Power Program Progress

Published Jannuary, 2026

Org Mission: A Black woman-led organization, Sankofa addresses maternal health disparities in Syracuse’s Black, African, and Indigenous communities. As a Perinatal Safe Spot, the center provides judgment-free, culturally relevant care and resources throughout the childbearing journey, working to reduce preventable maternal and infant mortality. Learn More

Building Leadership and Revenue for Impact

Sankofa Reproductive Health & Healing Center is focusing on building the leadership and funding infrastructure needed to support its vital work. POWER Program efforts have centered on board development, including recruiting new board and committee members, creating functional working committees, and establishing a more robust onboarding and engagement process. They are also developing a fund development plan to diversify revenue streams while strengthening community relations to increase visibility and awareness to support the vital work they do for women, mothers and babies in the community.

Org Mission: Devin’s Rec Room is an inclusive recreational and community space designed to support sober living. Their programming, which includes fitness and wellness classes alongside regularly scheduled recovery group meetings foster an environment of healing and recovery. Learn More

Progress in Reliable Funding

Founded in 2023, Devin’s Rec Room is one of the youngest organizations in the cohort—and has already made a huge impact on the individuals in addiction recovery they serve. POWER Program support has focused on developing diversified funding streams, including early fund development planning and building individual donor support.

Board development is another key priority. The organization is working to ensure the right board fit while establishing active committees with clearly defined roles and responsibilities. With very limited staffing and a founder currently managing most day-to-day operations, the program is helping Devin’s Rec Room put systems in place that reduce burnout risk and create a more sustainable structure for the future.

Org Mission: Founded in 2006, Building Men empowers young men in Syracuse schools to grow into men of character through school-based programs focused on integrity, leadership, and relationship-building. Learn More

Mission Expansion

Building Men Program, Inc. is experiencing an exciting period of expansion as founder and Executive Director Joe Horan retires from a successful teaching career and makes Building Men his sole focus. He will now work with the Syracuse City School District as a private citizen, rather than as a teacher within that system—and with that growth comes the need for new processes, timelines, expectations, and relationship building. Building Men is also using their time in the POWER pgram to do some rebranding and refining its marketing strategy to better tell its story and reflect its growing impact.

PGR Foundation
The PGR Foundation mentors girls ages 6–18 to become “Poised, Gifted, and Ready” for the world. Through programs focused on social etiquette, community service, and self-care, PGR helps young women discover their potential and develop the tools needed to succeed in a global society. Learn More

Preserving Knowledge and Strengthening Governance

PGR Foundation, Inc. is focused on ensuring continuity and program quality as the organization grows. Like many founder-led nonprofits, the existing knowledge of operational history, relationships, and processes resides solely with them. Through the POWER Program, the organization is embarking on the critical work of developing a comprehensive organizational handbook that documents standard operating procedures and internal processes, enabling the delegation of tasks to board members and volunteers. Board development has also been a priority, beginning with an assessment of current board members’ skills and engagement.

Org Mission: Located in the heart of Hamilton, NY, Arts At The Palace is a community arts organization committed to fostering artistic excellence and creative exchange.  Learn More

Growing an Arts Ecosystem

Arts at the Palace is focused on developing a vibrant local and regional arts ecosystem in Madison County. Working with their consultant, they are making strides with honing their reputation and offerings, growing their audience, and ensuring their board roles align with their evolving needs.

Investing in Strong Foundations

Across this POWER Program cohort, the focus has been on building strong foundations to grow from. By investing time and attention to the program and working with their consultant, each group’s founder and leader is demonstrating their commitment to establishing a professional operation that will have the potential to thrive and carry on in their communities long after they are able to lead.