Health Foundation for Western & Central
The Health Foundation for Western & Central New York is an independent private foundation based in Buffalo, with a second office in Syracuse. It works with community partners to improve health outcomes for older adults and children from birth to age five impacted by poverty, while strengthening the community-based organizations that serve them.
Health Foundation for Western & Central at a glance
In short: Health Foundation for Western & Central gave $4.1M across 154 grants in 2024 (avg $27K), mostly in New York. 47% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $4,141,751
- +7.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 154
- +58.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $26,894
- -32.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $159,528,159
- +5.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 47% first-time grantees (60 of 128, 2024)
- Primary geography
- New York (94% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Health Foundation for Western & Central
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation’s website describes program-based funding opportunities and says it considers a limited number of unsolicited requests, but is not currently accepting unsolicited requests through its website. The 2024 filing lists no set application form, identifies project-dependent submission deadlines, and names Diane Oyler as the contact for application inquiries.
- Contact
Application contact: Diane Oyler
Mailing address: 500 Seneca Street Suite 600, Buffalo, NY 14204
Phone: (716) 852-3030
Website: https://www.hfwcny.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Health Foundation for Western & Central
Who Health Foundation for Western & Central funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Ardent Solutions ($462K across 3 grants). Together the top 10 received $2.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
607 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 444 grants of 607 (73%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation serves eight western New York counties—Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming—and eight central New York counties—Cayuga, Cortland, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego and Tompkins. In 2024, 94% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York, 5% to Maine and 1% to Iowa; the filing also lists shares of 0% for California and the District of Columbia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 154 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Health Foundation for Western & Central open to new grantees?
47%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 60 of 128 grantees (47%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $16K; repeat grants $46K. How we count
Medians: $8K first-time, $11K repeat.
- 40% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+19%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 95% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $3.5M (2021) to $6.7M (2020). In 2024 it made 154 grants totaling $4.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Erie Niagara Area Health Education Center Inc Buffalo, NY | Erie Niagara Ahec Doula Coordination and Service | $300,000 |
| Child Care Solutions Syracuse, NY | Pedals CNY 2023 | $268,981 |
| Cayuga County Community Health Network Inc Auburn, NY | Doula partnership of cayuga, cortland, herkimer and Madison counties | $260,000 |
| Ardent Solutions Wellsville, NY | Older Adult Trauma Champions Program | $186,000 |
| Buffalo Center for Health Equity Buffalo, NY | Buffalo Center for Health Equity Continued Partnership Support | $160,000 |
| Ardent Solutions Wellsville, NY | Southern Tier Child Advocacy Center Emergency Funding | $150,000 |
| New York State Association for Rural Health Inc Gowanda, NY | Mackenzie Scott 2024 Rural Health Networks | $150,000 |
| Grantmakers Forum of NY Inc DBA NY Funders Alliance Initiatives Fund Syracuse, NY | Nonprofit Support Group | $128,281 |
| Ardent Solutions Wellsville, NY | Growing Resiliency Through Trauma Informed Care | $126,191 |
| Boston Foundation Inc Boston, ME | WNY Memory Cafe Initiative | $125,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Health Foundation for Western & Central?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $159,528,159 | $5,473,071 | $7,433,131 | $4,141,751 | 154 | $7,098,911 | $9,637,870 | $7,508,899 |
| 2023 | $151,786,109 | $2,425,062 | $6,857,088 | $3,864,465 | 97 | $6,646,091 | $6,641,290 | $6,947,992 |
| 2022 | $140,375,083 | $13,896,071 | $9,627,337 | $4,613,175 | 112 | $7,247,784 | $16,686,305 | $6,535,715 |
| 2021 | $153,155,682 | $7,953,359 | $7,313,356 | $3,489,042 | 106 | $5,887,500 | $11,789,020 | $7,045,437 |
| 2020 | $136,933,602 | $4,209,409 | $10,222,130 | $6,745,797 | 138 | — | $7,695,067 | $5,939,401 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Health Foundation for Western & Central reported a distributable amount of $7.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is to improve the health and health care of the people and communities of western and central New York. Its three focus areas are Older Adults, Young Children Impacted by Poverty, and Community Health Capacity. Its stated priorities include a special focus on young children, older adults and the systems serving them.
Examples of supported organizations include Child Care Solutions, whose mission is to advance excellence and equal access in early care and learning through education, advocacy and support for families and early childhood professionals. Cayuga County Community Health Network describes its mission as building partnerships for a healthier Cayuga County. Buffalo Center for Health Equity says it works to eliminate regional health inequities by addressing racial, economic and other social conditions. Finger Lakes Community Health describes its mission as ensuring accessible, affordable quality care, particularly for agricultural workers and other underserved populations.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the Foundation reported 154 grants totaling $4,141,751. Awards ranged from $300 to $300,000, with a median grant of $10,000. Among the largest grants were $300,000 to Erie Niagara Area Health Education Center for doula coordination and services; $268,981 to Child Care Solutions for PEDALS CNY 2023; and $260,000 to Cayuga County Community Health Network for a doula partnership serving Cayuga, Cortland, Herkimer and Madison counties. Other notable awards included $186,000 to Ardent Solutions for an older adult trauma champions program and $160,000 to Buffalo Center for Health Equity for continued partnership support.
The Foundation reports that most funding requests come through programs it designs with community input and a formal request-for-proposals process, while it also considers a limited number of unsolicited requests. Its grantmaking-process page says it is not currently accepting unsolicited grant requests through its website and directs interested organizations to sign up for updates about future opportunities.
The SEA Change Fund’s first application round offered 16 organizations $100,000 each in general operating support, along with individualized coaching and skill building in data and storytelling. Eligible applicants were direct-service providers serving pregnant people, children up to age five, older adults or informal caregivers supporting older adults, and had to be located and operate in one or more of the Foundation’s 16 counties and have 501(c)(3) status. The first-round application portal closed March 31, 2026.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Leanne Fiscoe as chair, Carrie Whitwood as vice chair, Andrew W. Dorn Jr. as treasurer, Marybeth K. McCall, MD, as secretary, Nora Suric as president and Diane Oyler as executive vice president. Trustees listed were Richard Battaglia, MD; Chima Chionuma, MD; Tricia Peter Clark; and Jason Daniels.
Health Foundation for Western & Central is led by Nora Suric, President on the 2024 filing; 2 of 22 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Nora Suric
President
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$261K (2024)
Leanne F. Fiscoe
Chair
Trustee → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ann Sedore
Trustee
Vice Chair → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cynthia Rich
Trustee
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Angela M. Douglas
Trustee
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kevin B. Klotzbach
Trustee
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brenda W. McDuffie
Trustee
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Catherine A. Diviney
Trustee
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sucharita Paul MD
Trustee
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jason Daniels
Trustee
On filings since 2023
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kevin D. Watkins MD MPH
Trustee
On filings since 2023
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Linda Gabor CPA
Trustee
On filings since 2023
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tricia Peter Clark
Trustee
On filings since 2023
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chima Chionuma MD
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth L. Mauro
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Franca Trincia CPA
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Latoya M. Jones
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Richard Battaglia MD
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Diane Oyler
Executive Vice President
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$165K (2023) → $167K (2024)
Andrew W. Dorn Jr.
Treasuer
Trustee → Treasuer, 2024
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marybeth K. McCall MD
Secretary
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carrie Whitwood
Vice Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (20)
- Former: Carrie B. Frank (2020–2023) — Treasuer
- Former: Chima Chionuma Md Faap Chcqm (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Nora Obrien-Suric (2020–2023) — President
- Former: Richard Battaglia Md Facp (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Elizabeth L. Mauro Lcsw-R (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Latoya M. Jones Bs Has Lpn (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Carol Whitwood (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Cheryl Smith Fisher (2020–2022) — Chair
- Former: Joanne E. Haefner (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Michael D. Shaffer CPA (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Ray R. D'agostino (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Valerie Gaydosh (2021–2022) — Vice President of Finance
- Former: David A. Milling MD (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Gary E. Williams Jr. (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Denise Dunford (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Carol Quarantillo (2020) — Vice President of Finance
- Former: Denise Dunford Dns Fnp RN (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Joseph J. Cozzo Ma Ms Lmhc (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Lisa D. Alford (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Vincent J. Mancuso (2020) — Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $261K, to Nora Suric (President). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Health Foundation for Western & Central
How much does Health Foundation for Western & Central give each year?
Health Foundation for Western & Central gave $4.1M across 154 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $3.9M across 97 grants.
What is Health Foundation for Western & Central's typical grant size?
Health Foundation for Western & Central's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $26,894, across 154 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Health Foundation for Western & Central that year got $16K on average.
Where does Health Foundation for Western & Central give grants?
Health Foundation for Western & Central gives mostly in New York: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Buffalo, NY (59 grants), Syracuse, NY (20 grants), New York, NY (7 grants) and Rochester, NY (6 grants).
Does Health Foundation for Western & Central give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 154 grants with a stated purpose on Health Foundation for Western & Central's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Trustee Discretionary Fund" (30 grants), "Age Friendly Go Local 2.0" (19 grants) and "Imagine Nonviolence Close the Gap" (8 grants).
Who are Health Foundation for Western & Central's largest grantees?
Health Foundation for Western & Central's largest 2024 grantees include Ardent Solutions ($462,191 across 3 grants), Erie Niagara Area Health Education Center Inc ($310,000 across 2 grants) and Child Care Solutions ($268,981), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 25% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Health Foundation for Western & Central?
Health Foundation for Western & Central reported $159.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $7.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $7.5M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Health Foundation for Western & Central fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to improve the health and health care of the people and communities of western and central New York. Its three focus areas are Older Adults, Young Children Impacted by Poverty, and Community Health Capacity. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Health Foundation for Western & Central?
The Foundation’s website describes program-based funding opportunities and says it considers a limited number of unsolicited requests, but is not currently accepting unsolicited requests through its website. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Health Foundation for Western & Central's EIN?
Health Foundation for Western & Central's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-3804398. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Health Foundation for Western & Central funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/health-foundation-for-western-and-central-morg_6b38037a797544e2ada9c628849dcdc0
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_223804398_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Health Foundation for Western \& Central funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/health-foundation-for-western-and-central-morg_6b38037a797544e2ada9c628849dcdc0},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Health Foundation for Western & Central's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Health Foundation for Western & Central down — hundreds of funders to go?