Pictured above: Nancy Bellow stands in the fields of Curtis manor in Oswego, NY | Photo by: Ben Cleeton
Driven by one of her mottos, “leadership for the common good,” Nancy Bellow has spent her entire life developing and caring for her community. Thanks to an extensive career in county government and workforce development, civic engagement was something she lived every day.
Bellow, a native of Oswego, NY, chose to make the community her lifelong home. It was the place many of her ancestors found work, ran businesses and established their lives, a point that remains important to her. After graduating from Oswego High School, she went on to pursue an economics degree at SUNY Oswego, waitressing and bartending to help pay her way. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, kayaking, reading, jigsaw puzzles and traveling — all hobbies she developed a love for during her younger years.
Following college, Bellow spent 18 years working for Oswego County in its Employment & Training Department before transitioning to a role in workforce and economic development at SUNY Oswego. Her commitment to community prosperity grew exponentially throughout those professional experiences.
Quoting Willie Nelson, Bellow said, “Treat people as you want to be treated and see how it changes your life.”
Bellow pours her heart into everything she does and her deep love for her community is evident in her service. She has served on multiple civic boards and councils including Oswego County Opportunities, the Child Care Council, Operation Oswego County, Oswego Chamber of Commerce, Oswego Hospital and Oswego Health, often serving as chair or president.
Bellow is also a founding member of the Oswego County Community Foundation, an affiliate fund of the Community Foundation that provides grants to organizations serving Oswego County. She takes great pride in helping create a lasting way for community members to support Oswego County’s most pressing needs.
“All of my experiences have opened up my eyes to the needs of our community and have helped shape my charitable giving,” she said. “My hope for the future is that Oswego County remains a great place to live, work and play.”
When Bellow created her legacy plan, she expressed that her highest hopes are to honor the history of the Oswego County community and, “do good for her hometown” by fostering strong economic support and leadership for future generations.
“When it comes to history, you need to know where you come from and where you’ve been to help determine where you want to go or be,” she said.
Through her legacy fund, Bellow plans to provide support to many groups, all of which reflect the causes most important to her — women, education, community needs and history. SUNY Oswego, Oswego County Opportunities, United Way of Greater Oswego County, Oswego Health and Oswego County Community Foundation are organizations that will receive perpetual annual support from her fund. This giving will help sustain her vision for a tightknit community where every resident has the opportunity to thrive.
