Community Foundation Awards $215,062 in Community Grants

December 21, 2012 (Syracuse, NY) - The Central New York Community Foundation awarded $215,062 in grants to 10 charitable organizations in Onondaga and Madison counties from its unrestricted and field‑of‑interest funds.

Animal Alliance of Greater Syracuse received $20,000 to equip temporary mobile spay/neuter clinics in low income Syracuse neighborhoods to provide low-cost services and help regulate the stray and feral pet  populations.

Cazenovia College received $30,000 to support programming at the New York State Center for Equine Business Development. Rural business owners from across the region will be offered workshops, an annual symposium and individual business consulting to help strengthen their  equine businesses.

Hamilton Central School received $7,000 to support the building of a new children’s playground.

Izaak Walton League of America received $32,982 to support after-school watershed and environmental stewardship education through the Creek Freaks program. The program will provide training and support to educators who work with youth in an extracurricular context.

Oneida Healthcare Center received $10,480 to collaborate with the YMCA Tri-Valley, the Madison County Health Department, and local pediatricians on a pilot program that provides health education, nutrition and fitness training program for overweight and obese children and their families.

Onondaga Historical Association (OHA) received $25,000 to support its Creekwalk Mobile History Tour, including signage and a mobile device app. OHA plans to utilize mobile QR code technology to make video content available to those reading the Creekwalk signs.

Syracuse Stage received $34,600 to introduce a community engagement program for veterans, active military and their families. The organization will offer complimentary tickets, transportation, pre-show welcome receptions, and small discussion groups in an effort to build lasting connections to the military community.

Community Folk Art Center (CFAC) received $5,000 to expand the Caribbean Cinematic Festival. The second annual festival, to be held February 6 – 10, 2013, will feature film, dance, spoken word, photography, discussion and food from the Caribbean.

The Great Swamp Conservancy (GSC) received $25,000 to support improvements to its Community Outreach Center in Canastota. Renovations of the current space will allow the center to offer new programs, expand attendance for existing programs, and display artifacts in a year-round facility.

YMCA of the Greater Tri-Valley received $25,000 to provide aquatic exercise and safety equipment at the Oneida branch. Purchasing and installing a pool lift and four underwater treadmills will allow the YMCA to better serve its members and comply with ADA regulations to allow therapeutic and recreational accessibility for all.

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.