Established in 1927, the Central New York Community Foundation encourages local philanthropy by supporting the growth of a permanent charitable endowment for the betterment of the region.  The Community Foundation is the largest charitable foundation in the region with assets of more than $128 million. It awards close to $5.6 million in grants to nonprofit organizations annually and has invested more than $100 million in the community since its inception. The Community Foundation serves as the steward of charitable legacies for individuals, families and corporations through the administration of nearly 600 funds. The organization also serves as a civic leader, convener and sponsor of special initiatives designed to strengthen nonprofits that address the region’s most pressing challenges. For more information, visit www.cnycf.org.

What is the Central New York Community Foundation?
A public charitable foundation which receives donations, manages them, and makes grants available to charitable organizations, the Central New York Community Foundation enhances the quality of life for those who live and work within the community by:

• Encouraging the growth of a permanent charitable endowment to meet the community's changing opportunities and needs;
• Providing vehicles for donors with diverse philanthropic interests which make giving easy, personally satisfying and effective;
• Serving as a catalyst, neutral convener and facilitator by stimulating and promoting collaborations among various organizations to accomplish common objectives;
• Carrying out a strategic grantmaking program that is flexible, visionary and inclusive.

Financial Highlights
The responsibility for managing the Community Foundation’s investment portfolio is vested in the Board of Directors through its Finance and Investment Committee. This committee works closely with the Community Foundation’s investment consultant and staff to set policy, establish performance benchmarks and continually monitor the effectiveness of the Community Foundation’s portfolio.

The Committee maintains a disciplined process, regardless of market fluctuations, to ensure the viability of the Community Foundation.

Community Foundation Fiscal Year 2011 Financial Highlights

• A total of $128.2 million in assets was reported as of March 31, 2011. 
  
• 34 new funds* were formed.
  
• An average 8.4% annual return has been achieved on investments since 1994.
  
• 1,879 grants totaling $5,577,937 were awarded to more than 700 not-for-profit organizations.

* Includes Unrestricted, Donor-Advised, Designated, Field-of-Interest, Scholarship, and Deferred Funds. For more details, view our Annual Report.