Friday, April 29, 2011

Community Foundation Awards Grant to CenterState CEO

Onondaga County Courier reported that the Central New York Community Foundation has awarded a $25,000 Strategic Partnership Grant to the CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity (CenterState CEO). CenterState CEO will utilize the grant to supplement programs and organizational priorities resulting from the merger of the Metropolitan Development Association and the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce.

“The creation of a unified business organization for the region was an effort 30 years in the making,” said Robert M. Simpson, president of CenterState CEO. “This accomplishment wouldn’t have been possible without the leadership and support of our members and organizations like the Central New York Community Foundation.”

“CenterState CEO provides an example of successful consolidation for other organizations and agencies throughout the area – public and private,” said Peter Dunn, President & CEO of the Community Foundation. “Through this Strategic Partnership Grant we hope to enable CenterState CEO to realize new efficiencies, enhance its programs and build stronger partnerships, benefitting its 2,000 members and the community at-large.”

Read more here.

Friday, April 22, 2011

Human Services Leadership Council: Next Meeting May 13

The next meeting of the Human Services Leadership Council will be
Friday, May 13, 2011
8:00 – 11:00 AM
(Please not extended time)
United Way Building, Rosamond Gifford Conference Room, 518 James Street

The meeting will be facilitated by Renee Downey Hart of Le Moyne College. Renee will lead us through a strategic planning session to help determine HSLC activities and priorities over the next few years. We hope you can all be there to help us set our direction for the future.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

May 6th Exceptional Family Resources’ 2011 Conference—Wellness and Developmental Disabilities

Exceptional Family Resources’ 2011 Conference—Wellness and Developmental Disabilities—will take place on Friday, May 6, 2011 at Justin’s Grill. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., while the conference itself runs from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Questions about the conference?
Call EFR at (315) 478-1462, ext 323.

Presenters
Dr. Luis Columna holds a Ph.D.in Kinesiology from Texas Woman’s University in Denton,
TX. He is currently an Associate Professor of Physical Education and Exercise Science in the School of Education at Syracuse University. Dr. Columna’s research interests are related to the physical, emotional and cognitive well-being of individuals with and without disabilities and their families, including those from a minority background.

Linda Quinn, M.S., R.D. holds a Bachelor of Science in Clinical and Community Dietetics from the University of Florida and a Master of Science degree in Nutrition Sciences from Syracuse University. She was named the Distinguished Dietitian of the Year by the NYS Dietetic Association in 2010. She is the Nutrition Services Administrator for the Central New York Developmental Services Office.

. ...is funded by Medicaid, the Onondaga
County Department of Mental Health, the New
York State Office of People with Developmental
Disabilities, United Way of Central New York,
Parent to Parent of NYS, Onondaga County Health
Department, and grants and foundations.

Other Information
 Certificates of Attendance will be available at the exit at the end of
the conference day.

 We are grateful to the New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council for its sponsorship of this conference.

This conference will provide you with:
An understanding of why physical activity is especially important for children and adults with developmental disabilities.
Opportunities to explore physical activities that are appropriate and fun for individuals of all ages and abilities.
A clear understanding of which foods can best optimize the health of individuals with developmental disabilities.
Simple ways to plan and prepare easy and nutritious meals that everyone can enjoy.

Friday, May 6, 2011
10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
9:30 a.m. Registration
Justin’s Grill
6400 Yorktown Circle
E. Syracuse, NY 13057
(near Carrier Circle)

Friday, April 15, 2011

Women's Fund Awards Twelve Grants

April 15, 2011 (Syracuse, NY) - Twelve nonprofit organizations from Onondaga, Madison and Cayuga Counties will be awarded grants at the Women’s Fund of Central New York’s annual grant awards reception on Tuesday, April 26 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Drumlins, 800 Nottingham Road in Syracuse. The organizations will be receiving grants totaling $22,000 to fund programs that support the education of women and girls in Central New York.

Grantees this year include:
• The Boys & Girls Clubs of Syracuse
• Cayuga Home for Children
• Children’s Consortium
• Community Action Partnership of Madison County
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Torch
• Dunbar Association
• Jewish Home of Central New York
• Neighborhood House of Auburn
• Somali Bantu Community Association
• Syracuse Behavioral Healthcare
• Think Positively Pink
• Women’s Opportunity Center

The event will include an hors d'oeurves & cocktail reception. Tickets cost $50 and can be purchased by calling 315-422-9538 or by visiting www.womensfundofcny.org. The event is sponsored by Alliance Bank, Mackenzie Hughes LLP, Lockheed Martin, WCNY, and Visual Technologies.

“This is a great opportunity to celebrate the empowerment of women and girls in Central New York, and the fantastic momentum that the endowment is building that will aid this population far into our future,” said Sarah Merrick, Women’s Fund Governance Council Chair.

The event will also reveal the new logo and branding for the Women’s Fund, which has used a pink and purple theme for over ten years.

“When the Women's Fund started, the purple and pink color combination was consistent with the women's empowering movement,” said Sarah Merrick, Women’s Fund Governance Council Chair. “Now that the Women's Fund has existed in our community for over a decade, we wanted a logo that appeared more sophisticated but would appeal to women from all generations.”

Since its inception in 1998, the Women’s Fund has provided more than 50 grants to programs that support, empower and promote the advancement and full participation of women and girls in Central New York. For more information, visit: www.womensfundofcny.org.

The Women’s Fund of Central New York is a component fund of the Central New York Community Foundation. The Community Foundation connects the generosity of donors with community needs by making grants to organizations working to enhance the quality of life of those who live and work in Central New York. The Community Foundation annually makes more than $5 million in grants and provides leadership support in the fields of arts and culture, community and economic development, education, environment, health and human services.

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Thursday, April 14, 2011

Business Cyber Fraud Conference: Who's Minding Your Business?

The rising incidence of cyber fraud is a growing concern for businesses and municipalities. Cyber criminals are targeting online accounts, using malware to steal log-in credentials and gain access or draining funds through fraudulent electronic-payment schemes.

There are preventive steps that every business and municipal entity can take to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of cyber fraud. There are also various products and services that can help protect your accounts from attack by criminals.

To learn more about this emerging threat, join experts in the field for an informative half-day, morning conference. Learn the extent of cyber fraud today, find out how it occurs and what are your vulnerabilities, learn about steps you can take at little or no cost to protect your accounts, and hear about additional measures to tighten your online account security.

The Business Cyber Fraud Conference will be held at the Doubletree Hotel Syracuse on May 17, 2011.

Event Hours:
7:30a - Registration
8:00a - Breakfast and program begins
11:00a - Event concludes

More info and registration

Who should attend the event? CEOs, CFOs, controllers, comptrollers, treasurers, partners, principals, IT professionals, and business owners of all sizes.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Fund for Vocational Rehabilitation Awards Grants

Syracuse (April 12, 2011) - The Allen Speiser Memorial Fund for Vocational Rehabilitation, a component fund of the Central New York Community Foundation, awarded $4,770 in grants to five local not-for-profit organizations.

CNY Works received $625 to eliminate common obstacles to employment for disabled individuals through support of the Employment Network program. CNY Works brings businesses, job seekers and training providers together to provide skilled workers for every business, and employment for every job seeker.

Oswego Industries received $1,000 to establish an internet store for their textiles division, which employs individuals with disabilities. Oswego Industries provides support programs that enable individuals with disabilities to grow with dignity and achieve their highest level of independence and self-fulfillment.

Enable received $500 to send a staff member to the 2011 Supported Employment Training Institute, the only national organization with an exclusive focus on integrated employment and career advancement opportunities for individuals with significant disabilities. Enable has been enhancing the quality of life for people with developmental or physical disabilities through an array of services since 1948.

Unity House of Cayuga County received $745 to enhance the Materials for Building and Enhancing Job Readiness program by purchasing technology equipment for the training room. Unity House provides transitional and permanent housing, respite care, and rehabilitative and employment services for adults with mental health illnesses, developmental disabilities or recovering from chemical dependency.

ARC of Onondaga received $1,900 to hold a staff development simulation program for service providers throughout Central New York. This three-day course, facilitated by Dr. Ronald House, provides an orientation for new staff on how a community rehabilitation service program functions, including intake and evaluation, counseling, fees and employment services. ARC of Onondaga provides residential, vocational, clinical and rehabilitative services along with other resources to help people achieve their fullest potential.

The Allen Speiser Memorial Fund for Vocational Rehabilitation Fund has awarded $26,649 in grants since 2005 for programs that strengthen and support vocational rehabilitation services. Vocational rehabilitation is the process of assisting people with any disabling condition to acquire the social, educational and work skills that will lead to employment. The Fund offers grants to support special projects, make new investments, and provide additional staff training, filling in the gaps left by other funding sources.

The Central New York Community Foundation has served Central New York for over 80 years, receiving, managing and distributing charitable funds for the benefit of not-for-profit organizations. Grants are awarded for programs in the areas of human services, arts and culture, education, environment, health, economic development and civic affairs. The region’s largest endowed philanthropic foundation, the Central New York Community Foundation awards over $5 million in grants to not-for-profit organizations annually. The Community Foundation can be reached at (315) 422-9538 or www.cnycf.org

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Charity watchdog gives top rating to United Way

Syracuse.com reported that an independent charity watchdog group has upgraded its rating of the United Way of Central New York from “poor” to “exceptional” to reflect cost-cutting and other changes the local fundraising group has made to become more efficient.

Charity Navigator, an independent nonprofit that evaluates more than 5,000 U.S. charities based on their annual IRS form 990 tax returns and other factors, has revised its rating of the United Way to four stars, its best rating. The United Way previously had a one-star rating. Its ratings are available online (http://www.charitynavigator.org/).

Sandra Miniutti, a vice president of Charity Navigator, said the United Way’s rating improved dramatically because the organization cut its overhead and fundraising costs. The United Way spent 8 cents to raise $1 in 2010. That’s down from 13 cents in 2009. “Donors want to make sure groups like the United Way are even more efficient than the typical charity because they are passing the money along and taking a cut on the way,” Miniutti said. “We want to make sure that cut is as small as possible.”

The United Way collected more than $8 million in 2009 to fund 39 agencies that feed the hungry, shelter the homeless and provide other human services in the community. It plans to announce the results of its 2010 campaign Wednesday. The United Way fundraiser is Onondaga County’s largest annual campaign.

The United Way reduced its administrative expenses by 14 percent and reduced its staff by 12 percent in 2010 after its annual fundraising drive fell short of its goal in 2009. Read more here.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Become a fan of The I-81 Challenge on Facebook!

http://www.thei81challenge.org/
As you may be aware, portions of I-81, particularly the elevated sections of the highway in downtown Syracuse, are nearing the end of their lifespan. Over the next decade, portions of the road will need to be replaced, reconstructed, removed, or otherwise changed at a significant cost. The I-81 Challenge is the official decision-making process for this effort, being led by the New York Department of Transportation and the Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Council (SMTC).

The I-81 Challenge presents the citizens of the Syracuse region with a significant opportunity: a chance to reevaluate the needs and desires of those who use I-81 and live or work in the area, to formulate a vision and a plan that will best serve our goals for the future.

As part of a broad public involvement effort, the SMTC has launched a Facebook page for The I-81 Challenge with a goal of reaching 25 fans by the end of the week.

Along with the project website, blog, and other resources, The I-81 Challenge Facebook page will help stakeholders stay up to date with the latest project news. Anyone who plans to attend a drop-in public workshop in early May can help spread the word through the public workshop Facebook events. Become a fan of The I-81 Challenge today, and help the SMTC spread the word about this important project.