What we help make possible in the community:

By combining the giving power of individual gifts and the nearly 1,000 charitable funds that we invest over time, the Central New York Community Foundation significantly multiplies the impact of our region’s most charitable residents – like you.

Safe Housing:

Our LeadSafeCNY initiative is helping put a stop to childhood lead poisoning to give our next generation of residents hope for a brighter future. So far, more than 1,600 windows and 160 doors have been replaced, nearly 230 safe and affordable rental units have been constructed or renovated and more than 280 individuals have been trained on proper lead paint removal.

Literacy & Learning:

Children listen in a reading circle at Earlville Library

Nourishing the education of our region’s residents from infancy to adulthood is a priority in our initiatives and grantmaking.  Nearly 2 million free children’s books have been distributed in Onondaga County through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and more than 6,000 Say Yes Syracuse students have enrolled in 2 and 4-year colleges.

Crisis Response:

Women packing food into box

Our resources and community knowledge allow us to act quickly during times of crisis. More than $2 million in response grants were distributed during the first few years of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Let’s make more possibilities together:

It is likely that you feel connected to Central New York and want to help do your part to make the region better for residents now and in the future. Whether you are donating to a fund or opening one of your own, by giving through the Community Foundation, your dollars will create opportunities for your fellow community members both now and in the future.

                       

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News & Stories

Handshake
Publications April 16, 2026

Your Planned Giving Partner: Five Ways the Community Foundation Can Help

The community foundation is more than a grantmaker—it’s a strategic partner helping nonprofits strengthen planned ...

Publications April 16, 2026

Tax Time: Old Things, New Things, and Things You Can Do

Tax season offers a valuable glimpse into how shifting tax laws are shaping donor behavior—and ...

Welcoming Our Cortland County Advisory Group
News Releases April 9, 2026

Central New York Community Foundation Announces Cortland County Advisory Group to Support Local Grantmaking

We have selected members of our new Cortland County Advisory Group to help guide local ...

A group of people talking at a table
News Releases March 31, 2026

Central New York Community Launches Participatory Budgeting in Oswego County to Begin Centennial Celebration

Community members invited to help decide how $75,000 will be invested locally.

Publications March 26, 2026

Nicholas & Agnes Renzi

Over five decades, Nicholas and Agnes Renzi quietly invested in the Cortland community they called ...

Publications March 26, 2026

Teresa Motz | Legacy Gift Continues Mission of Hope and Healing

Throughout her life, Teresa Motz brought people together with creativity, compassion and an unwavering belief ...

hand holding growing money
Publications March 23, 2026

New York State Estate Tax Cliff & The Santa Clause

New York’s estate tax “cliff” creates a narrow but critical planning window: In 2026, estates ...

Aerial image of Syracuse, NY neighborhood
News Releases March 18, 2026

Community Foundation Invests $1 Million in Housing Central New York Fund

A $1 million investment into the Housing Central New York Fund will help strengthen healthy, ...

News Releases March 12, 2026

Central New York Community Foundation Welcomes Three New Hires

The Central New York Community Foundation has hired Rebecca Balara as Communications Manager, Izzy Foss ...

Handshake
Publications April 16, 2026

Your Planned Giving Partner: Five Ways the Community Foundation Can Help

The community foundation is more than a grantmaker—it’s a strategic partner helping nonprofits strengthen planned ...

Publications April 16, 2026

Tax Time: Old Things, New Things, and Things You Can Do

Tax season offers a valuable glimpse into how shifting tax laws are shaping donor behavior—and ...

Welcoming Our Cortland County Advisory Group
News Releases April 9, 2026

Central New York Community Foundation Announces Cortland County Advisory Group to Support Local Grantmaking

We have selected members of our new Cortland County Advisory Group to help guide local ...

A group of people talking at a table
News Releases March 31, 2026

Central New York Community Launches Participatory Budgeting in Oswego County to Begin Centennial Celebration

Community members invited to help decide how $75,000 will be invested locally.

Publications March 26, 2026

Nicholas & Agnes Renzi

Over five decades, Nicholas and Agnes Renzi quietly invested in the Cortland community they called ...

Publications March 26, 2026

Teresa Motz | Legacy Gift Continues Mission of Hope and Healing

Throughout her life, Teresa Motz brought people together with creativity, compassion and an unwavering belief ...

hand holding growing money
Publications March 23, 2026

New York State Estate Tax Cliff & The Santa Clause

New York’s estate tax “cliff” creates a narrow but critical planning window: In 2026, estates ...

Aerial image of Syracuse, NY neighborhood
News Releases March 18, 2026

Community Foundation Invests $1 Million in Housing Central New York Fund

A $1 million investment into the Housing Central New York Fund will help strengthen healthy, ...

News Releases March 12, 2026

Central New York Community Foundation Welcomes Three New Hires

The Central New York Community Foundation has hired Rebecca Balara as Communications Manager, Izzy Foss ...

View More