Founded in 2002 as the Community Health Foundation of Western and Central New York, they awarded their first grants in April 2004. Since that time, they have awarded more than 400 grants totaling more than $30 million to fund programs in 16 counties in western and central New York. From its inception, they have focused their funding on programs that improve health outcomes for two of the most vulnerable and underserved populations in their regions – older adults and children birth to age five who are impacted by poverty. They serve 16 counties, including Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming counties in western New York, as well as Cayuga, Cortland, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego and Tompkins counties in central New York.

Funding is considered for programs that are in line with their mission, vision and values, and support one or more of three focus areas:

• Vulnerable Older Adults
• Young Children Impacted by Poverty
• Community Health Capacity