We know you are passionate about seeing your family, friends and neighbors thrive in this community. Over the course of our history, we have harnessed the power of collaboration to tackle our region’s most pressing issues. By working together with government, civically engaged leaders and area nonprofits, we seek opportunities for funding to be directed to the things you want to see changed. We understand the challenge of making measurable impact while balancing the daily demands of life, which is why we offer an easy, flexible way for you to champion a cause that is important to you.

A collaboration that promotes a holistic approach to addressing the development needs of children in Onondaga County. The alliance receives space, funding and technical assistance from us.

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A coalition of human service agencies working together to identify opportunities and provide response to basic human needs. We provide grant, management and facilitation support.

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A multi-year commitment to decrease the region’s alarming childhood lead poisoning rates.

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Multiple efforts across our region are helping adults and children improve their literacy skills. We provide funding, management and research support.

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Participatory budgeting is a type of community engagement in which residents decide how to allocate funding through a process of democratic deliberation and decision-making. It gives you the opportunity to have a voice and make real, measurable change in the local causes that matter to you.

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This program seeks to give power to members of historically marginalized communities through collaborative grantmaking.

A scholarship program designed to remove financial barriers for Syracuse City School District students to attend college. Say Yes Syracuse is now independently governed and administered by the Community Foundation

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We have partnered with the Micron Foundation, United Way of Central New York, Gifford Foundation, Allyn Foundation and Wegmans to create STEM opportunities and access for Syracuse youth coming from historically underserved and underrepresented communities. Goals of the collaborative are to address inequity and underrepresentation of historically excluded populations in STEM fields; increase access to STEM education for youth; and create a STEM college and career pathway for underserved youth. To learn more about how you can get involved or receive funding, contact Qiana Williams at qwilliams@cnycf.org.

STEM Funder Collaborative Contributors:

A collective effort by local community groups to provide career pathways to low-income individuals while fulfilling staffing needs of local employers. We provide funding for this program.

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In addition to the initiatives listed above, we also work to respond to community needs as they emerge. Learn more about our COVID-19 response.

Community Investment Stories

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

3 men standing outside
News Releases February 15, 2024

More than $765,000 Distributed to Local Nonprofits

The Central New York Community Foundation recently distributed $769,999 in grants to local nonprofits.

Artwork
Blogs December 27, 2023

Everson Museum Highlights Local Indigenous Artist

In July, the Everson hosted Frank Buffalo Hyde’s first solo exhibit in New York State, ...

Young girl standing next to bookshelf
Stories December 11, 2023

Making Literacy Accessible

The United Way of CNY recently used a $100,000 grant from our Literacy Initiative Fund ...

Man reading with young boy
Blogs December 4, 2023

Providing an Extra Boost to Help Students Thrive

Mike Nash, president at KS&R and Book Buddies Volunteer, shares how he saw the positive ...

Man standing in front of library
Blogs October 17, 2023

Fostering Grassroots Change through The Leadership Classroom

Jacob Gedetsis, founder and director of Write Out and lecturer and coordinator of the Writing ...

Woman sitting with girl holding books
Blogs August 21, 2023

Unlocking Potential through Reading as A Book Buddy Volunteer

Juliet Nabinger, employee benefits senior specialist at OneGroup and Book Buddies Volunteer, shares how her ...

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

3 men standing outside
News Releases February 15, 2024

More than $765,000 Distributed to Local Nonprofits

The Central New York Community Foundation recently distributed $769,999 in grants to local nonprofits.

Artwork
Blogs December 27, 2023

Everson Museum Highlights Local Indigenous Artist

In July, the Everson hosted Frank Buffalo Hyde’s first solo exhibit in New York State, ...

Young girl standing next to bookshelf
Stories December 11, 2023

Making Literacy Accessible

The United Way of CNY recently used a $100,000 grant from our Literacy Initiative Fund ...

Man reading with young boy
Blogs December 4, 2023

Providing an Extra Boost to Help Students Thrive

Mike Nash, president at KS&R and Book Buddies Volunteer, shares how he saw the positive ...

Man standing in front of library
Blogs October 17, 2023

Fostering Grassroots Change through The Leadership Classroom

Jacob Gedetsis, founder and director of Write Out and lecturer and coordinator of the Writing ...

Woman sitting with girl holding books
Blogs August 21, 2023

Unlocking Potential through Reading as A Book Buddy Volunteer

Juliet Nabinger, employee benefits senior specialist at OneGroup and Book Buddies Volunteer, shares how her ...

View More