Philanthropy Magnified Impact Report
February 2021
Voices, Dreams and Resources
Journey to become a philanthropist, realized

 
Imagine what it would be like if you had a letter from a favorite aunt or friend offering a story from her life and a few truths she'd learned along the way. Chances are, you'd treasure it forever. This week the Community Foundation had a treasured meeting to ask questions and hear from Millicent Clarke-Maynard, known to many as, Millie.
 
Millie retired in 2012 after 33 years teaching students at Ithaca City School District's Beverly J. Martin Elementary School. A second grade teacher the whole time, she bonded with and focused on kids. She keeps in touch with many of her former students. Her writing journal assignments were legendary. What is one of her fond memories?  Today she sends those writing journal to her students upon their high school graduation. She loves to hear how much it means to them to be remembered. What a blessing to have a connection with a mentor, to share a good experience and renew a relationship.
 
Millie gave so much of her time and resources to students, to the school and to the PTA. At her retirement and because of her dedication, the annual multicultural dinner was named by the PTA when Denise Gomber was principal. The Multicultural Dinner is held in honor of Millicent Clarke-Maynard, in appreciation for her years of work in the Ithaca community with children and families, and her dedication to equity, access, and education as a human right for all.
 
Millie's path to teaching began in Harlem in a true community neighborhood with a mother, father, grandmother and neighborhood parents all guiding her. Many lessons shaped Millie but her mother, a high school graduate, instilled in her a goal to get an education. Thus her dream to be an educator started in kindergarten. She loved books and often visited a public library near her home.
 
Very quietly Millie has been giving her time and donating her resources to Tompkins County. She believes our greatest legacy is our children and the impact they will have ... 

Continue to read, click  HERE
This Is Not Business As Usual

 

Three financial decisions to advance social justice and support our community in a time of continued great need.

At its February 8 meeting, Community Foundation of Tompkins County Board voted to take action to advance social justice and support our community in a time of continued need. Due to continuing pandemic and social justice needs and because of our success in our 2020 investments and gifts from generous donors the Board voted unanimously to accept recommendations to:
 
  • Increase the endowed funds spendable rate from a typical 4% to an unprecedented 5% making available more than $650,000 available, an additional $131,000 for grantmaking from this subset of funds in 2021.
  • Re-allocate $5.6 million of assets into our ESG/SRI (Environment, Sustainability, Governance/Socially Responsible Investments) pool, more than doubling that portfolio. At least 60% of the strategies in the ESG portfolio are managed by women, one of whom is also Latinx. An ESG investment philosophy tends to correlate more highly with diversity, equity, inclusion and justice initiatives.
  • Increase 300% in operational spending for diversity, equity, inclusion and justice improvements of the Foundation's programs and operations, committing $10,000, enabling volunteer stipends, organizational assessments and other actions.

"In the midst of COVID-19, the financial wealth divide in society has become more glaring. It is quickly becoming the haves and have nots.
 
In extreme times like these, the Community Foundation needs to stand strong and embrace its mission, vision and commitment to philanthropy.   If not now.....when!"
 ~  James Hunter, board member


Continue to read, click Here
  

Voices That Must Be Heard


College Initiative Upstate (CIU) and Civic Ensemble's ReEntry Theatre Program collaboration is in the process of building the next generation of justice-impacted leadership in Tompkins County. 

Multi-year grants totaling $25,717 from the Community Foundation's Susan Christopherson Community Planning Fund provided critical funding bringing this material into our larger community where people are struggling with the questions and solutions to pressing issues around equity, policing, incarceration, and so much more.  During 2020, the Oral History Project explored complex human stories of people with incarceration experience.  In 2021, the Voices Theatre Project will bring participants together to devise an original play rooted in their owns stories and experiences and in collaboration with theatre professionals; culminating in a production of a final play.

Oral History Project 
As trained interviewers, College Initiative Upstate students gain interviewing experience and also move into our larger community in a visible leadership capacity. This is part of state-wide research.   

Listen to three compelling interviews:
Helping businesses and families "fill the gaps"

family3.jpg
 
In 2020, Community Foundation made a $50,000 grant to fund a loan loss reserve supporting Alternatives Federal Credit Union (AFCU) 0% Community Assistance Loan Fund (CALF).  The reserve has allowed AFCU to ensure inclusive access at all income levels.  Loan applicants received financial assistance with practical, guiding knowledge from expert financial counselors and business technical assistance providers.  

Over 125 loans ranging between $3,000 - $8,000 at 0% interest, 
have helped businesses and families "fill the gaps" due to lost or reduced income and increased expenses.  Alternatives Federal Credit Union is an Equal Credit Opportunity lender and encourages applications by women, people of color, and WBE and MWBE business enterprises, among others.

AFCU offers access to a wide range of advisory services. One business owner, meets every Monday morning at 7am with Gladys Brangman of Business Leaders of Colors [BLOC] for business consultations.

More information about the Community Assistance Loan Fund, click  HERE
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Training Series

supported by Community Foundation



Many Chamber businesses and organizations are asking what they can do to respond to systemic racism, workplace inequities, and exclusionary cultures in the current moment. To support Members' desire to build greater diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in their respective workplaces, a group of experienced facilitators and consultants will be conducting a six-part webinar series, led by Dr. Paula Ioanide of Rise to Equity, in partnership with the Tompkins Chamber


Learn more about this training series by   CLICKING HERE

10 Years of Impact - A Look Back


   
Overall 10 Year Growth, increased annual grant-making
 from $400,000 in 2010 to $2.3 million in 2020.

In 2020, Donor Advised Funds contributed $127,224 to the COVID-19 Response Fund which totaled more than $380,000 thanks to additional generous donors
   

Community Impact Grants include grants from Tompkins Today & Tomorrow Fund, Pass-Thrus and Operating/TTT Endowment.

Community Foundation's Grant History Click HERE

 
Get Ready for Spring!


   

Stories in the Park is back for March, alternating Fridays and Saturdays so that everyone has a chance to participate. Join Ms. Diane at 11am at the Montgomery Park Pavilion, Elm St, Dryden. Each week read some new stories, do some crafts and receive a free book to take home!

Register at Southworth Library or on the library's  Facebook page to reserve your spot.  All COVID safety protocols will be followed.

March 5 (Friday) - If you give a mouse...
March 13 (Saturday) - Celebrate the Luck of the Irish with St. Patrick's Day stories and crafts
March 19 (Friday) - Spring is here! Let's celebrate with some stories and crafts!
March 27 (Saturday) - Spanish-English Storytime with Ms. Brillante and Ms. Diane!

This program is made possible through generous grant funding from the
Rosen Library Fund of the Community Foundation of Tompkins County.


For more information Click HERE


 Community Foundation Events

Save the Dates!  



March 9th with Frank Kruppa, Tompkins County Public Health Director and Commissioner of Mental Health

Grant opportunities information and application deadlines

Disaster Philanthropy Resources for Responding to Winter Storm Recovery Needs in Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas