Unleashing the Power of Community

Unleashing the Power of Community:

Continuing the Dialogue on Racism, Tolerance, Collaboration, and Commitment.

The Community Foundation was a proud sponsor of this important forum that took place on February 1, 2010.  This forum was a follow-up to one that occurred two years ago in response to a lawsuit in the Ithaca City School District that raised issues of race and class in our schools and greater community.  Members of our Community Foundation board and staff attended this event with over 300 people spanning a broad cross section of our community.  Our Social Justice Field of Interest Fund has been meeting to develop a vision on how to build on the momentum surrounding issues of race and class generated by forums such as these.  John Rogers has been spearheading this advisory committee with committee members including Cal Walker, Karl Graham and Lucy Brown. 

Important 2010 Dates

The Community Foundation has expedited a grant to assist in the recovery of the devastating earthquake in Haiti. 

A $5,000 grant from the Community Foundation's Ridenour Family Fund is directed to Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti (HAS).  HAS, located 40 miles northwest of Port-Au-Prince, was able to withstand the recent devastating earthquake and is currently operating with full staff helping victims. With mass casualty protocols in place, the medical staff is evaluating each patient, performing diagnostic tests and delivering life saving care. Due to the expertise developed over its 54 year history, Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti (HAS) is one of the few institutions positioned to provide timely hospital care for the injured. Check the 

Community Foundation of Tompkins County, a member of the national Council on Foundations in full compliance with national standards for community foundations, has quick access to resources to assist local donors in responding to the Haiti recovery efforts.  Individuals, groups and corporations wishing to consider how to assist in Haiti are encouraged visit

  Beechtree Care Center Site Visit

Philanthropy In The News

Community Foundation Celebrates

Community Foundation board members delivered well wishes, bags of chocolate and Valentine's Day cards to 48 Tompkins County non-profits at the end of this week. 

As part of a year-long celebration of the Community Foundation's 10^th anniversary 16 board members made visits to a representative sample of non-profit organizations in the fields of arts & culture, environment, education, health & human services, and community building. 

Board members visited non-profits who have been some of the many grantees of the Community Foundation from 2000-2010 demonstrating 10 years of philanthropic achievement including, The History Center, Finger Lakes Land Trust, TST BOCES, Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services, and GIAC.

Valentine's Day cards hand delivered expressed the appreciation of the Community Foundation and donors for the valuable work of non-profit organizations.

The Community Foundation is a non-profit public charity created by and for the people of Tompkins County.  The organization accepts gifts and bequests to a variety of current or new funds.  Investments are professionally managed, providing a growing source of income that enables grant making to meet the needs of today and tomorrow.  Decisions for grants are made by the Community Foundation's board of directors (together, in some circumstances with donor advisors) to focus on the particular and unique needs of Tompkins County.  To learn more about the Community Foundation, please contact George Ferrari, Executive Director, 309 N. Aurora Street, Ithaca, NY 14850 by email gferrari@communityfoundationoftc.org or call 272-9333.