The Central New York Community Foundation is a public charity focused on managing private donations to support local charities and addressing critical issues through community projects. Founded in 1927, it aims to strengthen nonprofits and has distributed over $230 million in Central New York, being the region's largest charitable foundation.
The grant programs offered by the Central New York Community Foundation aim to induce positive change, honoring diversity, and fostering inclusion within Onondaga, Madison, Cayuga, Cortland, and Oswego counties. Specific efforts like the Madison County Rural Poverty Fund seek to alleviate poverty-related issues in Madison County by supporting projects through funding, impact investing, and community leadership. The types of projects supported include capital campaigns (for repairs, technology upgrades, and purchases) and program support (for new, innovative, or expanding proven programs addressing poverty).