Buffalo Rising Online

The John R. Oishei Foundation has reexamined their mission and programs over the past year, and has a new strategic plan focusing on building the economic strength of the Western New York area. Focusing on neighborhoods and helping organizations to build new alliances to best serve the residents of each neighborhood are among their freshly identified goals. Robert Gioia, President and Paul Hogan and Blythe Merrill, program officers of the Foundation described the renewed vision in familiar terms.

After a year spent with leaders in the field of targeted philanthropy, the mission of the organization was revitalized, with the primary addition of the words “economic vitality.” So the statement now reads, “The John R. Oishei Foundation strives to be a catalyst for change to enhance economic vitality and the quality of life for the Buffalo Niagara region.”

The John R. Oishei Foundation is actually the largest foundation in Western New York, providing the most significant support…