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 2021
lnside ORGANIZATION HIGHLIGHT: REBUILDING CNY FUND SPOTLIGHT: GABRIEL, JOSEPH & LILA MANDOUR KARAM FUND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
welcome M E S S A G E You might not think anything that happened in 2020 was worth celebrating. Most people are glad to see that year come to an end! We like to find the bright spots, even in our darkest hours, and 2020 actually had a bright spot that you can celebrate and take pride in. Thanks to all of you, the Community Foundation’s total donor-advised funding awards last year set a record, directing more than $6 million into communities hard hit by the impacts of COVID-19. Up 50% from 2019, this remarkable total demonstrates that when needs continued to rise, you—our donors, our fundholders—continued to respond. Together, we helped communities in crisis deal with unprecedented challenges. And many more lie ahead. As 2021 continues to unfold, we look forward to continuing efforts that were put into place last year. In myriad ways, your generous support and commitment provide meaningful, targeted assistance to nonprofits needing relief through this time of crisis. As last year’s total shows, the collective impact is tremendous, and your generosity has helped many of our nonprofit partners look toward a brighter future.
Will this year be an improvement over last? Will we be able to meet community needs as they rise? I know that we are all wrestling with those questions, and that is why we view conversations with you— individually and collectively—as vital to our work. At the March 4 donor-advised fundholder virtual town hall, we will explore the road ahead and the demands of the ongoing recovery; and we will celebrate the resiliency of our community. You should have already received an invitation for that event, and Ally Campbell, acampbell@foundationghoc.org, can help if you would like to confirm your attendance plans. Until then, we hope that this newsletter helps maintain our continued connection with you. As you’ll see, the stories it tells illustrate the difference that you’ve already made—and how we can continue to work toward our vision, “a vibrant region with opportunity for all.” Sincerely,
Alicia Dicks President/CEO The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties
Our NEWEST funds
BAMBERGER FAMILY FUND A donor-advised fund established by Rabbi Henry and Sheila Bamberger for general charitable purposes.
BURRSTONE BASSETT FUND
A donor-advised fund established by Judith Scatko for general charitable purposes.
HERKIMER 9 FOUNDATION FUND
A designated fund to benefit the Herkimer 9 Foundation, a newly formed nonprofit organization working to develop a vision and implement a plan to redevelop and revitalize sections of the Village of Herkimer.
HOPE BRADBURY FUND A donor-advised fund established by Jane Bradbury in memory
of her mother, Hope Bradbury, for general charitable purposes.
OLD FORGE VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE CORPS – NEW AMBULANCE FUND An agency fund established by the Old Forge Volunteer Ambulance Corps to raise funds for a new ambulance.
ORGANIZATION FEATURE
Rebuilding
CENTRAL NEW YORK “When life hands you challenges, it also gives you opportunities to persevere.” For more than 30 years, our community’s generosity has empowered the local nonprofit organization now known as Rebuilding Central New York (CNY) to rebuild futures for local families by providing services that improve the health and safety of homes and revitalize community spaces to better serve and support local residents. Individuals, faith and civic groups, corporate donors and more than 5,000 dedicated volunteers have helped make this possible. From1990 to 2020 (as a Habitat for Humanity affiliate), the organization has revitalized two neighborhood blocks, built nine houses, repaired many homes and ensured the safety of eight aging-in-place homeowners over the years.
After extensive research and planning, the nonprofit reorganized in 2020 as Rebuilding CNY to continue and expand programs for low-income families and other vulnerable populations such as the elderly, disabled and veterans. And as Rebuilding CNY, President and CEO Louis LaBella promises the organization will not be resting on its laurels. “We do not want to drive forward looking in the rearview mirror,” Labella says. “We want to drive forward with a positive outlook on transforming our organization to meet our community’s needs.” “Rebuilding Central New York is committed to rebuilding our future through home preservation and community projects,” he says. “We have developed a cohesive vision in these
past few years to focus on a greater need in the community, while maintaining our other services. That need is crucial home repairs and home preservation, and the home repair program supports and complements our longtime home ownership model.” Rebuilding CNY does even more than build and repair safe and healthy homes for low-income residents. For example, its Youth Leadership Program brings high school students together to play active roles in transforming their communities through teamwork. The youth program’s “Watch Us Grow” project promotes a seedto-table concept, helping vulnerable residents create healthy, economical, sustainable gardens. Originally an Oneida County effort, Watch Us Grow will be expanded into neighboring communities this year.
Dedicated to the preservation of affordable housing, with funding from the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, the organization opened ReUse Store on French Road in Utica in 2014, providing affordable furniture and home improvement materials to families in need. With materials donated by local businesses, building contractors, suppliers, and individuals, the center is able to discount items 50 to 90%. In addition to helping vulnerable constituents get affordable furniture, the ReUse Store puts all the money it takes in toward materials needed to build and repair homes—the heart of Rebuilding CNY’s commitment to preserving and improving affordable housing. The store also partners with local social service agencies and developmental programs, such as Upstate
Cerebral Palsy, to provide employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. In January 2021, Rebuilding Central New York introduced a Handy Helper Program for low-income, aging-in-place senior, disabled, and veteran homeowners. Since home repair, accessibility, and safety are ongoing concerns for many older adults, the program organizes volunteers to complete health and safety projects. The result: older adults can continue to live independently in the comfort and safety of their own homes! Rebuilding CNY plans to implement these services in neighboring communities with insufficient aging-in-place services. Similarly, Rebuilding CNY recently became a part of the Trusted Pro Network, a program that partners with professional, experienced
contractors to provide essential repairs and critical home modifications at affordable prices. In addition to helping low-income homeowners afford repairs, the program protects against predatory home repair contractors that may take advantage of poor, distressed, and underprivileged homeowners. In any organization, change is inevitable. Given the global pandemic’s impact on the community, unmet needs are more diverse and more evident than ever before. For Rebuilding CNY, rebranding after 30 years of helping our community to build a brighter future has been challenging, but it also has provided opportunities. And throughout, the organization has never wavered from its mission—even as it recommits to providing safe and healthy homes for all.
FUND SPOTLIGHT
Gabriel, Joseph & Lila MANDOUR KARAM FUND a lifetime of passionate commitment A fter to community, a remarkable individual can be honored in a way that extends their mission of service to others. The Gabriel, Joseph and Lila Mandour Karam Fund is doing just that— continuing to write the story of an extraordinary individual. “Joe Karam had a wonderful life in Utica,” says J.K. Hage, Joe’s cousin. “There are so many great memories of him.” Born in 1936, Joseph Karam was the only child of Gabriel and Lila Mandour Karam. A brilliant student, he entered Cornell University at the age of 16, earning a degree in economics— and then, an MBA from Syracuse University. Professionally, he had a wide-ranging career in government and public policy, serving as City of Utica Mayor Dominick Assaro’s chief of staff and eventually contributing to the success of agencies such as the Utica Planning Board, Municipal Housing Authority, Rome Air Development Center, Mohawk Valley Economic Development District, Mohawk Valley EDGE, and the Oneida County Industrial Development Agency.
A Renaissance man, Joe had many passions, including singing, acting, and theatrical directing. He served the Players of Utica as a board member, volunteer and in many other capacities and was also a founding member of the Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce Incubator advisory board. Hage has a wealth of memories he treasures. It would be hard to overstate his intellectual horsepower,” he recalls. “He was a child prodigy. He could do anything, just a remarkable guy who knew a lot about everything. And he always had a smile on his face and was such great fun to be around.” After Joe’s passing, family members and longtime friends created a donor-advised fund at the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties to continue his philanthropic efforts and positive vision for his community. Since 2012 the Gabriel, Joseph and Lila Mandour Karam Fund has awarded nearly $60,000 to Players of Utica, Stanley Center for the Arts, Mohawk Valley Health System, House of the
Good Shepherd, the Neighborhood Center and other area nonprofits. The fund’s advisers are all members of Joe’s extended family. “Joe was passionate about the dramatic arts and the advancement of technology. Above all, he had a passion for Utica,” Hage says. “Utica was in his bloodstream. He worked all over the world, but something always drew him back. This was his place. Therefore, he wanted to set up a fund that would benefit the advancement of the arts and technology here in our community.” And what would Joe think of his philanthropic legacy? Hage says he would be “tickled pink.” “He would be thrilled with this,” says Hage. “One of the events sponsored by the Gabriel, Joseph and Lila Mandour Karam Fund is the Central New York Regional FIRST Robotics Competition at SUNY Poly, where thousands of high school students come to compete. We thought that was an ideal activity for Joe’s fund to support. I’m sure Joe would’ve been there at the competition every day. That’s the sort of event he would have loved.” Whether in politics, literature, philosophy, or theater, Joe Karam made a meaningful and lasting impact on his family and in his community, exuding his passion for giving back to worthwhile causes that shaped all of his endeavors. Larger than life, his vision persists and his passions are fostered through the investments made by the Gabriel, Joseph and Lila Mandour Karam Fund.
J K H AG E , H E AT H E R ( J K ’ S DA U G H T E R ) , AND JOE
“In many ways, Joe is still with us and his legacy continues because of the Community Foundation,” Hage says. “His vision lives on through this fund. It’s a form of immortality that carries on his high ideals and wonderful hopes for our community.”
GABRIEL
JOE
“
LILA
I can just imagine him in Proctor Park flying
a drone. That’s the kind of thing Joe would have loved to do. He was an early adopter; he liked to be one of the first people to get some new little
”
piece of technology. He just loved it.
MANDOUR KARAM FUND GRANT RECIPIENTS The following organizations across Herkimer and Oneida counties have received funding from the Mandour Karam Fund.
HOUSE
OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
MOHAWK VALLEY
COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION
MOHAWK VALLEY
HEALTH SYSTEM FOUNDATION
NEIGHBORHOOD PLAYERS STANLEY
CENTER, INC.
OF UTICA, INC. CENTER FOR THE ARTS
SUNY
POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE FOUNDATION, INC.
THE
KEYS PROGRAM
UNITED WAY UPSTATE
OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY
FAMILY HEALTH CENTER, INC.
UPTOWN THEATRE UTICA
FOR CREATIVE ARTS, INC.
COLLEGE
WOMEN’S
FUND OF HERKIMER & ONEIDA COUNTIES
INVESTMENT Opportunities To support these important initiatives or discuss other opportunities, please contact Lindsey Costello, Director of Donor & Community Engagement, 315.868.8616, lcostello@foundationhoc.org.
AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD SCALES
American Red Cross is seeking $6,653 to purchase four blood scales, including software and training, to be used for blood drives in the Mohawk Valley. Currently, the organization’s antiquated scales sometimes fail to collect the optimal volume of blood.
CAPITOL ARTS COMPLEX ROOFING PROJECT
The Capitol Arts Complex is seeking $20,000 for roof repairs and fix water damage within its building, which houses its Cinema Capitol movie theater, Rising Stars Youth Theater program, and Rome Art Association (RAA), which benefit low-income youth in Rome.
CORNERSTONE COMMUNITY CHURCH
MORROW OVERNIGHT HOMELESS WARMING CENTER
Cornerstone Community Church is seeking funding to provide supplies for its Morrow Overnight Homeless Warming Center. The center is opened nightly to provide shelter for those with nowhere to go. Funding will directly support the purchase of towels, bedding, feminine hygiene products, shampoo, body wash, laundry detergent, and food.
EVELYN’S HOUSE
PEER MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
Evelyn’s House is seeking $2,000 to support its Peer Mentorship Program. This mentoring initiative will allow for personal growth for past and current clients. Mentors will attend weekly group sessions with current residents and work them for the duration of their stay. Funding will directly support the purchase of incentives and supplies for successful peers who have moved on from Evelyn’s House and can now mentor current residents.
HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE STAFF EDUCATION PROGRAM
Hospice & Palliative Care is seeking $4,050 to provide training to its employees. Funding will directly support funding of three training sessions for 65 employees. Training will promote consistency and exceptional customer service practices for all employees, benefitting Hospice patients.
HOUSE OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD JACKETS
The House of the Good Shepherd is seeking $2,800 to purchase outerwear for community-based service kids and families. Funding will directly support the purchase of 70 jackets for children, teenagers, and adults. House of the Good Shepherd comprises a residential treatment facility that provides long-term psychiatric care, the Tilton School offering classes to 120 students, intensive treatment programs, foster programs, and other services.
FOSTER CARE SUPPLY ON DEMAND The House of the Good Shepherd is seeking $500 to provide one-time supplies for babies and toddlers in its Foster Care program. The Foster Care program has over 225 children in its care, with intake increasing, along with a need for urgent supplies. Funding will support the purchase of miscellaneous items such as diapers, wipes, formula, and clothing for children.
IT TAKES A VILLAGE DIAPER BANK DONATION BIN
It Takes a Village Diaper Bank is seeking $2,500 to purchase a steel bin to serve as an outdoor donation receptacle for its diaper bank. As part of Waterville United Methodist Church, the organization provides diapers and other infant-care items to low-income families, relying on public donations for essential items.
KELBERMAN CENTER SENSORY ROOM MATERIALS
Kelberman Center is seeking $5,000 to purchase sensory items for children with autism. Many children with autism are drawn to sensory activities and stimuli. Kelberman Center is looking to further develop the capacity at their clinic to meet these interests, including developing their Applied Behavior Analysis Clinic to include sensory opportunities for individuals. Kelberman Center provides state-of-the-art programs and services for children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families.
MIDTOWN UTICA COMMUNITY CENTER (MUCC) BIKE REPAIR SHOP
The Midtown Utica Community Center (MUCC) is seeking $1,000 for a small bike repair shop for the youth it serves. Funding will be used to purchase equipment and retrofit the space needed for the shop. MUCC is a multicultural and refugee-friendly place that serves all.
STANLEY THEATRE CHAIR REPAIR PROJECT
Stanley Theatre is seeking funding to repair chairs in its auditorium. Stanley Theatre holds live performances and theatrical events and provides educational avenues in the community. While arts organizations have suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Stanley’s goal is to get the work done before the theater reopens. The cost per chair is $300.
STEVENS-SWAN HUMANE SOCIETY SURGERY SUITE SUPPLIES
Stevens-Swan Humane Society is seeking $5,000 to purchase equipment for its surgery suite, scheduled for completion by March 1. Funding will support the purchase of an exam table, scales, spay packs, and other necessary equipment. Stevens-Swan Humane Society is committed to the prevention of cruelty, abuse, and neglect of animals.
THEA BOWMAN HOUSE COMPUTER TOWERS
Thea Bowman House is seeking $1,500 to purchase three new computers for its facility. Thea Bowman House provides a safe, nurturing environment to enable culturally diverse children and families to achieve their full potential.
BLUE LIGHT GLASSES Thea Bowman is seeking $1,500 to purchase 100 blue light blocking glasses to mitigate eye strain for students required to study using computers during the school day.
UPSTATE CEREBRAL PALSY COMPUTERS FOR BASE PROGRAM
Upstate Cerebral Palsy is seeking $5,000 to purchase computers for students in its Building Abilities and Skills for Employment Program, which offers pre-employment vocational rehabilitation for individuals in Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, Montgomery, and Oneida counties. Funding of additional computers will enhance the learning environment and allow more students to fully participate in the program.
UTICA PUBLIC LIBRARY FACILITY REPAIRS
Utica Public Library is seeking $20,735 to cover the cost of fixing the building’s skylights and chimneys and repairing water damage. Funding will help maintain the Library’s historic architectural space and prevent any further damage to the exterior and interior spaces. With more than a century of service to the Greater Utica Area, Utica Public Library remains dedicated to providing information and learning experiences throughout our community.
MOHAWK VALLEY COVID-19 RESPONSE FUND PANDEMIC-RELATED RELIEF
The Mohawk Valley COVID-19 Response Fund, a joint effort of the Community Foundation and United Way of the Mohawk Valley, continues to meet community needs stemming from the pandemic. Awards from this fund help nonprofit organizations with pandemic-related relief and recovery efforts, targeting residents most in need.
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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.