In the eighth year of its Cortland County Bright Ideas grants program (Bright Ideas), the Central New York Community Foundation distributed $45,000 to nine nonprofit organizations serving residents of Cortland County. Each organization received a $5,000 grant.
Applicants were invited to submit a ‘bright idea’ for enhancing their nonprofit and explain how that idea will help the organization to better serve its community. The submissions were evaluated based on community impact, collaboration and sustainability.
Bright Ideas is supported through the generosity of the Fenstermacher Fund, the Nicholas and Agnes Renzi Charitable Fund, the Margaret and Roland Fragnoli Designated Fund, the Kenneth & Jo Ann Wickman Fund, the Bertini Family Foundation and other local donors who were inspired to give back to the local community. The selection committee was comprised of the organizations and individuals who contributed.
The Fenstermacher Fund, administered by the Community Foundation, serves as a catalyst for Bright Ideas. Ted Fenstermacher was a prominent attorney who served as a chief prosecutor in the Nuremberg war crimes trials following World War II. The Fenstermacher Fund, established through his bequest in 2001, has supported the general needs of the community for more than 15 years, largely through the funding of a lecture series, prior to the launch of Bright Ideas.
“Our mission is to steward donors’ intentions and bring together people with common interests to make a bigger impact,” said Tom Griffith, vice president of development at the Community Foundation. “It’s inspiring to see the generosity of Mr. Fenstermacher and the other donors supporting important projects in Cortland County.”
2025 BRIGHT IDEAS $5,000 GRANT RECIPIENTS
Homer-Cortland Community Agency/CNY Living History Center
Purchase life-sized animal statues for new immersive art exhibits
Cortland County Historical Society
Create a memory preservation lab, designed to document contemporary history through podcasts and interviews with local residents
Seven Valleys Health Coalition
Expand the Seven Valleys Food Rescue program, which ‘rescues’ excess food from grocery stores, bakeries and restaurants to distribute to food pantries and shelters
Cortland Collective Impact Initiatives
Host a week-long summer culinary camp that will provide participants with cooking utensil kits, free year-long CSA vegetable subscriptions and the skills to make healthy meals at home
Statewide Country Music Association
Update its outdoor amphitheater stage, enhancing the infrastructure, acoustics and aesthetics to attract and accommodate national artists
Clear Path for Veterans
Host family-focused events in Cortland County that strengthen family bonds, combat isolation and create lasting social connections
Cortland Chenango Rural Services
Purchase a new commercial freezer to accommodate growing needs of frozen meat, dairy, fruits and vegetables
Cortland Youth Bureau
Support the Teen Mural Program, an initiative aimed at engaging adults and young artists in community-driven public arts projects
CAPCO – Cortland County Community Action Program
Support the Cortland Community Breastfeeding Café, which offers a supportive environment where breastfeeding mothers can share experiences and receive guidance from fellow community members
To learn more about the Cortland County Bright Ideas grants program and to gain information on donating, please visit cnycf.org/cortland.
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About the Central New York Community Foundation
The Central New York Community Foundation is a public charity that turns community dollars into community change. Established in 1927, it receives contributions from donors, manages them to grow over time and then distributes funding to address the region’s greatest needs. The foundation has invested nearly $300 million in community projects that benefit Central New York. It also serves as a civic leader, convener and sponsor of strategic initiatives that foster a thriving and equitable region and address the most critical issues of our time.
