Community Foundation Awards $488,126 in Community Grants

Syracuse, NY (June 25, 2012) - The Central New York Community Foundation awarded $488,126 in grants to 21 charitable organizations in Onondaga and Madison Counties from its unrestricted and field‑of‑interest funds

Alzheimer’s Association received $12,500 to expand their constituent and donor database, which will enhance client services. This grant was funded in part by the Carriage House Foundation Fund.

Brewerton Community Child Care Program received $7,000 to install a new playground for children of all ages. 

Catholic Charities received $50,000 to install Service Point, a data management system that improves case management. The system will help managers determine how individuals can access all beneficial services, advise clients about additional services available to them, and evaluate the need for new services.

Central New York Eye and Tissue Bank received $25,000 to purchase a Microkeratome machine, a precision surgical instrument used for corneal transplants. Obtaining this machine will improve patient outcomes and organizational efficiencies.

Children’s Center at SUNY Morrisville received $20,000 to furnish its newly expanded and renovated space. The Center serves students and faculty, as well as the greater Morrisville community.

Children’s Consortium received $18,399 to support the Get Ready to Read Workshop Series, which encourages a family approach to childhood literacy. This program focuses on advancing early literacy and encouraging parental involvement in the learning process.

CNY Jazz Arts Foundation received $20,901 to support communications activities related to existing, expanding, and modified programming for the upcoming season. The Foundation’s programs present, perform, and teach jazz music to a diverse audience in Central New York and the grant will help CNY Jazz Arts to grow its audience base.

Colgate University received $5,012 to support a Young Writer’s Workshop with middle and high school students, hosted five days a week. Its goal is to provide students with a stimulating and supportive environment in which young writers may think, imagine, and discover new ideas through the act of writing.

Downtown Committee of Syracuse received $28,813 to expand the number of hanging baskets displayed in Downtown Syracuse following a successful pilot last year.

Enable received $7,000 to install fencing around the accessible playground at its Court Street facility. Enable empowers people with disabilities to achieve their goals at home, school, work, and play.

From the Ground Up received $7,000 to support the purchase of a horse trailer. This organization provides horse related activities and riding skills to individuals with cognitive, physical, emotional, social, and learning disabilities in a nurturing and challenging environment.

George & Rebecca Barnes Foundation received $22,500 to support architectural drawings and project plans for the restoration of the Barnes Hiscock Mansion. This building remains a living connection to the history of Syracuse and the social conscience of many of its prominent mid-19^th century residents.

Hamilton Food Cupboard received $8,000 to purchase and install a greenhouse unit to grow fresh produce. The Hamilton food pantry helps provide healthy food to those who live in Madison County.

Landmark Theatre Foundation received $40,000 to install a public elevator to provide access to the second floor mezzanine, where many private and community functions are held, as well as to balcony seating.

Literacy Volunteers received $8,336 to upgrade its server and purchase laptops to outfit its new location in the SUNY Educational Opportunity Center building. Its vision is a community where every adult who wants to learn to read, write, and speak English has access to a fully integrated education system.

Liverpool Central School District received $19,225 to implement a program called Math and Movement at Long Branch Elementary. The program uses movement-based learning techniques to improve math and reading skills and build self-confidence in students.

Museum of Science & Technology Foundation (MOST) received $50,000 to support the Energy – Powering your Future exhibit, which focuses on energy generation and conservation. The museum offers state-of-the-art interactive exhibitions that entertain and teach people of all ages.

Skaneateles Festival received $3,240 to host a chamber music concert and community art show in collaboration with The Red House Arts Center.

St. Camillus Health & Rehabilitation Center received $57,000 to install a new automatic sprinkler system in the nursing facility. This grant was funded in part by the Carriage House Foundation Fund.

Syracuse Behavioral Healthcare (SBH) received $75,000 to furnish the children’s resource room and counselor/client workspace, located in its new facility in the Learbury Centre. The integrated facility will have medical suites where people can have their medical, psychiatric and medication needs met in a modern, supportive environment.

Camillus Canal Society received $3,200 to construct ten exercise stations along the path of the Camillus Erie Canal Park to increase wellness and recreation options. The well-used park offers visitors a variety of things to do, ranging from over 10 miles of scenic wooded paths and walkways, to boat rides along the historic Erie Canal.

Established in 1927, the Central New York Community Foundation encourages local philanthropy by supporting the growth of a permanent charitable endowment for the betterment of the region.  The Community Foundation is the largest charitable foundation in the region with assets of more than $130 million. It awards close to $6.7 million in grants to nonprofit organizations annually and has invested more than $100 million in the community since its inception. The Community Foundation serves as the steward of charitable legacies for individuals, families and corporations through the administration of nearly 600 funds. The organization also serves as a civic leader, convener and sponsor of special initiatives designed to strengthen nonprofits that address the region’s most pressing challenges. For more information, visit www.cnycf.org.