Our Purpose
On May 14, 2022, a tragic massacre occurred on the East Side of Buffalo, taking 10 Black lives and injuring 3 more. This incident centered the long history of structural oppression and segregation that made the East Side a target. In response, community leaders vowed to act as pattern-shifters, healers, and agents of racial justice and change.
The Buffalo Together Community Response Fund (BTCRF) was formed in the aftermath of the massacre to work towards a more just and equitable community. Initially a collaboration of 14 local funding organizations, BTCRF raised $6.3 million and provided emergency response grants totaling $655,000 to 86 community-based organizations serving the East Side.
The remaining $6.1 million was designated for creating a long-term community investment strategy to address systemic issues on the East Side. Two co-chairs were appointed to lead this process, and they assembled a steering committee representative of the community and hired Rainbow Research to facilitate the process of identifying critical issues and developing potential solutions.
Our work addresses conditions resulting from long-standing structural oppression and lack of investment that have harmed communities of color and blocked investment in East Side neighborhoods. As a community-led effort, the remaining funds will be invested in long-term initiatives to support and lift the neighborhoods east of Main Street.
The Buffalo Together Community Response Fund was one of a number of funds set up in the wake of the 5/14 tragedy to address community needs on the East Side. While many of our goals are aligned, Buffalo Together operates independently, is not affiliated with, and has no responsibility for any other funding initiative.
Community Fund Report
After a deep learning journey to better understand the best practices for dismantling conditions that have led to systemic oppression, disinvestment, and disenfranchisement, Buffalo Together released a report on February 26, 2025, at a public meeting held at Elim Christian Fellowship. In the report, Buffalo Together shares the results of their learning and outline specific strategies to transform our community, build generational wealth, and ensure development without displacement. The report details a long-term plan to uplift the East Side of Buffalo, primarily through community-led investment, racial healing, and sustainable economic development.
Progress to date
The Buffalo Together Community Response Fund Steering Committee diligently and thoughtfully worked in partnership with Rainbow Research to develop the report released in February 2025. This outlines a community investment strategy that is grounded in community engagement and will drive intentional development that cultivates ownership and creates generational wealth for current East Side residents.
Since the report’s release, several actions have been taken including:
- On May 14, 2025, $600,000 in grants were awarded to 30 organizations dedicated to uplifting and serving the vibrant East Side community of Buffalo. The grants support a diverse array of projects and programs aimed at enhancing community well-being, promoting economic development, and providing essential services. With the release of these funds the Buffalo Together Fund has awarded a total of $1.255 Million to organizations located on the East Side of Buffalo or serving the East Side of Buffalo.
- A board of directors has been established focused on developing the necessary infrastructure to move the priorities in the report forward.
- The initiative has gained approval from New York State to become a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization to carry out the long-term strategies outlined in the report, including addressing housing, food access, fundraising and investment strategies for long term sustainability.
- Buffalo Together was granted 501c3 status to be a nonprofit organization in December 2025.
- In November 2025 Buffalo Together began a search for an Executive Director.
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