Greater Rochester Health Foundation

05/21/2026

Many hands make light work at Villa of Hope’s campus in Greece for Day of Caring!

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05/21/2026

05/08/2026

Our May 2026 newsletter is out!

First up: Our Grantee Spotlight shines on WNY Independent Living’s Independent Youth Living Project and Orleans Community Connects, two of our rural partners advancing health equity by centering lived experience and working toward long-term systems change.

In Learning & Engagement Opportunities, find volunteer opportunities for United Way’s upcoming Day of Caring, sharable resources for Women’s Health Week, and a wellness retreat for caregivers hosted by Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities.

We’re also sharing updates on our latest Healthy & Equitable Futures Cafe gathering of our Systems Change Team of parent leaders with ROC The Future and a new resource from Children’s Institute rooted in community voice that underscores the importance of trust in education and health care.

Read about what our board members and staff are up to throughout the region, explore new grant opportunities, and browse our Community Events section for ways to celebrate APIDA Heritage Month at RMSC, and explore events with many of our wonderful partners!

Read & share!: https://conta.cc/3QSWAlM

05/05/2026

Please join us in congratulating former Greater Rochester Health Foundation Board Chair and longtime board member Connie O. Walker for being recognized with the Adolf J. Rodenbeck Award from the Monroe County Bar Association for her outstanding professionalism and community service!

A respected legal leader and dedicated volunteer, Walker played a critical role in shaping the Health Foundations work, including serving two terms as Board Chair during the COVID-19 pandemic and leading the executive search for the Foundation’s current President & CEO Matt Kuhlenbeck. Walker's leadership and longstanding commitment continue to leave a lasting impact across the legal, healthcare, and nonprofit sectors in our region.

04/17/2026

⭐GRANTEE SPOTLIGHT⭐

Elevating Youth Voice Through Lived Experience

WNY Independent Living Inc. (WNYIL)'s Youth Living Project (ILYP) is expanding access to family-centered services for youth with disabilities and their caregivers across Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming Counties. At the Independent Living Center of the Genesee Region, this work includes hiring youth leaders who bring both professional skills and lived experience to the role.

Emma Pratt, an Independent Youth Specialist supported by a Responsive Grant from the Health Foundation, is one of those leaders. Drawing from her own experiences navigating the mental health system, Emma works directly with young people and families while also advocating for broader change.

Emma’s voice has recently been featured in two news stories. In a BTPM PBS Buffalo Toronto Public Media interview, she reflects on the challenges rural youth face in accessing mental health care and calls for more community-based support. Access the article here: https://tinyurl.com/5d63f75f.

Emma is also highlighted in a Times Union article, which further explores her early experiences and continued advocacy; https://tinyurl.com/5d63f75f.

Together, these stories underscore the importance of investing in youth leadership and ensuring that those most impacted by system gaps are helping to shape solutions.

04/15/2026

Sharing a new resource from Foodlink that helps make food resources easier and more convenient to find!

Exciting news from Foodlink! 🌟 We're thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new Vivery-powered Find Food Map: https://foodlinkny.org/find-food. This user-friendly map is here to make finding food resources easier and more convenient than ever before for our neighbors. With just a few clicks, you can discover nearby food pantries and other essential services, all customized to suit your unique needs. Happy exploring!

04/10/2026

Sharing!

Residents and community members are encouraged to attend an upcoming town hall focused on SNAP ABAWD rule changes, including updated requirements and available exemptions. This event will provide an opportunity to learn more & ask questions. For more information on SNAP changes visit: savemysnap.org

04/09/2026

Sharing!

There is just one week until the Speak Life! Health Equity Conference. There will be music, dancing, and of course, smart and thoughtful conversations around how we can work together to achieve health for everyone in the Rochester and Finger Lakes region.

Secure your tickets at commongroundhealth.org/speaklife26tix

04/08/2026

Please join us in welcoming Meridian Napoli to Greater Rochester Health Foundation as our new Grants Manager!

Meridian will lead the Foundation’s grantmaking operations, ensuring strong systems, accurate data, and effective collaboration with our grantee partners. She brings more than 20 years of experience in grant operations, with expertise spanning the full grant lifecycle -- from proposal and project management to compliance, expenditure responsibility, and post-award tracking. She has led grants management system transitions, strengthened data and reporting practices, and developed workflows that improve efficiency and coordination across teams. A certified change management professional, Meridian also has a strong track record of guiding organizations through technology adoption and process improvements.

With a systems-oriented and human-centered approach, she connects day-to-day operations to mission-driven impact, helping to build a healthier, more equitable region where all people can thrive.

04/06/2026

NEW RESOURCE ALERT 📢

United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes has launched a new Community Responsiveness Fund, making $1.7 million in rapid response funding available to health and human service nonprofits across a six county region. The initiative is designed to help organizations stabilize operations and sustain critical services amid shifting public policy and funding landscapes, with one time grants ranging from $50,000 to $200,000.

Applications are open now through April 30, and a virtual Q and A session will be held April 10 to support interested applicants.

Learn more at

Apply for up to $200,000 in rapid-response funding to stabilize your nonprofit amid public policy changes. Applications open April 1–30, 2026.