2026 Financial Information

Message from the CFO

Every year, when I sit down to write this message, I reflect on how best to share the financial picture behind the work we do at the Community Foundation. At its core, this message is about stewardship — about honoring the trust you’ve placed in us to manage the resources that fuel positive change in Central New York.

The past year reminded us once again that volatility is part of the investment landscape. While that can feel unsettling, we know a steady, disciplined approach is what carries us — and your generosity — through all kinds of conditions. We don’t react to short-term noise. Instead, we remain focused on a diversified, long-term strategy designed to weather change and support lasting impact.

Our Finance Committee — in partnership with our investment consultant, Crewcial Partners — reviews our portfolio regularly to ensure alignment with our performance goals, risk tolerance and values. We offer two thoughtfully constructed investment pools: our main pool and our Sustainable Responsible Impact (SRI) pool. Both are designed for moderate, long-term growth and include a mix of asset classes to balance return with resilience.

We continue to follow a spending policy that calculates distributions based on a 20-quarter average. This approach helps ensure consistent support for the nonprofits and causes our donors care deeply about, even when markets are less predictable.

We’re proud to report that the Community Foundation remains financially strong and well-positioned to meet today’s needs while preparing for tomorrow’s possibilities. Thank you for your continued partnership and belief in our shared mission. It’s a privilege to carry your philanthropic goals forward — especially during times that call for steadiness and care.