Welcome to the Community Foundation’s online 5forCNY toolkit for nonprofits. Part of our mission is to inspire greater giving in Central New York (CNY). One area of focus is helping people to remember the organizations they love in their financial and estate plans. As one of those nonprofit organizations that people love, you can help deliver this message too…and make a difference for your sustainability. The tool we created for doing this is 5forCNY.

5forCNY is a Community Foundation-led campaign to educate individuals on how they can play a vital role in enriching the future of the CNY community through legacy giving.

We have compiled the following collection of tools and resources to help inspire greater giving among your donors and community members. Just copy, paste, post, share or customize the templates below to incorporate the 5forCNY messaging into your marketing and communications. Together, we can endow a vibrant future for all Central New Yorkers.

Media/Promotion

“Central New York is where you have put down roots. This community is part of who you are. You can give back with a gift to the region’s future. We recently learned about the 5forCNY campaign and so can you. If you’re interested in learning more about how you can support the community through your estate, visit 5forcny.org.”

A variety of available social media templates on Canva ready to edit, download, and post! Click the available links for the design that works best for you and your nonprofit.

5forCNY Social Media Template – Version 1

5forCNY Social Media Template – Version 2

Community Foundation staff members are available to partner with your organization to present to your board and/or constituents about 5forCNY and the opportunity to preserve endowed assets for nonprofits and our community. Contact us to request or schedule a presentation.

Leverage the power of story. Use storytelling to share an example of a donor who was inspired by 5forCNY to leave a lasting legacy of support for your organization. You can also contact us to share your 5forCNY story or visit this link to read existing stories inspired by 5forCNY.

Going Further/Additional Resources

Planned giving is a crucial way to leverage donors’ support beyond their lifetimes. You don’t have to have a planned giving program in place to start talking about legacy giving. 5forCNY can be an easy way to introduce the concept of planned giving to your donors. Once donors begin to express interest, start with the basics – like bequests and beneficiary designations – and consider working with partners like the Community Foundation or other outside consultants to help process complex gifts.

  1. Keep it brief: “If you are interested in learning about leaving a legacy with a planned gift, please contact us to explore your options.”
  2. Many nonprofits also choose to share boilerplate language for wills and beneficiary designations. Some organizations choose to share this information on their website, while others opt to provide it upon request, once a donor has expressed interest in making an estate/planned gift. Here’s some standard language:
    1. Words for a Will or Trust: I give, devise, and bequeath to the [Organization Name (EIN XX-XXXXXX), City, State], a New York non-profit corporation, [%, $ or other] to be used for its general purposes [or a specified program].
    2. Beneficiary Designation:  Our listing as beneficiary should be “[Organization Name, EIN XX-XXXXXX, Street Address, City, State Zip]”.

The goal of 5forCNY is to encourage more individuals to consider leaving a legacy gift to a charitable endowment. By endowing their gifts, donors can extend their giving in perpetuity. Endowed dollars are invested for future growth and sustainability, while also ensuring a steady stream of annual support for nonprofits.

An endowment is a permanent fund that provides annual support to your organization. Some donors may choose to give to your organization’s endowment, while others may prefer to give to an endowment at the Community Foundation to hedge against nonprofit uncertainty.

Click the links to learn more about nonprofit agency funds and donor designated funds.

For more information on 5forCNY, planned giving and endowment building, contact the Community Foundation at info@cnycf.org or 315-422-9538.

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John Winter's legacy as a devoted father, philanthropist, and advocate for marginalized communities lives on. ...

Woman standing in front of statue
Publications May 2, 2023

Gwen Webber-Mcleod

Gwen's parents grew up in the Jim Crow South and met while studying at North ...

Headshot of Rhoda Sikes along with a photo of Onondaga Lake
Blogs February 21, 2023

A Lifetime Commitment to the Community: Rhoda Sikes

Even well after her tenure ended at Heman Street Elementary School, Rhoda Sike's passion for ...

Pamela Monaco sitting with her dog
Stories November 21, 2022

Giving With Energy & Heart: Pamela Kip Reisman Monaco

It was an “a-ha” moment for Pamela Kip Reisman Monaco when she read another woman’s ...

Angel Winfield and Lance Lyons stand in front of the Rev Theatre Company in Auburn
Publications November 21, 2022

Forging Pathways for the Future: Angela Winfield & Lance Lyons

Giving Voice Fall 2022: Donor Story

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News Releases September 6, 2022

New Report Discovers Opportunity for Local Charities' Future

Per household, the average value of assets set to transfer over the next 10 years ...

Caragh Fahy and her two sons stand in from of a playground
Stories August 29, 2022

Caragh Fahy: Giving for Generations

Caragh believes that building a financial plan is like putting together a puzzle and charitable ...

Bob Vitkus stands outside
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Tomorrow's Neighborhood's Today in Action

Dr. Robert J. Vitkus adored the outdoors, and Tomorrow's Neighborhood's Today seeks to continue his ...

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