Crossroads Coalition initiated the establishment of the Crossroads Community Fund in 2024. We believe in systemic change, not charity.
We provide funds and resources for frontline communities committed to creating grassroots political change and advancing racial, economic, and ecological justice in the Buffalo, New York, area.
Crossroads Coalition operates at the intersection of Climate, Economic, and Racial Justice. Our coalition operates on the principles of the Just Transition Framework. We are building a new community economy in Buffalo, New York, for people and the planet.
We define “frontline communities” as predominantly communities of color, Indigenous populations, and low-income neighborhoods that experience the "first and worst" impacts of climate change, industrial pollution, and environmental hazards.
Our Mission
Crossroads Coalition is a collective of grassroots organizations working together to advance a Just Transition in Buffalo. Our mission is to build a community-centered economy that prioritizes equity, sustainability, and democratic participation.
Through collaborative leadership and strategic funding, we support initiatives that strengthen neighborhoods, empower residents, and create lasting solutions to environmental and economic challenges.
The coalition believes that communities most affected by injustice should lead the work of shaping a more equitable and sustainable future.
Our People
Governance Committee
Dawn Wells-Clyburn (PUSH Buffalo)
Co-Chair
Franchelle C.H. Parker (Open Buffalo)
Co-Chair
Brian Brown (Ujima)
Vice Chair
Alexander J. Wright (African Heritage Food Co-op)
Secretary
People's Fund Committee
Max Anderson (Open Buffalo)
Chair
Alexander J. Wright
Brian Brown (Ujima)
Franchelle C.H. Parker (Open Buffalo)
Avalon Gupta VerWiebe (MAP)
DownRoot Fund Committee
Andrew Delmonte (Cooperation Buffalo)
Chair
Alexander J. Wright
Ruby Merritt (The WASH Project)
Power Up Fund Committee
Dawn Wells-Clyburn (PUSH Buffalo)
Chair
Andrea Ó Súilleabháin
(Partnership for the Public Good)
Clarke Gocker (PUSH Buffalo)
Robert Galbraith
(LittleSis/PAI)
Sarah Wooton
(Partnership for the Public Good)
Holly Nowak
(Coalition of Economic Justice)
Committee at Large
Charles Barrett Gordon
(The WASH Project)
Diane Picard
(Massachusetts Avenue Project)
Gin Armstrong
(LittleSis/PAI)
Staff
Win Min Thant
Director of Coalition
Our History
Crossroads Coalition was formed in 2015 to promote just transition initiatives in Buffalo at the intersection of climate, economic, and racial justice. Their work brings established and emerging organizations to the forefront of the movement to advocate for policies that promote climate justice—key tenets of the Just Transition framework. Their emphasis is on building a new economy in Buffalo for the well-being of people and the planet.
The coalition is composed of 10 local grassroots organizations: Open Buffalo, PUSH Buffalo, African Heritage Economic Initiative, Coalition for Economic Justice, Cooperation Buffalo, Massachusetts Avenue Project, Partnership for the Public Good, Public Accountability Initiative, the WASH Project, and Ujima Company Inc.
With a focus on Just Transition, the Crossroads Community Fund shares its giving strategies with three other collaborations nationwide in Richmond, California; Eastern Kentucky; and the State of Alaska.
Our Funding Programs
The Crossroads Community Fund distributes community-driven grants that strengthen organizations, support residents, and advance justice-focused initiatives across Buffalo.
People's Fund
The People's Fund provides direct support to residents experiencing urgent financial hardship. These grants help families and individuals respond to crises, emergencies, and unexpected challenges.
DownRoot Fund
The DownRoot Fund helps nonprofits, cooperatives, artists, and small businesses grow their capacity to serve their communities. The fund prioritizes organizations led by historically marginalized and under-resourced groups.
Power Up Fund
The Power Up Fund invests in community-led climate and energy initiatives that advance environmental justice and support Buffalo's transition to a sustainable future.
About the Coalition
Crossroads Coalition is a partnership of ten grassroots organizations working together to create lasting change in Buffalo and across Western New York.
Through the Crossroads Community Fund, the coalition will distribute approximately $1 million annually over the next ten years to support projects that advance racial justice, economic opportunity, and climate resilience.
By combining resources, expertise, and community leadership, the coalition strengthens local organizations and builds pathways toward a more equitable and sustainable future.
The coalition's work is guided by the Just Transition framework, which emphasizes shifting from extractive economic systems toward regenerative, community-led solutions.
Advancing Justice in Our Communities
Real change happens when communities have the power and resources to shape their own futures.
Crossroads Coalition supports initiatives that address interconnected challenges across Buffalo and Western New York:
Climate Justice
Supporting projects that protect the environment while ensuring that frontline communities benefit from clean energy and sustainable infrastructure.
Economic Justice
Investing in community-driven businesses, cooperatives, and organizations that create equitable economic opportunities.
Racial Justice
Empowering leaders and organizations that address historic inequities and build inclusive systems that serve all residents.
Together, these efforts help create a stronger, more resilient community economy.
Coalition Partners
Crossroads Coalition brings together organizations with deep roots in Buffalo’s communities and a shared commitment to justice and equity.
Partner organizations include:
African Heritage Economic Initiative
Each organization contributes unique expertise and community relationships that strengthen the coalition’s impact.
News & Events
Stay connected with the latest updates from Crossroads Coalition and our partner organizations.
Our News & Events section highlights community initiatives, funding announcements, public gatherings, and opportunities to get involved in building a more just and sustainable Buffalo.
Building Community Wealth Through the DownRoot Fund
Across Buffalo and Western New York, communities are reimagining what a fair and resilient local economy can look like.
Support the Movement
Building a just and sustainable future requires community participation.
Whether you donate, partner with us, or share our work, your support helps strengthen grassroots organizations and expand opportunities for communities across Buffalo.