president’s MESSAGE

Our region is transforming right before our eyes, in countless ways. We say this often to our peers, partners, and even ourselves, when we look at the mix of challenge and opportunity. This transformation isn’t happening overnight, and in fact, is something that the Community Foundation (and many others) have been working toward for years.

When I think about our organization’s transition from reactive grantmaker to community investor in my eight years as President and CEO, I’m proud and thankful that the Community Foundation has supported and engaged in efforts aimed at increasing community impact—proud of our team and our collaborative partners, and thankful for our dedicated Trustees and committed donors.

So, as an organization and as a two-county community, we have changed. We have changed with our community. And, we have changed for the better

Over the years, we learned, we listened, we did our research, we had important conversations both internally and externally, and we have adapted our strategies to ensure that we are simultaneously supporting nonprofit organizations that help our communities thrive, while investing in bold initiatives to strengthen all of Herkimer and Oneida counties.

In this issue, we share a snapshot of our evolving work, including a peek inside the Community Foundation teams and processes that make that work come to life.

We highlight our second annual Mohawk Valley Gives campaign—coming up September 20, so mark your calendar—and feature organizations and funds that have worked alongside us on this journey.

I hope while making your way through the pages of this issue that you feel the same sense of pride and gratitude that I do when I think about all the wonderful things happening around us. We are so proud of our community, of the future we are building today, and of the partnerships that make it all happen.

Alicia Fernandez Dicks President/CEO The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties