Spring 2012 Newsletter

Smart Giving

Spring 2012

a publication of the central new york community foundation

CNY85 Awards First Grant From Public Vote Additional volunteers will now be recruited and trained to help expand a rural medical transportation program after the conclusion of the first quarterly grant competition of The CNY85 Giving Project. The Madison County Office for the Aging was recently declared the winner of an $8,500 grant from the Community Foundation after garnering the most public votes.

in this issue

$85K Prize Opportunity Announced page 3

The Office for the Aging provides needed transportation for frail, isolated elderly who have no other means of transportation to their physicians, eye care professionals, pharmacies, and other medical-related appointments. The grant will help the program expand to serve more of the region’s elderly population by recruiting and training additional volunteer drivers.

Study Uncovers Wealth Transfer Opportunity page 4

“For many elderly, the OFA transportation program is the only option for them to get to their health care providers,” said Theresa Davis, Executive Director of Madison County Office for the Aging. “This grant will help us to make a difference in the lives of the frail and isolated elderly so that they may remain independent in their own homes and communities for as long as possible.”

The CNY85 Giving Project was created to engage the public in the Community Foundation’s 85-year anniversary celebration while also drawing attention to the many nonprofit organizations benefitting Central New York. We hope that those who participate in voting are inspired to get more involved in their community – either monetarily or through some form of volunteerism.

$506,837 in Community Grants Are Awarded page 6

StoryCorps Comes to Central New York page 12

March was the first of four public voting periods open over the course of the year.

The project that receives the most online votes each quarter receives an $8,500 grant. The theme for the recently completed round of voting was economic (continued on page 3) Theresa Davis, Executive Director , and Connie Brown, Transportation Program Director, from the Madison County Office for the Aging (OFA) accept their winning grant from Peter Dunn, Community Foundation President & CEO. OFA captured the most public votes in the March round of The CNY85 Giving Project.

Point of View

If you peruse a list of the men and women who were our founders in 1927, you would likely recognize a number of names, some perhaps more than others. Many of those names still adorn prominent local law firms and other institutions; others reflect corporate and civic leadership of the time.

The “Syracuse Foundation, Inc.”, our original name, is part of the early history of community foundations in the United States. Our field started in 1914 in Cleveland with the founding of The Cleveland Foundation, then became a movement with Buffalo, Los Angeles, Chicago, Milwaukee, Boston, and Detroit following in 1915 and others such as Grand Rapids, Denver, Hartford, Winston-Salem and Syracuse shortly thereafter. Our structure was motivated by a goal shared among the leaders of these cities: to create a community trust which could serve as the central steward of many different charitable legacies, foundations, funds and endowments. At the same time, that trust would reap the economic benefits of common administration of funds that take on many sizes and purposes. A board of civic leaders would watch over changing community needs and make (hopefully) wise and appropriate funding decisions that make our communities better places to live.

Peter A. Dunn President & CEO

Anniversaries are times to look back, and look forward. When we look back on our history and the names that live on as funds at the Community Foundation, we can point to those for whom we are still doing precisely what they asked us to do many decades ago.

Once, an older prospective donor came to my office along with his estate planning advisor. He took a look around and, at one point, grabbed on to a piece of furniture, shaking it gently, and stated: “You know, you’ll be me when I’m gone – I wanted to see for myself what you were about and that I could trust that my legacy will be here in the future.” We never know what the future will bring, but for this donor and hundreds of others we have been able to make a common pledge – now backed by an 85-year track record - we’ll be here to honor charitable wishes and to steward the resources entrusted to us to meet the ever-changing needs in this region. I hope you’ll join us. founders of the central new york community foundation

go to cnycf.org

and choose News for our current happenings

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Stewart F. Hancock George H. Bond Frederick V. Bruns Frederick W. Barker John B. Tuck Benjamin Stolz Giles H. Stilwell Harry J. Clark John J. Buettner Frank H. Hiscock Charles W. Flint

Dora G. S. Hazard Mary E. Jenkins Henry H. S. Handy Adolph M. Holstein Oscar F. Soule Wilbert L. Smith Charles S. Estabrook Francis McChesney Harold C. Beatty Elmer T. Eshelman Lewis P. Smith

William H. Kelley Edmund H. Lewis John R. Clancy Edward H. O’Hara Judson W. Clark Hurlburt W. Smith Hollister E. Hessler Carleton A. Chase

The CNY85 Giving Project (cont.) development, transportation, planning and environmental projects. Future rounds will feature projects that address human services, health and housing; education and technology; and arts, culture and civic leadership.

marries “ CNY85 the past with the

The participating nonprofits took many avenues to rally their supporters to vote. Email blasts, notices to social networks, newsletter and website announcements were all used. Some called on their volunteers and board members to get out the vote on their behalf. Those that participated report that being a part of the Project benefited their visibility as well, even if their efforts didn’t result in a win.

“The contest gave us the opportunity to get an innovative idea in front of the public,” said Patty Weisse, Executive Director of the Baltimore Woods Nature Center. “We are pleased with the interest and visibility our peregrine project received. People are following the peregrine’s lead and tell me that they are thinking differently about our downtown area and its value because of the contest.”

future. Combining the rich history of the Community Foundation with technology and innovation as a method of philanthropy.

The Project is running all year-long, so it is not too late to participate!

Upcoming Calendar Housing, Health & Human Service Projects Voting: 06/01-06/30/12 Education & Technology Projects Entry: 07/01-07/31/2012 Voting: 09/01-09/30/12

”

~ Chris Fowler, Executive Director, SyracuseFirst

Arts, Culture, Recreation & Civic Engagement Projects Entry: 10/01-10/31/2012 Voting: 12/01-12/31/12

Collaborative Impact Prize Offers $85,000 We are pleased to announce another unique opportunity to celebrate the Community Foundation’s 85 years of growth and investment in our invaluable nonprofit community! The CNY85 Collaborative Impact Prize is a special, one-time grant of $85,000 to support the implementation of an innovative, collaborative, cross-sector solution to a critical community issue identified through cnyvitals.org or other data source.

what you can do: Vote Public voting will run during the months of June, September and December. Visit cny85.org each day to cast your vote.

Support Many organizations are vying to receive a grant, but unfortunately not all can win. If you would like to support one of the many deserving projects featured this year, visit cny85.org to see a full project list.

The inspiration for this grant was the desire to support the growing value and optimism for collaboration and innovation in our Central New York communities.

It is based on the belief that if enough people come together to work on an issue, real and lasting change can occur. We’ve seen so many new collaborations and advancements over the past few years. We hope that the Prize is one more way of spurring innovation and community collaboration to make Central New York an even better place live, work and raise a family!

Do you have access to information that compels our community to action? Has your organization brought diverse people, groups or organizations together to address a known need in our community? Have you dreamed of a day when a new system of service exists that would really benefit those in need? Do you have the idea that would really make a difference, but need support to implement it? If so, consider applying for the Collaborative Impact Prize by July 20, 2012!

Eligible organizations can learn more and download an application on our website at cnycf.org. Questions? Contact John Eberle at jeberle@cnycf.org or 315-883-5551.

go to cny85.org

to learn more about our CNY85 grants and to vote for your favorite project

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Opportunity Abounds in Imminent, Sizable Wealth Transfer

Giving

Matters

Recent research has confirmed what many of us have long known: there is wealth in Central New York. The Central New York Community Foundation recently partnered with the RUPRI Center for Rural Entrepreneurship to research the magnitude of wealth in the local area and to estimate the amount that will transfer between generations in the next ten years.

The figures we received were astounding. The total net worth of households in the 5-county region (Onondaga, Madison, Cayuga, Oswego and Cortland counties) is estimated to be about $57 billion. Of that amount, $22 billion is projected to transfer between generations over the next 10 years.

Consider this: If we can retain just 5 percent of that wealth for charity at the time of transfer, we will have nearly $1.1 billion available to support charitable endeavors in Central New York. If these funds were added to the Community Foundation’s endowment, we could distribute an additional $55 million in grants annually and in perpetuity to the many deserving nonprofits serving our communities.

Jennifer L. Owens Vice President, Development & Marketing

This is the opportunity presented if each of us were to set aside just 1/20th of the assets that will remain at the end of our lives through a charitable bequest. We all have the ability, regardless of the size of our estates, to make this small commitment. The Community Foundation has been the vehicle of choice for many generous community members over the years looking for a trustworthy partner to steward their charitable legacies. We work with donors to capture their individual motivations, which inform a custom plan of action for the named charitable fund that will result from their bequests. Often, the plan remains flexible to allow for the Community Foundation to use the funds to meet the changing needs of our community If 5 percent of CNY’s wealth transfer was housed in a charitable endowment, an over time. It additional $55 million would be available for nonprofit grantmaking each year. can also be $55,000,000 structured to exclusively support specific fields of interest or individual charities that Enrich Education Strengthen Families have special Safeguard Health Protect meaning to the Environment donor.

Improve Cultivate Neighborhoods

go to 5forcny.org

to learn more about our transfer of wealth study and planned giving options.

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Arts

As each of us wrestles with the question of how to ensure that our values live on beyond our lifetime, we may come to many different conclusions. The Community Foundation can help you to define your charitable mission and structure a legacy plan designed to fit your goals. Consider us a resource as you set personal goals for charitable giving beyond your lifetime.

5for

CNY

We invite you to visit www.5forcny.org to read more about our study and to explore ways to get personally involved in making a lasting difference. You can also contact me by phone at 315883-5540 or email at jowens@cnycf.org.

Speiser

A Defined Devotion: Allen

“Volunteering makes the world a better place, since people will always need a helping hand.” Dr. Allen Speiser lived by this motto, devoting his life to helping others in Central New York. Speiser founded Consolidated Industries in 1964 to provide work training and employment to people with disabilities.

With a defined focus, this nonprofit vocational rehabilitation facility improved opportunities for those with disabilities for many years.

In 2001, Speiser established a field-of-interest fund at the Community Foundation that would carry on his devotion. After his death in 2007, those who shared his dedication to the cause renamed the fund the Allen Speiser Memorial Vocational Rehabilitation Fund. Its mission - to strengthen and support efforts that advance and have a positive impact on vocational rehabilitation services – will carry Speiser’s legacy into perpetuity.

The Fund has subsequently supported special projects and staff training of various local nonprofits that assist the disabled in acquiring the social, educational and work skills that will lead to employment. The Fund awards grants to organizations that support education and employment opportunities and raise awareness of the employment potential of people with disabilities.

Since 2005, the Fund has awarded 24 grants totaling $31,424 to support a variety of projects. One recipient, Enable, experienced great success from a $1,000 grant to expand its Pink Wheels Work program.

“Funding from the Allen Speiser Memorial Fund helped us to offer the Pink Wheels Work event free of charge to 48 young women with disabilities,” said Deb Oonk, Donor Relations Coordinator at Enable. “Pink Wheels Work is a mentoring event that allows young women aged 16 - 26 to learn Elizabeth and Jane Scott enjoyed learning about workappropriate make-up during a break-out session presented from women with

by Mary Kay Cosmetics at the Pink Wheels Work event. disabilities who have successfully entered the workforce. Participants interact with positive role models who will inspire them to realize that having a disability and a career can go hand-in-hand.”

The Community Foundation has helped carry on Speiser’s legacy and passion for many years by providing opportunities to those who needed them the most. Speiser always believed that his greatest accomplishment was having the opportunity to serve the disabled through vocational rehabilitation. The many people whose lives he has touched through this fund would surely agree that his legacy lives on.

Dr. Allen Speiser

fund advisory committee: • • • • • • • • • • •

Charles Chappell, Jr. James W. Nash Scott Ebner Harvey Pearl Thomas A. Lazzaro James C. Rentos Peter Leofsky Ruth Speiser Joseph E. McMahon Brian Walton Brian McLane

how to donate: The Speiser Fund Advisory Committee accepts donations to help increase the Fund’s grantmaking ability. To donate, visit http://mygiving.cnycf. org/speiser.

go to cnycf.org

and choose Our Grantmaking to learn more about the Speiser Fund

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Community Impact In December, our board of directors approved grants to 21 nonprofit organizations totaling $506,837.

Ar ts, Culture & Humanities

Economic Development

CORA Foundation - $5,000

CenterState CEO - $20,000

Support In our View: A Community Perspective, a project that will recruit residents of Syracuse’s Northside neighborhood to become documentary photographers and tell their stories, culminating in an exhibition at the ArtRage Gallery Everson Museum of Art - $50,000

Assist in the production of the Metropolitan Business Plan in collaboration with the Brookings Institution and regional partners to address economic development and community revitalization

Education

Support for exhibitions, educational programs and equipment for TONY2012, a community-wide biennial exhibition featuring local artists and partners

Most Holy Rosary School - $2,673

Madison Hall Association - $20,000

Syracuse Academy of Science Charter School - $25,000

Enhance access to its historic Morrisville building for special events and group gatherings through a number of improvements, including a rebuilt staircase, lighting, and the installation of signage at the rear entrance

Enhance its literacy program with the purchase of a leveled literacy intervention kit for third graders Upgrade the biology laboratory, which will help students in grades 8-12 expand their knowledge in zoology and environmental science Syracuse City School District Adult Education - $40,000

Oneida Community Mansion House - $20,000

Enhance the Points of Entry project by providing innovative supports and incentives that assist newly released justice center inmates with the transition to continuing education and vocational training

Open Hand Theater - $11,000

Health

Restore and paint the building’s exterior in order to prevent further deterioration, water leakage and damage to the interior of this historic building

Partner with area communities, agencies and artists to design puppets and performances that showcase diversity Syracuse Children’s Chorus - $15,000

Support of its Visions for Peace Spring Concert in collaboration with Imagine Syracuse’s Young Musicians Project, which will bring together a diverse group of peers around the subject of peace Syracuse Stage - $34,900

Support the Arts Emerging education program, which will provide free tickets to the award-winning musical Caroline, or Change. Students will work with local musicians and artists to explore the impact of music on their cultural identities

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CONTACT Community Services - $30,000

Furnish and purchase technology for its new headquarters, which will provide safe, accessible, and comfortable rooms conducive to effective training of people with diverse learning styles and physical needs Prevention Network - $19,200

Expand its underage drinking prevention programming with the implementation of Honor the Code, aimed at reducing alcohol and drug use among high school athletes by offering public awareness and education

go to

cnycf.org

and choose Our Grantmaking to learn more about our grants

Human Services

Toomey Residential & Community Services $10,500

Boys & Girls Clubs of Syracuse, in partnership with the Salvation Army $54,104

Deploy research-based teen services focused on youth development and job readiness skills at two Club locations

Renovate a bathroom in the Allen Street Agency Boarding Home, a youth foster care home accommodating teenage boys who have been separated from their families and community due to mental health or emotional difficulties Visions for Change - $45,000

Implement the Project upBEAT program to build teamwork and lower stress among long-term caregivers

Assist families in creating their own personal paths out of poverty by expanding the Circles program with an additional coach that will train individuals to take on leadership roles in their lives and in their community

PEACE, Inc. - $40,000

YMCA of Greater Syracuse - $10,000

Menorah Park/Jewish Home of Central New York - $13,000

Renovate the DeFrancisco Eastwood Community Center, which houses senior services and other programs The Salvation Army - $31,710

Develop an effective anti-gang strategy for the Syracuse area on behalf of the Community Intervention Committee, which is a subcommittee of Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods and New York State’s Operation Impact Task Force

Expand the Downtown Writer’s Center programming, which provides new and established writers with the opportunity to participate in workshops, meet peers and encounter new writing on a regular basis YWCA Syracuse & Onondaga County - $9,750

Expand to an integrated online donor development and client tracking database. The database will be made available to other nonprofits in the community who are seeking to increase diversity on their boards.

These grants were made possible through the support of the following funds:

• Charlotte and Donald Ball Fund • William D. Barnet Memorial Scholarship Fund

• The Benji Fund • Besse Family Fund • Charles F. Brannock Fund • Shirley M. Brennan Fund • William L. Broad Fund • Elizabeth Salisbury Brooks Fund • Kenneth P. & Charlotte C. Buckley Fund • Thomas & Mary Cabasino Fund • Carriage House Foundation Fund • Philip R. & Elizabeth E. Chase Fund • Clarke Family Fund • Solly & Belle Cohen Fund • Community Fund • Mary Frances Costello Fund • Alfred & Grace Dibella Fund • Margaret J. Early Fund • Education Endowment Fund • Carlton R. Estey Fund • Alice M. Gaylord Trusts

• Minnie O. Goodman Estate Fund • Frances E. & John S. Hancock Fund • Carroll A. Hennessy Fund • Frances Singer Hennessy Fund • Anthony A. & Susan E. Henninger

Memorial Fund • Hills Family Fund • I.A. Hotze Fund • Iaconis, Iaconis & Baum Fund • Marjorie D. Kienzle Fund • Alicia A. & George W. Lee Fund • L.C. Maier Community Fund • Gay D. Marsellus Fund • John F. Marsellus Fund • Helen Hancock McClintock Fund • James & Aileen Miller Fund • Donald C. & Marion F. Newton Fund • Peggy Ogden Community Fund • Dorothy M. Olds Fund • Theodore & Marjorie B. Pierson Fund • Robert A. & Winifred S. Pond Family Fund

• Brian Cole Retan Memorial Fund • James A. & McDowell Smith Reynolds Fund

• Robert M. & Dorothy M. Salisbury Fund

• Ralph Myron Sayer and Sophrona Davis Sayer Endowment Fund • Helene C. Schroeder Fund • Frederick B. & Laura B. Scott Fund • Levi & Alice Smith Fund • Frances M. Thompson Fund • Olga Dietz Turner Fund • The Witherill Fund • Forrest H. Witmeyer Fund • Arthur W. & Mabel P. Wrieden Memorial Fund

To learn more about these funds and many others that make our grantmaking possible, visit the Funds & Donors page at www.cnycf.org.

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Strategic Partnership Fund Expands Criteria We all know that effective nonprofit organizations are vital to the health and vitality of our community. Since the current economic instability has created challenges to the wellbeing of the entire nonprofit sector, leaders have been struggling to address changes in community need while balancing their already tight budgets. These growing challenges have prompted some to consider dramatic new levels of collaboration to ensure that important community services are sustained.

At the end of 2011, the staff and board at the Community Foundation discussed these current challenges and ways to best support organizations taking bold and creative new steps to collaborate, affiliate or merge. The Strategic Partnership Fund, which began in 2009, had already been supporting this vital work through grants of up to $25,000. Several grants were made to help organizations implement their plans, but we realized this was not enough. The time had come to broaden our support to those that were considering a partnership but did not have the necessary funding to begin the work.

We adapted by broadening the eligibility requirements for the Strategic Partnership Fund. The broadened criteria include:

by John Eberle Vice President, Grantmaking & Community Initiatives

1. Increased Fundable Activities: Nonprofit organizations can now apply for a grant to conduct exploration, pre-negotiation, negotiation and due diligence activities to assess whether a particular partnership activity makes sense for their future.

2. Expanded Geography: Rather than only accepting applications from organizations in Onondaga and Madison counties, now groups from Cortland, Cayuga and Oswego counties can also apply for a grant for any phase of their partnership work.

Whatever an organization needs to do to explore or implement a Strategic Partnership, the Community Foundation can help! For more information, guidelines and an application, visit cnycf.org or call me at 315-883-5551.

mark your calendar! Upcoming Grant Deadlines Community Grants

July 6, 2012 September 28, 2012

CNY85 Collaborative Impact Prize

July 20, 2012

Greater Pulaski Community Endowment Fund

June 30, 2012 December 31, 2012

go to cnycf.org

and choose Grantmaking to learn how to apply for a grant

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Cayuga Community Fund

September 30, 2012

Syracuse SIDS Prevention Fund

October 5, 2012

John F. Marsellus Sabbatical

October 31, 2012

Women’s Fund of Central New York

December 2012

Future Fund of Central New York (LOIs)

January 2013

Allen Speiser Memorial Vocational Rehabilitation Fund

March 2013

New Board Members Welcomed We are happy to welcome the following community leaders as new members of our board of directors.

Craig Buckhout, CFA

2011-2012 board of directors

Principal, Rockbridge Investment Management, LLC

Warren W. Bader, Esq.

Craig’s firm manages investment portfolios for a broad spectrum of clients. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) whose professional experience includes seven years as president of the insurance and financial series subsidiaries of Dairylea Cooperative, and eleven years with Agway in operational and corporate management, financial management, and bank relations. A resident of Cazenovia, Craig holds two degrees from Cornell University - a Masters in Business Administration from the Johnson Graduate School of Management and a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics.

William C. Brod

Evelyn Carter

Ellen Percy Kraly, Ph.D.

Division Consumer Affairs Manager, Wegmans Food Markets

Joseph B. Lee

Evelyn’s responsibilities include media relations, community investments and consumer affairs for Wegmans’ Syracuse and Auburn area stores. Evelyn joined Wegmans in 2007 in the human resources department, after previously working at United Technologies, Carrier Corporation and Bristol-Myers Squibb. She graduated from Le Moyne College with an MBA and received a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. She is a board member of Centerstate CEO, Crouse Hospital Foundation, Hillside Work Scholarship Connection, the Jim and Juli Boeheim Foundation and WCNY.

Melanie Littlejohn, Chair

Steve Jacobs

Stephanie R. Threatte

President, Bishops Brook, Inc. Steve started his business consulting firm in 1997 after serving as president of Stevens Office Interiors, a local furniture distribution company. His practice focuses on business problem-solving and client development. Steve has also been highly active in the community he lives in, serving as a member of several nonprofit boards and committees including: East Area Family YMCA, Boy Scouts of America – Hiawatha Council, Junior Achievement of CNY, Community General Hospital Foundation, the MOST, and MDA. He graduated with an MBA from CarnegieMellon University as a W. L. Mellon Fellow, after receiving his Bachelor of Science degree with highest honors in Mechanical Engineering.

Calvin L. Corriders* Kenneth J. Entenmann* Linda Dickerson Hartsock Richard D. Hole, Esq. Madelyn H. Hornstein, CPA

David J. Moynihan, CPA Brian Pollard, D.D.S. Rita L. Reicher, Ph.D. Maria P. Russell* Judith M. Sayles, Esq. Corinne R. Smith, Ph.D. Michael J. Wamp * Term ending June, 2012.

Robert D. Scolaro, Esq.

The Wladis Law Firm Rob joined The Wladis Law Firm in East Syracuse in 2011, bringing with him 10 years of experience helping families and family-owned businesses meet their estate and business succession planning needs. He specializes in counseling clients on all aspects of estate planning and administration, asset preservation for individuals and businesses, and elder law. He is a member of boards and committees for the Estate Planning Council of Central New York, Tully Hill, American Red Cross of Central New York, and SADA Charity Preview for Hospice of Central New York. Rob graduated cum laude from both Ohio Wesleyan University and Suffolk University Law School and is licensed to practice law in New York, Florida and Massachusetts.

go to cnycf.org

and choose About Us to learn more about our board and staff

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Upcoming Events Calendar Join us for some of our exciting events and workshops this year!

May

31 2012

June

14, 21 & 28 2012

October

25 2012

November

15 2012

N.E.W.S.: Marketing & Social Media 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Public relations professionals will shed light on some strategies your nonprofit can use to activate social media for donor recruitment and marketing, as well as streamlining your messages to fit your audience.

N.E.W.S.: Three-Part Succession Planning Workshop 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Join a trainer for a three-part workshop aimed at helping your nonprofit create a succession plan for your chief executive. The three days will include panel discussions and hands-on planning with respect to each participant’s unique succession considerations.

Annual Professional Advisor Continuing Education Seminar 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Christopher Hoyt, law professor at the University of Missouri and national expert on charitable gift planning, will join us for our annual professional advisor continuing education seminar. His presentation - Retirement Accounts: Planning Optimal Outcomes for Family, Charitable And Tax Objectives - will touch on the federal estate tax, Roth IRA conversions and planning bequests from retirement accounts.

Nonprofit Anniversary Breakfast: Your Story is Our Story 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

The local nonprofit community is invited to join us on National Philanthropy Day to celebrate our 85-year anniversary. A storytelling expert will speak on how your organization can help tell the compelling stories of your dedicated volunteers and those you serve.

Register for these events:

go to cnycf.org

and choose About Us to view all of our news and upcoming events.

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To learn more about these events and register, visit www.cnycf.org.

Local Literacy Strides Recognized Nationally The Literacy Coalition of Onondaga County (LCOC) recently received a $20,000 research grant awarded from the Sociological Initiatives (SI) Foundation. This grant will help the LCOC’s Measurement Action Team to gather data about the impact of its literacy programming on refugee communities. This grant is especially exciting because only 5 percent of the organizations that apply to the SI Foundation are successful in receiving funding.

The Literacy Coalition’s Measurement Action Team, led in part by the Community Foundation’s Frank Ridzi, Ph.D., will use the grant to expand initial research it released in August that demonstrated the effectiveness of the Imagination Library program on Syracuse’s Northside. Imagination Library distributes free, ageappropriate books to eligible children each month from birth until their fifth birthday. Preliminary research has shown great promise: parents who participated in the program for more than four months were twice as likely to read to their children every day. In addition, young children who are read to frequently are almost twice as likely to be better readers in their later schooling and those who read proficiently by third grade are four times more likely to stay in school.

The Measurement Action Team will be using the new grant to learn how nonEnglish speaking populations make use of Imagination Library’s programming and how it might be improved to better serve their unique needs. Their hope is that by engaging Members of the Measurement Action Team - Drs. Monica Sylvia, refugee families Sunita Singh and Frank Ridzi - pose with the “Cat in the Hat” in their research, SU Literacy Corps student, Amanda Rockwell. they will be able to identify the best ways the LCOC can develop effective programming that will increase local and national literacy rates.

These recent accomplishments have spotlighted our local Literacy Coalition on the national stage. Several LCOC members were invited to present the Action Team’s findings at the United States Conference on Adult Literacy last November.

In addition, John Eberle, Vice President of Grants & Community Initiatives at the Community Foundation, organized and chaired a panel at the Annual Literacy Funders Network Symposium in Houston that discussed methods for tracking and measuring collaborative community initiatives.

LiteracyCoalition

OF ONONDAGA COUNTY

what you can do If you are interested in doing your part to improve the literacy rates in Onondaga County, think about helping in one of the following ways: volunteer • Contribute your time and talent as a volunteer tutor with a local literacy program.

• Serve on the board of a literacy organization • If you are an employer, encourage your employees to volunteer or give release time for volunteer training • Let literacy organizations use your workplace to train tutors and teach students • Call toll free 1-866-705-7323 for volunteer opportunities donate • Donate gifts-in-kind (books, supplies, materials & services) to support a literacy organization or program • Make a tax-deductible donation to the Literacy Coalition at mygiving.cnycf.org/ literacy • Sponsor an Imagination Library child at mygiving.cnycf.org/ imaginationlibrary

go to onliteracy.org for more information on the local literacy movement

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If you do not wish to continue receiving SmartGiving, please email us at info@cnycf.org.

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Syracuse, NY Permit No. 1352

431 east fayette street Suite 100 Syracuse, New York 13202 315.422.9538

Where the Smart Money Gives. board of directors Warren W. Bader, Esq. William C. Brod Calvin L. Corriders Kenneth J. Entenmann Linda Dickerson Hartsock Richard D. Hole, Esq. Madelyn H. Hornstein, CPA Ellen Percy Kraly, Ph.D. Joseph B. Lee Melanie Littlejohn, Chair David J. Moynihan, CPA Brian Pollard, D.D.S. Rita L. Reicher, Ph.D. Maria P. Russell Judith M. Sayles, Esq. Corinne R. Smith, Ph.D. Stephanie R. Threatte Michael J. Wamp legal counsel Gay M. Pomeroy, Esq. Mackenzie Hughes LLP

staff

Peter A. Dunn, J.D., President & CEO

finance and operations

Mary C. Meyer, Esq., Senior Vice President Liz Cavallaro, Controller Dottie DeSimone, Accountant Kathleen Deaver, Grants Coordinator Nicole Robinson, Administrative Assistant

development and marketing

Jennifer L. Owens, Vice President Katrina Crocker, Communications Officer Stephanie J. Parzych, Development & Operations Coordinator

grants and community initiatives

Your Story is Our Story: We are Bringing StoryCorps to CNY! We are excited to announce that we are bringing nationally acclaimed StoryCorps to Central New York to celebrate our 85-year anniversary.

Featured locally on affiliated stations of National Public Radio, StoryCorps is the largest oral history project in the nation’s history, presenting a tapestry of American stories, told by the people who lived them to the people they love.

StoryCorps began with the idea that everyone has an important story to tell. Since 2003, this remarkable project has collected more than 10,000 stories of everyday Americans and is preserving them for future generations. In mobile recording booths traveling the country - from small towns to big cities - StoryCorps collects the memories of Americans of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life.

The project celebrates our shared humanity, capturing for posterity the stories that define us and bind us together.

The Community Foundation has commissioned StoryCorps to conduct its unique one-on-one oral history interviews with some of the community’s charitable and nonprofit leaders and visionaries.

We plan to share their extraordinary stories this year on our website and in publications as part of our anniversary celebration. Stay tuned!

John G. Eberle, Vice President Frank Ridzi, Director, Research & Community Initiatives Olive Sephuma, Director, Community Grantmaking Danielle M. Gill, Program Officer David A. Kilpatrick, Grants Manager

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