2023 | February Issue - Change, Community and Connections
New Consultant Oversees
2023 Library Grant Cycle
Welcome
Suzanne Smith-Jablonski
Suzanne, former Executive Director of the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation. is overseeing our 2023 Library Grant Cycle.
This grant cycle was inspired in 2009 by the Bernard and Shirley Rosen Library Fund estate gifts. The Rosen's gift seeks to promote genuine intellectual curiosity and a lifelong love of reading and learning, by promoting greater and easier access by youth to local libraries. Additional Community Foundation funds also support this cycle.
Eligible applicants are the 33 public libraries in Cayuga, Cortland, Seneca, Tioga and Tompkins counties, the 5 counties of the Finger Lakes Library System.
Angela works as a web designer and product manager at Wordsmyth LLC, an educational software company located in Ithaca NY. She graduated from China Agricultural University in 1997 with a bachelor degree of Food Science & Engineering. While search for a career path, she explored and acquired a wide range of job experiences, from salesperson in a food company, to project manager for an advertiser, to teaching English in a community college in Beijing, China.
In 2010, she came to Ithaca, enrolled in a non-degree program at Cornell. Her interests in community engagement led her to serve on GreenStar Co-op Council, and then serve on the board of the First Unitarian Society in Ithaca.
During the COVID years, Angela has developed interests and skills in gardening and watercolor painting, as well as raising awareness of civic ecology.
"We give to the Community Foundation because we know we have a choice of where our charitable contributions go and we like to stay local whenever possible.
We love that the Community Foundation is able to keep our giving local, helping local non-profit organizations and individuals in such a wide variety of ways.
The grants the Community Foundation awards is so impressive to us. We know the Community Foundation is making an impact in our community and it is so needed, in so many ways.
To do business in Tompkins County; helping individuals find employment, and helping businesses find top talent, is an opportunity we are so grateful for.
Our gratitude spills into everything we do, including supporting the Community Foundation." - Kathy Nivison
Join us in thanking and recognizing the work and charitable impact of local business owners, like Kathy Nivison and Express Employment Professionals.
Our Communities Thrive Thanks to Your Generosity
Community Science Institute receives generous gift directed by the Tapan Mitra Estate to support environmental education in our community
At Community Science Institute (CSI), environmental education is a core part of our mission to empower residents to become stewards of their local water resources. Thanks to a generous gift from the Community Foundation of Tompkins County directed by the estate of Dr. Tapan Mitra, CSI will be able to take that mission to new heights.
Dr. Tapan Mitra was a world-renowned economic theorist and professor at Cornell University. In addition to his professional accolades and accomplishments, Dr. Mitra was a responsible and compassionate community member whose legacy lives on in the support of local causes that focus on education, health, and wildlife in our region.
At CSI, we are humbled and honored to be a part of that legacy thanks to a generous gift of $50,000 directed by the Dr. Mitra's estate.
By placing this gift into Community Foundation's Agency Fund, CSI is able to ensure the longevity and sustainability of the gift, meaning we have the ability to provide enriching environmental education experiences to members of our community for years to come. Working with the Community Foundation of Tompkins County has a number of benefits for our organization and our local community.
George Ferrari, Community Foundation CEO said “Community Foundation delivers investment expertise, competitive fees, community knowledge and excellent customer service. The Foundation exists to manage endowments and is uniquely positioned to provide others with endowment management services. We are familiar with the specific operational needs of nonprofit organizations and are available to provide guidance beyond endowment management.
When a mission driven organization, school or faith community partners with the us, they are supporting our entire community, and mission activities similar to their own.”
To reflect and celebrate the rich cultural heritage, triumphs, and tragedies that are ingrained in U.S. history and helped shape the nation we offer the following:
Community Foundation staff and board are committed to incorporating the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in our governance and daily operations and this includes celebrating cultures, ethnicities, and identities. We joyfully celebrate Black History Month.
We honor history. We believe it is important to connect to the present.
The Black experience is an important part of Tompkins County’s story. We want to provide you with an experience that will leave you wanting to learn more.
On Friday, February 17 at 12PM, join us online for a special Let’s Talk program, His(story) Lesson with Dr. Nia Nunn.
She will take us on a journey through time and the Underground Railroad told in a way that only she knows how. Her work is transformative. We will take this opportunity to acknowledge and honor her. Dr. Nia is celebrated worldwide, and we are thankful for all she has done right here at home.
A few Development Committee volunteers (pictured below are Jim Mazza, Janice Conrad, Marybeth Tarzian, Stamie Despo, Lisken Cordes, and Alan Mathios) came together in January to zero in on gratitude because many donors are giving generously.
Thanking donors is fun too! Tasty treats and in-person conversations were wonderful bonuses.
Thank you, donors who fuel our operations. Without you we could not provide $2.7 million in grants in 2023 to strengthen our communities.
Join us March 1 at 12PM for our virtual Q & A Session/Info Session for the upcoming spring grant cycle. This cycle will provide unrestricted support to organizations meeting community needs, some longstanding, some new, or revealed in the aftermath of the pandemic.
Review Team applications are now open! Whether you are a returning participants or new to the grant review process, you are guaranteed to gain a deeper understanding of the fabric of our community and the inner workings of the community foundation.
Join Dr. Susan Salahshor, founding Program Director for Ithaca College’s Physician Assistant Program, as she discusses local and global healthcare inequities that impact the lives of our communities.
This brief presentation includes data, research, and stories of those in lived experiences providing leadership changing inequities in her field.
Hosted by the Women's Fund Advisory Committee. Join us ONLINE: March 8th 4pm-5pm EST Register Now: CLICK HERE
