Minna R. Buck’s parents set a strong example for her. They worked hard, gave back to the community and placed a heavy emphasis on education. Even with small means, when Minna’s father passed away he left bequests for many local charities.
Minna obtained her undergraduate degree in two years from the University of Chicago in 1948. She later attended the University of Chicago Law School where she was one of only two women in the 100-member class.
When she graduated, Minna began working with local anti-poverty programs where she observed the first-hand difficulties that young, low-income parents faced. After she obtained her law degree she became the Executive Director of Onondaga Neighborhood Legal Services and later held the position of Family Court Judge for Onondaga County for 12 years.
When Minna’s husband and his brother sold their successful janitorial service business in 1989, they found themselves in a position to set up a charitable fund to support the community. The couple referenced the fund as their “fourth child” and shared their estates equally amongst the fund and their three children.
This fund benefits many of the couple’s favorite causes including CASANYS: Advocates for Children of New York State, Center for Community Alternatives, for the Onondaga CASA program, YWCA of Syracuse & Onondaga County/Girls, Inc., Hospice of Central New York, League of Women Voters of NYS Education Foundation, New Israel Fund of New York, NY, American Friends of Neve Shalom/Wahat Al-Salaam, CNY Jewish Community Foundation and the Women’s Fund of CNY.
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