Buffalo, N.Y. – The Western New York COVID-19 Community Response Fund, coordinated by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, Health Foundation for Western & Central New York, The John R. Oishei Foundation and the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County, announced that it has awarded $1 million to an additional 35 nonprofit organizations, bringing the total grant amount from the Fund to $5.5 million, supporting a total of 109 nonprofit organizations. As this crisis continues to unfold, we know the needs are growing in our community and fundraising efforts for the Fund continue with urgency; contributions can be made at www.WNYResponds.org.
Grants were awarded to organizations serving all eight counties of Western New York that are addressing immediate needs in our community as a result of the COVID-19 crisis in the areas of food, housing, healthcare, childcare, mental health, transportation, and other emergency services. The following nonprofit organizations received a grant from the WNY COVID-19 Community Response Fund:
- African Heritage Economic Initiative
- Black Love Resists in the Rust
- Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers
- Council On Addiction Recovery Services (CAReS)
- Durham’s Baby Cafe DH
- Eight Days of Hope
- EPIC- Every Person Influences Children
- Family Justice Center of Erie County
- FeedHamburg
- Field & Fork Network
- Gateway-Longview
- Greater Buffalo United Association
- Hearts for the Homeless or WNY
- Heritage Christian Services
- Hope of Buffalo Inc.
- International Institute of Buffalo
- Kenmore Town of Tonawanda Meals on Wheels
- Kevin Guest House
- My Place Home for the Homeless
- New York Adult & Teen Challenge
- Oak Orchard Community Health
- OLV Human Services
- Partnership for the Public Good
- PATH (People Against Trafficking Humans)
- People Inc.
- Pinnacle Community Services
- Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York
- Plymouth Crossroads
- Response to Love Center
- Ronald McDonald House of Western New York
- Saving Grace Ministries
- Seneca Street Community Development Corporation
- Seneca-Babcock Community Association
- St. Simon’s Food Pantry & Soup Kitchen at The Genesis Center
- The Journey Church
To date, the WNY COVID-19 Community Response Fund has raised approximately $6.5 million from 40 local foundations and private sector companies, more than 30 community leaders and approximately 1,600 individuals. To see a full list of funders, or to join the effort, please visit www.WNYResponds.org.
The Community Leaders Fund, announced last week and led by Michael W. Cropp, M.D., President & CEO of Independent Health, has now raised $500,000 from more than 30 leaders.
On April 8, 2020, the Fund announced its first round of grants totaling $4.5 million to 74 organizations. To see the full list of grantees, visit www.WNYResponds.org. Additional funds raised will be distributed based on evolving needs related to the pandemic.
For anyone in need of assistance with information related to services available in our community, please call 211. It is a referral hotline that is staffed 24/7 and serves all eight counties of Western New York.