COVID 19 Community Response Fund Announces Phase 2 Grants

WNY COVID-19 COMMUNITY RESPONSE FUND AWARDS ADDITIONAL $1 MILLION TO SUPPORT NONPROFITS ADDRESSING IMMEDIATE NEEDS 

Buffalo, N.Y. – The Western New York COVID-19 Community Response Fund 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.  The Fund is supported by the Lee Foundation and more than 25 other regional funders.  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.