Building windows with art

Working with CNY Arts on COVID-19 Arts Impact Fund

Giving Voice Fall 2021: Giving Matters

As Peter Dunn mentioned in his letter on page one, agency funds are designed to build capacity for nonprofits as they grow sustainable resources. Occasionally, nonprofits will establish an agency fund for reasons other than sustainability – for example, if they are planning a fundraising campaign. The campaign may be for a new building, a major renovation or some other one-time project.

In August of last year, we had the opportunity to build a campaign fund with CNY Arts designed to support arts organizations in Central New York impacted by the pandemic: the CNY Arts COVID-19 Impact Fund. Specifically, this fund supports artists and nonprofit arts organizations in three categories: restart, reopening, and resiliency.

When we work with an agency in this way, since the resources have a near-term need, the fund is typically not invested for growth. The fund essentially acts as a pass-through and a common donation vehicle where we receive and acknowledge gifts, thereby lessening the administrative burden on the nonprofit. Often times, the campaigns succeed beyond their goal and those resources that remain in the fund are then invested for long-term growth.

As of Labor Day, CNY Arts reached its $1 million goal for this fund. This support came from individual donors and businesses, grants from national, state, county and local governments, as well as support from the Community Foundation, The Dorothy and Marshall M. Reisman Foundation, the John Ben Snow Foundation and Memorial Trust, Gifford Foundation, Allyn Family Foundation, Jim and Juli Boeheim Foundation, Richard S. Shineman Foundation, and Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation.

Based on a survey this spring, CNY Arts determined that in 2020, on average, individual artists lost $12,000 and arts organizations lost $200,000 due to the pandemic. While many organizations are planning to resume their activities, the continued impact of the pandemic is slowing that reopening. This is why CNY Arts is continuing to fundraise and deploy grants from the fund through 2022.

Steve Butler, executive director of CNY Arts, said, “We are grateful to the Community Foundation for hosting and promoting the fund. The reputation and reach of the CNYCF as a trusted financial steward helped to attract significant individual donors and family funds.”

CNY Arts is committed to ensuring that our arts, culture, and heritage sector will survive and thrive and the Community Foundation is proud to be a resource to them in this work.

Related Stories

SYRACUSE, NY: Michelle at Sarah’s Guest House. CREDIT: Ben Cleeton
Publications May 8, 2025

Finding a Home of Healing and Hope

Giving Voice Spring 2025: Grantee Story

Publications May 8, 2025

Piecing Together Dollars For Decisions

Giving Voice Spring 2025: Granting Matters

Publications May 8, 2025

Transforming Winter Recreation in Madison County

Giving Voice Spring 2025: Cover Story

Huntington Family Centers, the recipient of a grant from our COVID-19 Community Support Fund | Photo By: Ben Cleeton
Publications May 8, 2025

Supporting Crisis Response

Giving Voice Spring 2025: Giving Matters

Publications May 8, 2025

President's Letter

Giving Voice Spring 2025: President's Letter

Partner in philanthropy Kriesel
Stories May 1, 2025

2025 Partner in Philanthropy Award Recipient

William T. Kriesel, CPA/PFS, CFP®, AEP®, Managing Member of Diversified Capital Management and Consultant and ...

Staff Headshot Graphic
News Releases April 10, 2025

Community Foundation Announces Promotions

The Central New York Community Foundation has promoted six staff members.

Publications April 1, 2025

Responsive Giving | Ursula Hubby

Over her 97 years, Ursula Hubby's generosity and kindness benefited countless Central New Yorkers. Now, ...

Publications March 28, 2025

Seeking Clarity? Write Your Obituary.

Sitting down to write your own obituary probably doesn’t sound like an ideal way to ...

SYRACUSE, NY: Michelle at Sarah’s Guest House. CREDIT: Ben Cleeton
Publications May 8, 2025

Finding a Home of Healing and Hope

Giving Voice Spring 2025: Grantee Story

Publications May 8, 2025

Piecing Together Dollars For Decisions

Giving Voice Spring 2025: Granting Matters

Publications May 8, 2025

Transforming Winter Recreation in Madison County

Giving Voice Spring 2025: Cover Story

Huntington Family Centers, the recipient of a grant from our COVID-19 Community Support Fund | Photo By: Ben Cleeton
Publications May 8, 2025

Supporting Crisis Response

Giving Voice Spring 2025: Giving Matters

Publications May 8, 2025

President's Letter

Giving Voice Spring 2025: President's Letter

Partner in philanthropy Kriesel
Stories May 1, 2025

2025 Partner in Philanthropy Award Recipient

William T. Kriesel, CPA/PFS, CFP®, AEP®, Managing Member of Diversified Capital Management and Consultant and ...

Staff Headshot Graphic
News Releases April 10, 2025

Community Foundation Announces Promotions

The Central New York Community Foundation has promoted six staff members.

Publications April 1, 2025

Responsive Giving | Ursula Hubby

Over her 97 years, Ursula Hubby's generosity and kindness benefited countless Central New Yorkers. Now, ...

Publications March 28, 2025

Seeking Clarity? Write Your Obituary.

Sitting down to write your own obituary probably doesn’t sound like an ideal way to ...

View More