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! 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 impact. Our community project funding and initiatives have allowed us to move our 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 finding ways to get involved, 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, 2023

$195M

Total Assets

$15.2M

Donations

1,230

Donors

520

Active Funds

$11M

Community Investments

$195M

Total Assets
$15.2M

Donations
1,230

Donors
520

Active Funds
$11M

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 Fernandez Dicks, President/CEO

(3 Total)

More to Explore...

All News All Stories

Community Foundation Appoints Six New Trustees

The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties recently welcomed six new members to its Board of Trustees to succeed departing members who have completed their service.

Community Foundation and UpMobility Foundation Join Forces to Host Mohawk Valley Gives Day of Giving

Two local foundations—the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties and UpMobility Foundation (UMF) — are partnering to co-host the third annual 24-hour online day of community giving, “Mohawk Valley Gives.” This collaboration will expand the reach and impact of the event, while also opening the door to exploration and growth opportunities in the future related to the giving day.

Scholarship Funds Impact Generations of Students in Herkimer and Oneida Counties

Each year, the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties works to fulfill the wishes of many individuals and families who have established scholarship funds to benefit local students and help them continue their educational journey.

Mid-Utica Neighborhood Preservation Corporation Announces Creation of Executive Director Position

The Mid-Utica Neighborhood Preservation Corporation (MUNPC) today announced the creation of a new Executive Director position, which will continue the organization’s 45-year history and mission of serving Utica’s Cornhill community.