Oishei Foundation Nonprofit Support Grants is a grant from Oishei Foundation that funds organizations working to advance racial equity, economic justice, and community vitality in the Buffalo-Niagara region of New York. The foundation supports nonprofits committed to changing systems that have produced racial inequities, with particular focus on Buffalo's East Side and surrounding communities.

Grants vary in amount based on organizational capacity and project scope. Eligible applicants are nonprofits in Erie and Niagara counties, New York; organizations in other Western New York counties are also considered. No deadline is currently posted.

The John R. Oishei Foundation Real Change Requires Real Commitment. To equity.

To community. To justice. As we work with communities to change systems and build financial prosperity for a racially-just, vibrant Buffalo-Niagara region, our work begins with acknowledging the racial inequities that have shaped Buffalo’s East Side, while also honoring the abundance, power, and strength of its residents.

Buffalo’s East Side is home to proud, resilient communities—rich in culture, leadership, and legacy, and building toward a thriving future. The Foundation’s work is to support that power, not to control it. We’re standing with neighborhood residents, leaders and organizations that challenge systems and get at the root cause of inequities.

Behind the Foundation’s work is a group of thoughtful leaders and collaborators committed to advancing racial equity, strengthening partnerships, and building community power. Get to know the staff and Board members who help guide and shape this work. East Side Kids; Aitina Fareed-Cooke, 2019 Community Power Building is Systems Change.

At the heart of our strategic direction is Community Power Building–working alongside those who are shaping change from the ground up. Doing Philanthropy Differently. It starts with how we show up.

We’re practicing trust-based philanthropy–building relationships, cutting red tape, and working toward partnering with more openness, accountability, care, and trust. By removing barriers and centering relationships, we hope partners can spend more time leading change, not filling out paperwork. We recognize these important shifts will take time, and will impact many.

Through the challenges ahead, our commitment to real change will not waver. Please join us on this journey. Keep up with our news, stories and updates .

Jefferson Avenue on Buffalo’s East Side; Kalvin Booker, 2024 For decades, the Oishei Foundation has supported a diverse group of hard-working organizations and individuals, all dedicated to building a thriving community. In the fall of 2023, building on our existing racial equity work, we shifted our focus to address the root causes of racial inequity, starting with Black communities on Buffalo’s East Side.

We work with communities to change systems and build financial prosperity for a racially just, vibrant Buffalo-Niagara region. A thriving, prosperous community for all, where diversity is our strength. Act against racism: We are actively countering racism and the systemic barriers faced by Black and other residents of color in our region.

Build on strengths: We center colleagues’ and communities’ agency, strengths, resources, and opportunities. Be trustworthy: We build and sustain trust through transparency, accountability, and humility. Work together: We listen to collaborate and build partnerships—across sectors and across differences.

Make a difference: We achieve positive impacts by investing in our own and the region’s capacity to learn, improve, and change. The foundation is named after our founder John R. Oishei, a local industrialist and philanthropist who founded Trico Products, Inc. “...

earn 40% less” Source: Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. (2022). Western New York Scan: An update of community needs.

23. Internal Document. “...

die 10 years sooner” Source: Murphy, T. Message from the Institute Director. Retrieved from https://www.

buffalo. edu/community-health-equity-institute/about-us. html .

“... own their homes one-third less often” Source: Taylor, H. , J.

Jung & E. Dash. (2021).

The Harder We Run: The State of Black Buffalo in 1990 and the Present. State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Architecture and Planning, and U. B.

Center for Urban Studies. 32. Retrieved from https://www.

investigativepost. org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/TaylorHL-The-Harder-We-Run. pdf "...

…nearly 4 out of 10 Black residents live in poverty, but fewer than 1 out of 10 white people do." Source: New York State of Health, Ichor Strategies (2022). Pain Point Analysis: Buffalo.

Retrieved from: https://info. nystateofhealth. ny.

gov/sites/default/files/Ichor%20Strategies%20-%20Pain%20Point%20Analysis%20-%20Buffalo. pdf A more complete list of sources is available in Our New Direction report, downloadable from the home page. Our Strategic Direction outlines our strategic framework and commitment to racial equity.

For a printed copy, please call us at 716 856 9490 .