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

Our experienced staff and dedicated trustees are committed to matching donor support with community need through innovative, solution-based community investments aimed at positive impact.

For 70 years, we have grown and stewarded community resources to ensure greater capacity for future needs and unexpected challenges.

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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, 2021

$198M+

Total Assets

$14M

Donations

725

Donors

475

Active Funds

$11M

Community Investments

$198M+

Total Assets
$14M

Donations
725

Donors
475

Active Funds
$11M

Community Investments

Our Story is Your Story

Strengthening Our Community Together

Funding 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

M&T Bank/Partners Trust Bank Fund Awards $50,000 to Support Ukrainian Resettlement Efforts

M&T Bank/Partners Trust Bank Charitable Fund (MTPT) of the Community Foundation has awarded $50,000 to The Center to support Ukrainian individuals and families resettling in the Utica area. The funds will provide basic needs and personal items to the refugees seeking assistance. Formerly known as The Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees, The Center offers a variety of services to newcomers and non-native English-speaking residents of the Mohawk Valley region.

Community Foundation Conducts Nonprofit Needs Assessment

The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties is conducting an online nonprofit survey to evaluate the needs of local organizations while learning more about the work they do, the people they serve, and how to best support them. This survey is part of the Community Foundation’s continuing effort to direct funding where it is most needed and will have the greatest impact.

Community Raises More Than $600,000 for Nonprofits During Mohawk Valley Gives

The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties hosted its first 24-hour day of giving, “Mohawk Valley Gives,” on Tuesday to benefit local nonprofits serving the two counties. The community came together and raised more than $600,000 in 24 hours from 1,800+ unique donors and over 2,800 individual donations. These numbers are expected to continue to climb as donations will be accepted until Friday, September 30, at givemv.org.

Community Foundation to Host First 24-hour Giving Day to Support Nonprofits

The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties will host the first 24-hour day of community giving, “Mohawk Valley Gives,” on September 20, to benefit local nonprofits serving the two counties.