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

$1,316,689

in BE&E grants awarded since 2020 to Black-led organizations

179

Black-led organizations applied to CNYCF for the first time

What We're Doing

NTL teaches participants how to become effective board members with the goal of increasing diversity across nonprofit boards.

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
Woman holding instructional props
Sequoia Kemp, co-founder of Sankofa Reproductive Health & Healing Center, is using a grant to provide community doula care for Black women.

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
NaDonte Jones in front of a worksite of a plumbing system.
NaDonte Jones, owner of NJ Jones Plumbing, credits UMEA with helping him launch his business and establish his apprenticeship program.

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
Jaleel Campbell stands with one of his handcrafted dolls
Artwork by Jaleel Campbell is using a grant to conduct doll-making workshops.

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
The facilitation of a community discussion about the benefits and challenges surrounding I-81.
NYCLU used a grant to conduct outreach both in city and suburban neighborhoods to encourage an open dialogue on various I-81 replacement options.

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
Child watches as machine works at the MOST Museum
The MOST launched an after school mentoring program for Black youth exploring careers in science and technology. 

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.

Learn More

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.

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News & Stories

hand holding growing money
Publications March 5, 2024

FAQS: A Snapshot of Clients’ Tax-Time Charitable Giving Questions

With the year is in full swing, now is a good time for advisors to ...

Men gardening
Blogs March 5, 2024

A safe space for Deaf New Americans to develop education, leadership, and life skills without limitation

Monu Chhetri, founder & CEO of Deaf New American Advocacy, Inc. explains how her participation ...

Group of people at event
Publications March 5, 2024

Collaborative Engagement with Nonprofit Partners

Giving Voice Winter 2024: Granting Matters

Woman sitting with young children
Publications March 5, 2024

Meet Our New President & CEO

Giving Voice Winter 2024: Cover Story

two children playing in a playhouse smiling to camera
Stories March 5, 2024

What's Happening

Giving Voice Winter 2024: What's Happening

Pamela Monaco sitting with her dog
Publications March 5, 2024

Planning Never Stops

Giving Voice Winter 2024: Giving Matters

A Message from Melanie Littlejohn, President & CEO
News Releases March 3, 2024

A Message from Melanie Littlejohn, President & CEO

Read a personal message from Melanie and view a video to learn what drives her ...

News Releases February 20, 2024

Community Foundation Announces Three New Black Equity & Excellence Fund Advisory Council Members

The Black Equity & Excellence Advisory Council is charged with reviewing grant proposals and making ...

hand holding growing money
Publications March 5, 2024

FAQS: A Snapshot of Clients’ Tax-Time Charitable Giving Questions

With the year is in full swing, now is a good time for advisors to ...

Men gardening
Blogs March 5, 2024

A safe space for Deaf New Americans to develop education, leadership, and life skills without limitation

Monu Chhetri, founder & CEO of Deaf New American Advocacy, Inc. explains how her participation ...

Group of people at event
Publications March 5, 2024

Collaborative Engagement with Nonprofit Partners

Giving Voice Winter 2024: Granting Matters

Woman sitting with young children
Publications March 5, 2024

Meet Our New President & CEO

Giving Voice Winter 2024: Cover Story

two children playing in a playhouse smiling to camera
Stories March 5, 2024

What's Happening

Giving Voice Winter 2024: What's Happening

Pamela Monaco sitting with her dog
Publications March 5, 2024

Planning Never Stops

Giving Voice Winter 2024: Giving Matters

A Message from Melanie Littlejohn, President & CEO
News Releases March 3, 2024

A Message from Melanie Littlejohn, President & CEO

Read a personal message from Melanie and view a video to learn what drives her ...

News Releases February 20, 2024

Community Foundation Announces Three New Black Equity & Excellence Fund Advisory Council Members

The Black Equity & Excellence Advisory Council is charged with reviewing grant proposals and making ...

View More