AND...we announced the hiring of our new Chief Inclusion and Community Engagement Officer, Gloria Coicou. See the Staff Spotlight in this issue to learn more about Gloria.
Community Foundation was the proud recipient of the
"Family Partner of the Year Award"
from Family & Children's Service of Ithaca
Pictured: George Ferrari, Community Foundation CEO, Cate Hackett, F&CS Board Chair, Alicia Kenaley, F&CS Executive Director and Scott Heyman, F&CS Board of Directors
From the Award Presentation...
"Thanks to support from the Community Foundation through grants and donor-advised funds we were able to pivot to tele-therapy swiftly, and continue to provide essential mental health services to our clients."
"In 2021, we also saw the Community Foundation embrace this more adaptable approach to funding by making the very big decision to transform their grant cycles to provide flexible funding to applying organizations."
"The Community Foundation’s recommitted focus on centering racial equity and justice modeled an approach for other organizations to assess their own programs, policies and practices, with a goal of increasing diversity, equity and inclusion. Their work has also lifted up the importance of expanding voices, redefining inclusiveness in philanthropy, and setting new standards and practices for social justice."
Above photo celebrates a 2021 Creative Recovery Fund Grant for "Lifting the Cloud: Storytelling for Mental Health", a project of StoryHouse Ithaca
For the second year, a grant from Community Foundation to the Community Arts Partnership is fueling the Creative Recovery Fund. These grants provide up to $1,500 for community-focused arts and cultural projects that will make a difference in our community’s recovery in the focus areas of racial justice, public and mental health, economic recovery, and climate disaster.
Gloria Coicou comes to the Foundation in the new role of Chief Inclusion and Community Engagement Officer
As a Black American with Haitian roots, Gloria values culture and diversity and welcomes the opportunity to be a tremendous catalyst in the DEI space. She is the newest member of the Community Foundation as the first Chief Inclusion & Community Engagement Officer. Gloria is a service-oriented leader who is passionate about fostering an environment where inclusion, diversity, equity, and racial justice are explicitly recognized as fundamental parts of the Community Foundation. She pledges to begin this work by applying an iterative and intentional process to all that the Community Foundation does such as in grantmaking, hiring practices, daily operations, etc. One of her goals is to create spaces for the Tompkins community to feel empowered and valued regardless of what they seem to be on the outside.
"While I have been living in Tompkins County and Ithaca for more than three decades, I learned so much more about our amazing community. Serving on the grant review committee has given me a deeper understanding of the interests and needs of organizations I thought I was somewhat familiar with. I have a much greater appreciation for the people I live among who strive every day to solve pressing societal issues that impact our neighbors, friends and strangers. I am even more grateful to live here and to be part of this fantastic county. Serving the Community Foundation in this capacity was one of the most positive and joyful volunteer experiences I have ever had. Thank you!"
Marybeth Tarzian, Board Member and First Time Reviewer
Reviewers provide quantitative and qualitative feedback to each applicant...
"I just wanted to take a moment to say how much I appreciate this part of the Community Foundation's grant process. It often feels like I'm sending applications out into the void with very little if any feedback or response from funders. By closing this last part of the application "circuit" I feel much more like I'm in conversation with the Foundation. And the care that your reviewers take comes through very clearly. I very much appreciate the comments and feel like this process helps me write better grants and better serve our mission. So thanks for taking the extra step and transparency in the funding process."
Heather Campbell, Executive Director, Advocacy Center of Tompkins County
Thank YOU for your service to our communities!
Business Sponsors Bringing People and Resources Together
" I am pleased to be a member of the Community Foundation’s Women’s Fund Committee. I am inspired by what women take on in our community to create positive change. I support the Community Foundation and the Women’s Fund because their work has a direct link to community impact and thereby uplifting individual lives."
Thanks to engaged donors like Sheila, the Women's Fund is able to provide grants and bring engaging speakers to our community, like Kenya Crawford, who recently led the workshop, "Is it Imposter Syndrome or Is It Racism?", inspiring the 116 virtual guests in attendance. Missed it? Check out event resource materials found here
Let's TALK Series
Sexual and Reproductive Care
Co-hosted by our Women's Fund, come and talk with us about Sexual and Reproductive Care with Dawn Cornell and Caroline Praderio of Planned Parenthood of Greater New York - July 12th at noon.
The Rotary Club of Ithaca announces that applications are now being accepted for its Community Grants program, which is intended to promote the quality of life in Tompkins County. Small non-profit organizations are especially encouraged to apply. Find more information here
These grants are awarded from the Rotary Club of Ithaca Fund held at Community Foundation.
2021 Rotary Grantees
WHAT'S HAPPENING NEXT?
> Release of Transfer of Wealth Study June 30 HERE
> Let's Talk Sexual and Reproductive Care July 12 HERE
> Estate Planning Webinar with Mariette Geldenhuys August 23 HERE