Philanthropic Support

We offer philanthropic support designed to help nonprofits strengthen their organizations, become successful in achieving their missions and further enhance their ability to improve lives throughout Western New York. We give priority to our current and potential grantees for much of this work.

Given our deep respect for the work that our grantees do, we take the time to listen carefully, plan thoughtfully, and develop a customized response and strategy that addresses each organization’s goals. Also, as a leader in the community, we are also able to offer resources to the local nonprofit community as a whole and to spearhead initiatives that benefit the entire region.

Eligibility / Availability

• While we work primarily with our grantees as needs arise, we work with potential grantees who meet eligibility requirements.
  
  
• Many of our relationships with nonprofits start long before we provide a grant.
  
  
• Philanthropic support is provided based on availability of our in-house resources. We prioritize projects based on urgency and need, the unique nature of the organization’s mission, and the organization’s ability to devote time and resources.

Areas We Support

Affiliations and mergers

• As a community convener, we will facilitate informal conversations among leaders of organizations that are interested in exploring a merger or strategic alignment; please contact us to initiate this process.

Collaboration and innovation

• Serving as a community-wide leader and convener, cultivating networks and promoting collaborations, including partnerships to stretch grant dollars

• Bringing organizational leaders together to build consensus for action around community issues

Analysis, planning, and strategy

• Guidance and recommendations on strategic planning, succession planning, and fund development strategy

Communications

• Guidance and recommendations on potential marketing and communications partners

• Providing Capacity Building Tool Kits that include general communications guidance, expert tips, and best practices; please feel free to use these tool kits in your organization, and share them with others

  • Communications Planning
  • Effective Public Relations
  • Building a Strong Brand Identity
  • Creating a Digital Marketing Strategy

Governance

• Guidance and recommendations on best practices, governance structure and training, and board development

Leadership development and training

• Enhancing meeting/learning opportunities for nonprofit leaders to refresh and forge new connections through such programs as Oishei Leaders and Oishei Fellowships for Leaders of Color
  
  

Organizational development and strategy

• Guidance and recommendations on executive transition and succession, organizational, administrative, and operational best practices, and implementation and execution of strategic goals
  
  

Research, evaluation, and knowledge management

• In addition to serving as a robust resource for community information needs, we proudly share our knowledge, best practices, research, and lessons learned.

> Learn more about our approach to research and learning

Outside Resources

• For deeper expertise in various areas, we can connect grantees to a rich network of partners in areas including finance, fundraising, legal, marketing, real estate, and technology