By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – The region's largest philanthropic organization is taking a more activist role in the community. The John R. Oishei Foundation Tuesday rolled out its new mission, and the strategic plan it hopes will accomplish its goal of creating a more stable community.
What would bring a couple hundred people into a stuffy history museum auditorium at 8:30 in the morning? Well, the pastries for this breakfast meeting did look tasty. But these people were much more interested in learning what the Oishei's new mission will mean to the their future funding.
Oishei has more than $30 million of assets and hands out roughly fifteen million dollars worth of grants each year to dozens of agencies and groups that serve the community.
Foundation president Rober Gioia said their new mission will shift how that money is awarded.
Foundation officials said the mission now is more global, focusing on issues, rather than individual institutions. Six key areas of need are identified, including the culturals and medical research.
But the first four areas relating to poverty also will be a prime focus. The foundation wants to create stable neighborhoods, increase self-sufficiency and improve the health and education of low income residents.
Bill O'Connell heads the Homeless Alliance of Western New York. He said the Oishei's new focus should only enhance the alliance's ability to get grants.
He and others agree that a more holistic approach is needed. Margaret Kiser heads the Arts in Education Institute of Western New York. She said they are most successful with their own mission when collaborating with other groups such as the Just Buffalo Literary Center and Theatre of Youth.
Oishei just awarded Kiser's group a three-year grant. Kiser said they've been funded by Oishei before and already know how to use that support to secure other grants.
Even before the official change in its mission, the Oishei has been nudging groups like these to cooperate with one another. Collaborations range from sharing office space and personnel to save costs - to piggybacking events to make a more sustained impact.
To help make the point, the Oishei talked Tuesday about their own efforts to partner with other foundations. The Oishei and the Community Foundation share three employees. Kiser said that did make an impression on her.
One thing the Oishei foundation said it heard loud and clear is the need organizations have to bolster their own operations. Before grants were awarded only for programs. But Gioia said they recognize that organizations have to be healthy to get the work done.
The new mission allows funding for extra staff and other office supports. Gioia said the key word is flexibility. So, he hopes those who were sitting anxiously on the edge of their seats Tuesday will be a little less apprehensive about the new grant process.
But another parting message was also sent. Oishei officials said organizations that do not focus on issues challenging the community, or choose to go it alone will likely not get help from Oishei.
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