SYRACUSE, N.Y. November 7, 2025 — The Central New York Community Foundation announced today that it has received a $12 million bequest from the estate of Nicholas and Agnes Renzi of Cortland. This transformational gift will combine with their lifetime giving fund to create two endowed funds at the Community Foundation, ensuring charitable support for Cortland County residents continues for generations.
The Nicholas and Agnes Renzi Charitable Fund will provide lasting support to the couple’s favorite nonprofits. The larger Nicholas & Agnes Renzi Fund for Cortland County, totaling over $14 million, will expand the Community Foundation’s Community Grants program into Cortland County for the first time.
“Nick and Agnes believed deeply in giving back to the community that became their home,” said Melanie Littlejohn, president & CEO of the Central New York Community Foundation. “Their generosity will empower nonprofits in Cortland County to create lasting change. We are honored to steward their legacy and ensure their impact continues in perpetuity.”
GRANTMAKING EXPANSION
The Community Foundation’s Community Grants Program traditionally supports innovative projects in Onondaga and Madison counties across arts and culture, civic affairs, education, health, human services and the environment. In 2024, more than $2 million was awarded through this program.
Beginning in fall 2026, Cortland County nonprofits will be eligible to apply for Community Grants ranging from $10,000 to $150,000, with approximately $600,000 available annually from the Renzi Fund. The first round Cortland-area nonprofits are eligible to apply in will open on July 6, 2026, and close August 28, 2026. Each round will include clear priority areas: the fall cycles will emphasize health, human services and economic development, and the spring cycles will focus on arts and culture, environment, animals, civic engagement and education.
To assist with this rollout, the Community Foundation will hire an additional staff member in 2026 to expand capacity for Cortland County grantmaking and help nonprofits navigate the process. Grant applicants are required to schedule a pre-grant meeting with Community Foundation staff before applying. Appointments for Cortland County nonprofit organizations will open in the spring.
PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING PROJECT
In addition to Community Grantmaking, the Renzis’ gift will introduce participatory budgeting to Cortland County for the first time in April 2026. Residents will be invited to join planning sessions, learn about local issues and design proposals. The process will culminate in a community-wide vote awarding a $75,000 grant to one project chosen by residents. This builds on the success of the Community Foundation’s 2023 participatory budgeting project in Syracuse, which focused on childhood lead poisoning prevention and drew nearly 500 votes. Cortland County residents can volunteer as a participatory budgeting participant by completing the form at cnycf.org/pbform.
ADVISORY GROUP
To help guide the transition of the Community Grants Program to Cortland County, a Cortland County Advisory Group will be formed to provide input on local priorities and nonprofits. Community members may self-nominate to serve by completing the form at cnycf.org/advisecortland. While advisory in nature, this committee will play an important role in helping the Community Foundation become acquainted with Cortland’s nonprofit landscape.
ABOUT THE DONORS
Nick and Agnes Renzi moved to Cortland in 1971, where they developed deep civic, professional and personal ties. Nicholas, who was born and raised in the Bronx, was the son of immigrant parents who instilled in him the importance of giving. A scholarship student at City College of New York, he later earned a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Columbia University. His career with Pall Corporation spanned decades, where he advanced to senior vice president overseeing operations in Cortland and Puerto Rico. After retiring in 1994, he taught business management at Tompkins Cortland Community College and served on the Cortlandville Planning Board. He also volunteered with the Baden-Powell Council of Boy Scouts and supported the Tompkins Cortland Community College Foundation.
Agnes, who predeceased Nick in 2020, was a certified braille transcriber, dedicating thousands of volunteer hours over two decades to making literature accessible for blind children. Certified by the Library of Congress, she worked primarily on elementary school books through the National Braille Association. She shared Nick’s passion for philanthropy, often accompanying him on site visits and jointly making giving decisions.
During his lifetime, Nick contributed $1 million to establish the Renzi Cancer Center at Guthrie Cortland Medical Center and another $1 million to the Guthrie Cortland Renzi Health Campus. He also funded community enhancements such as the Westminster chimes at the Cincinnatus Area Heritage Society, dedicated on Memorial Day 2021. In addition, the couple supported local organizations addressing food, shelter and emergency needs, including Cortland Loaves and Fishes and Cortland County Community Action Program (CAPCO). Their giving reflected their belief that time is as valuable as money, their gratitude for educational opportunity, and their commitment to ensuring children, families and vulnerable populations have access to care.
Nick, who passed away earlier this year, directed in his will and estate plan that the Community Foundation serve as the steward of their charitable legacy.
Endowed funds such as the Renzi Funds are designed to last forever. A percentage of the fund is granted out each year while the remainder is invested for growth, ensuring that the cumulative impact will far exceed the original gift.
“For years, Cortland’s nonprofits have worked tirelessly to meet community needs with limited resources,” said Catherine Bertini, Community Foundation board member and Cortland County resident. “The Renzi family’s generosity and the Community Foundation’s leadership will open doors for greater collaboration, innovation and stability. This is a true turning point for our local nonprofit sector.”
Community members interested in learning more about legacy giving or creating a fund can visit 5forcny.org.
CORTLAND COUNTY HISTORY
While this is the first time Community Grants and participatory budgeting will serve Cortland County, the Central New York Community Foundation has a history of partnership in the region:
- Cortland residents Kenneth and Jo Ann Wickman chose to transition their donor-advised fund at the Community Foundation to an endowment supporting Cortland County nonprofits after they passed away.
- The Fenstermacher Fund, established in 2001 by Cortland attorney Theodore Fenstermacher, has provided broadly responsive support to Cortland nonprofits for more than two decades.
- Since 2018, the Cortland Bright Ideas giving circle, funded through the Fenstermacher Fund and local donors, has distributed nearly $500,000 in grants to nonprofits. With the Renzi gift bringing the Community Grants program to Cortland County in 2026, Bright Ideas will end.
