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Philanthropy Magnified - monthly impact report

2024 | October Issue - Community Connections

Our partners at the National Council of Nonprofits created a Voter Engagement Guide that provides a roadmap on how nonprofits can remain nonpartisan while effectively engaging in voter engagement work. Learn More

Learn More About the State of the Mission-Driven Sector

Listen to our Chief Executive Officer, George Ferrari talk about challenges for the state of the local mission-driven sector post-pandemic and local possible solutions to those challenges. Our amazing community never settles for the status quo. However, things are not "business as usual" - we need more help and we need the community. There is an opportunity for everyone to contribute.


CLICK HERE

GIAC Rec Center Opening

Ribbon cutting and Grand Opening

October 25th

Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC)


This is a large-scale collaborative effort shared by GIAC and other GIAC partners. Congrats to all who made the new GIAC rec center a huge success for teens in our community. Community Foundation proudly supports this new space for teens.

LEARN MORE

In case you missed it

Our September Let's Talk: Celebrating Indigenous Heritage.


We welcomed Alexas Esposito, Executive Director, Traditional Center for Indigenous Knowledge and Healing.


CLICK on the image below to view the recording of this presentation.

Let's Talk: The State of Family Literacy



Let’s come together as a community to discuss the importance of family literacy and explore ways to make reading a joyful part of every family’s life—all from the comfort of your home! We invite parents, educators, and community advocates who are passionate about building a culture of reading. On November 12th 12pm, bring your questions, ideas, and enthusiasm as we work together to inspire every child to read and learn.


Family Reading Partnership has been a cornerstone in fostering a love for reading and learning throughout our community. By promoting family literacy, they have helped make reading a shared experience that brings families closer together, laying a strong foundation for children’s academic and emotional growth. We are excited to host this virtual event to share information, exchange ideas, and co-discover. The work of the Family Reading Partnership is more than just promoting reading; it’s about building a brighter future for our community, one book—and one family—at a time.


Be sure to join us for our site visit on 11/15 to the Family Reading Partnership! RSVP, HERE.


Community Foundation Women's Fund Celebration

Women's Fund Luncheon

Mary Pat Dolan, 2024 Laura Holmberg Awardee shares some of her story.

Read Here


Women in Tompkins County have been instrumental in driving positive change and breaking barriers, inspiring generations to dream BIG and aspire to GREATNESS.

Yearly, the Women's Fund Advisory Committee highlights the invaluable contributions of women in all walks of life, acknowledging their significant impact on society, culture, business, philanthropy, and beyond.


PHOTO GALLERY and More:

CLICK HERE

Did you miss the Community Listening Session?

We've got you covered! We are committed to strengthening community bonds and maintaining meaningful relationships with you. We believe that staying connected with your experiences and challenges is vital to fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community.


Just because we did not have a fall grant cycle, does not mean that we don't want to stay connected with you.


We hosted a Community Listening Session to create a safe space to share what is happening in our community, discuss emerging needs, and ask questions. Our commitment to building trust and offering support in meaningful ways does not begin and end with a grant cycle. We discussed sector challenges and how widespread those challenges are.


View the recording, HERE.

Field of Interest and Designated Funds could be your year-end friends

As you’re looking ahead to year-end giving, you’re likely thinking about transferring cash, or ideally appreciated stock, to your donor-advised fund so that you can maximize tax benefits and support the charities you love. And absolutely, a donor-advised fund can be a fabulous component of your overall charitable giving portfolio. 


Think beyond donor-advised funds, though, especially at year-end. The community foundation offers a wide variety of funds to meet your charitable giving goals and also help you maximize your tax and financial planning efforts.


Two excellent fund types that are sometimes overlooked are designated funds and field-of-interest funds. 


When you set up a field-of-interest fund at the community foundation, you’re setting aside charitable dollars for a specific charitable purpose. With a field-of-interest fund, you’re leaning on the knowledgeable team at the community foundation to distribute grants to achieve your wishes. As is the case with a donor-advised fund, you’ll choose a name for your fund, whether you wish to use your own name (e.g., Samuels Family Fund or Samuels Family Fund for the Arts), maintain anonymity (e.g., Maryville Fund for the Arts), or something else altogether (e.g., Bettering Our World Fund).   


A designated fund is a good choice if you know you want to support a particular charity or charities for multiple years. This is useful so that the distributions can be spread out over time to help with the charity or charities’ cash flow planning, which allows you to potentially benefit from a larger charitable tax deduction in the year you establish the fund if, for example, your tax rates are higher than usual in that particular year.


Last but not least, if you are over the age of 70 ½, pay particular attention to designated funds and field-of-interest funds as year end approaches because these two types of funds, unlike donor-advised funds, can receive “Qualified Charitable Distributions” from IRAs–up to $105,000 per person in 2024! 


Contact Nancy Massicci, Chief Development Officer for more information.

Philanthropy Magnified Reception

Philanthropy Magnified Reception recognizes donors who support the Foundation with $1,000 or more, as members of the Philanthropy Magnified Society. HEROES Circle members have designated their gifts to the annual fund programs and services, where needed most. We also proudly honor the commitment and intentions of those who have joined the Legacy Society, who have informed us of a forever planned gift, at this reception as well. 

This September, we learned more about an important area of Tompkins County: Groton and the surrounding communities:


Sara Knobel, Director, Groton Public Library sharing your insights and stories about the importance of the Groton Public Library and the impact it has on the community. Sara helped bring to life the significance of the library’s role and the value of ongoing support through the library grant cycle.


Billie Downs, District Coordinator, Groton Central Schools shared insights on the Groton Central School District, the Career Academy Program (watch video) Lunch-n-Learn Series, and opportunities for students to connect with career possibilities and local businesses.


Nancy Niswender, Clerk, Village of Groton spoke about village activities, including the Groton Recreation Summer Programming and NY Forward $4.5 M state grant. Nancy provided a valuable perspective on the exciting developments in Groton.


Steve Gobel, President, First National Bank of Groton shared some of the bank’s history looking bank on important connections and developments in Groton; helping highlight the impact of community collaboration.


For some, it was their first time in Groton and to the Benn Conger Inn. Drew Clare, manager and Christine Brennan, owner, shared some family stories and history of the charming Benn Conger Inn.


Members of the Philanthropy Magnified Society mean so much to us and our communities. Consider joining and referring a friend, family member, or colleague. LEARN MORE



WHAT'S HAPPENING NEXT?


You Are Invited! Our 2024 Calendar of Events



> National Philanthropy Awards Lunch November 1 HERE


> Let's Talk: The State of Family Literacy November 1 HERE


> Community Foundation Week November 12 - 18 HERE


> Site Visit: Family Reading Partnership November 15 HERE


Additional Future Grantee Site Visits info available HERE

Community Foundation of Tompkins County

www.cftompkins.org

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