Community Fund
When Martha Leopold was young, she came down with the chicken pox, causing damage to her ear and permanent hearing loss. Nevertheless, her parents always supported her and helped her overcome whatever barriers she faced. They encouraged her to travel, get involved in the community...
Learn More Donate NowOur 5forCNY Fund pools dollars from generous community members seeking to make a difference. Grants are distributed from this fund through our Community Grantmaking process, which addresses the region’s greatest needs. This fund will provide grants to organizations anywhere in Onondaga, Madison, Oswego, and Cayuga...
Learn More Donate NowDavid Roland Bacon was born and raised in Syracuse and graduated from Nottingham High School. A 1952 graduate of Cornell University School of Mechanical Engineering and member of Phi Kappa Psi, David then served two years in the US Army Ordnance Corp, at Aberdeen, MD....
Learn More Donate NowDuring the Great Depression, Harold and Mary Leonard lived modest lives, rarely spending lavishly on themselves. Their frugality led to an “overflowing cup” from which they poured out generously to their church, charities and other organizations they believed in. Mary had an outsized, compassionate heart...
Learn More Donate NowPeter P. Zerebny was a lifelong resident of Central New York. Early on he became a local business owner and spent a great deal of time giving back in a number of ways. Peter created this fund to support the broad and ever-changing needs within...
Learn More Donate NowThe Marsellus family has a long history of giving to the Central New York community. Their support dates back to 1973 when John D. Marsellus’s father, John F. Marsellus, established a donor-advised fund at the Community Foundation, which for nearly 30 years administered his charitable...
Learn More Donate NowAnne Messenger served as a member of the Community Foundation’s Board of Directors from 2002-2009 and served as chair from 2007-2009. During her tenure, the Community Foundation acquired and began renovation of the CNY Philanthropy Center that would become its home. A passionate advocate for...
Learn More Donate NowRaised on a farm where frugality was a daily necessity, Ruth Krull was very thoughtful about managing her money. She grew up in a rural community where neighbors helped neighbors and where simple generosity was a given when needs arose. She and her husband Duane,...
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