2013 Annual Report CHANG E in the making TABLE OF CONTENTS Message from Chair and President...... 1 In Appreciation: Christopher T . Dunstan...... 3 Outcomes...... 4 – 5 Staff Remarks ...... 6 – 9 Grantee Highlights ...... 10 – 23 Year in Review...... 24 – 27 Grant Listings...... 28 – 34 Financials...... 35 – 36 Board and Staff...... 37

For information on applying to the Foundation, visit www .oishei .org or call us at 716-856-9490 .

OUR MISSION STATEMENT The John R. Oishei Foundation strives to be a catalyst for change to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life for the Buffalo Niagara region through grantmaking, leadership and network building. message from the chair and president

t is unquestionably difficult for an organization to get out of its own way to do significant assessment and future planning work and even more difficult to implement the kinds of tweaks and corrections that are called for when such work is completed. Perhaps the most apt analogy is ‘fixing the car while you’re driving.’ I Like many of our colleagues and grantee organizations, we have done a fair amount of this, and in 2013, much of it began to pay off in the form of reconfigured staff and priorities.

Most significant is the addition of three full-time professionals to our staff. Sally Crowley and Curtis Robbins now embody what we are seeing as a department of communications and knowledge management which we expect to benefit not only this foundation, but our colleagues, grantees, and other stakeholders in the community. We recognize our role – given our capacity – of regional convener, but with that, we realize that the information and background data critical to successfully bringing people together is something that few organizations can provide. By appointing Sally as Communications Director and Curtis as Knowledge Management Officer, we expect to provide much more of the basic information and context within which many critical community conversations can take place.

Our third staff addition is Karen Spaulding, former deputy director of the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, as our Vice President of Philanthropic Support. In the broad assessments that we had completed on our own work as an organization by the Center for Effective Philanthropy in 2005 and again in 2010, it was made clear to us that one of the significant areas needing improvement was post-grant support – help after the grant was made. 2013 Grants Awarded by Category

We scored very well on the pre-grant work with applicants, but simply did not have Strengthening the Education Continuum $4,633,181 the capacity to work very closely with them after the fact. With the addition of Karen, Enhancing Options for Self-Sufficiency $2,395,115 we hope to begin to address this. In addition to working with grantees (and potential Building Livable, Stable Neighborhoods $684,046 grantees), Karen will work with the rest of the Oishei staff to help find and engage opportunities to convene key members of the community around areas of interest to Promoting Health and Improving the region. Much of that work will be supported by communications and knowledge Systems of Care $8,785,750 management as well. Expanding the Role of Arts, Culture, and Heritage in Regional Development $4,184,713 In terms of “rolling up our sleeves and getting into it up to our eyeballs,” we would note TOTAL $20,682,805 especially the work of our Senior Vice President of Programs Blythe Merrill with the www.oishei.org 2013 john R. Oishei Annual Report 1 Buffalo Public Schools and the Foundation’s scholarship programs; Senior Program Officer Larry Cook’s work with the Mobile Safety-Net Team which is resulting in the production of some of the most comprehensive and useful datasets on various WNY communities ever compiled; and Executive Vice President Paul Hogan’s long-term work with the arts community and Oishei Leaders, as well as his work in looking for ways to improve the delivery of mental health services in the region. We expect all of these engagements to intensify as our new complement of staff members complete their ‘settling in’ process.

So what? Well, in our view, the most significant response to the “So What?” question would be the recent national #1 ranking of affordable U.S. cities given to Buffalo by Forbes magazine. But beyond that, we’d point to a September 2013 article in Moody’s Analytics that demonstrated Buffalo’s general resurgence and much-better-than-average outlook, specifically as related to job growth and overall stability. Neither of these pieces are opinions; they are statements based on comparative data. We’ve turned the corner, and we can prove it!

Last, we bid adieu to our long-time board member Christopher Dunstan, who was here before the beginning of the Foundation as Trico’s financial officer. Please see our tribute to him on the next page. And we welcome Luke Jacobs as his successor!

As always, we are open to communication from anyone in the region with thoughts, comments, criticisms, or ideas. We have always seen the philanthropic undertaking as being – of necessity – a cooperative venture, built on trust, and recognizing the need for building relationships. We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

James M. Wadsworth Robert D. Gioia Chairman President

2 2013 john R. Oishei Annual Report www.oishei.org in appreciation: Christopher T. Dunstan

he year 2013 marked the retirement of Chris Dunstan from the Oishei Board of Directors. Chris is truly an innovator and avant-gardist. His long-time leadership at the Foundation included 16 years on the board with five years as the audit committee chair and five years as investment T committee chair. His ties with Oishei go way back…to the Trico Products company where he served as Vice Chairman, EVP and CFO. His impressive resume includes over 30 years of corporate, executive and turnaround management experience in over 10 countries spanning industries from food production, consumer products, cable and media services, to manufacturing.

Chris is well known for his thirst for knowledge, keen business acumen and ability to tackle complicated issues with great finesse.

He is the founding chair of Launch New York, a non-profit, venture development organization which awarded $5 million in the 2014 LaunchNY Business Plan Competition. He has also served on the boards of Blue Shield of Western New York, the Easter Seals, and the Botanical Society of Buffalo.

Chris has been married for 35 years and has two daughters. He is an avid reader and enjoys traveling, listening to jazz and playing the piano.

Thank you Chris, for sharing your exceptional array of talents with the Oishei Foundation and Western New York.

www.oishei.org 2013 john R. Oishei Annual Report 3 Outcomes

Measuring Our Impact Our funding contributed to the following 2,400 grantee outcomes between 2012-2013. Attendees at the BPO’s iconic performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The event helped secure additional support, allowing the BPO to surpass its $500K fundraising goal. Number of visitors per month that access Buffalo ReformED’s 100online interactive school map. The non-profit serves 5,500 people through advocacy and research to inform and $1.4 Million Amount of full-time wages that went to residents of poverty-stricken neighborhoods empower local parents. in Buffalo. This was the indirect economic impact of the Center for Employment Opportunities’ training and placement of 228 high-risk participants in high-need employment sectors. Annual decrease in operating$325K expenses through consolidation of buildings and reassignment of staff on the Cantalician Academic Campus. Over 250 children with developmental disabilities are assisted by this Percentage point increase (89% to 96%) in the number of participants organization annually. who reported having a regular primary care physician after the Good for the Neighborhood Program. Relationships between Independent Health and the community have emerged Number of non-profit organizations in South Buffalo that are participating and continue to grow through ongoing events centered in “Sharing = Success”, a five-year strategic plan directed by the Cazenovia around healthy lifestyles. 30Community Resource Center Library. The plan focuses on advancing/ 7 implementing proposed shared services and improvements that lead to increased quality of service delivery. Number of visitors that have toured PUSH 500+Buffalo project sites in the past year, including MIT, which is interested in using it Number of low-income children who received a BISON as a national model. PUSH has renovated Scholarship. 95% of these graduates go on to 57 apartments on Buffalo’s West a top performing public, charter or private Side, addressing almost all of the high school in WNY. chronically vacant parcels within its 510 Green Development Zone.

4 2013 john R. Oishei Annual Report www.oishei.org Power of Leverage Expanding our mission The outcomes highlighted on the previous pages are a snapshot of The John R. Oishei Foundation’s impact on Western New York $40.4 Million 15% Amount of total leveraged funding from 2012-2013. They are characteristic of the strong leadership, that 27 grantees were able to secure 4% exceptional creativity and organizational effectiveness of the grantees as a result of the Foundation’s Foundations that we are fortunate enough to work alongside in building a better investment of $8.3 million. For Businesses 5% community. every dollar the Foundation granted to Gov’t Agencies In comparison to previous years, a larger number of grantees reported these organizations, five additional dollars Other increased opportunities for collaboration and partnerships within the were committed from various partners. 76% non-profit community. This speaks volumes about the Foundation’s Note: “Other” leveraged funding includes leadership efforts to maximize the impact of its finite dollars, and individual donor contributions (capital campaign) and tax incentives. improve the efficiency and sustainability of organizations delivering exceptional services. Basic Human Needs In the last year, 41% of grantees The Foundation awarded over $1.1 million to 58 organizations that reported their outcomes between 2012-2013 for basic human needs. Many of these leveraged an additional $4.3 organizations experienced an increased demand for services while million from 19 regional receiving less government funding. Despite these challenges, they foundations. made every dollar count by assisting over 30,000 individuals and 54,000 households. These reported outputs represent only 24% of the total basic human need grants awarded.

FOOD – 1.9 Million Meals

SHELTER – 94,000 Bed Nights

TRANSPORTATION – 100K Miles

VOLUNTEER SUPPORT– 21K Hours

www.oishei.org 2013 john R. Oishei Annual Report 5 Staff Remarks

Paul T. Hogan Executive Vice President A Shift in Mental Health Care. The Foundation’s ‘more than grantmaking’ work continued and intensified in 2013 on a few fronts. Most notably, efforts were led to better understand and address the enormous needs for adolescent and adult mental health services and services to people with developmental disabilities.

Together with the Tower Foundation’s Tracy Sawicki and the excellent efforts of her team, substantial groundwork was laid for programs designed to divert young people from inappropriate care in behavioral health, and toward more appropriate care in non-emergency settings. The effort to integrate behavioral health and substance abuse care into primary care settings moved forward significantly and we expect to support several programs going forward. This separation, enforced mainly by outdated regulations, has created much unnecessary suffering and anxiety in young people and adults and is slowly changing for the better. Mental health is impossible without good physical health and vice versa. Paul with Aspire of WNY student and Aspire’s Janet Hansen. The person must be treated – not simply the symptoms.

Continued Arts Collaborations. Significant movement also occurred in the arts, as the Arts Services Initiative (ASI) continued to evolve under outstanding leadership both at the staff and board levels. The visibility of the arts community has been greatly enhanced by a strong presence at Canalside over the summer months, and the selection of arts activities has largely been coordinated by ASI. Better connection with a wider geography has also advanced with support by ASI of both the Greater Buffalo Cultural Alliance and the Cultural Alliance of Niagara. Two members representing southern tier cultural organizations have also joined the ASI board.

Adding Value Where It is Needed Most. Our ‘beyond the grant’ endeavors continued in earnest, proving to be both an exceedingly rewarding and challenging part of our engagement with the community. There is so much need in the non-profit community in terms of help with management and strategic planning that it quickly becomes overwhelming for the small staff of this Foundation. It is perhaps our unique vantage point that continues to provide the most Canalside art show.

6 2013 john R. Oishei Annual Report www.oishei.org value – we see a great deal from the ‘30,000 foot’ level that is of tremendous use ‘on the ground’ in terms of who’s doing what and how (and whether) to connect them. In the day-to-day operation of their organizations, many non-profit leaders simply don’t have time to look either around them or down the road, and this is where I believe the Foundation will continue to serve best. The non- profit field is shifting rapidly and deeply, both operationally and philosophically, and the greatest task of philanthropy is (and should be) to serve as a level-headed guide through the rapids.

Blythe Merrill Senior Vice President of Programs A Call to Action. In 2006, when The John R. Oishei Foundation embarked on its own strategic planning process, we received a resounding message from the community at large: “do more, be a leader, engage with and in the community beyond your funding.” Since then, we have done just that, especially in the past year when we added staff allowing us to delve even deeper into challenging issues that confront Western New York. From the work of the Mobile Safety-Net Team and its comprehensive assessments of 12 communities throughout the region; to efforts examining the mental health arena and how best to strengthen alliances in order to better serve the community; to guidance provided by our new office of Philanthropic Support around internal organizational challenges faced by non-profits; to the waterfront and how to connect the Outer Harbor to downtown and provide access to citizens.

The need to create a strong education pipeline and address challenges in our education system has been a key focus area. Across the region, elementary schools to colleges and universities Blythe at the NYS Funders Conference with Darren Penoyer of CFGB. are grappling with how to remain sustainable as our young population continues to decline. The public school system continues to come under scrutiny in the local news and the future isn’t always clear. At year’s end, the Diocese of Buffalo used data to take the bold step of closing schools and is working hard to support families to ensure they have options.

Remaining Optimistic. Challenges create opportunities. More than ever before, people from all backgrounds and sectors are sitting at shared tables….like Say Yes, the Regional Economic Development Council, the Mobile Safety-Net Team, and Open Buffalo.

www.oishei.org 2013 john R. Oishei Annual Report 7 New partnerships are forming to support students and families both in and outside of the school setting. Say Yes to Education Buffalo is well under way and the Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology opened its doors. 2013 was a foundational year for both efforts and early indicators point to successful implementation of programs that are having direct positive impact on the students both efforts touch.

Buffalo’s Renewed Verve. The work we do to bring people together to look at community issues and to be a catalyst for change wouldn’t be possible without the incredible non-profit partners we work with. The passion and commitment they bring to the table and the love Western New Yorkers have for their community is inspiring and evident in the commitment many are making to the hard work underway. We are at a unique moment in time in Buffalo. Despite our many challenges, there is a renewed feeling of optimism. Young people are returning home with new ideas and excitement after being away. They are embracing their hometown and diving in to make things better. Community leaders, citizens and funders are working together to develop strong partnerships to address challenges.

Sharing a Vision. 2013 was a year of collective action and greater collaboration across and among sectors. As a community, we must recognize the value of the communal table where we can all gather to share in a collective community vision. We believe there is great value in working together and are eager to continue these efforts with our many community partners.

Larry Cook Senior Program Officer Positive Outlook. When you look around, it isn’t hard to witness the growth taking place throughout Western New York. Much of that growth stems from the investments being made through entities like Western New York’s Regional Economic Development Council and the Buffalo Billion initiative. We are beginning to realize a very positive outlook for the future. The

Foundation has seen value in partnering on some of those larger-scale efforts but has Larry with Oishei Board Member Ann McCarthy at Jericho Road Community Health Center’s merger celebration.

8 2013 john R. Oishei Annual Report www.oishei.org also put forth a concerted effort toward strengthening neighborhoods and enhancing self-sufficiency at a more community-based level.

Investing in Our Communities. Having completed a comprehensive assessment of 12 communities (The City of Buffalo East of Main, The City of Buffalo West of Main, Cheektowaga, The City of Lackawanna, The City of Lockport, Newfane, Newstead, The City of Niagara Falls, Town of Tonawanda, The Cities of Tonawanda and North Tonawanda, West Seneca, The Town of Concord and Village of Springville) through the combined efforts of the Foundation’s Mobile Safety-Net Team (MSNT) and the University of Buffalo’s Regional Institute, the Foundation has equipped the participant communities with the tools needed to impact their individual advancement.

First, the Foundation commissioned the creation of the community reports, which have been used to identify and prioritize community concerns, leverage public and private sector resources, develop new and innovative programs that better serve those in need and inspire a more cohesive approach to addressing community concerns among stakeholders and service providers combined.

Secondly, it made an investment to continue the work of the Mobile Safety-Net Team, transitioning it from data collection and community assessment to more of a community impact initiative. The MSNT will be in place over the next three years to provide support and guidance within these communities, work toward building consensus around strategies that address the issues identified and facilitate solution-based outcomes that address those issues.

Strengthening the Region. The end goal is to develop a model by which we can strengthen our villages, towns and cities so that they are better positioned for growth. These successful initiatives can be replicated in other neighboring and similar communities. It’s the Foundation’s desire to empower these locales so we become stronger as a region and enhance the quality of life for our community overall.

www.oishei.org 2013 john R. Oishei Annual Report 9 10 2013 john R. Oishei Annual Report www.oishei.org Grantee Highlight: Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology (BCAT)

CAT plans to serve over 400 Buffalo high school students and train 200 under/unemployed adults over B the next three years.

“We’ve been through some tough times, my dad and me. We The Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology (BCAT) opened its doors slept in parks and in homeless shelters when times were really in December of 2013. BCAT offers a unique mix of after-school arts lean. Now we’re settled in South Buffalo and I attend Burgard programs for at-risk urban high school students and health sciences High School and BCAT’s after-school music program. Music career training for under/unemployed adults. The Center’s opening is the has always been a big part of my life. It helps me learn better. It culmination of a major collaborative effort to bring a proven, successful helps me focus, because, to be honest, I get easily distracted. The music program has helped me embrace technology and allows educational and workforce development model to Buffalo…one with me to be creative. We lay down tracks, write lyrics and some of us measurable outcomes. It is an outstanding example of what can be even dance while we’re here. Plus, BCAT’s colorful environment accomplished when organizations pull together and share a vision… inspires me…I’m all about the color as you can see. This place has a vision of a better Buffalo. BCAT will support our kids, helping them a great energy and it makes me feel like I’ll be able to succeed in graduate from high school, and train unemployed adults for current, college…and in life.” in-demand job openings in Buffalo’s growing medical field. BCAT is – Amanda Rivera (shown on left) designed to create hope and opportunity here.

www.oishei.org 2013 john R. Oishei Annual Report 11 12 2013 john R. Oishei Annual Report www.oishei.org Grantee Highlight: Community Concern of WNY

early one in five American adults, or 43.7 million people, experienced a diagnosable mental illness N in 2012.

“One sunny February morning after dropping my daughter off at Over 900 people and their families received mental health treatment school, I contemplated ramming my Jeep into a tree in a way that at Community Concern in 2012. Demand for mental healthcare there would allow her to believe it was an accident. Instead, I drove home, increased 15% year over year. Oishei’s $200,000 grant helped fund an packed a bag and checked myself into the nearest hospital. I was diagnosed with Rapid Cycle Bipolar Disorder (RCBD) and introduced expansion of Community Concern that provided office space for growing to Community Concern of WNY (CCWNY). programs, space for ancillary medical and social services, and room to I have been on a positive road ever since. With Community Concern’s expand its role as a leading trainer in social work and clinical psychology. help, I am now able to use rational thought in my decision making Community Concern helps the Southtowns with much-needed senior care processes. I accept my diagnosis as a blessing and as a PART, but not management, youth development and behavioral health services. the whole, of who I am. I recognize symptoms of “going off track” and am able to correct my mind before it reaches desperate levels. I’ve still needed CCWNY’s hotline for guidance, though…one time a counselor asked to speak to my husband. His words were so right-on – they helped my husband help me that day and we are forever grateful. Recently, I was invited to speak at ECC…to serve as an example of a success story on dealing with bipolar disorder. I thought, wow…I AM A SUCCESS STORY! I owe so very much of that to the consistent support of CCWNY.” – Kristine M. (shown on right in photo with CCWNY counselor) www.oishei.org 2013 john R. Oishei Annual Report 13 14 2013 john R. Oishei Annual Report www.oishei.org Grantee Highlight: Buffalo Museum of Science

he Council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies believes the U.S. will face a shortfall of T 80,000 science workers within the next two years alone.

“The John R. Oishei Foundation has been an integral part of Ever experience hurricane-force winds? Or been inside a bee hive? our historic transformation at the Buffalo Museum of Science Recorded your own weather forecast? Or tested your reaction time? from the beginning…acting as a mentor and guide during our Stop by the Buffalo Museum of Science to enjoy some of these hands-on planning process. Once we had a proper plan developed, the activities. The museum’s new science studios are models of interactive initial $1,000,000 grant from The John R. Oishei Foundation was science exhibition, connecting the museum’s unique collections with the funding catalyst to our capital campaign. Our transformation is more than half-way complete and we are confident that we will the engagement of experiential activities. Collection pieces provide a be able to finish the renovations of all of our permanent exhibit foundation of history and information and are combined with immersive spaces in the spring of 2016. Our success is 100% due to the exhibits and environments to create these modern exhibitions. The new partnership and support of The John R. Oishei Foundation.” “touch everything” approach provides multi-generational engagement – Mark Mortenson and learning opportunities for all museum visitors, no matter their age or Buffalo Museum of Science President and CEO education level. The development and installation of eight Science Studios: Explore YOU, Our Marvelous Earth, In Motion, Bug Works, Culture Science, Biodiversity, Extinction and Space will allow the leaders of the Buffalo Museum of Science to transform the 152-year-old institution into a relevant community and regional tourism asset. www.oishei.org 2013 john R. Oishei Annual Report 15 16 2013 john R. Oishei Annual Report www.oishei.org Grantee Highlight: Isaiah 61 Project

saiah 61 Project’s graduation rate is 80% and 75% of its graduates find employment in living-wage, I career-launching jobs.

“I was working multiple jobs just to make ends meet. College was Isaiah 61 Project’s primary focus is providing job training in living-wage not the right place for me, but I knew I had to find a way to start a fields, particularly in construction trades. It is a collaborative endeavor career for myself…one that has a future and can help me reach my supported by partners from across the area including Orleans/Niagara goals. I am a newlywed and want to experience the American dream BOCES, the city of Niagara Falls, local foundations, churches, businesses, of owning a home and starting a family. In order to do that, I knew I had to acquire marketable skills and get some hands-on training. contractors, unions, human service agencies and realtors. They take abandoned homes, work on-site to train students in construction and My pastor introduced me to Jim Haid at Isaiah 61 and a month later I was accepted into their program. I attended “classes” from 8 am rehabilitate the homes. Then they offer them to the community as a unique to 2 pm, which included classroom work and on-site instruction/ low-cost housing option. They now also undertake “deconstruction” and mentoring. Then I headed to my full-time job from 3 pm to 11 pm. have opened a new “Re-Use Store” to increase their own sustainability. The 3 1/2 month program taught me about in-demand trades like Oishei supported their efforts with a $60,000 loan guaranty. plumbing and carpentry.

I just got accepted into the construction union and will be starting my first work assignment…one that pays a good wage. I also plan to give back to the community to show my appreciation for this opportunity…to “pay it forward” through volunteering and serving as a program advocate.” – Ramone Rose (shown in photo to left with Isaiah 61 Executive Director, Jim Haid, on right) www.oishei.org 2013 john R. Oishei Annual Report 17 18 2013 john R. Oishei Annual Report www.oishei.org Grantee Highlight: Healthy Community Alliance/Academy Place

enior citizens will make up nearly 20% of the U.S. population by the year 2030, making living options for S the elderly a critical need in America.

“We loved our home in Gowanda but it was starting to be an A former elementary school in the Village of Gowanda was converted albatross for us. We couldn’t handle the lawn mowing, snow into a mixed-use commercial and residential structure called Academy shoveling…even navigating the stairs was starting to get difficult. Place in 2009. It offers the community much-needed affordable senior So, our son suggested we look at Academy Place which is managed housing, a day care center for children and adults and space for business, by the Healthy Community Alliance. It was perfect for us, and offices, education and community activities. Oishei’s $200,000 grant we moved in as soon as we could. Our apartment is wonderful. It has all we need, plus they accepted our baby, Ginger (aka funded the creation of offices for Tri-County Family Medicine Associates Academy Place’s resident Labradoodle). We just take the elevator (TCFMA) right in the building, eliminating the barrier of travel for elderly down to walk her in the side yard. With emergency pull-cords and residents. TCFMA’s old building in Collins was flooded and forced them to neighbors who look out for us…we feel safer. We also love the move farther outside of Gowanda. With the newly renovated space in the activities…everything from cards to computer classes. Academy Place building, access to these dedicated local physicians has One of the best features is the close proximity to our docs at Tri- been greatly improved. County Family Medicine. They are now located in our building, so we have easy access and we make sure we get there for regular appointments. The doctors there know us and really care about our wellbeing.” – Dorothy and Robert Edington

www.oishei.org 2013 john R. Oishei Annual Report 19 20 2013 john R. Oishei Annual Report www.oishei.org Grantee Highlight: Jericho Road Community Health Center

here are more than 30 million refugees in the world today, most of whom are women and children. Many can never return to their homes and need to resettle in T a safe country like the U.S.

“I grew up in Burma with six siblings and many ‘extended’ family Jericho Road Community Health Center provides complementary medical, members. My mother was a teacher and took in local desolate community development, and post-resettlement services to over 10,000 children to care for them, so we always had a houseful. After high low-income residents across the East and West Sides of Buffalo. school, with no money for college, I found work at an agency that helped poor children. Burma’s environment was volatile, so I Over 50% of Jericho Road’s patients have arrived as refugees, including moved to Rangoon where I found better work and lower education many secondary migrant families who move from other U.S. cities to make costs. I then moved to Thailand where my uncle set me up with their home in Buffalo. These new Americans originate from more than 15 work. I met my husband there and we lived in a refugee camp for countries including Somalia, Sudan, Congo, Ivory Coast, Iraq, China, Burma, seven years. It was very tough – food was strictly rationed and we Cuba, and Nepal. had three children to feed. Jericho Road overcomes the language and cultural barriers of their clients I believe God wanted us to come to the U.S. My husband and I by engaging a culturally diverse staff, representative of the community. have worked hard to earn our citizenship here and I am now a ‘Home Visitor’ for Jericho Road’s Parent-Child Home Program. I In addition to medical care, JRCHC provides wrap-around services such go to refugees’ homes to help families with children get acclimated as pregnancy mentoring, early childhood literacy, after-school tutoring, and prepared for school. I speak four languages, which helps. I am financial and homeownership classes, English language learning support, happy to be able to help others who have relocated and have also spiritual care, and much more to serve patients holistically. faced adversity.” – Eh Dah www.oishei.org 2013 john R. Oishei Annual Report 21 22 2013 john R. Oishei Annual Report www.oishei.org Grantee Highlight: CEPA Gallery

umerous studies have shown that students who participate in arts programs demonstrate greater proficiency in mathematics and communication and N are more likely to graduate.

“Photography has always interested me…the lighting…the CEPA’s after-school programs combine photography, technology, and variety of perspectives…capturing a person’s essence on film. literary arts to provide accessible and incredibly powerful opportunities I asked Hispanics United about after-school photography for children to exercise their inherent creativity while exploring themes of programs. They told me to check out CEPA, so I did. I did not even own a camera, but I just started going to the CEPA self, family and community. By welcoming honest expression in response studios to see what I could learn. Lauren, a teacher there, lent to project themes that are relevant to their lives, CEPA encourages me a film camera and told me to just go out and shoot what children to see themselves as agents of change—all while cultivating a I wanted. I’ve learned how to take artistic shots, develop film pure love for learning. and crop and correct photos digitally. Being at CEPA even helped me improve my English, thanks to the efforts of the Children from diverse backgrounds sit side by side to create and discuss staff and teachers. I recently got to go to Washington, D.C. to accept the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program their artwork, examine shared experiences and ultimately realize their Award from Michelle Obama on CEPA’s behalf. I promised ability to interpret, to comment on, and to confront the realities they face her I would finish high school and I will keep that promise. every day. The outcome: confident, self-aware partners for change who CEPA used part of the prize money to buy me my own digital have developed strong voices, empathy for their community, and the sense camera. I bring it everywhere. I now shoot family portraits for people in my community and plan to go to college to pursue of personal and civic responsibility necessary to control their lives and commercial photography.” affect their futures. – Jose Lagares

www.oishei.org 2013 john R. Oishei Annual Report 23 2013 year in review

april February Oishei High School January Black History Month: Bill Strickland Scholarship Program’s may Oishei staffers Larry Cook, Gayle Houck and Jackie receives US Senate Award. 15th Anniversary Robert Gioia receives the Distinguished Citizen Reisdorf are promoted. Celebration. Achievement Award from Canisius College.

January may Oishei Board approves $650,000 Luke Jacobs is grant for Heritage Centers’ appointed Maryvale Campus Upgrade. to the Oishei Board.

may march Independent Health Good for the Oishei’s Three-Year Strategic Plan is completed. Neighborhood Program continues.

24 2013 john R. Oishei Annual Report www.oishei.org july August Oishei Leaders continues with Program staff tour the North Park Theatre to learn about renovation plans. its summer networking event, June and Paul Hogan serves as a Paul Hogan is recruited for the Cultural Data panelist at the NYS Funders Project’s National Strategic Advisory Panel. Conference in Syracuse.

June Sally Crowley becomes full- time Communications Director.

August Gayle Houck receives Business First’s 2013 “Women of Influence” july award. Program staff visits the Maritime Center.

www.oishei.org 2013 john R. Oishei Annual Report 25 october September Paul Hogan serves as a judge for the Boy’s and Buffalo Promise Curtis Robbins is brought Girl’s Club Art Awards. Neighborhood’s Children’s on as full-time Knowledge Academy opens. Management Officer. Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Graycliff completes updated exterior landscape.

october Karen Lee Spaulding becomes the Foundation’s Vice President of october Philanthropic Support. September September Amber Dixon gives Bill Strickland and the Oishei staff a Oishei Foundation is inducted into PUSH Buffalo gives West Side tour SUNY Chancellor’s Society. preview of BCAT’s construction. to showcase their neighborhood revitalization efforts.

26 2013 john R. Oishei Annual Report www.oishei.org november december Oishei Grantee, CEPA Gallery, receives the 2013 National Arts & Humanities Oishei Board and staff tour five local non-profits including Response Youth Program Award from Michelle Obama. to Love (top) and the West Side Bazaar (bottom).

december Oishei helps WNYGA celebrate its 25th anniversary.

december BCAT Grand Opening!

www.oishei.org 2013 john R. Oishei Annual Report 27 Grants

First Hand Learning $94,000 Science Knowledge Improves Language Learning (SKILL)

Harvest Hill Foundation, Inc. $21,050 The First Tee of WNY Board Training/Strategic Planning

National Federation for Just Communities of WNY $2,400 Institute for Excellence and Equity in Education Program Research Trip

Nichols School $5,000 JROF Scholarship Commitment Award

The 2013 Oishei Scholarship Luncheon. Non-profit Information Networking Association $5,000 Sponsorship of non-profit quarterly Strengthening the Buffalo Arts and Technology Center (BCAT) $1,000,000 (challenge grant to other supporters) Loan Guaranty for Build-Out of New Facility Education Continuum St. Bonaventure University $250,000 $4,633,181 Buffalo Prep $470,000 Strategic Alliance Partnership Project with Hilbert College Rising to Distinction Be-A-Friend Program, Inc. $50,000 University of Rochester $50,000 Transforming Buffalo through Mentoring and Education (TBTME) Buffalo Public School Foundation $60,921 Scholarships to attend Simon School of Rochester Program Magic Penny Implementation (BISSNET scholarship recipients) BISON Scholarship Fund, Inc. Buffalo Scholastic Rowing Association, Inc. $125,000 Western New York Grantmakers Association $2,500 BISON Scholarship Fund Scholarship $405,000 Expansion of the Buffalo River Rowing Center Support National Speaker Heather McLeod Support Initiative (Yr. 2) Child & Adolescent Treatment Services (CATS) $150,000 for Grantmaker/Grantseeker Event Children First Scholarship (Yr. 1) – $250,000 Building Brighter Futures (BBF) After-School Program BPS Students Transferring to non-public Schools Western New York United Against Computers for Children, Inc. $22,750 Drug & Alcohol Abuse, Inc. $108,460 BISSNET School to Home Technology Program Ripple Effects Collaborative BISSNET Operating Support $168,000 Cradle Beach Camp, Inc. $100,000 2013-2014 Scholarship Program $800,000 Young Audiences of Western New York, Inc. $100,000 Project SOAR Most-at-Risk Program Boy’s and Girl’s Club of Holland, Inc. $264,100 Family Help Center, Inc. $129,000 Expansion and Relocation of the Holland Boys and Girls Club Children’s Center for Success

28 2013 john R. Oishei Annual Report www.oishei.org Enhancing Options for Self-Sufficiency $2,395,115

American Red Cross Greater Buffalo Chapter $25,000 Basic Human Needs

Association of Small Foundations $1,000 General Operating Support

Blessed Trinity RC Church $2,000 Basic Human Needs Helping Hands Food Pantry

Boy’s and Girl’s Clubs of Buffalo, Inc. $15,000 Clients of Jericho Road Community Health Center. Basic Human Needs Catholic Charities of Buffalo $30,000 Consumer Credit Counseling Service Basic Human Needs of Buffalo, Inc. $45,000 Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart $1,000 Niagara County Financial Literacy Coalition JROF Special Donation to BISSNET School Cattaraugus Community Action, Inc. $12,500 Basic Human Needs Cornell University $8,800 Buffalo City Mission $100,000 Transition Services Initiative Basic Human Needs Chautauqua County Rural Ministries, Inc. $12,500 Basic Human Needs Erie Regional Housing Development Corp. Buffalo Dream Center $20,000 (dba Belle Ctr.) $5,500 Basic Human Needs Community Action Organization Basic Human Needs of Erie County, Inc. (CAO) $15,000 Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers $20,000 Basic Human Needs Evergreen Health Services, Inc. Basic Human Needs (Formerly AIDS C.S. of WNY) $10,000 Community Missions of Niagara Frontier, Inc. Buffalo Seminary $1,000 Basic Human Needs Basic Human Needs $50,000 JROF Special Donation to BISSNET School Family Help Center, Inc. $25,000 Technology Implementation Match $60,000 Buffalo Urban League $20,000 Basic Human Needs Concerned Ecumenical Ministry Basic Human Needs Family Promise of Western New York $5,000 to the Upper West Side $20,000 Basic Human Needs Canisius High School $1,000 Basic Human Needs for Loaves & Fishes Dining Room JROF Special Donation to BISSNET School Fellowship Hill Ministries, Inc. $12,500

Basic Human Needs for Trading Post Community Care Ctr.

www.oishei.org 2013 john R. Oishei Annual Report 29 First Baptist Church of Newfane $2,500 Greater Works Christian Fellowship $2,500 Basic Human Needs Basic Human Needs for Outreach Food Pantry and Clothing Closet FISH of East Aurora, Inc. $10,000 Basic Human Needs GROUP Ministries, Inc. $15,000 Basic Human Needs Food Bank of WNY Basic Human Needs for the Milk Coupon Program $20,000 Habitat for Humanity Buffalo, Inc. $10,000 Basic Human Needs $10,000 Basic Human Needs Basic Human Needs $125,000 Healthy Community Alliance, Inc. $5,500 Basic Human Needs Friends of Night People, Inc. $30,000 Basic Human Needs Heart, Love & Soul, Inc. $30,000 Basic Human Needs Gerard Place Housing Development Fund Company, Inc. $12,500 Hearts and Hands: Faith in Action $2,000 Basic Human Needs Basic Human Needs St. John’s 2013 camp participants.

Goodwill Industries of WNY, Inc. Isaiah 61 Project, Inc. $60,000 Madonna of the Streets, Inc. $12,500 Basic Human Needs $100,000 Loan Guaranty for Isaiah 61 Project Basic Human Needs

Mobile Safety-Net Team Initiative (Yr. 5) $75,000 Journey’s End Refugee Services, Inc. $12,500 Meals on Wheels Foundation of WNY, Inc. $50,000 Mobile Safety-Net Team (2014-2016) $632,565 Basic Human Needs Basic Human Needs

Kenmore Presbyterian Church $2,000 Mount St. Mary Academy $1,000 Basic Human Needs JROF Special Donation to BISSNET School

Little Portion Friary $2,500 Native American Community Services of Basic Human Needs Erie/Niagara Co., Inc. $20,000 Basic Human Needs Love Inc. of Springville, NY $6,500 Basic Human Needs Nativity Miguel Middle School of Buffalo $10,500 Development of Nativity Miguel Middle School’s Lt. Col. Matt Urban Human Services 2014-2016 Strategic Plan Center of WNY Basic Human Needs $27,500 Network of Religious Communities $25,500 Basic Human Needs Buffalo Community Center Joint Venture $125,000 Hands-on activities at the Buffalo Museum of Science.

30 2013 john R. Oishei Annual Report www.oishei.org Niagara Community Action Program, Inc. $20,000 St. David’s Episcopal Church $5,000 Building Livable, Basic Human Needs Basic Human Needs Stable Neighborhoods Nichols School $1,000 St. John the Baptist Church $684,046 JROF Special Donation to BISSNET School Basic Human Needs $25,000 Broadway Fillmore Neighborhood The Erie Canal 2013 Workcamp $12,000 Old First Ward Community Association $7,500 Housing Services $5,000 Basic Human Needs Trinity Lutheran Church (Akron) $5,000 Keep Fillmore Clean Program (match) Basic Human Needs Old Time Baptist Church $2,500 Buffalo State College Foundation $83,596 Basic Human Needs Valley Community Association $12,500 Social Enterprise Center Partnership for the Public Good, Inc. $1,000 Basic Human Needs Attend Annual Convening Neighborhood Villa Maria College of Buffalo $5,500 Funders Group 2013 Conference Basic Human Needs

Pathways Christian Fellowship $5,000 Vive La Casa $20,000 Basic Human Needs Basic Human Needs

Potters House Christian Community Church $2,500 WNY Heroes, Inc. $250 Basic Human Needs In Memory of Timothy H. McCutcheon

Salvation Army of Buffalo, NY Western New York Veterans Basic Human Needs $50,000 Housing Coalition, Inc. $12,000 Operations Support (1:1 match) $100,000 Basic Human Needs

Seneca Babcock Community Association, Inc. $7,500 Young Women’s Christian Assoc. Basic Human Needs of Niagara Inc. $5,500 Basic Human Needs Paul Hogan and others judging the Boy’s and Girl’s Club Art Show. Society of St. Vincent de Paul $20,000 Basic Human Needs YWCA of the Tonawandas $5,500 Clean Air Coalition $2,500 Basic Human Needs St. Adalbert’s Response to Love Center Participatory Budgeting 2013 Conference Support Additional Funding for Elevator $89,000 Coalition for Economic Justice, Inc. $5,000 Basic Human Needs $25,000 Grassroots Institute for Fundraising Training (GIFT) Workshop Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Resurrection $49,000 Resurrection Village Holistic Community Wellness Program

www.oishei.org 2013 john R. Oishei Annual Report 31 P2 Collaborative of Western New York, Inc. $20,000 GROUP Ministries, Inc. $49,000 Creating a Healthier Niagara Falls - Strategic Plan East Side Holistic Community Wellness Coalition

University at Buffalo Regional Institute $48,500 Heritage Centers, Inc. $650,000 Strengthening WNY’s Safety Net – Addendum A Campaign for the Heritage Education Program’s Maryvale Campus Promoting Health and Horizon Health Services $15,000 Improving Systems of Care Project Hope $8,785,750 Hospice Foundation of WNY, Inc. $500,000 Hospice Buffalo Inpatient Care Expansion and Brothers of Mercy $48,500 Clinical Bldg. Renovation New Inpatient Rehabilitation Clinic Jewish Family Services of Buffalo Cancer Wellness Center, Inc. $12,500 and Erie County $25,000 Cancer Coach Program Grant Electronic Medical Record Implementation Buffalo Museum of Science’s Weather Station. Catholic Health System $250,000 Mental Health Association for Erie County, Inc. $125,000 Grantmakers Forum of New York, Inc. $5,000 Lovejoy-St. Vincent Comprehensive Care Center Mental Health Assoc./Compeer of Greater Buffalo Collaboration 2013 NYS Funders Conference Child & Family Services $40,000 Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center $750,000 Grassroots Gardens of Buffalo, Inc. $15,050 Child & Family Services Strategic Planning Project Increasing Staff Capacity for Land Conservation in Buffalo Cardiac/Stroke Care Center (1:1 match/challenge) Community Concern of WNY, Inc. Niagara Hospice, Inc. $250,000 Innovative Charitable Initiatives, Inc. $45,000 Health and Human Services Center of Excellence $150,000 North Park Theatre Restoration Project First Choice Health/Niagara Hospice GET SET $200,000 Lt. Col. Matt Urban Human Services Northwest Buffalo Community Developmental Disabilities Alliance of WNY $3,750 Center of WNY $200,000 Health Care Center, Inc. $325,000 Summit on Employment of Individuals with Support Staff and Fringe Benefits Renovations and Expansion to Neighborhood Health Center Developmental Disabilities Massachusetts Avenue Project (MAP) $5,400 Rehabilitation Foundation, Inc. $150,000 Support repairs and upgrades to the Aquaponics Greenhouse Erie Regional Housing Development Corp. Implement Electronic Medical Records System (dba Belle Center) $18,000 Roswell Park Alliance Foundation Police Athletic League of Buffalo, Inc. $200,000 Feasibility Study for Community Health Worker In Memory of Anna Gioia (mother of Robert D. Gioia) $1,000 Buffalo Peacemakers Training and Development Center Support for attendance of“Decoding of Annie Parker” $3,000

32 2013 john R. Oishei Annual Report www.oishei.org Special Olympics New York, Inc. $25,000 Expanding the Role of Arts, Healthy Communities Program Culture, and Heritage in University at Buffalo Foundation, Inc. Regional Development Arts in Healthcare Initiative $120,000 $4,184,713 UB School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences $5,000,000 Arts Services Initiative of Located on the BNMC Western New York, Inc. $15,000 University at Buffalo/Roswell Park Cancer Institute $75,000 Arts Access Program Collaboration Planning Grant Buffalo Fine Arts Academy (dba Albright-Knox Art Gallery) $150,000 AK Innovation Lab Buffalo neighborhood community gardens. Buffalo Museum of Science $1,000,000 Science Studio Project Buffalo Transportation Pierce-Arrow Buffalo Niagara Partnership Foundation Museum (The) $50,000 Buffalo Niagara Partnership Executive Search $10,000 Purchase of Bicycle Museum Artifacts Support a CanAm Business Development $100,000 Burchfield-Penney Art Center (The) $135,000 Position (1:2 match) WNY Arts Legacy Project

Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER $50,000 CEPA, Inc. $25,000 Strategic Plan for WNY’s Rust to Blue Economy CEPA/Big Orbit Merger

Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, Inc. Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo $150,000 Loan Guaranty for Park Restoration Projects $600,000 Fund for the Arts - General Arts Programming Olmsted Parks Financial Stability Initiative $300,000 Hallwalls Contemporary Art Center $3,000 Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Site Specific Installations at the 2013 Echo Art Fair Secure the Future endowment campaign $238,213 at the Downtown Library Support BPO Travel to NYC to Perform at Carnegie Hall $25,000 Hamburg Music Festival $5,000 Support for Annual Music Festival

Hilbert College $150,000 Adult Degree Program - B.A. in Business Management Robert accepts a token of gratitude from a Heritage Center student. www.oishei.org 2013 john R. Oishei Annual Report 33 Hull House Foundation $15,000 Partnership for the Public Good, Inc. $5,000 Hull Home & Farmstead Archaeological Research Youth Week Coordinator and Local Artists Programming

Martin House Restoration Corp. $1,000 Road Less Traveled Productions Ltd. $20,000 In Memory of Norma Wiegley (Wife of Allan Wiegley) Support Staff

MusicalFare Theatre Company, Inc. Roycroft Campus Corporation (RCC) $150,000 Loan Guaranty for The Next Stage: MusicalFare’s $500,000 2013 General Operating and Capacity-Building Support Foundation for the Future Society of Architectural Historians $10,000 The Next Stage: MusicalFare’s Foundation for the Future $65,000 SAH 2013 Annual Conference Buffalo Niagara Arts & Cultural Center $15,000 Springville Center for the Arts Inc. $150,000 General Operating Costs (match) 5 East Main & Education Expansion Nickel City Opera, Inc. $5,000 Western New York Book Arts Collaborative Amahl and the Night Visitors for Kids (WNYBAC) $20,000 Book Arts Center Elevator Hull House in Lancaster is the oldest stone dwelling in Erie County, NY. Western New York Land Conservancy, Inc. $75,000 Mill Road Scenic Overlook Project Visit Buffalo Niagara (formerly Convention & Visitors Bureau) $7,500 Best Designed City in America Video

Vive La Casa $140,000 In Support of the Pathway to Freedom Renovation Campaign

Board and staff toured Vive La Casa in December and heard from refugees.

34 2013 john R. Oishei Annual Report www.oishei.org Financials

2013 2012 The Foundation’s total assets Cash and cash equivalent $4,885,000 $5,478,000 Investments 278,257,000 251,059,000 on December 31, 2013 were Assets in related trusts 23,261,000 21,769,000 approximately $306,403,000. $306,403,000 $278,306,000 Grants paid out totaled over $17 million. Income from Statement of Revenue, Grants and Expenses and Changes in Net Assets: investments and distributions

2013 2012 from related trusts totaled Income from investments, net $40,225,000 $29,735,000 $41,240,000. Distributions from related trusts 1,015,000 946,000 41,240,000 30,681,000

Grants paid 17,428,000 17,421,000

Expenses Administrative expenses 1,905,000 1,601,000 Federal excise and other taxes 242,000 247,000 2,147,000 1,848,000

Accrued excise and other taxes/short-term borrowings 5,144,000 204,000

Excess of revenue over grants and expenses 21,665,000 11,411,000 Change in value of assets in related trusts 1,492,000 840,000 Change in net assets 23,157,000 12,251,000

Net assets – beginning 278,102,000 265,851,000 Net assets – ending $301,259,000 $278,102,000 $306,403,000 $278,306,000

www.oishei.org 2013 john R. Oishei Annual Report 35 PERCENTAGE OF GRANTS BY CATEGORY, 2013 Total Funding Awarded number of grants awarded, 2008–2013 ARTS & CULTURE EDUCATION Amount Awarded $4,184,713 $4,633,181 # of Grants/PRIs/Loans 20% 22% $45 180

$40 160 SELF-SUFFICIENCY $2,395,115 $35 140 12% $30 120

HEALTH CARE STABLE ded in millions $25 100 $8,785,750 NEIGHBORHOODS 43% $684,046 s awar $20 80 3% tal dollar $15 60 To

Grants by size, 2013 $10 40

>= $200,000 $5 20 12.9% $150,000 TO 0 0 $199,999 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 5.3% $100,000 TO $149,999 <$25,000 8.8% 51.2%

$50,000 TO $99,999 10.0% $25,000 TO $49,000 11.8%

36 2013 john R. Oishei Annual Report www.oishei.org Board and staff

2013 Board of Directors Current Staff Members James M. Wadsworth Luke T. Jacobs Robert D. Gioia Larry H. Cook Chair President Senior Program Officer Ann M. McCarthy Mary S. Martino Paul T. Hogan Curtis W. Robbins Robert D. Gioia Vice Chair Executive Vice President Knowledge Management Officer Ex-Officio Edward F. Walsh, Jr. Blythe T. Merrill Gayle L. Houck Treasurer Senior Vice President Controller/Grants Manager Gayle L. Houck of Programs Robert M. Bennett Jacquelyn M. Reisdorf Secretary Karen Lee Spaulding Office Manager/ Ruth D. Bryant Jacquelyn M. Reisdorf Vice President of Program Assistant Florence M. Conti Recording Secretary Philanthropic Support Sally T. Crowley William G. Gisel, Jr. Communications Director

www.oishei.org 2013 john R. Oishei Annual Report 37 One Seneca Tower, Suite 3650 Buffalo, NY 14203 www.oishei.org 716 856 9490

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