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KaBOOM! and Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation Renew Partnership to Bring Play to More Communities in Need

Building upon the initial Built to Play Initiative, another $1 million is now available across Western New York and Southeast Michigan for creative ideas that incorporate play into everyday life in unexpected places

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Buffalo, NY (Jan. 10, 2019) – Five local foundations and two consultants have joined together to form a new working group geared towards providing capacity building support and assistance to nonprofits organizations in Western New York, including Monroe County. The new working group is comprised of members from the following organizations:

● The Health Foundation for Western and Central New York
● The John R. Oishei Foundation
● The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation
● The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation
● The Western New York Foundation

The foundations, along with two independent consultants, look to strengthen communities in Western New York by increasing the capacities of the nonprofit organizations that serve those communities. The working group is committed to a network approach that builds on existing efforts and fills gaps not currently being addressed.

Before the group’s work gets underway, it is seeking to hire a program director to lead the design and oversight of the strategy for the group. The individual would be responsible for establishing a strategic vision, developing plans for implementation, building community partnerships, and serving as a connector between nonprofits and existing resources.

“This unique position will be integral in helping an exciting new initiative find its footing. It’s an opportunity for a passionate, innovative, and energetic individual to make a meaningful difference in the nonprofit sector,” said Beth Gosch, executive director, The Western New York Foundation and one of the eight members of the working group.

The working group seeks a candidate who brings a network mindset, a proven track record in their ability to engage diverse stakeholder groups, and excellent communication and project management skills. It’s a position that requires a dynamic leader who will help the working group define their grantmaking approach and strategies.

The group is working with Community Wealth Partners, a Washington, D.C.-based consulting firm with expertise in capacity and network building, to consider where resources can be most useful in supporting the nonprofit community going forward. Community Wealth Partners has been supporting the working group in developing a common vision and structure for how it makes joint decisions, and has provided research on best practices to inform its thinking.

“Community Wealth Partners will be providing support throughout the entire hiring process. We’ll be collecting applications, answering questions from potential candidates, and coordinating interviews. Once the candidate is hired, we’ll onboard them and get them up to speed on the group’s current thinking and work to-date,” said Sandra Moore, associate director, Community Wealth Partners.

Also involved in the process is NY Funders Alliance, an association of grantmakers and philanthropic advisors throughout New York State. NY Funders Alliance will serve as a fiscal sponsor for the new position and related activities.

“We’re looking forward to partnering with the working group to build the network,” said Corinne Ribble, executive director, NY Funders Alliance. “This working group will make a big difference in Western New York and Monroe County communities and is the type of grantmaker collaboration and organization we seek to support.””

The program director role is a full-time, three-year position with opportunity for an extension. Preferred qualifications include a master’s or bachelor’s degree with at least five years of work experience, exposure to and an understanding of nonprofit ecosystems, experience developing a shared vision with diverse stakeholders, a strong network of community-based organizations in WNY and Monroe County, and more.

Those interested in learning more and applying for the position can visit www.nyfunders.org/wny-npo or submit their cover letter and resume via email to Sandra Moore, smoore@communitywealth.com. Applications will be accepted until noon on February 27, 2019.

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Media Contact:

Kailey Kolozsvary
Martin Davison Public Relations
585-705-8618
kkolozsvary@martingroupmarketing.com

To inform Aspen’s work across this 8-county region, we engaged the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo to create a local taskforce of youth sports practitioners and leaders who provided insights, expertise and feedback throughout the research process.

The following report represents thousands of local voices—young and old across the region—gathered through interviews, roundtables, focus groups and online surveys. When asked the question, what grade would you give Western New York in getting kids active though sports, surveyed stakeholders gave the region an average grade of C+. We can do better!

Download Report

To inform Aspen’s work across this 7-county region, we engaged the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan to create a local taskforce of youth sports practitioners and leaders who provided insights, expertise and feedback throughout the research process.

The following report represents thousands of local voices—young and old across the region—gathered through interviews, roundtables, focus groups and online surveys. When asked the question, what grade would you give Southeast Michigan in getting kids active though sports, surveyed stakeholders gave the region an average grade of C+. We can do better!

Download Report