Q U A R T E R LY N E W S L E T T E R F O R
DONOR-ADVISED FUNDHOLDERS FALL 2020
lnside ORGANIZATION HIGHLIGHT: ROME RESCUE MISSION FUND SPOTLIGHT: FIGHTING FOOD INSECURITY INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
welcome M E S S A G E F RO M T R U S T E E F AT H E R J O E S A L E R N O
As 2020 draws to a close, everyone can agree that this year has surely been one that will not soon be forgotten. Through hardship, fear of the unknown and having our worlds flipped upside down, this community has managed to stay strong, and its residents have supported each other during the toughest of times. I would like to express my sincere gratitude and thanks to you, our fundholders, whose contributions this year helped so many organizations and families trying to manage their way through the crisis. Without you, many needs might not have been met, and much good work would not have been accomplished. You should be proud that your commitment has made such a difference. As a Community Foundation Trustee, I must mention one of the great outcomes this year—the launch of the Community Equity Initiative. This work to address racial equity and social justice challenges has long been needed, and I can’t think of a better organization to undertake it. I believe that we all can
play a part in the solution, being aware and making this important in our everyday lives. Taking the MV Equity Pledge is a wonderful first step, and I invite you to join us at mvequitypledge.org. In this newsletter, you’ll read about how Utica National Group Foundation Fund got creative with a food security project that helped more than three dozen food pantries and soup kitchens provide meals to those who needed it most. You can also find an update on Rome Rescue Mission’s very important and timely Mobile Mission program, delivering food, clothing and services directly to neighborhoods. Lastly, we showcase a variety of investment opportunities for our fundholders to consider as part of their end-of-year giving. We look forward to another year advancing and building upon The Community Foundation’s mission— engage, invest and lead. I wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday season. Take care, stay strong, stay healthy.
Please note that some photos in this issue were taken prior to the start of the pandemic. Any photos taken during the pandemic were done so in a safe manner to protect all parties involved.
Our NEWEST funds ALIVIA PAIGE MOYLAN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND
A scholarship fund established by the Moylan family in memory of 12-year-old Alivia Paige Moylan who passed away in May 2020. The fund will honor and remember her spirit for many years to come, providing graduates of Whitesboro Central School District with scholarships.
CHRISTINE MADIA MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND
A donor-advised fund established by Utica Dollars for Scholars to make scholarship awards in the name of Christine Madia.
YEAR-END GIVING REMINDERS As per IRS guidelines, year-end giving tax deductibility depends on meeting the following deadlines:
ONLINE Online credit card gifts must be completed by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, December 31, 2020.
GLADYS AND ED WASKIEWICZ FUND
A donor-advised fund established by Jerry Kraus in memory of Gladys and Ed Waskiewicz for general charitable purposes.
PHONE OR IN-PERSON Gifts made by phone or in person must be received by 4 p.m. on Thursday, December 31, 2020.
MAILED GIFTS Donations mailed to The Community
SWANN FAMILY FUND A donor-advised fund established by John and Patricia Swann for charitable purposes with a particular focus on racial equity and social justice.
Foundation must be postmarked by Thursday, December 31, 2020.
SECURITIES Gifts in the form of stock transfers must be received by 11:59 p.m., Thursday, December 31, 2020.
ORGANIZATION FEATURE
Rome RESCUE MISSION A
t the Rome Rescue Mission, helping those in need is fundamental. Offering a hand up—not a handout—are the words that the organization lives and serves by. The arrival of the pandemic has become another opportunity for the organization to step up and provide for its Rome neighbors.
In 2016, the organization introduced its Mobile Mission program as a way of extending services beyond its four walls. A van delivers hot meals, clothing and canned foods directly to neighborhoods, while also offering chapel services and outreach for homeless, veteran and senior populations.
months that figure had risen to more than 600 meals a day delivered to a dozen locations, five days a week.
Rome Rescue Mission began in 1993 as a transitional housing facility and soup kitchen for the greater Rome area. Since then, it has grown to offer family services, emergency housing, clothing and a program for Rome Free Academy students that emphasizes science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics.
In the wake of COVID-19, what was envisioned as an innovative extension of services soon became a lifeline for many residents. When the pandemic’s impact forced the organization to close, the Mobile Mission became its primary means of providing food to those in need, and in the local outbreak’s first week it provided 3,100 meals throughout the city. After six
“The value of the Mobile Mission during this unprecedented time was interesting to me, as it initially began because people needed food but lacked accessibility,” says Miller. “Then, due to quarantine, it became evident that the need for food was secondary to the need for human interaction. Many people that we served were experiencing fear, confusion and loneliness
Behind the wheel of this operation—literally and figuratively—is Matt Miller, Rome Rescue Mission’s executive director.
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Charitable giving is able to change the lives of people from all walks of life who use our organization’s services every day.
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when the pandemic hit. Being able to talk to them and offer encouragement was something I had not expected but felt blessed to provide.” In addition to current projects, there are plans to further extend services, including organizing a manufacturing facility to employ the residents it serves. “Of all the donated clothing we receive, only some of it is unusable, so we came up with the idea to remanufacture that clothing into napkins, placemats, shopping bags and repurposed clothing,” Miller says. “That will teach people marketable skills—retail management, sewing,
manufacturing, shipping, receiving and how to operate an e-commerce store.” Since 2010, the organization has been awarded nearly $128,000 from funds at The Community Foundation. In June, Rome Rescue Mission received an $80,000 grant from the Utica National Group Foundation Fund. Miller says the overall support has been life-changing. “We are honored and proud to have a collaborative relationship with The Community Foundation,” Miller says. “We are so grateful for the resources we are provided by that funding, because we see the direct impact it
has in changing hundreds of lives.” Those donor funds, Miller says, make all the difference in the world. “Charitable giving is able to change the lives of people from all walks of life who use our organization’s services every day. From children to senior citizens, from homeless individuals to those suffering from addiction, it helps us promote success for everyone who walks through our doors.”
FUND SPOTLIGHT
FIGHTING FOOD insecurity ne of the great things about establishing a
O fund for charitable giving is its ability to
support causes that are important to the fundholder. Priorities and needs may change and evolve over time, but in the end the fundholder’s advice and input are the heart and soul of the fund’s real impact. When the pandemic hit, many donor-advised fundholders stepped up to support relief efforts for organizations near and far. One fund in particular set out on a mission to combat one of the main pressure points that the community felt: food insecurity. The Utica National Group Foundation Fund had already donated more than $75,000 to assist with food needs, but the fund advisors were looking for a way to help not one, not two, but many food pantries and soup kitchens throughout Herkimer and Oneida counties.
“During these most difficult times, helping to minimize the food insecurity in our communities and helping local restaurants weather the storm was vital,” said Bernard Turi, Utica National Group senior vice president, general counsel, general auditor, and chief risk officer. “We appreciate all that the nonprofit organizations do on a daily basis for everyone, and this was our way of giving back to them.” To get the project off the ground, Community Foundation Donor Relations Manager Lindsey Costello researched community needs, providing fund advisors with some insight into what relief organizations were experiencing. “We heard directly from food pantries and soup kitchens about the increase in visitors and what they feared the coming months would bring,”
Costello said. “That assessment helped inform Utica National Foundation’s funding strategy.” A plan was put into place to help nearly three dozen soup kitchens and food pantries providing nourishment to families in need, and $250,000 was divided among the organizations and used to provide individual meals from local restaurants to soup kitchens and restock food pantry shelves with essentials. Many area restaurants participated including the Phoenician, Crazy Otto’s Empire Diner, Boneyard BBQ and Pumpernickel’s Deli. From a simple idea, the fund effort grew into an investment that helped many families, nonprofits that serve them and local eateries. All in all, this collaboration was a great demonstration of what can be accomplished when donors work side by side with The Community Foundation team.
ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVING SUPPORT INCLUDED: • Angels Among Us Food Pantry • Bread of Life Community Center
FROM OUR PARTNERS RESCUE MISSION OF UTICA Lucas Richmond, Food Services Manager “This food security grant was a real blessing. We served 3,600 dinners with the grant proceeds and our residents and the community members we served were beyond grateful for the flavorful and appealing meals. The restaurants were on time every day, and some even provided more meals than we asked for and were conscious of special dietary needs. We thank the Utica National Group Foundation Fund for this amazing gift to our community.”
HOPE HOUSE
• Camden Area Food Pantry • Church of the Holy Family • Country Pantry • Dolgeville Area Food Pantry • Feed Our Veterans • Foothills Rural Community Ministry • Frankfort-Ilion Food Pantry • Helping Hands Food Pantry
John Madej, Executive Director “We completed the food security project serving over 1,500 meals. The program was extremely successful and very easy to manage. Each restaurant was assigned the same day each week and we would choose different meals so that our guests could sample a wide variety of local cuisine. The restaurants were very happy to have the business, several of them commenting that without this program, they may have had to close their doors. Many thanks to Utica National and The Community Foundation for making this happen.”
• Hope House
ROME RESCUE MISSION
• Rome Catholic Charities Emergency
Matt Miller, Executive Director “Managing this program was a welcome break for all of us. The restaurants we contacted were ready and jumped aboard without hesitation. All the people who received meals were excited to hear we were delivering meals from restaurants. Many of the seniors had a different demeanor when we started this program—they knew it was something special. As things wound down, one of the seniors came to the window and simply said ‘God bless you and the people that helped you do this. You really do care for all of us that are going through a hard time.’”
Assistance Food Pantry
• Johnson Park Center • Kuyahoora Valley Food Pantry • Mohawk Valley Church Food Pantry • Mother Marianne’s West Side Soup Kitchen • Rescue Mission of Utica
• Rome Rescue Mission • Salvation Army of Herkimer • Salvation Army Utica Citadel Corps • Seeds of Hope Food Pantry • St. Bartholomew’s Food Pantry • St. John’s Outreach Food Pantry • St. Joseph’s Church Pantry • St. Margaret’s Food Pantry • St. Patrick’s & St. Mary’s Food Pantry • The Salvation Army of Rome • Thea Bowman House Food Pantry • Town of Verona Food Pantry • Utica Food Pantry • Van Hornesville Area Food Pantry • Waterville Food Pantry • West Winfield Food Pantry • Westminster Moriah Olivet Pantry
INVESTMENT Opportunities IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A GRANT R E C O M M E N D AT I O N B E F O R E T H E YEAR ENDS, PL EAS E S END I N YO UR REQUEST BY FR I DAY, D ECEMB ER 18 .
To support these important initiatives or discuss other opportunities, please contact Lindsey Costello, donor relations manager, 315.868.8616, lcostello@foundationhoc.org.
4ELEMENTS ART STUDIO LEGACY PROGRAM
4Elements Art Studio seeks $14,100 to support a program to document, digitize, and showcase historical and current works of New York state artists who have played an important role in shaping the region’s arts community and art history. Funding will support the purchase of digital equipment, including a scanner, digital camera and computer for the program.
ARC HERKIMER SECURITY SYSTEM
Arc Herkimer needs $35,200 for 20 security cameras to protect its Arc Park. The facility requires a video surveillance system with adequate coverage capable of identifying individuals involved in vandalism.
TABLES FOR INCLUSION Arc Herkimer is seeking $10,000 to install 10 tables in the foyer of its Arc Mall, home to five commercial businesses with opportunities for inclusive activities. The tables, which will be compliant with the American with Disabilities Act, will serve as a space where visitors can relax, socialize, communicate, and increase understanding among people of all abilities.
CARE NET PREGNANCY CENTER OF CENTRAL NEW YORK DIAPER DRIVE
The Care Net Pregnancy Center of Central New York seeks $15,000 to provide diapers to families in need. The funding will support the facility’s diaper drive, which aims to give a 30-day supply of diapers to nearly 300 local families.
CNY ARTS COUNCIL PANDEMIC RELIEF
The CNY Arts Council asks for support of its $275,000 goal to aid arts and cultural organizations in Herkimer and Oneida counties. The organization has established a COVID-19 Arts Impact Fund to provide critical sustainability support for various nonprofit organizations.
DODGE PRATT NORTHAM ART & COMMUNITY CENTER PAVILION
To construct a covered, ground-level pavilion with electrical capabilities, Boonville’s Dodge Pratt Northam Art & Community Center is requesting $9,500. The pavilion will improve the facility’s accommodations for outdoor performances, programs and fundraising activities, while also serving as a common space for performing arts groups, educational programs and nonprofit events and activities.
EMMAUS HOUSE
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Emmaus House seeks $20,000 to purchase personal protective equipment for its facility. The House aims to provide a safe, secure and loving home for vulnerable women and children during times of need. Funding will directly support PPE supplies and resources for those who use the organization’s services.
LITTLE FALLS COMMUNITY OUTREACH FOOD BACKPACK PROGRAM
Little Falls Community Outreach needs $5,000 for its Food Backpack Program, which provides breakfast, lunch and dinner to 70 students on weekends. Funding will support the purchase of food and resources to distribute to the children.
MOTHER MARIANNE’S WEST SIDE KITCHEN TO-GO CONTAINERS
Mother Marianne’s West Side Kitchen seeks $9,000 to purchase to-go containers for its kitchen. Due to a significant increase in individuals utilizing the organization’s hot meal services, more resources are needed to ensure that all patrons are adequately served.
RESCUE MISSION OF UTICA WINTER NECESSITIES
The Rescue Mission of Utica is seeking $47,000 to provide winter necessities for the inhabitants of its shelter, including individuals overcoming hunger, homelessness, addiction, and mental disabilities. Funding will directly support the purchase of coats, boots, food items, a convection oven and bed-bug resistant furniture for guests.
ST. ELIZABETH’S COLLEGE OF NURSING SIMULATION TOOLS
The St. Elizabeth College of Nursing requests $75,000 to upgrade educational simulation tools for students. Current equipment is worn and technologically outdated. Funding will help pay for new medical-educational simulators, refurbished replacement hospital beds and simulated hospital headwalls.
THE HOUSE OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD SMART BOARDS
To address its increased need for online learning, The House of the Good Shepherd is seeking $55,200 to purchase 15 interactive white boards, $3,680 each, for its Tilton School students. The additional equipment will ensure that students can continue to learn in a remote environment.
THEA BOWMAN HOUSE PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM
Thea Bowman House needs $2,775 to provide a public address system for its classrooms. The organization provides a safe, nurturing environment, including daycare and classroom instruction, to enable culturally diverse children and families to achieve their full potential. Funding will support the purchase of speakers and call buttons for all classrooms.
TOWN OF VERONA FOOD PANTRY
THANKSGIVING & CHRISTMAS DINNER BOXES
The Town of Verona Food Pantry is requesting $10,000 for its Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner boxes, which provide 170 local families with complete holiday meals. Funding will support the purchase of food and other items to fill the boxes with holiday meal essentials.
UTICA FOOD PANTRY TURKEY GIVEAWAY
The Utica Food Pantry is seeking $15,000 for its 6th Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway. Every year, the food pantry distributes turkeys to local families facing food insecurity. Funding will support the purchase and distribution of 750 turkeys and bags of groceries for those in need.
VIEW & MUCC
SEASONAL ACTIVITIES
View, in collaboration with the Midtown Utica Community Center, is seeking $10,000 for seasonal activities that connect the Old Forge and Utica communities through art and culture. Funding will support material fees, transportation, instructors, chaperones and meals. The program will help create interactive cross-cultural experiences for students through art projects and discussion.
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TRANSFER INSTRUCTIONS FOR GIFTS OF STOCK Please provide your bank or broker with the following instructions for transfer of stock to our account at Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc.: DTC #: 0547 Account #: 1854-6383 Account Name: The Community Foundation
Notify Nick Grimmer, director of giving strategies, 315.525.6584, 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.
INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE? CONTACT OUR TEAM >
NICK GRIMMER
Director of Giving Strategies ngrimmer@foundationhoc.org 315.525.6584
LINDSEY COSTELLO ALLY CAMPBELL Donor Relations Manager lcostello@foundationhoc.org 315.868.8616
Donor Relations Coordinator acampbell@foundationhoc.org 315.731.3738
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.