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Home > What We Fund > Strengthening Neighborhoods & Building Communities

Strengthening Neighborhoods & Building Communities

Refurbished victorians line Elmwood.

Allentown...the Parkside area...the Elmwood strip. These and many other neighborhoods are among our region's strongest assets. The Buffalo Niagara region is an area steeped in pride and filled with a large sense of community.

In recent years, economic and demographic changes in our region have challenged the core of our social fabric. In order to improve the region’s economic vitality and overall quality of life, it is important for us to invest in our neighborhoods and local communities and to take a multi-disciplinary approach that works across sectors to achieve common goals.

Desired outcomes of our Strengthening Neighborhoods and Building Communities focus area include:

  • Higher occupancy rates with more residents in stable-housing situations
  • Fewer vacant properties and lots in the region
    For more information on Strengthening Neighborhoods & Communities, visit our Knowledge Management Library.
  • Stronger commercial districts with increased opportunities for neighborhood-based employment
  • Increased engagement of neighborhood residents
  • More neighborhoods adequately mapped and surveyed

Here's how we plan to accomplish these outcomes...

  • Identifying and replicating effective national neighborhood revitalization models
  • Identifying “pilot” neighborhoods and partners
  • Supporting comprehensive neighborhood revitalization programs/strategies 
  • Convening meetings to build trust and make connections among organizations
  • Support for collaborative efforts within and across sectors
  • Support of community-level leadership training efforts
  • Supporting efforts to engage local residents and increase their ability to influence the decisions affecting their lives
  • Supporting community organizing efforts