2026 Year in Review

AFFILIATE FUNDS

Our affiliate funds had an outstanding year of fundraising and grantmaking to support nonprofits across the region. In partnership with the John Ben Snow Memorial Trust, the Greater Pulaski Community Endowment Fund distributed $31,500 in grants; in addition, the Cayuga Community Fund distributed $90,410 in grants, the Oswego County Community Foundation distributed $37,350 in grants and the Women’s Fund of Central New York distributed $58,140 in grants.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

This year, we connected and engaged with 3,185 community members across Central New York through our community engagement efforts, primarily by tabling at more than 30 community events.

Community Insights Forum

Our inaugural Community Insights Forum, held Nov. 5, 2025, brought together nearly 100 community members to discuss the region’s most pressing needs. Participants identified priorities across education, arts and culture, environment and civic engagement, including literacy support, free arts programming, safe drinking water and youth civic engagement. Feedback from the forum has been helping guide grantmaking, participatory budgeting and strategic investments.

Grantmaking in Cortland County

Late last year, we received a transformational $12 million bequest from the estate of Nicholas and Agnes Renzi to expand our Community Grants program into Cortland County for the first time. Beginning with the 2026 fall grant round, which opened in July, Cortland County nonprofits became eligible to apply for grants, with approximately $600,000 available to them annually. cnycf.org/communitygrants

LEAD POISONING PREVENTION PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS

During Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, held Oct. 20–26, we released a series of public service announcements to raise awareness about the dangers of childhood lead poisoning and ways it can be prevented. leadsafecny.org

MARSELLUS M.A.D.E. TO LEAD LAUNCHED

This year we launched Marsellus M.A.D.E. to Lead, a six-month leadership development program for mid-level and senior nonprofit managers who exemplify Mission-driven, Achievement, Dedication and Elevation (M.A.D.E.). The program helps participants strengthen leadership and communication skills, build confidence, expand peer networks and address shared challenges across the nonprofit sector. The first cohort of 10 participants began last September and concluded in March. cnycf.org/made

PAPER RELEASED: UNPACKING THE LEAD-LITERACY CONNECTION

In our newest issue paper, Colby Cyrus, CAPM, program officer, and Frank Ridzi, Ph.D., vice president of community investment, examined the connection between childhood lead exposure and third-grade English Language Arts proficiency in Syracuse. Their findings show a strong correlation between elevated blood lead levels in early childhood and lower reading and writing scores later on. It goes on to introduce a new early warning system designed to identify children most
at risk before exposure occurs. cnycf.org/papers

PARTNER IN PHILANTHROPY RECOGNIZES COMMUNITY LEADER

Our Partner in Philanthropy recognition society honors estate planning attorneys, financial advisors, tax accountants and life insurance professionals who prioritize philanthropy in service to their clients and community. This year, we named Karin Sloan DeLaney, member at Bousquet Holstein PLLC, as our 2026 recipient. cnycf.org/partnerinphilanthropy

RESILIA: FREE CAPACITY-BUILDING FOR NONPROFITS ACROSS FIVE COUNTIES

As we approach our 100th anniversary in 2027, we expanded our partnership with Resilia to provide capacity-building support for up to 250 nonprofit and grassroots organizations across Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Oswego and Onondaga counties. Participants gain access to tools, training and peer networks that help strengthen operations, measure impact
and secure funding. The first cohort launched in June and runs through May 2027. cnycf.org/resilia

SAY YES SYRACUSE INVESTS IN STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY IMPACT

New data released by Say Yes Syracuse highlighted the long-term impact of investing in local students through tuition scholarships and support services. Since 2009, Say Yes Syracuse has distributed $15.7 million in scholarships and helped students secure more than $207 million in additional financial aid, opening doors to higher education and stronger economic opportunities. The report estimates a 16-to-1 community return on investment, demonstrating how educational access strengthens families, the workforce and
the future of Syracuse. sayyessyracuse.org

SINCERELY, CNY PODCAST LAUNCHED

Our new podcast, Sincerely, CNY, is a love letter to this region, told through its most inspiring voices. Hosted by our President & CEO Melanie Littlejohn, each episode features intimate conversations with the quiet champions and visionary leaders shaping the future of Central New York. Be on the lookout for new episodes. cnycf.org/podcast

VOICES RISING DOCUMENTARY GAINS NATIONAL ATTENTION

Our documentary Voices Rising: Syracuse’s Fight Against Lead Poisoning was featured in Reel Change: A TFN Virtual Film Series, presented by The Funders Network. The national series showcases documentaries exploring community challenges and the local leaders driving meaningful, equitable change. The film highlights Syracuse’s first participatory budgeting project through our LeadSafeCNY initiative and demonstrates the power of community-led solutions to address childhood lead poisoning. cnycf.org/voicesrising