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 Awards Over $4.8 Million in Third Quarter, Opens 8 New Funds

In the third quarter of 2024, the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties awarded more than $4.8 million, which is comprised of grants to nonprofits, scholarships to students, and support for those impacted by the July 2024 tornado in Rome. Grants were awarded primarily in the areas of education, human services, and community and economic development.

Community Collaboration: Two Local Foundations Joining Forces to Build Capacity and Enhance Community Impact

The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties today announced a partnership to assist UpMobility Foundation (UMF) as the organization grows and builds up its capacity. The two foundations are both dedicated to driving positive change and investing in the local community.

Helpful Harvest Fund Awards Over $100,000 to Human Service Organizations in Preparation for the Holiday Season

Through the Helpful Harvest Grant Round, supported by the Helpful Harvest Fund, the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties awarded $100,000 to 36 human service organizations including food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and others to help alleviate food insecurity and support increased need around the holiday season and colder months.

Children’s Book Proceeds Aim to Support College Education Through Memorial Fund at the Community Foundation

A new fund at the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties will support college education and essential human services organizations through proceeds from a newly released children’s book.