TO PROTECT THEIR CHILDREN FROM LEAD POISONING.ENVIRONMENT: THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION'S MOST RECENT STRATEGIC PLAN INCLUDED A GOAL TO PROTECT AND RESTORE SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND PROMOTE EQUITABLE ACCESS. THE FOUNDATION HAS WORKED TO INCREASE EQUITY IN ACCESS TO ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AS WELL AS TO INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR UNDERREPRESENTED VOICES TO BE HEARD IN SYSTEMS CHANGE EFFORTS. AS PART OF THIS INITIATIVE, THE FOUNDATION WAS INVITED TO SERVE WITH OTHER COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS LOCATED AROUND LAKE ERIE TO COLLECT AND UTILIZE WATER QUALITY DATA TO ADVOCATE FOR SMART WATER QUALITY DECISIONS AND POLICIES. ALSO, THE FOUNDATION HAS WORKED WITH OTHER LOCAL AGENCIES AND THE BUFFALO SEWER AUTHORITY TO DEVELOP A ROADMAP TO ADDRESS EQUITY AND AFFORDABILITY IN WATER AND SEWER RATES IN THE CITY OF BUFFALO.IN ADDITION TO THE PROGRAMS ALREADY LISTED, THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OPERATES SEVERAL OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO DESIGNATED FUNDS AND DONOR ADVISED FUNDS AS DESCRIBED BELOW: DESIGNATED FUNDS: THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ADMINISTERS MANY FUNDS THAT MAKE GRANTS TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE SPECIFICALLY IDENTIFIED IN THE ORIGINATING FUND DOCUMENTS. GENERALLY, THE ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVING THESE GRANTS REMAIN THE SAME FROM YEAR-TO-YEAR. IN 2021, GRANTS TOTALING $3.7 MILLION WERE AWARDED FROM THESE FUNDS.DONOR/CLIENT DIRECTED FUNDS: THE CLIENT/DONOR ASSOCIATED WITH EACH OF THESE FUNDS MAKES RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION REQUESTING GRANTS TO ONE OR MORE CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS. THE RECIPIENTS OF THESE GRANTS MAY VARY FROM YEAR-TO-YEAR. IN 2021, GRANTS TOTALING $21.3 MILLION WERE AWARDED FROM THESE FUNDS.