Health Foundation for Western and Central New York

10/19/2026

📣 Calling all service providers in western and central New York!

Join us for a virtual briefing with attorneys from Greenberg Traurig, LLP, one of the leading government relations offices in New York State.

*Medicaid Eligibility Changes: What Service Providers Need to Know*

🗓️ Friday, October 30, 12:30 - 1:30 pm

You’ll learn the latest details about how the new Medicaid changes will be implemented, specifically:

✔ Timeline of changes, including what is happening in 2027 vs. 2028
✔ Eligibility and exemptions
✔ Qualifying community engagement activities and how they are documented
✔ How to prepare

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5iLHYGA0SSOAzYZ58N0jQA?mc_cid=da64e7a8d1&mc_eid=395045e1b8&fbclid=IwY2xjawVC7ldleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAWJyaWQRMVlOVFlWa1dMUVhBUjJ1Um9zcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEegalCpySptMdMj1vZ147X3zOhhNs7zH47cvTO8XVaaC6u1-3aIB0fdkGgbEU_aem_EIDtKyjAWbmlMAab6iQVhg #/registration

10/15/2026

💥 A free workshop designed to enhance nonprofit board governance, improve financial oversight, and promote compliance!

*Nonprofit Governance and Financial Stewardship*

Thursday, October 22
3 – 5 p.m.
Allen Hall, University at Buffalo
3485 Main Street, Buffalo

Presenters:
Jennier L. Aronson, Partner, Hodgson Russ LLP
Marla Waiss, Partner, Hodgson Russ LLP
Emily Stern, Chief, Enforcement Section, NYSAG

Key topics:

▸Fiduciary responsibilities
▸Board governance best practices
▸Financial integrity, recordkeeping, and accountability
▸Unrelated Business Income Tax (UBIT) overview
▸Conflicts of interest, related party transactions, and private benefit

Who should attend: Board Members, Executive Directors, Administrative Executives, CFOs, and Treasurers

To register, use the QR code below or go to: https://mobilize.us/s/1Aqpaj

Hosted by:
Erie County Comptroller Kevin Hardwick

10/14/2026

💡Are you aware of the changes being proposed for the 2030 Census?

The US Census provides an official count of the nation's population every 10 years. Census data are invaluable for political representation, public policy development, and research across a wide range of fields, including health care.

The US Census Bureau has proposed a rule for the 2030 Decennial Census that would exclude many noncitizens who aren’t lawful permanent residents from the population count. It would also remove questions about race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation from the census questionnaire.

We recently submitted a public comment to the Federal Register to express our concerns. You can read our full comment here:
https://hfwcny.org/the-health-foundations-public-comment-on-the-2030-us-census-proposal-by-the-census-bureau-of-the-us-department-of-commerce/

The Health Foundation responds to the US Census Bureau's proposed rule for the 2030 Census with a public comment.

10/14/2026

“In our culture, caring for our elders is more than a responsibility—it’s an expression of love, loyalty, and gratitude for the generations who cared for us. Familismo reminds us that family isn’t just who we love, but how we show up for one another.”
~ Casimiro Rodriguez, President & Founder of the Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York Inc.

🌟 To mark Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15–October 15), we’re celebrating familismo—a cultural value centered on family devotion, which often includes caregiving for older loved ones. According to the National Institutes of Health, there are roughly 20 million Hispanic/Latino family caregivers in the United States.

10/13/2026

Don’t miss your chance to join us at our free kickoff on Wednesday, October 28! Organizations that plan to apply for the full StoryGrowing WNY 2027 program must attend, so register today!

⏰ Wednesday, October 28 | 9:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | BTPM, Buffalo

Over six months, StoryGrowing helps 10 nonprofit teams learn to articulate what their organization does, who it serves, and what would be lost without it.

What you can expect from StoryGrowing WNY:

📣 Define a brand position and the messaging that carries it
⚖️ Make a case that holds up in front of decision-makers
📱 Produce social content that works with the time and budget you have
📷 Shoot engaging photos and video that represent people ethically
🛡️ Prepare for a crisis before it arrives and build your reputation ahead of it
🎙️ Present and speak to the media with confidence

Attendance is mandatory to apply for the full program. Applications open after the kickoff, so reserve your spot today!

🔗 Register for free at storygrowingwny.org

10/08/2026

CNY nonprofit leaders: check out this great opportunity for a two-day training with Teresa Lawrence, PhD, PMP, a nationally recognized expert in integrating creative problem solving into project management, leadership and organizational development.

Presented by the CNY Funders Collaborative, the trainings on Oct. 28 and 29 will explore practical approaches for tackling challenges, generating new ideas and turning those ideas into action.

Through interactive exercises, participants will:
• Learn the stages of the problem-solving and innovation process
• Apply divergent and convergent thinking
• Practice tools that support effective and inclusive problem solving

Learn more and register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cny-funders-collaborative-creative-problem-solving-2-day-session-tickets-2000442507390?aff=oddtdtcreator&mc_cid=2ea2c00a0d&mc_eid=UNIQID

10/07/2026

💥 Are you a service provider in western and central New York?

🗓️ On Friday, October 30, join us for a virtual briefing with attorneys from Greenberg Traurig, LLP, one of the leading government relations offices in New York State.

You’ll learn the latest details about how the new Medicaid changes will be implemented, specifically:

✔ Timeline of changes, including what is happening in 2027 vs. 2028
✔ Eligibility and exemptions
✔ Qualifying community engagement activities and how they are documented
✔ How to prepare

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5iLHYGA0SSOAzYZ58N0jQA?mc_cid=da64e7a8d1&mc_eid=395045e1b8 #/registration

10/05/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Health Foundation Trustee Kevin Watkins, MD, MPH, the new President of the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC)! NYSAC represents the unified voice of county government throughout New York State.

Since 2023, we’ve been honored to have Dr. Watkins on the Board of Trustees. He shares our commitment to advancing health equity. His expertise in public health helps us better understand and support the needs of the communities we serve.

10/05/2026

🤝 During the third quarter of 2026, we invested nearly $2 million in new grants to advance early childhood development, maternal health, and other community priorities. We also awarded the first round of grants through our SEA Change fund.

Click on the link to learn more: https://hfwcny.org/health-foundation-awards-nearly-2-million-in-new-grants-in-third-quarter-of-2026/

During the third quarter of 2026, the Health Foundation for Western & Central New York awarded more than $1 million in new grants.

10/02/2026

The 2025 budget reconciliation bill—better known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R.1)—mandated significant changes to the Medicaid program. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the federal government will reduce its Medicaid spending by nearly $1 trillion over the next 10 years.

In a recent episode of What’s Next? on BTPM News, Nora Suric, PhD, President of the Health Foundation; Bridget Bartolone, SNAPCAP of WNY Lead; and Joanne Haefner, MS, FNP, President and CEO of Neighborhood Health Center, talked with host Jay Moran about the far-reaching impact of Medicaid cuts.

Click on the link to listen to the episode and learn more: https://hfwcny.org/medicaid-is-the-focus-of-a-local-npr-program/

A September 14 episode of What's Next? on BTPM NPR focused on the upcoming Medicaid changes mandated by the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act.