|
A Message from Our Director
George Ferrari
I had the pleasure of joining my colleagues from New York State, including Triad's Joanne Florino, for meetings in Washington DC last month. We met with Congressmen Hinchey and Reed and staff members for Congressman Hanna in March to tell them how philanthropic investments are serving youth in libraries, building community in rural townships and making the arts more accessible in Tompkins County and why federal policies that support local philanthropic giving are critical to the programs' continued success.
The meetings were part of an annual effort, Foundations on the Hill (FOTH), attended by more than 200 community, private, and corporate foundation grant making representatives from across the country. We went to the nation's capital to communicate philanthropy's value to federal lawmakers-and to show how the sector is using its financial resources to provide innovative solutions to some of the nation's most pressing social problems and helping communities recover from the recent economic downturn.
Though 2012 is an election year-and expectations are low that Congress will achieve much in the next nine months-comprehensive reform of federal tax policies that affect Community Foundation's ability to serve Tompkins County is scheduled for 2013. One of the best-known policies being targeted by some in the nation's capital is the charitable tax deduction. Congressional cuts to the deduction could jeopardize support for much-needed community programs. We also sought renewal and expansion of the popular IRA Charitable Rollover bill which expired on December 31, 2011.
I am happy to report that Congressman Hinchey has now signed on to these two important bills as a new co-sponsor. We thank him for his years of service and for supporting policies which encourage and increase philanthropy and charitable giving in our community which helps us help those who seek to help others. Others with whom we met are considering their positions on these important matters.
Philanthropy Magnified every day.
|
|
Executive Director George Ferrari joined the New York State foundations group at Foundations on the Hill. Washington D.C.
|
|
Spotlight Grant
Phillips Free Library's Fantastical Worlds
In our recent 2012 library grant cycle, the Bernard Carl and Shirley Rosen Library Fund granted $9,635 to the Phillips Free Library to host three author visits for youth in the Homer schools.
1. Tamora Pierce -
author of the popular Tortall Series
2. Anne Ursu - Author of Breadcrumbs
and the Cronus Chronicles
3. Laura Ruby - Author of
The Wall and the Wing
The authors of fantasy will provide afterschool workshops and evening public talks at the library. This grant will provide free books to the students by these authors. Students will also be invited to write short stories based on their experience, which will be compiled into an anthology and added to the library collection. There will also be a public reading for youth to share their stories. |
Community Foundation Annual Celebration May 22, 2012
5-7pm
Location TBA
Mark your calendars now to make sure that you will be able to attend the Annual Celebration of the Community Foundation of Tompkins County. This springtime gathering is always a highlight of the philanthropic year.
Learn more about rural economic development and our special commitment to securing and growing philanthropic resources for all of Tompkins County for years to come. Our keynote speaker will be Don Macke, Director of the RUPRI Center for Rural Entrepreneurship. The Center works throughout the United States and supports research, outreach, education and policy development related to rural entrepreneurship. RUPRI or the Rural Policy Research Institute is a national research and policy center focusing in multiple areas including economic development, poverty, health care, telecommunications, informatics, policy analysis and community impact analysis.
Don also served as the lead author of the recently completed Tompkins County Transfer of Wealth Study.
Click here to learn more about Transfer of Wealth. |
|
Harvard Business Review
Multiplication Philanthropy
Dan Palotta
Leverage is the mantra of the times in philanthropy, and rightly so. People want to know that the charities they support are using donations as effectively as possible. Donors and institutional funders are more demanding, more discerning, and less detached. They're no longer content with writing a check and securing their place in heaven. They want results.
But they're looking for them in the wrong places.
They're missing the greatest leverage point of all: the multiplying effects of smart investments in fundraising. If you want to maximize the social effects of your donation, why would you buy, for example, $100,000 worth of great educational programming for inner city kids when the same $100,000 directed toward fundraising could generate enough money to buy $1 million worth of it?
Even the wealthiest and most sophisticated are oblivious to the opportunity - in fact, they actively avoid it. They follow conventional wisdom and direct their money to the programs of carefully vetted organizations, scrupulously avoiding fundraising support. Or they back new approaches by leading thinkers in philanthropy - models that also bypass fundraising investment - and think they're on the cutting edge. Either way, they're squandering the real and massive potential of their capital.
Click here to read the complete article
|
|
|
|
Who We Are
Community foundations are not-for-profit organizations founded and staffed by people who are dedicated to seeking out what is needed in our community and what is valuable about Tompkins County and to helping those valuable assets grow important results. We understand our community's needs and help you to turn your charitable passions into results oriented philanthropy. We show donors how to make your gifts go further and accomplish more.
Contact George Ferrari, Community Foundation of Tompkins County, Executive Director or call 607-272-9333 if you would like to explore ways for the Community Foundation to assist you in making your philanthropic dreams a reality for Tompkins County.
|
|
MARK THE DATE
**********************
Listening and Learning
Sessions in Enfield, Groton and Lansing
April 16th, 18th, 25th
**********************
Community Foundation
Annual Meeting
May 22nd
**********************
Howland Foundation
Awards Ceremony
June 11th
*********************
Additional information is available on our website under News and Events.
www.cftompkins.org
|
|
Board Member
of the Month
Richard Banks
Development
Committee
Rick is the Associate Vice President, Alumni Affairs and Development Administration for Cornell University, responsible for directing and executing administrative operations supporting the university's fund raising and alumni engagement programs. This includes serving as the Senior Finance Officer and senior administrative officer for the division, and the management of the human resources, advancement services, budget, planning, and finance programs. He is a member of Cornell's class of 1972, and joined the Cornell staff in 1978. His volunteer service includes serving as a director of the Cornell Club of New York, the Statler Club, and as a director and former president of the Country Club of Ithaca.
|
|
Meet the Board
Board Chair
Linda W. Madeo
Vice Board Chair
Robin Masson
Secretary
Anthony Hopson
Treasurer
David Squires
Immediate Past Chair
Mariette Geldenhuys
Members Richard Banks
Jacki Barr
Mary Berens
Max Brown
Tom Colbert
Caroline Cox
Randy Ehrenberg
Jennifer Gabriel
Wendy Hankle
Bob Jewell
Laurie Linn
Alan Mathios
Ed Morton
Bill Murphy
Nancy Potter
John Rogers
Carol Travis
Linda Wagenet
Julie Waters
Amy Yale-Loehr
Incorporating Board
Jeff Furman
Howard Hartnett
Bill Myers
Robert Swieringa
John Semmler
Diane Shafer
Staff
Executive Director
George Ferrari, Jr.
Program Officer
Janet Cotraccia
Donor Relations Officer
Amy LeViere |
|
