WNY Forward Fund Announces New Grant Opportunity for Improving Civic Health and Building Common Ground

Collaborative funders group seeks Expressions of Interest for two-year grants from organizations working on rapid response in protecting democracy and civic infrastructure building

Buffalo, N.Y., March 31, 2026 – The Western New York Forward Fund, a collaborative effort of local funders, has announced its second grant opportunity with a call for “Expressions of Interest (EOI)” from nonprofit organizations who are working to protect human rights and democracy, and to expand civic engagement and activation. This focus on civic health is defined as strong connections between residents, robust relationships between people and public institutions, and positive attachments that people have to the places they live.

Established and emerging nonprofit organizations focused on rapid response and building civic infrastructure throughout the eight counties of Western New York (Niagara, Erie, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany, Wyoming, Genesee, and Orleans) are invited to apply.

A total of $1 million is available to fund organizations over a two-year period with anticipated grants to be between $50,000 and $100,000 per organization, per year. Funding can be used for general operating purposes, and simplified reporting will be required. The EOI is a short online questionnaire, and then meetings with finalists will be held for discussions to learn more before final awards are determined. Parameters for the funding were developed based on input from organizations operating in the field. The deadline for applying is April 20 at 4 p.m. and notification of grant awards will be in late May. An informational webinar is planned for April 13 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. for organizations interested in learning more. More information and the application can be found at www.WNYForwardFund.org.

Current grants are available for activities to protect human rights and increase community voice by expanding access to democracy and decision makers in two priority areas:

Funders identified civic health and building common ground as priority areas as more communities across the country are working to protect constitutional rights and recognizing that democratic participation requires outreach and training to ensure safety and effectiveness. The grant funding is intended to support groups that are coordinating, engaging, training, and mobilizing citizens in advocacy and rapid response in protecting democracy, and organizations working to increase civic participation to build an engaged and informed citizenry and a future grounded in freedom and justice for all.

The WNY Forward Fund was created in 2025 and includes 14 local funders who have contributed approximately $2.6 million to the Fund to spark innovation, strengthen capacity, and support nonprofits as they adapt to shifting conditions and reimagine how to best use community resources. The multi-year commitment is designed to help ensure that the WNY community and the nonprofit sector remain strong, resilient, and equipped to adapt in the face of recent changes that have created financial strain, rapid change and deep uncertainty while community need is increasing. Improving civic health and building common ground is one of three priority areas designated by the collaboration. Other priorities include exploring opportunities for the formation of strategic alliances & nonprofit resiliency, and sector support for communications and storytelling.  An initial grant opportunity for exploring strategic alliances awarded $378,690 in grants to 18 organizations in February.

WNY Forward Fund has already provided funding to support the Erie County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project (ECBAVLP) to support participation in the Upstate Immigration Pro Bono Collaborative and supported efforts to strengthen local news in Western New York.

WNY Forward Fund collaborators include The Buffalo Bills Foundation, The Celia Lipton & Victor W. Farris Foundation, Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, the Health Foundation for Western & Central New York, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Fund, James H. Cummings Foundation, The John R. Oishei Foundation, KeyBank, Margaret L. Wendt Foundation, M&T Bank, The Peter & Elizabeth Tower Foundation, Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, United Way of Buffalo and Erie County, and The Western New York Foundation. The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo manages the Fund.

To learn more about the WNY Forward Fund go to  WNYForwardFund.org

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