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research dossier

Buffalo Center For Health EquityInc
Buffalo, NY · EIN 850868589 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE E70 · Health Care · Medium ($1M-$10M) · buffalohealthequity.com
revenue
$2.3M
expenses
$2.2M
net assets
$335K
employees
17
program ratio
78%
mission · from form 990

The Buffalo Center for Health Equity (BCHE) is committed to eliminating health inequities in our region by addressing the racial, economic, and other social conditions that persist in our communities.

profile · synthesized from sources

The Buffalo Center for Health Equity (BCHE) works to eliminate health inequities in Western New York by addressing social determinants of health through research, advocacy, community engagement, and program development. The organization focuses on systemic change in areas such as food access, maternal health, housing, and data equity, primarily serving communities on Buffalo’s East Side. BCHE operates through cross-sector partnerships with academic, medical, and community-based organizations.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2023

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $5K
    RITE AID FOUNDATION - TO ENGAGE IN FIRST FRUITS FOOD INITIATE PROJECT.
  2. #2 $1K
    OTHER
named programs · 8 · from sources

What they call their work

African American Health Equity Task Force
Central hub for community-focused, equity-centered work to advance health outcomes for marginalized communities in Buffalo and Western New York.
Caring Hearts Initiative
Collaboration with the American College of Cardiology, Foodsmart, Higi, and the Healthy Community Store Initiative to address cardiovascular health.
Food Access
Food Pantry and "food as medicine" collaboration with Harvest House medical clinic providing fresh produce during medical appointments on Buffalo’s East Side.
Health Data Dashboard Project
Initiative funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to create a monitored repository of social determinants of health (SDOH) data.
Housing Strategy
Neighborhood redevelopment strategy on Buffalo’s East Side developed with the University at Buffalo to improve housing and community conditions.
Igniting Hope Conference
Annual gathering of community leaders, researchers, and public officials at the University at Buffalo to share progress on health equity initiatives.
Maternal Health
Collaboration with UCLA doctors, local doulas, and Confident Girl Mentoring to improve maternal and infant health outcomes through culturally sensitive care.
Wellness Center
Planned development featuring a grocery store, fitness center, health services, mental health care, and cultural arts to catalyze community development.
activities · 10 groups

What they do

  • Community Health Equity Initiatives 2 activities
    • Advocates for systemic policy change to advance health equity
      Leads advocacy efforts to eliminate race, economic, and geographic-based health inequities in Western New York, including leading the African American Health Equity Task Force and transforming city initiatives like “Operation Clean Sweep” into restorative, SDOH-led programs.
    • Conducts research to address health disparities and social determinants of health
      Engages in rigorous research initiatives, including maintaining access to a monitored repository of social determinants of health (SDOH) data through the Health Data Dashboard Project, and participates in committees contributing to affiliated health equity reports.
  • Neighborhood Revitalization Initiatives 2 activities
    • Develops integrated Wellness Center as community hub
      Develops and operates a Wellness Center that combines health services, grocery access, fitness, mental health care, and cultural programming to serve as a comprehensive hub for community development on Buffalo’s East Side.
    • Supports housing improvement and neighborhood redevelopment on Buffalo’s East Side
      Advances a housing improvement and neighborhood redevelopment strategy in collaboration with the University at Buffalo to address structural determinants of health and promote equitable community development.
  • Local Food Systems Development 1 activity
    • Develops community-driven food access initiatives through resident engagement
      Designs and implements data-informed, community-driven programs to expand food access on Buffalo’s East Side by integrating local input and evidence-based strategies.
  • Free Outdoor Music Concerts 1 activity
    • Hosts Jazz & Justice community events for engagement and cultural expression
      Hosts recurring Jazz & Justice events—such as Jazz & Justice II: Reclaiming the Sound—featuring live music, storytelling, and community engagement on Buffalo's East Side to promote cultural connection and health equity.
  • Scientific Conference & Symposium Management 1 activity
    • Hosts annual Igniting Hope Conference to address social determinants of health
      Convenes hundreds of community leaders, researchers, and public officials annually at the University at Buffalo to share knowledge and strategies for addressing social determinants of health and advancing health equity.
  • Cardiovascular Disease Research and Support 1 activity
    • Implements cardiovascular health interventions through Caring Hearts Initiative
      Implements the Caring Hearts Initiative in partnership with national and local organizations to address cardiovascular health using technology and community-based interventions.
  • Food Distribution and Hunger Relief 1 activity
    • Operates food access and food-as-medicine programs
      Implements food equity initiatives including a Food as Medicine pilot program that integrates fresh food distribution with healthcare services at Harvest House and Good Neighbors Healthcare Center, operates a food pantry on Buffalo’s East Side, and partners in the First Fruits Food Initiative with the Rite Aid Foundation.
  • Podcast and Radio Production 1 activity
    • Produces public education podcasts on maternal health and public health policy
      Produces the Igniting Hope Radio podcast and Igniting Hope Podcast featuring staff-led discussions on global maternal health, wellness, and how research informs public health policy and advocacy.
  • Youth and Family Cooking Education 1 activity
    • Provides youth food safety training through school engagement programs
      Runs the Healthy Options Student Engagement Program, a youth-centered initiative that delivers food safety training and certification to support wellness in school communities.
  • Community-Based Urban Agriculture 1 activity
    • Runs a year-round indoor hydroponic food production facility
      Operates a high-tech, hydroponic, year-round indoor food production facility on Zenner Street in partnership with Buffalo Go Green to strengthen local food systems and community health.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$2.33M
Contributions & grants$2.31M99%
Program service revenue$25K1%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$2.18M
Program expenses78%
Admin / overhead22%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$878K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.47M
Cash$1.11M
Investments$0
Liabilities$1.13M
Net assets$335K
Liquid reserves6.1 mo
2 years on record · 2023–2024 · YoY revenue +1830.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

board members · 3
  • George F Nicholas — Chief Executive Officer
  • Joseph Fritz
  • Stan Martin — President
relationships · 22

Who they work with

  • American College of Cardiology Partner — Collaborates on the Caring Hearts Initiative to address cardiovascular health in the community.
  • Buffalo Center for Health Equity Partner — Collaborating to advance the shared mission of achieving health equity
  • Buffalo Go Green Partner — Co-operators of the Indoor Food Production Facility on Zenner Street.
  • Cornell University Partner — Hosts High Road Fellows from Cornell University for collaborative programming on maternal health.
  • Erie County Medical Center Partner — Collaborates with and receives support from Erie County Medical Center for initiatives addressing African American health disparities.
  • Foodsmart Partner — Partner in the Caring Hearts Initiative to support cardiovascular health through nutrition and technology.
  • Good Neighbors Healthcare Center Partner — Host site and clinical partner for the Food as Medicine Pilot program.
  • Harvest House Partner — Collaborates on a food-as-medicine program integrating food pantry services within a medical clinic setting.
  • Harvest House Partner — Host site for the Food as Medicine Pilot program.
  • Healthy Community Store Initiative Partner — Partner in the Caring Hearts Initiative focused on improving access to healthy foods in community retail environments.
  • Higi Partner — Collaborates on the Caring Hearts Initiative, likely providing biometric screening and health engagement technology.
  • Mother Cabrini Health Foundation Funder — Provided a two-year, $3 million grant to support the Upper Broadway-Fillmore Transformation Project.
  • Nourishing Communities Together Partner — Partner organization for the 2026 New York State Food Summit, sponsored jointly with BCHE.
  • Pappy Martin Legacy Love Supreme School of Music Partner — Collaborated with the organization for the Jazz and Justice 2026 event
  • Pastor George Nicholas Partner — Collaborates on the Igniting Hope follow-up meeting to launch multi-sector collaboratives addressing community-identified health equity needs.
  • Rite Aid Foundation Partner — Partnered on the First Fruits Food Initiative Project.
  • Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Funder — Funds the Health Data Dashboard Project, enabling access to social determinants of health data.
  • University at Buffalo Partner — Partners on the Igniting Hope Conference and collaborates on housing improvement and neighborhood redevelopment strategies.
  • academia Partner — Collaborates with academic institutions to support research and policy analysis.
  • community organizations Partner — Collaborates with community organizations to address social determinants of health.
  • faith-based leadership Partner — Engages faith-based leaders in community health equity efforts.
  • government officials Government — Partners with government officials to advance health equity initiatives.
strategies · 4

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Community-Led Multi-Sector Collaboration
    methodology: community_led_collaboration
    By building multi-sector collaboratives grounded in community-identified priorities, we address root causes of health inequities more effectively, because solutions led by affected communities and supported by cross-sector partners produce sustainable systems change.
  • Food-Is-Medicine Model
    methodology: food_is_medicine
    By integrating food distribution with clinical care settings, we treat nutrition as a medical intervention to improve health outcomes, because access to nutritious food is a preventable determinant of chronic disease and healthcare utilization.
  • Integrated Wellness Hubs for Holistic Health
    methodology: integrated_wellness_hub
    By co-locating health, nutrition, fitness, and cultural services in integrated wellness hubs, we promote holistic well-being and community development, because accessible, multi-functional spaces reduce barriers to care and strengthen social determinants of health simultaneously.
  • Storytelling and Media for Policy Change
    methodology: storytelling_for_policy_change
    By using narrative storytelling and podcasting to center lived experience, we connect research to policy and advocacy outcomes, because personal narratives humanize data and mobilize stakeholders toward equitable policy reform.