What Happens When I Leave a Bequest to the Community Foundation?
Project Out Loud Aims to Amplify and Unite Queer Voices
Chedy Hampson: Giving Back to Provide Opportunities
$955,489 in Grants Distributed to 22 Nonprofit Organizations
As I embarked on my first 100 days as president and CEO of the Central New York Community Foundation, it was paramount to me that I heard from you. That is why I am fueled by the invaluable insights gleaned from our recent listening sessions in Onondaga and Madison counties. These powerful forums gave voice to pressing issues that confront our region and the resolve needed to address them.
Throughout these discussions, a clear and resounding message emerged: The time for action is now. We face multifaceted challenges, including the need for safe, affordable housing and equitable access to healthy food, mental health services, youth and workforce development opportunities, and much more. These issues are not
isolated; they are interconnected, woven into the fabric of our daily lives and impacting every member of our community.
While the needs in our region are great, I found myself inspired by a common theme throughout the dialogue sessions. I heard a consistent, optimistic desire to work together toward a shared goal — to create a community where every individual has the opportunity to thrive. The Community Foundation can play a pivotal role in funneling that collective energy into a powerful drive for change.
Nonprofit and community-based organizations of all sizes and scopes are the heart and soul of this region. They are on the frontlines of service delivery, addressing the needs of residents most in need with dedication and compassion. We pledge to unleash their power with the resources they said they needed most — funding, collaboration and networks of learning. It is also important that the Community Foundation continue to grow so that we can lean into some of these extraordinary regional priorities more than we ever have before.
But we cannot do this alone. All community members can do their part to make Central New York a great place to live for future generations. The words ”philanthropy” and
”charitable giving” sound inaccessible to some — perhaps merely reserved for the wealthy. But the reality is, if everyone gave in a way that works for them — through their time, talent or treasure — the impact of their collective giving would be almost immeasurable.
We need your partnership, your passion and your unwavering commitment to building a better future for all. Together, let us be intentional and resolute in heeding the call to action that these listening sessions have inspired. Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our shared vision.
LeadSafeCNY Director Brings Energy and Expertise to Target Lead Poisoning
Eye Color to Equity: Addressing Racial Hierarchies in Our Community
MELANIE LITTLEJOHN President and CEO
Cover Photo Credit: Jessica Montgomery, head of Photography at Stay Fresh
Pictured: CEO Listening Session at the Southside Innovation Center
See how the Koerner daughters are using their funds to carry forward their parents’ legacy of giving. Read their story at cnycf.org/koernerstory
GIVING MATTERS
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I LEAVE A BEQUEST TO THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION?
At the Community Foundation, we are fortunate to be the recipient and steward of numerous legacy gifts, many of which are structured as bequests in wills. Even after donors have taken steps to plan a bequest and document their intentions, they may still have questions about what happens while their estates are being settled. Often this depends on the type of bequest.
Some bequests take the form of a “specific bequest,” which means that the Community Foundation receives a specific amount of money from the donor’s probate estate or trust. In these situations, the Community Foundation will be ready to receive your bequest, typically as soon as the estate is settled.
In other situations, you may want to leave the remainder of your estate after all specific bequests, expenses and taxes have been paid. These types of bequests are called “residuary” bequests. The language can look something like this:
I give, devise, and bequeath to the Central New York Community Foundation (EIN 15-0626910), Syracuse, New York, a New York nonprofit corporation, the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, both real and personal, to be held, administered and used by the board of directors per my instructions provided separately.
Because the amount of a residuary bequest cannot be determined until all the assets in an estate have been identified and valued and all expenses and taxes have been paid, the Community Foundation will not receive the full amount of a residuary bequest until the estate is completely settled. Typically, however, the estate’s personal represen-
tative or trustee will make what is known as a “partial distribution” to the residuary beneficiary (or beneficiaries, as the case may be), as soon as the personal representative has enough information about the assets and liabilities to confidently do so.
When you leave a residuary bequest to the Community Foundation, our team will be involved at various steps during the administration of your estate until final distribution. For example, we will receive regular communications about the estate related to assets, expenses, taxes and periodic accountings. We will also execute documents, such as receipts, related to distributions and other estate transactions.
Once all assets have been received, we will follow the guidance outlined in your legacy plan to sustain your impact for generations to come. Our goal is to ensure that your charitable intentions are achieved, from structuring a bequest all the way through to the dollars flowing to the causes you care about the most.
PROJECT OUT LOUD AIMS TO UNITE AND AMPLIFY QUEER VOICES
Pictured: A Project Out Loud photo shoot at the Salt City Market in downtown Syracuse highlights the diversity of the local LGBTQIA+ community.
Jaleel Campbell is a self-described multidisciplinary artist. He is an illustrator, community activist, storyteller, curator, event planner, videographer, fiber artist, podcast producer, doll maker and adjunct professor. Now he’s also director of what he calls his “dream project.”
In collaboration with the Syracuse-based theater and production company Breadcrumbs Productions, Campbell is leading Project Out Loud, an awareness campaign that aims to create safe spaces for members of the Black and LGBTQIA+ communities and eliminate barriers to accessing vital resources.
“Through a yearlong series of events and our visibility campaign, we want to amplify the voices of the queer people here in Syracuse, while also building commmunity,” Campbell said. “When I think of the current queer landscape, I do notice it feels like there’s different pockets. What would happen if we were to unite all these different parts of our community? That’s what I’m hoping to do with Project Out Loud.”
Project Out Loud took shape through our new participatory grantmaking initiative, launched in fall 2023. Participatory grantmaking seeks to provide a space for members of historically marginalized communities to collaboratively identify the biggest needs of their individual communities and co-design projects. This includes the opportunity to receive funding to implement what’s needed to address those needs.
“Participatory grantmaking is now a part of our strategic plan to build equity and to invest in socially, culturally and economically diverse communities, those that have historically been disinvested,” said Qiana Williams, program officer at the Community Foundation.
Through monthly meetings and discussions, participants broke into groups based on common interests to focus on addressing a different community need. The LGBTQIA+ group, which included Campbell, Breadcrumbs Productions participants and other community members, noted a lack of support and physical space specifically designed for and by the LGBTQIA+ community, despite the best efforts of community members and nonprofits.
Building on their lived experiences and our life needs assessment data, group members co-designed several program proposals aimed at addressing isolation, resource
needs and economic support for the LGBTQIA+ community.
“Coming together and offering feedback on the best ways to support our own community allowed us to learn from one another, and slowly our plan became more and more clear,” Campbell said. “When we all come together, we have the power to create something special.”
Upon a final vote by all participants, the Project Out Loud proposal was selected and presented with $33,000 in participatory grantmaking support. Funding will allow Project Out Loud to host educational and social events, such as small art workshops, providing spaces for people of all ages from across Syracuse to come together.
“I want this project to be as intergenerational as possible. I want to have everybody young and old. I want to capture queer Black youth. I want to capture queer families,” Campbell said. “I want to capture every type of experience that we have within this community, so that everybody feels seen and supported.”
Tanner Efinger, artistic director of Breadcrumbs Productions, is looking forward to analyzing and sharing the data collected through the project’s programming to better support the LGBTQIA+ community through real, measurable change.
“I’m excited to see what the data tells us and share those results with institutions that should be looking at it and should be asking more about this population and how to support them,” Efinger said. “I believe that through our research and collaboration, Project Out Loud can truly have a significant impact on someone who might be alone or afraid.”
The Central New York Community Foundation is beginning its second year of participatory grantmaking. If you are interested in joining as a delegate or learning more about the program, please contact:
QIANA WILLIAMS Program Officer qwilliams@cnycf.org
DONOR STORY
GIVING BACK TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES
with Chedy Hampson
Chedy Hampson, a lifelong resident of Syracuse who grew up on the Southside, always felt a profound connection to his city. It wasn’t just the streets he walked or the parks he played in — it was the spirit of the people, the collective hope for a brighter future that inspired him. His journey from a young boy to a successful entrepreneur was marked by milestones that reinforced his commitment to his roots.
Hampson’s happiest memories are woven into the fabric of Central New York. Whether it was building his first company, TCGplayer in downtown Syracuse or cheering on the Syracuse Orange at the JMA Wireless Dome, each experience furthered his desire to give back to the community that gave him so much.
“This community is more than just my home — it’s the place where I decided to build my future,” he said.
To foster impactful change, Hampson created the Chedy Hampson Charitable Fund, a donor-advised fund at the Community Foundation, to serve as a vehicle for his personal giving. Choosing organizations to receive grants from his fund is a thoughtful process. Hampson focuses on supporting collaborative efforts that generate tangible benefits for local community members.
This includes Home HeadQuarters, which helps Syracuse residents secure home loans and grants; Syracuse Little League, which offers children a constructive, fun outlet; and parks and natural landmarks. Each grant aims to address immediate needs and lay the groundwork for sustained improvement and community empowerment.
At the heart of Hampson’s philanthropic efforts is his goal to ensure all residents on the Southside have access to the same opportunities that he had for generations to come.
“I am grateful for all that Central New York has given me,” he said. “It’s an honor to be able to help pave a path for impactful, generational change for a section of our community that sometimes feels like it’s been left behind.”
Many residents of Southside neighborhoods wish to secure safe and affordable housing, but the area has historically faced systemic inequities, such as discriminatory housing and lending policies, that make those dreams difficult to achieve. Having witnessed the hard-working individuals and families in his childhood neighborhood face these challenges, Hampson envisioned a platform that could foster lasting change through strategic philanthropy. That’s how his fund at the Community Foundation, aimed at revitalizing the Southside community, took shape.
Hampson hopes to help bridge the gaps between neighbors, government and nonprofits, addressing pressing issues, such as access to affordable housing, childcare and after-school activities, and improved access to transportation in Southside neighborhoods.
He stated that his decision to establish his donor-advised fund at the Community Foundation was influenced by our deeprooted understanding of local needs. He went on to explain that he believes partnering with us is the fastest, strongest and most impactful way to invest in Central New York’s future.
“The Community Foundation’s extensive network and experience in handling philanthropic funds made it the perfect ally,” he said. “The staff’s knowledge of the philanthropic sector in Central New York ensures that my contributions will continue to have the greatest impact possible.”
Hampson’s aspirations for his charitable legacy are clear. He doesn’t seek personal recognition. Instead, he hopes his philanthropic efforts become a cornerstone of community development.
“I envision a future where my funding will continue to spark significant, generational change, long after my direct involvement,” said Hampson. “It is about creating and shaping a self-sustaining system that will not only solve today’s problems but also adapt to meet tomorrow’s challenges.”
He is sharing his giving story to inspire others to take action. He believes that many people want to help but often don’t know where to start.
“By demonstrating the impact of thoughtful, targeted philanthropy, I hope to encourage more individuals to contribute, each adding their strand to the growing web of community support,” he said.
Pictured: Chedy sits on the steps of his childhood home on Kenmore Avenue in Syracuse.
“THIS COMMUNITY IS MORE THAN JUST MY HOME — IT’S THE PLACE WHERE I DECIDED TO BUILD MY FUTURE.”
CHEDY HAMPSON
Pictured: Chedy Hampson stands in McKinley Park, a place filled with memories from his childhood.
COMMUNITY IMPACT
In December and March, our board of directors approved $955,489 in grants to 22 nonprofits through our Community Grantmaking program.
ARTS, CULTURE & HUMANITIES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
EDUCATION
ENVIRONMENT & ANIMALS
HUMAN SERVICES
HEALTHCARE PUBLIC & SOCIETAL BENEFIT
Support the Uplift Micro Loan Fund, which benefits local entrepreneurs Host the 2024 Searching for Home stage season
$60,000 $47,035 $29,750 ON POINT FOR COLLEGE INCLUSIVE ECONOMY CNY SKANEATELES FESTIVAL
Redesign and update its website and student database
CAMILLUS PARK
Assist the Parks & Recreation Department with conducting a tree inventory
CLEAR PATH FOR VETERANS
Purchase equipment to outfit a Canine Mobile Unit van
LIME HOLLOW NATURE CENTER
Make accessibility renovations
$50,000 $50,000
ACCESSCNY Host two community wellness summits
MADISON COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT
Build a kayak launch at the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum
SYRACUSE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER
Expand a school-based dental program offered to Syracuse City School District students
CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION/ MADISON COUNTY FRONTENAC PARK
Launch a two-year environment and sustainability education program
REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT SELF-EMPOWERMENT (RISE)
Make accessible renovations to the RISE Community Farm
Expand a playground in partnership with the village of Union Springs
Hire a trainer to provide intensive hands-on training to staff
PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN NEW YORK A TINY HOME FOR GOOD
Hire an architect to design plans for new single-family housing in partnership with the Syracuse Land Bank
ACR HEALTH
Create a new communications plan to help with outreach and awareness
SYRACUSE HOUSING AUTHORITY THE RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOR THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK (SUNY)
Host six mental health first aid training sessions for Syracuse Housing Authority residents
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF CNY
Renovate its building to expand the number of guest suites
Conduct research to identify cardiovascular biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease
HOUSING VISIONS UNLIMITED SALT CITY HARVEST FARM SARAH’S GUEST HOUSE TOWN OF MADISON HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Build fencing around the garden space of the VanKeuren Square housing complex
Hire a market manager for two years
Renovate its building to expand the number of guest bedrooms
Repair the deteriorating basement of its building
THESE GRANTS WERE MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE SUPPORT OF THE FOLLOWING FUNDS
To learn more about these funds and many others that make our grantmaking possible, visit: CNYCF.ORG/FUNDS
5forCNY Fund
Anonymous #33 Fund
Shirley M. Aubrey Fund
Ellen T. & David R. Bacon Fund
Charlotte & Donald Ball Fund
William D. Barnet Memorial Scholarship Fund
Peter & Barbara Baum Fund
Benji Fund
Besse Family Fund
Bilford Family Fund
Borer Family Fund for Education
Charles F. Brannock Fund
Shirley M. Brennan Fund
William L. Broad Fund
Kenneth P. & Charlotte C. Buckley Fund Cabasino Fund
Patricia M. & Vincent H. Callahan Fund
Philip R. & Elizabeth Chase Fund
Clarke Family Fund
Laurie J. & Dr. William R. Clark, Jr. Community Fund
Solly & Belle Cohen Fund
William & Sylvia Cohen Community Fund
CNYCF Community Fund
Mary Frances Costello Fund
Alfred & Grace DiBella Fund
John S. & Julia G. Dietz Fund
Olga Dietz Turner Fund
Divot’s Fund
Margaret J. Early Fund
Education Endowment Fund
Harold & Marian Edwards and O. M. Edwards
Company Fund
Steven A. Endieveri Memorial Fund
Environmental Fund
Carlton R. Estey Fund
Alice M. Gaylord Trust
Joseph C. Georg Fund
Minnie O. Goodman Fund
Frances E. & John S. Hancock Fund
Carroll A. Hennessy Fund
Anthony A. & Susan Henninger Memorial Fund
Hills Family Fund
I. A. Hotze Fund
John H. & Mary P. Hughes Fund
Iaconis, Iaconis & Baum Fund
Robert H. Kemper & Norma E. Kemper Charitable Foundation
Martha A. & Eugene F. Keppler Fund
Marjorie D. Kienzle Fund
Frances C. & Albert C. Knight Charitable Fund
George & Luella Krahl Fund
Ruth E. Krull Fund
Alicia A. & George W. Lee Fund
Leonard Family Endowment
Martha, Gracia & Robert Leopold Fund
LFM Fund
Maier Family Community Fund
L.C. Maier Community Fund
Candace & John Marsellus Community Fund
Gay D. Marsellus Fund
John F. Marsellus Fund
Flora Mather Hosmer Fund
Helen Hancock McClintock Fund
Lucy McLean Community Fund
Anne L. Messenger Community Fund
James & Aileen Miller Charitable Fund
Pauline M. Monz Fund
H. Gillis & Letty M. Murray Fund
Donald C. & Marion F. Newton Fund
Peggy Ogden Community Fund
Dorothy M. Olds Fund
Carol W. & Emiel D. Palmer Fund
P-D Family Fund
John R. Pelkey Community Fund
Theodore & Marjorie B. Pierson Fund
Robert & Anne Pietrafesa Fund
Robert A. & Winifred S. Pond Family Fund
Brian Cole Retan Memorial Fund
Dorothy Retan Irish Fund
James A. & McDowell Smith Reynolds Fund
Lawrence E. Root Fund
Rosalind & Seymour Rudolph Fund
Elizabeth Salisbury Brooks Fund
Robert & Dorothy Salisbury Fund
Helene C. Schroeder Fund
Daniel & Jeanne Schwartz Fund
Frederick B. & Laura B. Scott Fund
Shuart Family Fund
Adelaide Louise Silvia Community Fund
Virginia C. Simons & Dr. C. Adele Brown Fund
Frances Singer Hennessy Fund
Winifred & DeVillo Sloan, Jr. Family Fund
The Lee & Alice Smith Fund
Spanfelner Fund
Frances M. Thompson Fund
Dr. Robert J. Vitkus Fund
Donald & Hilda Watrous Fund
Virginia Wendel Fund
Carolyn V. West Fund
Dorothy C. Witherill Fund
The Witherill Fund
Forrest H. Witmeyer Fund
Arthur W. & Mabel P. Wrieden Memorial Fund
Peter Zerebny Community Fund
FROM EYE COLOR TO EQUITY: ADDRESSING RACIAL HIERARCHIES IN OUR COMMUNITY
The day after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968, third grade teacher Jane Elliott began an experiment in her class. She set out to teach about race and racism using eye color as a metaphor.
She began by telling the children that people with blue eyes were better than people with brown eyes, and she treated them accordingly, giving the children with blue eyes perks like extra playground time and earlier dismissal. She also pointed out behavior that she said exemplified the superiority of having blue eyes. The children followed suit. Those with blue eyes believed they were superior and began bullying the children with brown eyes.
A new social order had been created, until Elliott flipped the script by saying that the children with brown eyes were now superior to those with blue eyes. What came next was “payback” and “retaliation” of the children with blue eyes, as Elliot had anticipated.
There are many lessons to be learned here about how racial differences, racial hierarchies and other social orders are created and maintained, but perhaps the most salient to us today is how Elliott replaced equity with inequity. To achieve true equity, eye color should not matter. It should not predict the outcomes and quality of one’s life any more than race, gender, disability or sexuality identity.
This is a lesson that is deeply embedded in our organization’s strategic plan goals — that these personal identity characteristics should not predict who is able to access and utilize our programs, services and grant monies. To attain greater equity, we have committed to addressing racial equity within the critical roles that a community foundation plays in its region.
WE SUPPORT LEADERS, ORGANIZATIONS AND PROGRAMS THAT ADVANCE RACIAL EQUITY AND ADDRESS THE NEEDS AND OPPORTUNITIES OF OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITIES BY:
Engaging more deeply in projects and initiatives that have already yielded results and vigorously pursuing solutions to new community needs that emerge
Carrying out innovative, accessible race-informed grantmaking and undertaking strategic initiatives that engage residents of color in development and evolution. We rely on data to evaluate grant effectiveness and distribution relative to the racial composition of the communities we serve.
Investing in nonprofit organizations led by and serving people of color and serving as a convener and resource to advance their work
Forming new relationships with groups that have historically been excluded from philanthropy, including members of our community who identify as Asian, Indigenous, Latino, LGBTQIA+ and having disabilities
Continuing our collaborative work to increase literacy and decrease lead poisoning. We are holding our community accountable to make sure we see improvements not just in the general population but also within different identity subgroups.
The powerful narrative of Jane Elliott's experiment underscores the critical importance of addressing inequity and dismantling racial hierarchies. We believe that equity is imperative to our work because restructuring systems formed through conscious and unconscious bias will make our community investments more impactful and effective. Through strategic grantmaking, collaboration and advocacy, we aim to create a more inclusive and just society where individual identity characteristics no longer dictate life outcomes.
Pictured: Children in Jane Elliott’s 1968 third grade class
Pictured right: Jane Elliott
Jane Elliott
NEW IMPACT INVESTMENTS
Local impact investing allows us to use our financial resources to make investments that generate both financial returns and positive social outcomes. Our investments focus on helping Central New York residents build wealth, equipping residents with the opportunity to contribute to the economic performance of the region and providing under-resourced communities and nonprofit organizations access to capital. So far this year, our board closed on two recoverable grants, totaling $1.9 million, to Home HeadQuarters to help the organization continue its housing programs until funding from city and state grant contracts are fulfilled. Additionally, we partnered with Cooperative Federal to launch a nonprofit bridge loan program to help other nonprofit organizations facing similar contract delays.
DR. ROBERT J. VITKUS FUND EXPANDS TO FIVE-COUNTY REGION
When Bob Vitkus died in 2020, his estate named the Community Foundation as the recipient of a $10 million legacy gift to support outdoor parks and recreation areas and programs that involve youth, hunting and fishing, or conservation efforts to improve wildlife habitats and open spaces. Since the establishment of the fund, $1,080,187 has been granted to 24 organizations in Onondaga and Madison counties. In March, we expanded grantmaking from the fund to support additional communities across our five-county region, including Cayuga, Oswego and Cortland counties.
NEW SAY YES WEBSITE
In May, we launched a new Say Yes Syracuse website. The site offers students and parents a welcoming, user-friendly experience that is accessible through a variety of devices. Additional features include an interactive map of Say Yes Syracuse partner colleges and universities and a countdown clock that displays the Say Yes Syracuse application deadline.
SECOND COHORT OF RESILIA
We continued our partnership with Resilia for a second year in an effort to strengthen nonprofit organizations led by and serving Black, Asian, Latino, Indigenous and LGBTQIA+ communities or people with disabilities. Resilia offers technology and oneto-one coaching to support effectiveness, creativity and workflow in nonprofits across the country. Twenty-three local nonprofit organizations led by and serving historically excluded communities were chosen to participate in the second cohort this year.
RESILIA.COM
Pictured 04: Food Access Healthy Neighborhoods Now, a Resilia participant
Pictured 02: Lime Hollow Nature Center, a recent Vitkus Fund grant recipient in Cortland County
GRANTEE STORY
LEADSAFECNY COALITION
New LeadSafeCNY Coalition Director Brings Energy and Expertise to Target Lead Poisoning
LaToya Jones, a mother of three, grew up in Syracuse watching relatives work at Catholic Charities, PEACE, Inc. and the Southwest Community Center.
“WE WERE PART OF THE COMMUNITY, AND WE AS KIDS WERE TAUGHT TO TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN BY VOLUNTEERING AND SERVING THE COMMUNITY.”
Her grandmother, who worked at Catholic Charities, “was like a grandmother to all the children on Lynhurst Avenue on the city’s Southside. If you were hungry, she fed you.” Her mother, Pearl, “introduced me to public health as a child through her career caring for seniors, and continues to inspire my work.”
As the first director of the LeadSafeCNY Coalition, Jones has embraced her family’s influences, sharing her professional skills and passion to serve the community she loves. Jones, a Corcoran High School graduate, began her career as a licensed practical nurse. Since then, she’s earned a master’s degree in public health and has worked on numerous important public health issues, including mental health, sexual health, immunizations, COVID-19 and lead poisoning.
“This allows me to match the theory of public health to my community,” said Jones, who started her new position at United Way of Central New York in late March. “I will be able to focus on where I thrive, with my partners in the community, and make a difference on an important community concern.”
A $150,000 grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation supports the coalition’s director position at the United Way. Jones will coordinate programs working to end childhood lead poisoning in Syracuse.
In 2018, we launched the LeadSafeCNY initiative by committing $2 million to address the alarming rates of lead poisoning that affects Syracuse children’s development and health. In addition to supporting testing and education, programs include replacing windows and doors, constructing safe and affordable rental units and safe lead paint removal. In fall 2022, a coalition of public and private stakeholders convened to share resources and maintain momentum in efforts to eliminate lead paint poisoning. This collaboration resulted in the formation of the LeadSafeCNY Coalition.
“The ability to bring LaToya on as director is like having a conductor to run the orchestra,” said Nancy Kern Eaton, United Way president. “Her medical and public health background can help people understand the issue. It’s an ongoing process of continuing to monitor public health and educate people on what they can do themselves and what resources are available.”
Eaton points to the success of coalitions convened by United Way and Community Foundation partnerships to address housing/ homelessness and literacy — complex community challenges that threaten the ability of Central New York children and families to thrive — as the model for the LeadSafeCNY Coalition. “We now have the ability to bring on this professional to keep all these lead efforts on track and connect people and drive future strategies,” she said.
Jones is enthusiastic about the approach. “I’m here to lend what expertise I have and help the organization grow and continue the work they have been doing,” she said. “We’re better working together.”
A priority, she said, is “to take us to spaces and rooms where we may not be yet.” Lead poisoning is “one of those issues not talked about in households and communities of color. People may not recognize that it may have had an impact on their family.”
She points to her deep community roots as an asset in gaining access to and trust from underserved communities. “I’ve always been a person that feels the need to make sure people are OK and that their social determinants of health can be addressed early in life,” she said. “The only way we are going to change some of these generational issues is to get involved. If it does not affect you, it affects someone you know.”
Jones is eager to include more family voices and personal stories in the coalition’s work. She hopes to increase lead testing, help the community become more intentional about health decisions and strategize advocacy efforts.
“I hope to pour my energy into a coalition that already is doing good work and expand that reach,” she said. “I want us to have healthier children that can function at school and at home and not worry about these adult things.”
Pictured: LaToya Jones in her office
OUR PEOPLE
New Staff Members
KANISCHA MILLER Program Associate
Miller was hired as program associate. Prior to joining the Community Foundation, Miller worked as a customer success manager for a B2B cloud-based software company, as well as a sales associate for an independent wine retailer in Syracuse, where she earned her Wine & Spirit Education Trust Level 2 certification. Prior to that, she served as a hospital corpsman in the U.S. Navy. Having traveled to 17 countries and 25 states, Miller loves to meet new people and experience new places.
New Board Members
JAIME ALICEA
Former Superintendent of Schools, Syracuse City School District
Alicea began his career with the Syracuse City School District as a teaching assistant at Seymour Elementary School in 1983. He was appointed as superintendent in 2017, retiring in 2022 after 40 years with the district. Born in Puerto Rico, Spanish is Alicea’s first language, and throughout his tenure he supported students and parents who were learning English. In 2022, the New York state education commissioner assigned him as a fiscal consultant to the Rochester City School District, and he was appointed as the state monitor in 2023.
MARTIN DURKIN
Chief Campus Counsel for SUNY
Upstate Medical University
Since joining the SUNY Office of General Counsel in September 2017, Durkin has been actively involved in efforts to modernize SUNY Upstate’s academic medical center funding flow and the negotiation and documentation of various strategic initiatives. Before joining SUNY Upstate, he was a partner at Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Durkin also previously served as associate counsel for the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Physician Services Division.
Staff Promotions
LISA GERMAIN
Senior Vice President and Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch
Germain is a seasoned and savvy financial advisor who brings her deep knowledge and enlightened perspectives to active and retired clients across generations. She has completed advanced industry training at Cornell University and holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC®) designation from the College for Financial Planning. She was also named as one of Forbes’ 2024 Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-In-State. Germain is involved with several local philanthropic organizations, including the Upstate Foundation, YMCA and the Girls Scouts of the United States of America.
DUANE OWENS
NYS Regional Director of Historical Sites at Parks & Recreation for Onondaga County
Prior to his role as the New York state regional director of historical sites at parks & recreation, Owens served as the commissioner of personnel, commissioner of facilities management and MWBE consultant for Onondaga County. He has an extensive background in business and real estate development and currently serves on the boards of directors of CNY Works and Inclusive Economy CNY, among others, and is a member of Coop Fed’s Business Opportunity Loan Committee. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Wake Forest University.
COLBY CYRUS Senior Program Manager
Cyrus has been promoted to senior program manager after serving in his role as program manager for two years. He assists with the development, implementation and monitoring of grantmaking and programs. Cyrus, who speaks both French and Arabic, previously worked at InterFaith Works and has experience in international development, advocacy and survey research. He received his master’s degree in international relations from Syracuse University in 2019.
MARK HALL
Managing Partner at M.S. Hall & Associates, LLC
Hall has over 40 years of experience in the healthcare industry. For the past 19 years, he has served as managing partner at M.S. Hall + Associates and most recently as president & CEO of Syracuse Community Health Center, where he formerly served as CFO. He has also held the title of vice president of finance at Crouse and Community General hospitals. Prior to those positions, Hall served as a manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers in its Healthcare Regulatory Group and held roles at Loretto Rest Corporation and Blue Cross Blue Shield of CNY.
KATHLEEN WIESE
Former Major Gift Officer at Hamilton College
Wiese began her career as an auditor with Coopers & Lybrand, later becoming a manager at Price Waterhouse Management Consultants. She previously worked for GE Military and Data Systems Operation in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, and at Hamilton College for 16 years, primarily serving as the major gifts officer, among other roles. She currently serves on the board of directors for Christian Brothers Academy and previously served on the board of directors for the Loretto Foundation and the Syracuse Football Club.
UPCOMING EVENTS & DEADLINES
EVENTS
AUG. 16, 2024 | 5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.
Black Equity & Excellence Social
SEPT. 6, 2024 | 6:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.
Participatory Budgeting Documentary Premiere
Annual Professional Advisor Continuing Education Seminar
The Leadership Classroom (TLC) Grassroots Award Dinner and 30th Anniversary Celebration
GRANT DEADLINES
JULY 12, 2024
Black Equity & Excellence
Oswego County Community Foundation
The Leadership Classroom (TLC)
SEPT. 6, 2024
Community Grants
ATTENTION GRANT SEEKERS
This summer, the Community Foundation will be undergoing a software conversion, which will introduce a new grant application portal prior to our September 6, 2024, Community Grants deadline. Please be prepared to receive instructions this summer on how to set up a new account and use the new system going forward.
CNY PHILANTHROPY CENTER
431 EAST FAYETTE STREET SUITE 100 SYRACUSE, NEW YORK 13202
315.422.9538
If you do not wish to continue receiving our mailings, please email us at: info@cnycf.org.
PRESIDENT & CEO
MELANIE LITTLEJOHN, MBA
COMMUNICATIONS
KATRINA M. CROCKER
Vice President of Communications
JULIET R. MALOFF
Senior Communications Officer
LEILA R. MOGHADASI
Communications Associate
CORY SCHAD
Senior Events & Communications Manager
COMMUNITY INVESTMENT
FRANK M. RIDZI, PHD
Vice President of Community Investment
DARRELL D. BUCKINGHAM Program Officer
COLBY CYRUS, CAPM Senior Program Manager
ELISIA GONZALEZ Grants Manager
DANIELLE M. JOHNSON Senior Director of Grants & Programs
KANISCHA MILLER Program Associate
QIANA WILLIAMS Program Officer
DEVELOPMENT
THOMAS M. GRIFFITH, AEP®, CAP®, CHFC® Vice President of Development
ELIZABETH GAGNÉ
Philanthropic Services Officer
TORI HART
Philanthropic Services Officer
JAN L. LANE, CAP®
Senior Philanthropic Advisor
MONICA M. MERANTE, CAP® Senior Director of Philanthropic Services
PRAGYA S. MURPHY, CAP®, MBA
Senior Philanthropic & Impact Investment Advisor
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
KIMBERLY P. SADOWSKI, CPA Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
GERIANNE P. CORRADINO, SHRM-CP Human Resources & Operations Officer
TERRI M. EVANS
Administrative Associate
DANA C. FIEL
Finance Manager
JENNY E. GREEN
Senior Information Systems Officer
ELIZABETH T. HARTMAN, CPA Senior Director of Finance
DAVONA LAWRENCE Finance Associate
DANA E. LYONS-CANTY Special Projects Officer
YEISHA NÚÑEZ-DENSON Accountant
SCHOLARSHIPS & STUDENT SUCCESS
AHMEED H. TURNER
Vice President of Scholarships & Student Success; Executive Director of Say Yes Syracuse
