Grants FAQ
In the wake of the shooting on May 14, 2022, The Buffalo Together Community Response Fund was established with donations from national and local contributors to assist with community revitalization. An initial round of grants from the Buffalo Together Fund provided $655,000 to 86 organizations mobilizing resources in the neighborhood to enable them to respond to immediate critical neighborhood needs. A second round of grants totaling $600,000 was made in Spring 2025 to 30 organizations serving the East Side. The remaining balance of the fund was set aside to focus on accelerating the revitalization of East Buffalo by addressing economic and racial inequities guided by a community informed long-term investment plan.
There is currently no grant applications available at this time.
- The grant request cannot exceed $25,000
- Grants are awarded only to organizations that have a current Section 501(c)(3) status as determined by the Internal Revenue Service The organization does not need to be located on the East Side of Buffalo; however, the project must be located and benefit the public on the East Side of Buffalo.
- All grants must be closed out within one year of the receipt of funds. The failure of an applicant to properly close out a grant in a timely manner will be a factor when considering new grants.
- Religious purposes. Funding cannot be used to support religious activities such as worship or proselytizing. Secular programs or services must be available to eligible participants without regard to religious belief or willingness to participate in religious activities.
- Schools not registered with the New York State Education Department
- Attendance at or sponsorship of fundraising events for organizations
- Annual events or festivals
- Any partisan political activity. Funds cannot be used to support or oppose a candidate for political office.
- Projects and activities that have occurred. The Fund will not, except in extraordinary cases, provide payment or reimbursement for expenses incurred prior to the funding decision being communicated to the applicant.
Buffalo Together believes that the success of the East Side of Buffalo is contingent upon how well our community collaborates with each other and the rest of the City of Buffalo. Buffalo Together’s Community Investment Strategy encourages collaboration. A successful proposal will be collaborative and aligned with one or more of the priority areas found within the Community Investment Strategy. It should also include sustainability of the proposed initiative.
There are no current grant applications open at this time.