BUFFALO — The Health Foundation for Western & Central New York has awarded a total of $500,000 in grant funding to recipients that include Cayuga Community College and Health WorkForce New York (HWNY). The funding awards were part of an annual initiative made possible by a 2022 donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, the Health Foundation […]
BUFFALO — The Health Foundation for Western & Central New York has awarded a total of $500,000 in grant funding to recipients that include Cayuga Community College and Health WorkForce New York (HWNY).
The funding awards were part of an annual initiative made possible by a 2022 donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, the Health Foundation said in its announcement.
The grants include support for nonprofit organizations working to address workforce shortages in the health-care industry across Central and Western New York.
Some recipients will use other funds to address the “impact of recent federal policy decisions” on the region’s nonprofit sector, per the announcement.
Since receiving the Scott donation, the Health Foundation has chosen to use a portion of the funds each year for special initiatives outside of the organization’s typical strategies.
The focus for 2025 is on helping solve the health-care workforce shortages, which have short- and long-term consequences for both urban and rural communities.
Besides the CNY grant recipients, the Health Foundation also awarded funding to organizations in Western New York.
The Health Foundation for Western & Central New York has offices in both Buffalo and in Syracuse at 431 E. Fayette St. in the Central New York Philanthropy Center.
CNY grant recipients
Cayuga Community College was awarded $50,000 to support the ongoing development of a practical nursing certificate, which will provide a pathway for students to earn a licensed practical nurse certificate while working toward their registered nurse credential.
The Auburn–based Cayuga Community College is working in conjunction with community partners in Oswego County to co-design the program.
Health WorkForce New York (HWNY) will use its $100,000 grant to support its initiative called the Institute of Career Advancement in Medicine (ICAM). HWNY is based in Canton in St. Lawrence County.
ICAM uses a community-driven model that combines digital infrastructure, targeted outreach, and hands-on support to create a “sustainable pipeline” for health-care training, employment, and advancement.
The Health Foundation also awarded an additional $100,000 for multi-funder initiatives to address the “negative impact of recent federal policy” on the nonprofit sector, as well as nonprofit convenings to address those issues.
