Central New York Community Foundation Inc
The Central New York Community Foundation is a public charity based in Syracuse, New York, established in 1927. It receives contributions from donors, manages charitable funds, and distributes grants to support community needs in Central New York.
Key facts about Central New York Community Foundation Inc
In short: Central New York Community Foundation Inc gave $23.6M across 436 grants in 2025 (avg $54K), mostly in New York. 46% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 15-0626910
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $23,588,992
- Grants made (2025)
- 436
- Average grant
- $54,103
- Median grant
- $16,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 46% first-time grantees (200 of 436, 2025)
- Total assets
- $458,328,795
- Primary geography
- New York (94% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Deadline
- The 2026 Community Grants spring round deadline is February 26, 2026; the fall round deadline is August 29, 2026.
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$458.3M
+7.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$23.6M
Grant Count
436
Avg Grant Size
$54K
Is Central New York Community Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
46%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 200 of 436 grantees (46%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $43K; repeat grants $64K. How we count
Medians: $13K first-time, $19K repeat.
- Giving grew 40% from 2022 to 2025. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to foster a thriving and equitable Central New York region by leading and inspiring a community culture of giving, celebrating legacy, and stewarding charitable resources for today and tomorrow.
Its Community Grants program supports innovative projects in arts and culture, civic affairs, education, health, human services, and the environment. The foundation also lists programs and funds for Black Equity & Excellence, Madison County rural poverty, neighborhood greening, strategic partnerships, and outdoor parks and recreation. Its Dr. Robert J. Vitkus Fund offers capital and programmatic grants of $10,000–$150,000 for eligible organizations supporting outdoor parks and recreation areas in Onondaga, Madison, Cortland, Cayuga, and Oswego counties.
Grantees’ stated missions illustrate the range of organizations supported. Manlius Pebble Hill School says it provides college-preparatory education for students from pre-K through 12th grade. Cortland Memorial Foundation says it supports Guthrie Cortland Medical Center through philanthropy, stewardship, and education. Home HeadQuarters says it works to create housing and related opportunities and services that improve the lives of underserved people and revitalize communities. Central Current describes itself as a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization providing independent online news and analysis about Central New York.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 436 grants totaling $23,588,992. Grants ranged from $5,100 to $2,462,750, with a median of $16,000.
Review Cycle
, and application information.
Open Grants
30 open opportunities from Central New York Community Foundation Inc
Alpha Kappa Alpha Fund Grant
Central New York Community Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Carol Hansen & Ethel Bauder Fund Grant
Central New York Community Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Cayuga Community Fund Grant
Central New York Community Foundation Inc
Amount
Up to US $10,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Ready to take the next step with Central New York Community Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s Community Grants program serves organizations benefiting residents of Onondaga, Cortland, and Madison counties, with Cortland County nonprofits eligible beginning in the Fall 2026 round. The Robert J. Vitkus Fund covers eligible outdoor park and recreation projects in Onondaga, Madison, Cortland, Cayuga, and Oswego counties. In 2025, 94% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York; the remaining reported shares were Florida (2%), Pennsylvania (1%), Maine (0%), and Texas (0%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 436 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $16.9M (2022) to $23.6M (2025). In 2025 it made 436 grants totaling $23.6M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Manlius Pebble Hill School ($2.5M). Together the top 10 received $9.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
1,635 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,330 grants of 1,635 (81%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Manlius Pebble Hill School Syracuse, NY | General Support; Program/Project Support | $2,462,750 |
| Onondaga Countydepartment of Child & Family Services Syracuse, NY | General Support | $1,500,000 |
| Skaneateles Lake Association Skaneateles, NY | General Support; Program/Project Support; Sponsorship Support | $1,061,350 |
| Cortland Memorial Foundation Inc Cortland, NY | Program/Project Support | $1,005,000 |
| United Way of Central New York Syracuse, NY | Campaign Support; General Support; Program/Project Support; | $661,300 |
| St Joseph's College of Nursing Syracuse, NY | Student Support | $587,762 |
| Everson Museum of Art Syracuse, NY | General support; event support; student support; program/project support; sponsorship support | $542,188 |
| St Mary's Church of Auburn Auburn, NY | Program/ Project Support | $450,000 |
| Road to Emmaus Ministry Syracuse, NY | General Support; Program/Project Support | $427,800 |
| Syracuse Universityadvancement & External Affairs Syracuse, NY | General Support; Student Support; Literacy Support; Program/Project Support | $348,247 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $389,455,496 | $34,290,952 | $25,334,728 | $19,615,587 across 383 grants |
| 2024 | $425,141,081 | — | — | 0 grants reported |
| 2025 | $458,328,795 | $50,696,520 | $31,016,629 | $23,588,992 across 436 grants |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $458,328,795 | $425,141,081 | $389,455,496 |
| Revenue | $50,696,520 | — | $34,290,952 |
| Expenses | $31,016,629 | — | $25,334,728 |
| Net Investment Income | $10,528,895 | — | $4,687,610 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 9, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 28, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 24, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS October 23, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation’s 2025 filing lists Bethaida Gonzalez as chair, Susan Furtney as vice chair, Joseph Lazzaro as treasurer, and Martin A. Schwab as compliance officer. It lists Lisa D. Alford, Jaime Alicea, Catherine A. Bertini, Rebecca Bronfein Raphael, William H. Brower, and Martin T. Durkin Jr. as members. The foundation’s website identifies Melanie Littlejohn as president and CEO.
Central New York Community Foundation Inc is led by Melanie Littlejohn, President & CEO on the 2025 filing; 8 of 26 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Melanie Littlejohn
President & CEO
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$331K (2025)
Bethaida Gonzalez
Chair
Vice Chair → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Monica Merante
Senior Director of Philant
Senior Director of Philanthropic Services → Senior Director of Philant, 2025
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$110K (2023) → $120K (2025)
Elizabeth Hartman
Senior Director of Finance
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$122K (2025)
Frank Ridzi
Vice President of Community Investment
Vice President & Community Investment → Vice President of Community Investment, 2023
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$130K (2021) → $160K (2025)
Katrina Crocker
Vice President of Communications
Vice President & Communications → Vice President of Communications, 2023
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$114K (2021) → $148K (2025)
Kimberly Sadowski
Vice President & CFO
Senior Vice President & CFO → Vice President & CFO, 2023
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$151K (2021) → $200K (2025)
Thomas Griffith
Vice President of Development
Vice President & Development → Vice President of Development, 2023
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$125K (2021) → $188K (2025)
Ahmeed Turner
Vice President of Scholarships
Executive Director & Say Yes → Vice President of Scholarships & Student Successor, 2023
Vice President of Scholarships & Student Successor → Vice President of Scholarships, 2025
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$121K (2022) → $148K (2025)
Kevin E. Schwab
Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rebecca Bronfein Raphael
Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephen D. Fournier
Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan Furtney
Vice Chair
Member → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William H. Brower III
Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Catherine A. Bertini
Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joseph Lazzaro
Treasurer
Member → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lisa D. Alford
Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Martin A. Schwab
Compliance Officer
Member → Compliance Officer, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Duane B. Owens
Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jaime Alicea
Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kathleen L. Wiese
Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leyla Z. Morgillo
Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lisa S. Germain
Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark S. Hall
Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Martin T. Durkin Jr.
Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Warren Hilton
Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (18)
- Former: Carolyn D. Gerakopoulos (2021–2023) — Member
- Former: Daniel J. Fisher (2021–2023) — Board Chair
- Former: Daren C. Jaime (2021–2023) — Member
- Former: Emad A. Rahim (2021–2023) — Member
- Former: Karin Sloan Delaney (2021–2023) — Compliance Officer
- Former: Kate Feldmeier Franz (2021–2023) — Member
- Former: Lee M. Gatta (2021–2023) — Member
- Former: Mark A. Fuller (2021–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Peter A. Dunn (2021–2023) — President & CEO
- Former: Caeresa J. Richardson (2022–2023) — Member
- Former: Caragh D. Fahy (2021–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Larry R. Leatherman (2021–2022) — Member
- Former: Bea Gonzalez (2021) — Member
- Former: Casey Crabill (2021) — Board Chair
- Former: Grace B. Ghezzi CPA (2021) — Member
- Former: Julie A. Cecile (2021) — Member
- Former: Mary Anne Cody Esq. (2021) — Member
- Former: Michael F. Meath (2021) — Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $331K, to Melanie Littlejohn (President & CEO). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 431 E Fayette Street 100, Syracuse, NY 13202
Phone: (315) 422-9538
Website: https://cnycf.org
Frequently asked questions about Central New York Community Foundation Inc
How much does Central New York Community Foundation Inc give each year?
Central New York Community Foundation Inc gave $23.6M across 436 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990.
What is Central New York Community Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Central New York Community Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $16,000, and its average grant was $54,103, across 436 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Central New York Community Foundation Inc that year got $43K on average.
Where does Central New York Community Foundation Inc give grants?
Central New York Community Foundation Inc gives mostly in New York: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Syracuse, NY (160 grants), Auburn, NY (18 grants), New York, NY (15 grants) and Skaneateles, NY (11 grants).
Does Central New York Community Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 56% of Central New York Community Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (243 of 436) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Program/Project Support" (73 grants), "Student Support" (61 grants) and "Capital Support" (15 grants).
Who are Central New York Community Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Central New York Community Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Manlius Pebble Hill School ($2,462,750), Onondaga Countydepartment of Child & Family Services ($1,500,000) and Skaneateles Lake Association ($1,061,350), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 21% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Central New York Community Foundation Inc?
Central New York Community Foundation Inc reported $458.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $50.7M.
What does Central New York Community Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s mission is to foster a thriving and equitable Central New York region by leading and inspiring a community culture of giving, celebrating legacy, and stewarding charitable resources for today and tomorrow. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Central New York Community Foundation Inc?
Central New York Community Foundation Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check cnycf.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Central New York Community Foundation Inc's EIN?
Central New York Community Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 15-0626910. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Central New York Community Foundation Inc by hand.
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