Q U A R T E R LY N E W S L E T T E R F O R
DONOR-ADVISED FUNDHOLDERS WINTER 2022
lnside MOHAWK VALLEY GIVES ORGANIZATION FEATURE: MOHAWK VALLEY INSTITUTE FOR LEARNING IN RETIREMENT FUND SPOTLIGHT: BAMBERGER FAMILY FUND
welcome M E S S A G E This year, the Community Foundation marks its 70th anniversary—an important milestone. In looking back at how far we’ve come, especially in the last decade, I must give a huge THANK YOU to each and every one of you: for helping our community to thrive, for being not only a partner but a friend, and most important of all, for believing in and supporting our mission and vision. Whether you’ve been a fundholder with us for decades or just a few months, you play such an important role in the work we do and the impact we have on all those who live in our two-county community. As if our notable anniversary weren’t exciting enough, 2022 will also be our first year ever hosting a 24-hour community giving day, “Mohawk Valley Gives.” Please take a look at the next page for details, including ways you or your fund can get involved in this community-wide effort. Even as we look ahead, we can’t forget to celebrate some of 2021’s great outcomes. Thanks to your generosity and the suppor t of all our donors, we awarded more than $10 million dollars to nonprofit par tners last year, driven largely by investments made by our donor-advised fundholders. Add to that amazing statistic the record sum of donations received, and the number of new funds
created, and it’s clear those who support our community continue to step up—even in difficult circumstances that have challenged us all. The ways in which we invest in this community are always evolving, and this year we will continue to enhance the connections between community and nonprofit organization needs and donor interests. We’ll share funding proposals that may be of interest and create and maintain a nonprofit “needs and wish list” so donors, fundholders, and the community can see how best to suppor t our partners. Building this greater connection will be an evolving effort, and we look forward to working with you in collaboration with nonprofit partners old and new. We have a year full of community impact planned, and I hope you share in our excitement as we make progress. Many great things have happened in our 70-year history, and together, we will achieve even greater things to come. Alicia Dicks President/CEO The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties
SEPTEMBER 20, 2022
In celebration of our 70th anniversary, the Community Foundation will host its first ever 24-hour community giving day, “Mohawk Valley Gives,” on September 20, 2022. This is the start of a multiyear effort, using our community giving day to bring nonprofit need and donor support together through our 75th anniversary and beyond. “Holding a giving day is a way to bring the entire community together to support its nonprofit organizations,” said Nick Grimmer, director of giving strategies. “It’s a way to maximize awareness, engagement, and donations, and we’re looking forward to making it an annual way we can all support the Mohawk Valley’s nonprofit community.” Through the Mohawk Valley Gives online platform each participating nonprofit will be able to create a unique online profile, so that donors can support their favorites—and also learn about other organizations doing great work in our community. Our team will assist nonprofit organizations that participate so that they can leverage the power of their networks and supporters on September 20.
In addition to working with nonprofits, we’ll engage with businesses, community residents and, of course, you—our fundholders— to make sure we harness the community’s collective energy for the greatest possible impact.
Here are ways you can get involved and participate: •
Challenge others in the community to donate by putting up a match for gifts made to your favorite local nonprofit
•
Sponsor prizes that reward nonprofits for their active participation during the day
•
Launch a fundraiser at your workplace allowing co-workers to team up in support of causes that are important to them
•
Simply donate to your favorite community causes and organizations on September 20
If any of the above options are of interest to you or if you have questions about how to participate in Mohawk Valley Gives, please reach out to Nick Grimmer, ngrimmer@foundationhoc.org, 315-525-6584, to start the conversation. Stay tuned for more details to come about this exciting event!
ORGANIZATION FEATURE
Lifelong Learning:
M O H AW K VA L L E Y I N S T I T U T E FOR LEARNING IN RETIREMENT F
or the past 25 years, the Mohawk Valley Institute for Learning in Retirement (MVILR) has provided opportunities for local seniors to “learn, live, grow, move, think, socialize and create” as they transition from years of hard work to productive retirement. MVILR recently partnered with Mohawk Valley Community College’s Center for Corporate and Community Education to continue providing local retirees with rich learning opportunities. After calling SUNY Polytechnic Institute home for the last two decades, MVILR is now located on MVCC’s Rome campus. And its members are excited about the new larger space, dedicated classrooms for their courses, state-of-the-ar t special event spaces, and accessible parking. “I have been an active member of MVILR for over 20 years and have enjoyed taking so many interesting academic and special interest classes that I was never able to take while pursuing a nursing degree,” says member Cynthia DeTraglia. “I have made many new friends over the years
who shared my excitement to learn and stay mentally and physically active, and I am very excited that MVILR has newly par tnered with MVCC.” “I’m totally looking forward to MVILR’s new affiliation with MVCC Rome,” says member Nancy Ketz. “Being an educator for more than 35 years, I’ve always been a fervent advocate for lifelong learning. Whether we appreciate the diverse offerings to promote brain health as we age, or if it’s simply the joy of learning and socializing, this program gets an A-plus.” Each year, the organization offers a wide variety of classes on subjects such as art, music, literature, computer science, finance, law, social studies, health and wellness. Beyond that, MVILR’s special interest groups enjoy other social and recreational opportunities. According to Program Coordinator Sofia Piccione, one of the most popular activities is Mahjong, a tile-based game developed in 19th-century China. Piccione adds that when mapping out each
year’s programs, she tries to keep classes interesting and diversify the range of offerings. “It’s so impor tant for us to hear from our members,“ she says.“We survey our membership and ask for their feedback on things they like, things they want to see more of, and we’re definitely getting more interest in the computer science realm.” MVILR also offers one-time special events based on the time of year. This year, the organization invited members to the Utica Curling Club to gear up for the Winter Olympics. “This one-hour lecture covering the sport of curling was paired with a tour of the Utica Curling Club, which provided a chance to see the space, equipment, and ask questions about curling so that members were prepared to be informed spectators of the Winter 2022 Olympics,” says Piccione. Not only does MVILR promote learning, mental, and physical health, it also provides seniors a way to socialize, make new friends, and helps guide those adjusting to retirement. Many members have worked hard and been active all their lives, so MVILR’s offerings make retirement a pleasant and productive “next phase” of life. And MVILR helps members explore activities they never had the chance to experience while working.
As it matures as an organization—and in a new and expanded location—MVILR is looking to build relationships with other community organizations. Since taking over as program coordinator, Piccione sees such partnerships as very beneficial to its members. “We’re going to partner with Cornell Cooperative Extension in the spring, and they are going to host a class for us at the botanical gardens in Westmoreland. Our members can learn about gardening and then have some hands-on practice.” Like many nonprofit organizations in the Mohawk Valley, MVILR has been challenged by the global pandemic and had to pivot programming to a virtual setting, which was a learning experience for both the organization and its members—an experience that has opened many new doors for the future of its programs. “One of my favorite things has been introducing this organization to all the efficiencies that technology brings and how we can continue to use it to provide a varying degree of courses via Zoom,” says Piccione. “We’re also exploring a hybrid option and other third-party learning platforms so that members can have some added perks to their annual membership and be able to explore some online material from different organizations that we may be able to partner with.”
The Community Foundation is one of MVILR’s trusted partners. Through support from multiple donor-advised funds, the organization was able to successfully transition from SUNY Poly to MVCC. The funding helped with moving costs and getting everything back up and running again in a new location. Piccione and the team at MVILR are looking forward to partnering with the Community Foundation while enriching the education and lives of local retirees. Whether you or a senior you know is looking to improve health and wellness with pickleball, yoga, or meditation, or take part in a roundtable discussion of current events, MVILR can be your bridge to enhanced learning and living.
Learn. Live. Move. Thin
k. Socialize. Create with
New learning opportunities for retiree
s
The Mohawk Valley Institut e for Learning in Retirement has lined up over 50 classes and special events to be held in classro oms and at satellite location s this fall! Courses range in format from large lectures to small discussions taught by volunteer facilitators, members, and guest professionals who enjoy sharing their expertise, talents, interests, and enthusiasm for lifelong learning. • From art and literatu re, to science and technology, our programming has someth ing for all of our members! • Classes are held at MVCC in Rome, throughout the community, and online over Zoom. • There are over 125 classes to choose from each year.
us!
Join us
New members are always welcome! Purchase your membe rship or register for classes online at mvcc.edu/mvilr or stop into room 130 at MVCC in Rome during business hours to register in person.
Membership options
Annual membership fee includes a variety of special social events, lectures, and other activitie s sponsored by MVILR and MVCC. Full-Year Membership: • Annual memberships are $260 and include access to a minimum of nine academ ic classes, your choice of any special events through out the year, and unlimited health & wellness classes. Partial memberships • Available for a reduce d fee. • The fall and spring session s are eight weeks and the winter is four weeks.
There is no age restric tion for attending our adult programming, and we welcome anyone with a little extra time in their schedu les.
Contact us
MVILR is a non-profit organization that offers life-long educational opportunities to the area’s retired and semi-re tired individuals.
Website: mvcc.edu/mvi lr Phone: 315-334-7761
FUND SPOTLIGHT
Bamberger F A M I LY G
enerous, caring, and compassionate. That’s how those in the community who know them describe Rabbi Henry Bamberger and his wife, Sheila, whose professional and philanthropic impact has been profound over the last four decades, ever since Rabbi Bamberger began leading Temple Emanu-El. One important way that they have focused their impact in recent years has been through partnership with the Community Foundation. Looking for a way to give back to the local community that they’ve called home since 1982, they knew that creating the Bamberger Family Fund at the Community Foundation was the perfect way to do it. “We’ve been generous for years individually, so we thought that establishing this family fund would be a perfect option to extend our giving to those organizations we support and have relationships with,” said Sheila. “Working with the Community Foundation has made our lives very simple.”
“We were very familiar with the organization and have used their services in the past, so it was a natural transition,” Rabbi Bamberger said. Established in 2020, the fund isn’t the only way that the Bambergers continue to inspire. Both stay very busy and do a great deal of volunteer work throughout the area. Sheila serves on the Charles T. Sitrin Health Care Center board and for years was a member of the Players of Utica board; she continues to serve as a resource for the organization. She’s also been active in the University of Albany alumni association since 1957. Rabbi Bamberger is on the ethics committees for area hospitals as well as the Hamilton College Institutional Review Board. Over the years, he’s also served on volunteer boards for the CNY Food Bank, Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute, Planned Parenthood Mohawk-Hudson, the Samaritan Center, and Mohawk Valley Institute for Learning in Retirement (MVILR). But his favorite volunteer activity is his role as a docent at the Utica Zoo.
FUND
Rabbi Bamberger retired from Temple Emanu-El in 1999 and was elected Rabbi Emeritus. Retirement allowed both Bambergers to fully involve themselves in MVILR’s lifelong learning mission; members for more than 20 years, they have both taught a variety of MVILR courses. Together, the couple led classes in Shakespeare, the Bible, and football. Sheila drew on her career as a math teacher to offer MVILR members courses in mathematics, and Rabbi Bamberger solo taught religion ethics— and beginning birding. “The very first course we taught together was in the old lecture hall at what is now SUNY Poly. It was a course about Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and to our surprise there were over 100 people,” Rabbi Bamberger said. “We’ve stayed in contact and become friends with many of the students that took our classes, and I am still teaching there currently.” Now, the couple is using their donor-advised fund to extend support to the organizations they know and love. Together, they make decisions on what their fund will support and so far have awarded grants to University of Albany Foundation, MVILR, Jewish Community Federation of the Mohawk Valley, WCNY, and others. “It’s important for us to invest locally because we’re able to and because this community has been very good to us,” said Sheila. “When we retired over 20 years ago, people would ask if we were going to move or where we were going to go, and they were pleasantly surprised when I would say that we were very happy to stay right here. We have friends, we have activities. Everything tells us to stay here and have a fun life.” Rabbi Bamberger says Utica has felt like home almost from the beginning. “We had only been here a few weeks, and I remember I was trying to find my way to someplace using the directions I had been told—which didn’t work. I found that I had no idea where I was, so I knew I was lost. But I didn’t feel lost. “That’s when I knew that this was home.”
Our NEWEST funds
ANITA’S STEVENS SWAN HUMANE SOCIETY COMMUNITY FUND A designated fund to administer community contributions for Anita’s Stevens Swan Humane Society.
B SHARP MUSICAL CLUB FUND
An agency fund established by B Sharp Musical Club, an organization that advances the performing arts among its members and the community at large through concerts, outreach programs and youth mentorships and scholarships.
BROADWAY UTICA STUDENTS ON BROADWAY FUND
An agency fund established by Broadway Theatre League of Utica to support its Students on Broadway program, providing K-12 children the opportunity to engage with theatre and the arts.
COGAR FOUNDATION FUND
A donor-advised fund established by the Cogar Foundation for general charitable purposes.
MARTIN J. MEEHAN MEMORIAL FUND A donor-advised fund established by friends and
family in memory of Mar tin “Mar ty” Meehan to support the educational endeavors of graduating athletes at Oswego High School.
OPERATION SUNSHINE FUND A field-of-interest fund created by Operation
Sunshine to provide camperships to local children.
SAYER FAMILY FUND A donor-advised fund established by Steve and Nancy Sayer for general charitable purposes.
BROADWAY UTICA YOUTH AMBASSADOR PROGRAM FUND An agency fund established by Broadway Theatre League of Utica to suppor t its Youth Ambassador Program, engaging area high school students in its seasonal productions and inspiring them to thrive in the world of theatre, the arts, the community, and in life.
THE FAHY FAMILY CHARITABLE REMAINDER UNITRUST A charitable remainder unitrust established by the Fahy Family.
INVESTMENT Opportunities To support these important initiatives or inquire about other opportunities, please email funds@foundationhoc.org.
CENTRAL ONEIDA COUNTY VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE CORPS EMS EDUCATION
Central Oneida County Volunteer Ambulance Corps (COCVAC) is seeking $6,000 to send members to a local paramedic program in response to a critical shortage in EMS providers nationwide and locally.
CHARLES T. SITRIN HEALTH CARE CENTER TABLETS
Charles T. Sitrin Health Care Center needs $1,200 to buy a tablet for nurses and health care professionals to record confidential patient and resident information. Tablets save time, increase access to information, and ensure accurate documentation while freeing up time for nurses to do what they do best: care for their patients.
INTEGRATED COMMUNITY ALTERNATIVES NETWORK COMMUNITY CRISIS SERVICES
Integrated Community Alternatives Network (ICAN) is seeking funding to start community-focused crisis services to address the mental health issues of children and families to work toward its mission of empowering individuals and families.
MISSION MAYHEM WILDLIFE REHABILITATION
COMMUNITY WILDLIFE QUARANTINE BUILDING
Mission Mayhem Wildlife Rehabilitation is requesting $7,500 for a mobile quarantine building. Each year countless wildlife animals are found orphaned and/or injured and wildlife rehabilitators take on the role of educating, assisting, and accepting these animals from community members, state environmental officers, animal control, and others. The building will help Mission Mayhem work with other rehabilitators to accept additional animals and provide a clean, safe, and comfortable area to bring distressed wildlife.
MOHAWK VALLEY LATINO ASSOCIATION
COMMUNITY SPACE AND GARDEN PROGRAM
Mohawk Valley Latino Association is seeking funding for its La Abundancia Community Space and Garden that will provide residents of Cornhill a place to grow, prepare, eat traditional foods, and celebrate holidays, the arts and the many Latino and Hispanic cultures which make the Mohawk Valley their home.
MUNSON-WILLIAMS-PROCTOR ARTS INSTITUTE
NORMAN ROCKWELL SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
An exhibition of works by Norman Rockwell will be presented exclusively at MunsonWilliams-Proctor Arts Institute Museum of Art from June to September 2022. Sponsorship opportunities that range from $5,000 to $50,000 are available to help underwrite the costs of the exhibition and to highlight sponsor commitment to the arts. Sponsors will be prominently recognized in all marketing and promotional materials associated with the exhibition.
ON POINT FOR COLLEGE LAPTOPS AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES
On Point for College is seeking funding to provide underserved, first-generation college students with a refurbished laptop and backpack full of school supplies to set them up for college success. This effort is part of the comprehensive support On Point provides to hundreds of young people overcoming challenges.
THE CENTER
YOGA INSTRUCTOR
The Center seeks $2,400 to offer women’s yoga classes virtually through Facebook Live.The yoga class will consist of four- and eight-week sessions offered throughout the year. The classes will provide opportunities for relaxation and stress relief and encourage exercise and a healthy lifestyle for refugee and immigrant women, particularly during difficult times resulting from the pandemic.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER FREE TAX PREPARATION
The Neighborhood Center is seeking $5,000 to hire a tax preparation professional to help lower-income individuals and seniors file their tax returns. Intended for seniors who don’t have access to a computer or are uncomfortable doing their taxes using software, this in-person tax preparation assistance will be a tremendous help for the community.
THE STANLEY THEATRE ORCHESTRA SEATING
The Stanley Theatre is requesting $9,500 to replace 80 orchestra seats that have seen many years of performances and are overdue for retirement. The new seats will be more fitting to the space, stronger, and easier to maintain.
THE THEATER AT WOODSHILL A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
The Theater at Woodshill is requesting $5,000 to help cover professional performers’ fees for a full-scale, enthralling production of Shakespeare’s most exhilarating reverie, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The theater will present performances for three weeks in August 2022.
UNADILLA COMMUNITY FARM EDUCATION CENTER FARMER TRAINING PROGRAM
Unadilla Community Farm, a nonprofit education center in Central New York, needs $10,000 for its accredited beginning farmer training program. Funding will support room and board, training, and classes for 35-40 young people, ensuring the program is available at no cost to the participants. This workforce development program will enable youth to gain experience in organic farming, regenerative agroforestry and value-added production, and also equip them with the skills to start sustainable food/farm businesses.
UTICA MONDAY NITE
2022 LEVITT AMP UTICA MUSIC SERIES
Levitt AMP Utica is seeking funding for its 2022 music series to support a diverse line up of bands and performers. The series activates Kopernik Park in downtown Utica with 10 weeks of free live concerts in a welcoming, transformed public space accessible to all. Sponsorship opportunities range from $500 for an opening band to $1,250 for a weekly sponsorship.
UTICA PUBLIC LIBRARY
ADA RESTROOM AND ACCESSIBILITY
The Utica Public Library seeks funding to add an ADA-compliant restroom on its first floor. The main traffic in the library is on this floor, and outdated and inadequate bathrooms on the basement level are a safety hazard with accessibility issues. In addition, the library would use the funds to create a new opening into its current first floor ADA-compliant family restroom in the remodeled Children’s Room.
UTICA ZOO
EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES
The Utica Zoo is requesting funding for several items to support its work, including $500 for safety response equipment (noise reduction headphones, two-way radios and transmitters), $350 for hand tools and small power tools, $800 for a floor cleaning machine, $500 for beverage dispensers and crowd separators and $1,000 to support the temporary relocation of the gift shop.
VETERANS BOXING ASSOCIATION AFTERSCHOOL FITNESS PROGRAMS
The Veterans Boxing Association (VBA) seeks $20,000 to provide youth fitness programs aimed at physical well-being and the promotion of civic responsibility. In addition, VBA will also partner with a counseling service to provide on-site mental health therapy. These afterschool programs align with VBA’s mission of providing youth in Oneida and Herkimer counties the opportunity to achieve well-being by providing skills to promote mental and physical health.
General SUPPORT REQUESTS CORNERSTONE COMMUNITY CHURCH
THE HOUSE OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
Monetary donations and volunteers are needed to ensure that Cornerstone Community Church in Utica continues to help those in greatest need, especially during the winter. Supporting Cornerstone will also enable the church to continue and enhance its community engagement, which brings together people from all walks of life for meals and conversation.
The House of the Good Shepherd helps more than 900 children and families each year. The organization is seeking funding to continue providing shelter, support, and food to those in need.
INVEST IN YOUR Community MAKE A GIFT THAT WILL
HOW
TO GIVE
WAYS
TO GIVE
FIT YOUR PHILANTHROPIC GOALS AND BENEFIT
ONLINE
PHONE
foundationhoc.org
2608 Genesee Street Utica, NY 13502
315.735.8212
MAKE A GIFT
CREATE A FUND
PLAN YOUR LEGACY
Cash Real Estate Stocks & Securities
Donor-Advised Scholarship Field-of-Interest
Bequests Future Fund Life Insurance
THE COMMUNITY FOR YEARS TO COME.
GENERATE AN INCOME
Retirement Plans Charitable Gift Annuity Charitable Remainder Trust
TRANSFER INSTRUCTIONS FOR GIFTS OF STOCK
BEST WISHES,
Lindsey Lindsey Costello, our
Please provide your bank or broker with the following instructions for transfer of stock to our account at Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc.:
donor relations manager, is leaving the Community Foundation after serving
DTC #: 0547 Account #: 1854-6383 Account Name: The Community Foundation
as a faithful point of contact, facilitator, and
Notify Nick Grimmer, director of giving strategies, 315.731.3737, ngrimmer@foundationhoc.org, that a gift is being transferred. Provide the donor name, number of shares, and the name of the stock or the stock code, as well as the designation.
advocate for our donoradvised fundholders for several years. Please join us in wishing her well—and in our message of gratitude for all that she’s done to make our two-county community better and more vibrant.
INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE? CONTACT >
NICK GRIMMER
DIRECTOR OF GIVING STRATEGIES ngrimmer@foundationhoc.org | 315.525.6584
A copy of our most recently filed financial report is available from the Charities Registry on the New York State Attorney General’s website (www.charitiesnys.com) or, upon request, by contacting the New York State Attorney General, Charities Bureau, 28 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10005, or The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties, 2608 Genesee Street, Utica, NY 13502. You also may obtain information on charitable organizations from the New York State Office of the Attorney General at www.charitiesnys.com or 212.416.8401.