2026 John D. Marsellus’s Enduring Investment in Nonprofit Leadership

Pictured above: Rebecca and Brad sit with their three children in front of their home. | Photo by: Ben Cleeton

For Rebecca and Brad Raphael, giving back has always been a family tradition — one rooted in gratitude, community and faith. As fundholders at the Community Foundation, the couple is continuing that tradition while creating new pathways to serve their community together.

Rebecca grew up in Baltimore in a family where service was a shared responsibility. “My parents instilled in me the importance of giving — not just financially, but through time, love and showing up for people,” she said. “They modeled how to give thoughtfully and consistently, especially in ways that supported Jewish causes and underserved communities.”

Brad, a physician from Syracuse like his father, was similarly influenced by his upbringing. His father modeled compassion and humility, instilling in Brad a commitment to supporting health-based organizations. His grandfather, a teacher who helped establish Onondaga Community College, further shaped his dedication to education and opportunity. His mother was a lifelong advocate for Jewish education and culture. “It was just part of our life,” he said. “Supporting education, healthcare and community well-being was something we saw and learned to value early on.”

After marrying and settling in Central New York, the couple looked for ways to deepen their charitable impact locally. They found a match in the Community Foundation. Through their donor-advised fund, Rebecca and Brad support a range of organizations aligned with their shared values — education, healthcare and especially local initiatives serving the Jewish community. Their fund also provides them the flexibility to respond to emerging needs and opportunities to promote interfaith collaboration.

“We’re grateful to live in a community that embraces diversity and understands the strength that comes from working together across lines of differing faiths and backgrounds,” said Rebecca. “The work that we do with our fund is about bridging communities and lifting everyone up — it’s a way to build empathy and connection.”

Their fund has helped them amplify both their giving and their involvement. “It simplifies how we support causes that matter to us and gives us confidence that our contributions are making an impact here in Central New York,” said Rebecca.

Their giving is not just financial. Rebecca and Brad are deeply involved in their community, regularly volunteering their time and engaging with local organizations. “It’s important to us to give both our time and resources,” Brad said. “We want to be part of the change we hope to see.”

Rebecca’s connection to the Community Foundation deepened when she joined our board of directors. She formerly chaired our board’s Development & Communications Committee — a role she explained was especially meaningful.

“It’s been an honor to serve alongside others who care deeply about the future of our region,” she said. “The Community Foundation’s thoughtful approach to community investment and inclusion resonates with how Brad and I think about giving.”

For the couple, philanthropy is a family value they are now passing on to their children. “We want them to know that giving is part of who we are — not just something we do,” said Rebecca.

Looking ahead, Brad and Rebecca hope their fund will continue to grow as a tool for meaningful, inclusive giving. “We want to stay connected to the needs of our community and be part of building something lasting,” said Brad. “Our donor-advised fund helps us do that, in a way that honors our values and strengthens the place we call home. At the end of the day, we’re all neighbors — and that’s what really matters.”