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Home > What We Fund > Economic Self-Sufficiency

Economic Self-Sufficiency

The region’s economic decline and shrinking job market over the past half-century have made it increasingly difficult for many residents to find jobs that allow them to be self-sufficient. As a result, the city has experienced increased poverty -- 26.9% in 2005.

Our efforts to combat this substantial rise in poverty will focus on enabling Buffalo Niagara area residents—particularly low-income residents and those with less education—to acquire jobs that allow them to support themselves and their families. 

Our overall goal is to increase the self-sufficiency of low-income, under-employed and unemployed residents by:

  • Evaluating existing job training programs and/or identifying new approaches that demonstrate potential
  • Supporting effective local job training programs aligned with opportunities in emerging industries
  • Promoting the use of the Self-Sufficiency Standard (SSS) among nonprofits, funders and public agencies

The Foundation also plans to increase the asset base of low-income residents by supporting asset-building programs such as tax preparation sites, Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) for savings and micro enterprise efforts.

Increasing adult literacy rates is key to building self-sufficiency.  We will affect change in this area by supporting:

  • Delivery of quality literacy services to low-wage workers and job seekers
  • Employment and literacy programs for non English speaking populations
  • Programs related to workplace literacy and employment opportunities
  • Evidence-based financial literacy programs