In 2027, the Central New York Community Foundation will celebrate its 100th anniversary. But this milestone does not belong to the Community Foundation alone. It belongs to the generations of Central New Yorkers who chose to invest in their neighbors, their communities and people they would never meet.
During our Centennial year, we will carry that spirit forward through extraordinary grantmaking initiatives, along with community-centered programs and activities that honor our shared history, invite people to participate and help shape the future of Central New York.
As a Community Foundation donor-advised fundholder, you are already part of this story. We invite your support or one or more of the following initiatives:
- Community Engagement: Help support the grantmaking, programs and activities planned throughout our Centennial year. Contributions of more than $1,000 will be acknowledged on the Centennial website.
- Literacy & Youth Development: Help introduce a new generation to the meaning and power of generosity by supporting an original children’s book on philanthropy. Your support will provide copies of this story to schools and libraries across CNY at no cost to them. Sponsorships of $1,000 or more will be acknowledged in the book and on the Centennial website.
- Arts & Culture: Help document and preserve important milestones in the history of the Community Foundation, Syracuse, Central New York, and the broader community, in partnership with the Onondaga Historical Association. Sponsorships of $1,000 or more will be acknowledged on the Centennial website.
Ways to Give
Make a New Contribution
Give a donation of any amount to the Community Foundation, designate it for the Centennial Fund and note which initiative you are sponsoring:
- Centennial Community Engagement & Grantmaking
- Children’s Book on Philanthropy
- Community History & Timeline Project
By Check: Made out to the Central New York Community Foundation, with Centennial Fund and the specific initiative you are sponsoring in the memo line, and mailed to 431 E Fayette St Ste 100, Syracuse, NY 13202.
By Credit Card: Give securely online. Be sure to include the name of the initiative you are supporting in the “Additional Notes” field.
Recommend a Transfer From Your Fund
You may recommend a transfer from your donor-advised fund to the Centennial Fund via the MyGiving portal or by contacting donorsupport@cnycf.org.
Be sure to note whether your gift is intended for general Centennial community engagement, designated for the Children’s Book on Philanthropy, or sponsorship of our Community History and Timeline Project.
Become a Centennial Steward
Fundholders may also choose to participate through a one-time additional fund support fee of 1%.
The fee will be transferred from your fund to the Centennial Fund in January 2027 and will provide broad support of Centennial initiatives and our ambitious grantmaking efforts. Participating fundholders will be recognized as Centennial Stewards in a designated call-out on our Centennial website.
*Fundholders interested in becoming a Centennial Steward must opt-in by December 31, 2026. Please contact Tom Griffith at (315) 883-5544 or tgriffith@cnycf.org if you are interested in this level of support.
Building Tomorrow, Together
However you choose to participate, your support will help ensure that our Centennial does more than look back. Together, we will honor the generosity that built the first 100 years, put meaningful resources to work in our community today and create something lasting for the generations that will follow.
To learn more, please contact Tom Griffith, Chief Philanthropy Officer, at (315) 883-5544 or tgriffith@cnycf.org.
