Building a foundation for racial equity.

The Oishei Foundation has always been committed to helping our community thrive. We’re proud of our work and, through our partners, believe we've made a difference. But as we look around, it’s clear that many of our neighbors—especially communities of color—still face stark inequities. So now, we are changing what we do—and how we do it—together.

Moving forward, the Oishei Foundation will narrow our focus in order to broaden our impact. Specifically, we will address the root causes of racial inequity, working to change systems and build financial prosperity for a racially just region. Explore Our New Direction.

 

East Side Kids; Aitina Fareed-Cooke, 2019

 

 

We are proud to share our 2023 Annual Report, a comprehensive reflection of the past year’s achievements that sets a bold vision for the future. This report is particularly significant as it marks a pivotal moment of transformation for the Foundation, emphasizing its commitment to systems change and celebrating changemakers within our community. 

Read our 2023 Annual Report
 

Bringing racial equity into greater focus.

The Oishei Foundation recently engaged in a strategic planning process through which we gained an even deeper understanding of some challenging truths. We listened to diverse voices and analyzed disaggregated data that highlights racial inequities—specifically for Black people.

The inequities are clear. Black people in Buffalo earn 40% less, die 10 years sooner, and own their homes one-third less often than white people.

How can we say we’re The City of Good Neighbors when nearly 4 out of 10 Black residents live in poverty, but fewer than 1 out of 10 white people do? (sources)

 

Real change requires real change.

Buffalo is both one of the poorest and one of the most segregated cities in the country. As we continue to ask why and consider what has to change, we have reached the conclusion (as many others have) that racial inequity is rooted in systems, and is directly linked to financial well-being. 

For these reasons, the Oishei Foundation will change its approach, focusing first on Buffalo’s East Side communities, and going deeper than symptoms to address the root causes and systemic barriers that perpetuate racial inequity and deny Black people the opportunity to build financial stability that leads to generational wealth. 

The region’s resurgence will only be complete when everyone is included.

 

It’s about time.

Moving forward together, everything we do will be measured by the progress made toward shared financial prosperity for a racially just region.

We will transition all grantmaking, support, and services to align with our new strategic focus.

We will share our power with communities, so they can lead.

We will listen more, learn more, and act more.

Together, we will build a foundation for racial equity—a foundation for a better Buffalo.

 

Our New Direction outlines our strategic framework and commitment to racial equity. For a printed copy, please call us at 716 856 9490.

Download PDF: Our New Direction
 

What now?

The Oishei Foundation will invest the time, working with and within East Side communities to listen and learn, and to ensure that our shared path forward directly reflects the community’s vision of progress.

The individuals within these communities will guide our actions—because we believe that those closest to issues and with lived experience hold the keys to possible solutions.

We will engage in our own continuous learning—from the community, experts, fellow funders, and others—to set priorities and begin implementation. And we will learn what works, and what doesn’t, and adjust our approach as needed to advance racial equity.

Keep up to date with the latest news and updates from the Oishei Foundation as we further develop our priorities and action plans. Sign up here to get O News right to your inbox, and to learn about future opportunities to share your experience and insights.

To request a meeting or presentation about our new direction, please contact us at info@oishei.org.

 

The City from the East Side; John Paget, First+Main Films, 2020

 

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. 

Mission
We work with communities to change systems and build financial prosperity for a racially just, vibrant Buffalo-Niagara region.

Vision
A thriving, prosperous community for all, where diversity is our strength. 

Values

  • 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.

A lasting legacy
The foundation is named after our founder John R. Oishei, a local industrialist and philanthropist who founded Trico Products, Inc. The John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital is named in his honor. 

Whistleblower policy

 

Board of Directors

Glenn Jackson, Chair

Yvonne Minor-Ragan, Ph.D, Vice Chair and Secretary

Francisco M. Vasquez, Ph.D, Treasurer

Maureen Hurley

Donald K. Boswell

Luke T. Jacobs

Michael T. Ulbrich

Melva D. Visher

Chandra Redfern

Staff

Christina P. Orsi, President

Esther Annan

Natalie Cook

Allison Geddes

Linda Gloss-Ball

Geoffrey Pritchard

Curtis W. Robbins

Mark J. Scott, Ph.D

Annie Todd

“...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.