Racial Equity
Central New Yorkers are resilient individuals who believe in the values of hard work and determination. Everyone deserves a fighting chance at success here. Today, though, not everyone in our region has an equal opportunity to succeed. Black, Latino, Native American and Asian/Pacific Islander people face undeserved and unfair obstacles due to racism that has been woven into the structures of our schools and workplaces, economic situations, and health and living conditions. By addressing structural inequities in Central New York, we‘ll move a step closer to ensuring opportunity for all.
Here is a sample of what we accomplish when we combine the generosity of our donors with the hard work of our community partners. With your help, we can do more.
Our Impact
$1,902,139
in BE&E grants awarded since 2020 to Black-led organizations
252
Black-led organizations applied to CNYCF for the first time
What We're Doing
People of color still face obstacles to advancement that White people do not. They are less likely than their White peers to be hired, professionally developed, and promoted. And their lived experience is demonstrably worse due to implicit bias and inequitable treatment in the workplace. We’ve helped:
- Educate and inspire a diverse pool of community leaders to become effective nonprofit board members
- Publicize leadership training tips and advice for young women of color
- Develop the personal and professional competencies of emerging nonprofit leaders of color
Due to a history of neighborhood segregation and discriminatory practices in healthcare systems, people of color are more likely to not have insurance, experience language-barriers with medical personnel, be exposed to environmental pollution and suffer from compounding factors that shorten their lives. We’ve helped:
- Make homes lead-safe in neighborhoods historically underinvested due to redlining and segregatory lending practices
- Provide mental health support to youth living in neighborhoods experiencing high levels of gun violence
- Diversify child therapists to be representative of the client population that they serve
- Hire Black doulas and purchase materials for Black maternal health community outreach and education
Data from the 2019 Survey of Consumer Finances show that long-standing and substantial wealth disparities between families in different racial and ethnic groups have remained unchanged over the past few years. The typical White family has eight times the wealth of the typical Black family and five times the wealth of the typical Hispanic family. We’ve helped:
- Provide wardrobe, styling and career enhancement services to potential job candidates
- Connect low-income residents with job opportunities in high-need industries
- Start up a chamber of commerce for minority-owned businesses and minority professionals
- Offer workforce training and certification assistance for Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE)
- Create an online directory of Black-owned businesses
The arts & culture sector generates, amplifies, and reproduces stories and narratives about who belongs and who is valued. Narratives that uplift the art, culture, voices, and experiences of marginalized communities can have a significant impact on social justice movements. We’ve helped:
- Conduct workshops to bring local Black artists and entrepreneurs together
- Elevate Black voices by providing a media platform for individuals to share their stories
- Host Black-art exhibitions and virtual art classes
Building healthy, sustainable and equitable communities requires civic and social engagement of community members. We’ve helped:
- Convene public dialogue on important social justice issues such as the benefits and challenges of I-81 replacement options
- Make it easy for historically hard-to-count populations such as refugees to complete the census
- Launch a phone application that encourages civic engagement by local residents
Education disparities differ from community to community and can range from inequitable funding and budget cuts to children of color being subject to more extreme disciplinary measures. This can deny students the adequate knowledge and skills needed for a 21st century job market. We’ve helped:
- Offer students of color with tutoring and emotional, physical and life skills training
- Mentor Syracuse-area students to pursue careers in video production
- Launch an after-school mentorship program for Black youth that will guide them through career exploration in the areas of science, technology, skilled trades and manufacturing
- Provide career, college access and college success services to students living in high poverty neighborhoods
- Make higher education attainable for Syracuse City School District students
To learn more about what we are doing to incorporate diversity, equity and inclusion into the work of the Community Foundation, visit our equity commitment page.
Make a Difference with Us
Your assistance can aid us in making an even greater impact. Here are some ways you can help us do more.
News & Stories
Cayuga Community Fund Distributes More Than $165,000 in Grants
The Cayuga Community Fund has announced its 2026 grant recipients.
Pulaski Fund Distributes $41,220 in Grants
Over $40,000 in grants will assist nonprofits serving the Village of Pulaski and the Town ...
Writing Our Next Chapter: The Central New York Lyme & Tick-Borne Disease Alliance's Capacity-Building Journey
Hear from Melissa Carr Rowe, executive director of the Central New York Lyme & Tick-Borne ...
Say Yes Syracuse 2024-2025 Report Card Released
See how the Say Yes Syracuse program is doing!
Finding Identity Through Music at Camp GraceNote
A music program in Central New York is helping young people build confidence, connection and ...
What We Are Up To | CNYCF Staff Updates
Our staff takes pride in not just serving our community, but actively shaping its future. ...
Four Local Organizations Graduate from Leadership Training Program
Leaders from four local grassroots organizations completed The Leadership Classroom (TLC), a monthly training series ...
CNYCF Launching Participatory Budgeting in Cortland County for Centennial Celebration
Community members invited to help decide how $75,000 will be invested locally
Madison County Rural Health Council Chosen by Madison County Residents to Receive $75K for Housing Stability Efforts
The winning grant will help the council combine emergency financial assistance with education, resource navigation ...
Cayuga Community Fund Distributes More Than $165,000 in Grants
The Cayuga Community Fund has announced its 2026 grant recipients.
Pulaski Fund Distributes $41,220 in Grants
Over $40,000 in grants will assist nonprofits serving the Village of Pulaski and the Town ...
Writing Our Next Chapter: The Central New York Lyme & Tick-Borne Disease Alliance's Capacity-Building Journey
Hear from Melissa Carr Rowe, executive director of the Central New York Lyme & Tick-Borne ...
Say Yes Syracuse 2024-2025 Report Card Released
See how the Say Yes Syracuse program is doing!
Finding Identity Through Music at Camp GraceNote
A music program in Central New York is helping young people build confidence, connection and ...
What We Are Up To | CNYCF Staff Updates
Our staff takes pride in not just serving our community, but actively shaping its future. ...
Four Local Organizations Graduate from Leadership Training Program
Leaders from four local grassroots organizations completed The Leadership Classroom (TLC), a monthly training series ...
CNYCF Launching Participatory Budgeting in Cortland County for Centennial Celebration
Community members invited to help decide how $75,000 will be invested locally
Madison County Rural Health Council Chosen by Madison County Residents to Receive $75K for Housing Stability Efforts
The winning grant will help the council combine emergency financial assistance with education, resource navigation ...