A Plan Forward

Cindy Odom, CEO of Buffalo Together, was hired to lead the next steps outlined in the 2025 Community Plan. As community members continue to heal and search for a path forward, work still remains.

Working with community members and dedicated donors, Buffalo Together, Inc. can build a stronger Eastside community where each person not only survives, but thrives.

Click the video above to learn more.

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 in February 2025 at a public meeting held at Elim Christian Fellowship.

In the report, Buffalo Together shares the results of the learning and outlines 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 Since the Report’s Release

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 long-term 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 to develop the necessary infrastructure to move the priorities in the report forward including:

  • In May 2025, a second round of grants, totaling $600,000 was 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 to guide the implementation of the report’s priority strategies.
  • In December 2025, the initiative 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. The new nonprofit organization is now called Buffalo Together, Inc.
  • In early 2026, Buffalo Together began a search for an Executive Director.

Gallery

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay informed!

Next Steps: Sync an Email Add-On

To get the most out of your form, we suggest that you sync this form with an email add-on. To learn more about your email add-on options, visit the following page (https://www.gravityforms.com/the-8-best-email-plugins-for-wordpress-in-2020/). Important: Delete this tip before you publish the form.