Call for Applications for WNY Forward Fund (New York)

The WNY Forward Fund is a collaborative effort of 14 Western New York funders united to support community and nonprofits that provide essential programs and services in the face of major shifts in federal funding and priorities Donor Name: Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo State: New York County: Allegany County (NY), Cattaraugus County (NY), Chautauqua County (NY), Erie County (NY), Genesee County (NY), Niagara County (NY), Orleans County (NY), Wyoming County (NY) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/24/2026 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The philanthropic community’s goal in working together is to help protect and strengthen the community, while encouraging innovation and reimagining how to best use community resources for long-term resilience.PrioritiesStrategic Alliances & Nonprofit Resiliency: Supports grant proposals from local nonprofits pursuing partnerships, shared services, mergers, or other collaborations to help organizations adapt to the evolving environment, and remain resilient and responsive to community needs.Civic Health & Common Ground: Exploring opportunities to fund and support initiatives that protect access to justice, due process, and legal defense and building deeper connections between public institutions and the stakeholders they serve.Impact Data & Storytelling: Backing efforts to collect and share critical data on how funding cuts affect organizations and the people they serve to help the community better understand, communicate, and respond to the region’s evolving needs.Funding InformationThe WNY Forward Fund allocated a total of $368,690 to 18 organizations ranging from $2,250 up to $25,000 for their strategic realignment initiatives.Eligibility Criteria501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organizations and organizations using a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsorOrganizations serving residents of Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Orleans, Wyoming, Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua CountiesThis funding opportunity intends to support formal strategic restructuring, mergers/affiliations, and structural alliances. Requests for collaborative programming and network or coalition support are not eligible for funding through this opportunity. For more information, visit CFGB.