The Central New York Community Foundation is a public charity that turns community dollars into community change. Established in 1927, it receives contributions from donors, manages them to grow over time and then distributes funding to address the region’s greatest needs. The foundation has invested nearly $300 million in community projects that benefit Central New York. It also serves as a civic leader, convener and sponsor of strategic initiatives that foster a thriving and equitable region and address the most critical issues of our time.

What We Do

The gifts we receive come from those who want to give back to Central New York in some way – either during their lifetimes or as a legacy that carries on after they are gone. We then turn those community dollars into community change – by supporting and mobilizing nonprofit efforts around the region’s most critical needs.

Give-to-the-community

Give

We provide a simple, powerful and highly personal approach to giving. We pride ourselves on offering flexible and customizable ways to give and helping create plans that fit the needs of each individual, family or business with whom we work.

Learn More
receive-funding-or-support

Grant

Our grantmaking and initiatives fuel programs that make a positive difference in the lives of Central New York residents. We strive to make our region a vibrant community by advancing the arts, improving education, protecting and enhancing the environment, ensuring vital human services for those in need, making healthcare and safe living spaces accessible to all and promoting community development that serves the common good.

Learn More
advise-your-clients

Grow

The gifts we receive create charitable funds and are invested over time. A percentage of each fund’s value is used annually to make grants while preserving the original gift. This means a charitable gift made today in the form of a permanent endowment can grow in pace with inflation and still provide consistent support in the future.

Learn More

 

Mission

Our mission is to foster a thriving and equitable Central New York region by leading and inspiring a community culture of giving, celebrating legacy and stewarding charitable resources for today and tomorrow.

Vision

We envision Central New York as a vibrant community with equal access to opportunity for everyone. Future generations will proudly inherit a hopeful, just region where generosity and collaboration ensure prosperity, well-being and lasting impact.

Pledge

We pledge to be a bold, courageous and enduring partner in philanthropy, investing in the people and potential of Central New York. We commit to collaborating with and giving voice to the individuals and organizations that seek to create opportunity and catalyze change. Our intentional community engagement and knowledge-sharing builds trust-based relationships that will transform the region. We open our doors to everyone and anyone who aspires to build upon the contributions of the past and present to shape our community’s shared future.

Related Stories

Headshot of man
Blogs February 13, 2025

Creating Access to Nature and Safeguarding Water Quality

Hear from Andy Zepp, executive director, Finger Lakes Land Trust, about the importance of the ...

Man and woman standing in front of church
Stories January 28, 2025

Holistic Giving: Jeff & Rachel Roney

Jeff and Rachel embrace giving in every facet of life—through faith, family and community. Their ...

Man sitting
Publications November 21, 2024

Meals On Wheel Delivers Nutritious, Personal Interactions

Peter Wong, a former airline worker, found renewed purpose through North Area Meals on Wheels ...

Two boys sitting together
Publications November 21, 2024

Young Entrepreneur Making Waves in Hip-Hop

Sixteen-year-old Azory Infinite dreams of redefining music while breaking cycles of poverty. Through the Good ...

Man and woman standing outside
Publications November 21, 2024

Couple shares ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ — and Green

Music has been a lifelong passion for retired physicians Dr. Harold L. Husovsky and Dr. ...

Blogs October 25, 2024

How One Woman's Journey Fuels a Vision for Inclusive Support and Advocacy

Hear from Chayna Short, founder of Women Overcoming Obstacles Together, about how her transformative experiences ...

News Releases October 9, 2024

Four Local Organizations Graduate from Leadership Training Program

In May, leaders from four local grassroots groups celebrated their completion of The Leadership Classroom ...

hand holding growing money
Publications September 16, 2024

Advising The Charitable Millionaire Next Door

With so many of your charitably-inclined clients holding large sums of money in 401(k)s and ...

News Releases July 17, 2024

2024 Partner in Philanthropy Award Recipient

Caragh D. Fahy, CFP®, owner and president of MadisonFinancial Planning Group was the 2024 and ...

Headshot of man
Blogs February 13, 2025

Creating Access to Nature and Safeguarding Water Quality

Hear from Andy Zepp, executive director, Finger Lakes Land Trust, about the importance of the ...

Man and woman standing in front of church
Stories January 28, 2025

Holistic Giving: Jeff & Rachel Roney

Jeff and Rachel embrace giving in every facet of life—through faith, family and community. Their ...

Man sitting
Publications November 21, 2024

Meals On Wheel Delivers Nutritious, Personal Interactions

Peter Wong, a former airline worker, found renewed purpose through North Area Meals on Wheels ...

Two boys sitting together
Publications November 21, 2024

Young Entrepreneur Making Waves in Hip-Hop

Sixteen-year-old Azory Infinite dreams of redefining music while breaking cycles of poverty. Through the Good ...

Man and woman standing outside
Publications November 21, 2024

Couple shares ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ — and Green

Music has been a lifelong passion for retired physicians Dr. Harold L. Husovsky and Dr. ...

Blogs October 25, 2024

How One Woman's Journey Fuels a Vision for Inclusive Support and Advocacy

Hear from Chayna Short, founder of Women Overcoming Obstacles Together, about how her transformative experiences ...

News Releases October 9, 2024

Four Local Organizations Graduate from Leadership Training Program

In May, leaders from four local grassroots groups celebrated their completion of The Leadership Classroom ...

hand holding growing money
Publications September 16, 2024

Advising The Charitable Millionaire Next Door

With so many of your charitably-inclined clients holding large sums of money in 401(k)s and ...

News Releases July 17, 2024

2024 Partner in Philanthropy Award Recipient

Caragh D. Fahy, CFP®, owner and president of MadisonFinancial Planning Group was the 2024 and ...

View More