A Vibrant Region with Opportunity for All

Driven by our vision, the Community Foundation’s mission is to Engage, Invest, and Lead to strengthen Herkimer and Oneida counties.

See how we make a difference

Our Foundation

Build, Enhance & Sustain the Community in Which We Live

Welcome to the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, a leading community foundation in Upstate New York! Our experienced and dedicated staff and trustees are committed to matching donor support with community and nonprofit organization needs through innovative, solution-based community investments aimed at positive regional impact. Our community project funding, local grant programs, and initiatives have allowed us to move the Herkimer and Oneida County region forward.

For 70 years, we have grown and stewarded community resources to ensure greater capacity for future needs and unexpected challenges. On top of creating endowed funds and setting up planned charitable giving options, we've also created many scholarship and community grant opportunities.

If you'd like to learn more about our community funding opportunities, how to set up a planned giving partnership, or ways to support Herkimer and Oneida County nonprofits, we welcome you to contact us today!

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Our Mission

Engage

We partner with donors and community organizations to determine funding solutions to residents' needs, advancing and enhancing community development.

Invest

We maximize donor impact through long-term stewardship, and commit funds and resources to nonprofit partner organizations for the greatest possible community impact.

Lead

We provide leadership to bring community partners together for collaborative impact, acting as a trusted advocate that can bridge differences and build meaningful coalitions.

Annual Figures as of December 31, 2024

$210M

Total Assets

$16M

Donations

2,600

Donors

550

Active Funds

$15.7M

Community Investments

$210M

Total Assets
$16M

Donations
2,600

Donors
550

Active Funds
$15.7M

Community Investments

Our Story is Your Story

Strengthening Our Community Together

Grant Opportunities

Ways to Give

Create a Fund

Who We Are

We Are Here to Better Our Community

Through nonprofit partnerships we work to strengthen our community, enhancing neighborhood vibrancy, creating jobs, educating, and addressing racial equity and social justice challenges.

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In Their Own Words

“My wife and I had talked about establishing a foundation, and as we discussed it more, we began to see all the potential challenges involved. How do you manage it? How do you decide what agencies to give grants to without the ability to supervise it all? The more challenges that we considered, the more it seemed that the Community Foundation was the place that could handle all of these matters and handle them very well.”
Donald Van Waes, Fundholder

“It has been an unbelievable relationship. We’ve been able to figure out a way to utilize the Community Foundation’s resources for some great projects that have turned into stories that we’ve been able to tell in various ways about how amazing the organization has been in helping us reach our goal of building community.”
Kevin Crosley, President/CEO, Arc Herkimer

“Every day, I’m proud to be part of a community so rich in promise and possibility—as we turn challenges into progress. Together we can realize our collective potential so that everyone’s opportunity to succeed contributes to a bright future for all.”
Alicia Dicks, President/CEO

(3 Total)

More to Explore...

All News All Stories

Peter Corigliano, IV Memorial Fund Established to Support Families Facing Medical Challenges

The fund is dedicated to helping children and families dealing with complex medical conditions, with a special focus on congenital heart defects, by providing support to ease the burden of care, provide comfort, and offer hope—giving every child the opportunity to thrive, regardless of the challenges they face on their health journey.

Mohawk Valley Gives Charts its Biggest Year Yet with $6.5M+ Raised for Area Nonprofits

The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties and UpMobility Foundation hosted the fourth annual “Mohawk Valley Gives,” on September 19, to raise funds for local nonprofits serving Herkimer, Oneida and Otsego counties. The community came together and raised over $6.5 million thanks to contributions from more than 8,100 donors, making it a record-breaking year for the campaign.

Chapters of Discovery at Erwin Library & Institute

Located in Boonville, the Erwin Library and Institute seeks to meet the educational, cultural, recreational, and informational needs of Northern Oneida and Southern Lewis County residents.

Record Breaking Success for Mohawk Valley Gives 2024

Mohawk Valley Gives 2024, powered by the Community Foundation and UpMobility Foundation, was an incredible success, exceeding goals in all areas—nonprofit participation, community engagement, and dollars raised.