The Women’s Fund of Central New York, founded in 1998, is a volunteer-led fund which supports, empowers and recognizes the advancement and full participation of women and girls in Central New York through an endowment fund, grants and initiatives. The Women’s Fund of Central New York is an affiliate fund of the Central New York Community Foundation.

As an organization whose mission is to improve and empower the lives of women and girls, we believe that Black Lives Matter.

We stand with our Leadership Council sisters and the Black community at large.  We are committed to dismantling the systems and policies that have prevented the advancement and full participation of Black women and girls.

From funding initiatives like Tubman Troupe in Auburn to helping provide meals at the Tucker Missionary Baptist Church during the current crisis, The Women’s Fund has long been committed to supporting the Black community in Central New York.

In recent years we have been proactive about diversifying our board to better represent the community of women and girls we serve.  We will continue to do so in order to effect positive change from within our organization and find new ways to more effectively serve our community.

Moving forward, here’s what you can do to support and engage in this critical time:
· Have “Courageous Conversations”
· Support Black-owned businesses
· Donate to organizations or volunteer for organizations that seek to engage and support Black communities

The Women’s Fund Leadership Council is committed to continuing support for Black women and girls in our community – now, and in the future.

We encourage you to do the same.  We are, after all, stronger together.

The Women’s Fund is the union of many gifts, big and small, by those who want to give back to their community. Tax-deductible gifts may be made in various ways. You may contribute online with a credit card or checks, made out to Central New York Community Foundation with “Women’s Fund of Central New York” written in the memo line, may be sent to: Central New York Community Foundation, 431 East Fayette Street, Suite 100, Syracuse, NY 13202.

Learn more about other giving opportunities available.

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We accept applications from organizations whose primary focus is to address key issues affecting women and girls in Central New York.

2025 Dates

  • Application Opens: Monday, April 14, 2025
    Application Closes: Friday, June 13, 2025
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Since 1998, we have been awarding impactful grants that make a difference for local women and girls. View our previous grants.

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2024-2025 Leadership Council

Lisa Alford
Tracy Balduzzi
Rebecca Caceres Moss
Jill Charsky
Jalyn Clifford
Rina Corigliano-Hart
McKenzie Cramer
Alison Curinga
Megan DiDomenico
Judi Dixon
Jaclyn Grosso
Jennifer Hill
Taylor Hodge
Lynn Hy
Lauren Ianuzi
Sabine Ingerson
Jennifer Janes (Chair)
Jirah Johnson
Maeve Lanning Stockman
Susan Lohret
Debra McClendon-Boddie
Katie MacIntyre
Kelly Ocampo
Janet Oppedisano
Nicole Ossevoort
Larkin Podsiedlik
Jasminn Ray
Amy Rhinehardt
Amanda Riley
Mediha Salkic
Melody Smith Johnson
Barb Stone
Charlene Tarver
Deb Tilton

News & Stories

Womens fund
News Releases August 23, 2023

Women's Fund Distributes $55,000 in Grant Funding to CNY Nonprofits

The grants will fund projects that support the advancement and full participation of women and ...

News Releases April 14, 2023

Grant Round Now Open! | Women's Fund of CNY

The Women’s Fund will award $5,000 grants to support programs and ideas that aim to ...

Stories October 11, 2022

Women’s Fund Founders Built Legacy for Community’s Daughters and Granddaughters

The Women’s Fund now has more than $1.2 million in total assets and has awarded ...

women's fund logo
News Releases August 30, 2022

Women's Fund Distributes $50,000 in Grants

$50,000 in grants will assist nonprofits serving Onondaga, Oswego, and Cayuga counties

Caragh Fahy and her two sons stand in from of a playground
Stories August 29, 2022

Caragh Fahy: Giving for Generations

Caragh believes that building a financial plan is like putting together a puzzle and charitable ...

News Releases April 11, 2022

Grant Round is Open! | Women's Fund of CNY

The Women’s Fund will award ten $5,000 grants to support programs and ideas that aim ...

Corinthian Club members
Publications March 9, 2022

The Corinthian Club: A Legacy of Friendship and Progress

Giving Voice Spring 2022: Donor Story

Stories February 17, 2022

Remembering Lois Schaffer

Lois was a founding member of the Women's Fund and a program officer at the ...

Stories November 23, 2021

Whole Me Creates Real Change for CNY's Deaf Community

An important quality of Whole Me is that when a person who is deaf walks ...

Womens fund
News Releases August 23, 2023

Women's Fund Distributes $55,000 in Grant Funding to CNY Nonprofits

The grants will fund projects that support the advancement and full participation of women and ...

News Releases April 14, 2023

Grant Round Now Open! | Women's Fund of CNY

The Women’s Fund will award $5,000 grants to support programs and ideas that aim to ...

Stories October 11, 2022

Women’s Fund Founders Built Legacy for Community’s Daughters and Granddaughters

The Women’s Fund now has more than $1.2 million in total assets and has awarded ...

women's fund logo
News Releases August 30, 2022

Women's Fund Distributes $50,000 in Grants

$50,000 in grants will assist nonprofits serving Onondaga, Oswego, and Cayuga counties

Caragh Fahy and her two sons stand in from of a playground
Stories August 29, 2022

Caragh Fahy: Giving for Generations

Caragh believes that building a financial plan is like putting together a puzzle and charitable ...

News Releases April 11, 2022

Grant Round is Open! | Women's Fund of CNY

The Women’s Fund will award ten $5,000 grants to support programs and ideas that aim ...

Corinthian Club members
Publications March 9, 2022

The Corinthian Club: A Legacy of Friendship and Progress

Giving Voice Spring 2022: Donor Story

Stories February 17, 2022

Remembering Lois Schaffer

Lois was a founding member of the Women's Fund and a program officer at the ...

Stories November 23, 2021

Whole Me Creates Real Change for CNY's Deaf Community

An important quality of Whole Me is that when a person who is deaf walks ...

View More