Community Health Foundation of Western & Central New York changes name

A new month brought a new name for the Community Health Foundation of Western & Central New York.

The foundation began calling itself the Health Foundation for Western & Central New York on July 1. Changing the moniker is a way for the organization to set itself apart from other groups, says its president, Ann Monroe. 

“We really hope that it helps to clarify our mission and purpose,” she says. “From the beginning, people have confused us with community foundations and also with community health centers.”

The health foundation has a distinct mission from those organizations. It aims to improve health and health care in Western New York and Central New York, particularly for older populations and for children ages five and under living in poverty. 

That’s different from a community foundation like the Central New York Community Foundation, Inc., which makes grants to organizations attempting to enhance the quality of life in Central New York. It’s also unlike a community health center such as the Syracuse Community Health Center, Inc., which delivers health-care services.

The Health Foundation for Western & Central New York did not modify its mission when it took on its new name. Its past work in Central New York includes making grants, such as four $15,000 grants it awarded to midwifery services in May. It has also hosted events in Syracuse, like a November 2011 symposium on childhood trauma and its effects on the health-care system.

The health foundation’s endowment is approaching $110 million, according to Monroe. It is based in Buffalo and has eight total employees. It operates a Syracuse office with two employees in Suite 250 at 431 E. Fayette St.

That location has probably contributed to confusion between the health foundation and community foundations, Monroe says. The Central New York Community Foundation occupies Suite 100 at 431 E. Fayette St.

“In Syracuse, we are located in the building that is owned by the Central New York Community Foundation,” Monroe says. “So we get lots of phone calls from people who are interested in funding from community foundations.”

The Health Foundation for Western & Central New York has revamped its logo to go along with the name change. And it has added a tagline: “Investing in Better Health for People and Communities.”

“By having that there, we didn’t lose the sense of community,” Monroe says. “We were a little concerned about losing that.”

In Central New York, the health foundation serves eight counties: Cayuga, Cortland, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, and Tompkins counties. 

It also serves eight counties in Western New York: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming counties.

The foundation’s coverage area is not changing with its new name. But it did tweak its web address on July 1, from www.chfwcny.org to www.hfwcny.org. Both addresses will direct Internet browsers to the foundation’s website in the immediate future to give the public a chance to adapt to the change, Monroe says.

The Health Foundation for Western & Central New York is legally changing its name. Its new label is not a “doing business as” designation, according to Monroe. 

“We thought that would be even more confusing,” she says. “That would make it the worst of all worlds.”