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, 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 Fernandez Dicks, President/CEO

(3 Total)

More to Explore...

All News All Stories

Clark Mills, Town of Kirkland and Affected Areas Storm Relief Fund Established to Support Recovery After June 22 Storm

A storm relief fund has been established by the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, in partnership with Oneida County, in response to the severe thunderstorms and EF1 tornado that impacted Clark Mills, the Town of Kirkland, and surrounding areas on June 22, which caused widespread power outages and destruction to homes and buildings.

Cornhill Empowerment Center Celebrates Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting

On Wednesday, June 18, 2025, community members, nonprofit partners, and local leaders gathered together for the highly anticipated Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting of the newly reintroduced Cornhill Empowerment Center. The event, held at 230 James Street in Utica, marked an exciting new chapter for the neighborhood and was a major success.

Fund Established in Honor of Ian J. Amendolare to Benefit Graduating West Canada High School Seniors

The Ian J. Amendolare Blue Collar Trade Award was recently established at the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties by the family and friends of Ian J. Amendolare, a West Canada native whose kindness, resilience and selflessness left a permanent mark on those who knew him. Created in the wake of his untimely passing, the fund serves as a meaningful and lasting tribute aimed at providing support to students who are passionate about pursuing a career in the trades.

Community Foundation Awards Over $2.7 Million to Nonprofits, Opens 5 New Funds

The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties announced that more than $2.7 million in grants were awarded during the first quarter of 2025 to support nonprofit organizations and community initiative work, primarily in the areas of arts and culture, human services, animals, and education.