WNY Forward Fund

• 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organizations and organizations using a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor
  
• Organizations serving residents of Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Orleans, Wyoming, Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua Counties
  
• Nonprofit organizations may apply for funding to support nonrecurring costs related specifically to exploring strategic partnership activities including: Strategic and/or Structural Alliance, Administrative Consolidation, Merger, Resource Partnerships, Strategic Restructure and Planned Dissolution
  
•  Does not include explorations of coalitions or informal collaborations

Strategic alliances and partnerships: 

Can existing partnerships qualify or just new partnerships? What about coalitions and collaborations?

The grant is intended to fund the exploration of new partnerships and alliances that lead to structural change for nonprofits that will position them for resilience and strength to carry out their missions. This includes organizations which do not yet have anything formal and are just beginning to explore.  

On a case by case basis, existing alliances may be considered if a significant expansion or greater formalization is being considered and resources are needed to support that exploration. (for example: shared services agreement in place now, would like to shift into a formal legal affiliation)

While we applaud and encourage coalitions and collaborations in general, this grant is not designed to support any alliances that do not lead to structural change for the individual nonprofit. 

2. What resources are available if we would like to learn more about options to explore?  What if we do not yet have a potential partner identified?

In 2026, there will be a number of opportunities to learn more about strategic partnerships through educational programming that the Nonprofit Support Group and Capacity Lab will be developing as part of this work. We expect that these will provide opportunities to hear from experts, for peer-to-peer learning, and for support and capacity building for nonprofits and the consultants who serve nonprofits to build expertise in building strategic alliances. 

To apply for funding, at least two partners have to be identified and named in the application.  Future learning opportunities may include matchmaking.  

Funding/Eligibility 

3. Can an organization apply for, and be awarded, for multiple priority areas? Or can you only receive funding for one? Can an agency with multiple potential partnerships submit more than 1 application in a single round?

We will consider multiple opportunities for alliances with different partners or for varied activity; however, we request that they are for an exploration phase of any partnerships and that they be ready to begin soon after funding. Since we will have future grant opportunities, you can also apply at a later date for additional requests.  

If your request for exploration involves several partners, only one application is needed with all potential partners listed on the application.

4. How do you define “vital services”?

Our intent is to support the overall nonprofit ecosystem; however, we may give priority to applications in the areas of basic human needs, health and mental health, though 501c3 public charities serving any need in the community may be considered.

5. If we haven’t been impacted directly by federal funding issues would we still be considered? 

Yes. We expect that need in our community will continue to rise and that there will be continued funding strain on nonprofits beyond federal funding cuts. 

6. While the grant is to fund exploration, will there be funding in the future for implementation?

Currently the funding is limited to exploration, given that major initiatives such as mergers can be costly. Individual funders may have an interest in supporting implementation depending on area of focus and other factors. 

7. Are salaries for staff time, including an executive director, dedicated to exploring a merger eligible expenses?
While we envision that most grant funding for this exploration will go to hiring outside resources such as consultants, compliance, and legal services, there may be some specific instances where staff time expenses may be considered and will be considered  on a case-by-case basis.

8. Would a new shared staff be eligible? 

Yes, if it is for exploration of a future shared staff agreement.  If the shared staff agreement is already in place it is not currently eligible for grant funding.

9. Is funding for a capital improvement to make shared workspace stronger eligible?

Funding to explore shared workspace may be eligible; capital improvement expenses would not be included. 

10. Would investing in new technology or innovative ways that could alleviate burnout amongst staff and stabilize our current capacity be an acceptable area to explore? With or without collaboration or partnerships?

We recognize the importance of building adaptive capacity and addressing staff burnout and we expect to offer a grant opportunity to focus on this in early 2026. These expenses are not eligible for the current grant opportunity.

11. Will you fund pilot programs or just the strategic planning to launch a pilot?

No. This grant opportunity is designed to fund exploration of strategic alliances among multiple organizations only. 

12. If the “exploration” of collaborations/partnerships/shared services doesn’t end up coming to fruition, are there any ramifications for that – such as re-payment of grant?

No. We understand that not all exploration results in successful partnerships so there are no ramifications for those that do not yield successful results. 

13. What are the total funds allocated for this round?

We have not yet determined the specific allocations just yet, although we expect some grants will be up to $25,000. While the Fund has raised $2.3 million, these dollars will also support all Fund priority areas and future grant opportunities as well. 

14. Are resource partnerships required to be established exclusively with nonprofit organizations, or may they also include other entities? 

The intent is to support 501c3 organizations specifically, however other arrangements may be considered. Please email Beth Gosch at bgosch@wnyfoundation.org to determine if your potential partnership is eligible. 

Application/Grant announcements

15. If we are exploring with a specific partner, should we submit jointly? Is that something that would make a stronger application?

Please submit one application on behalf of all parties and include all organizations on the application.  All applications should specifically list all partners and at least two of not all are yet known.

16. What is the timing of grant awards and the deadline for when those funds should be used?

The applications are due on December 12 and awards will be announced in January.  We expect to have additional grant opportunities available throughout 2026.

17. May we request to have our project/name be kept confidential in any public announcement? 

We understand that exploration of partnerships can be sensitive. We will announce the organizations that have been awarded but not the purpose of the grant. That said, we will respect any grantee organization’s wishes to keep their name private.  Please let us know if that is the case. 

We may also ask some grantees to share their project so that future grantees can get a better sense of what represents a successful project.

Other Priority Areas:

18. Will the other two priority areas be a grant or an RFP? And if so, when will that begin?

We have already announced our first grant in the area of Civic Responsibility to the Volunteer Lawyers Project for $150,000 and expect that future individual grants may follow, depending on need and available funds. We expect that our work in the Data & Storytelling priority will be sector-wide rather than a grant opportunity for individual nonprofits. As these priority areas are further developed, we will share additional details.

For general FAQs about the WNY Forward Fund, please click here.

Click on the video below to watch the virtual information session that was held on November 21, 2025.

• For those that have specific questions about the grant opportunity, you can schedule time with Beth Gosch via Calendly. Please review the recorded webinar and FAQs here before scheduling time.  Given the high degree of interest, please do not use this time to advocate for your proposal. 
• If you are interested in applying but may have difficulty meeting the December 12 deadline, contact Beth Gosch at Bgosch@wnyfoundation.org. Extensions may be considered under extraordinary circumstances on a very limited basis. There will be more opportunities to apply in 2026.
• For questions regarding grant applications, contact Sarah Johnson (sarahj@cfgb.org) or Colin Perry (colinp@cfgb.org) at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo.