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, 2020

$175M+

Total Assets

$9.2M

Donations

1,230

Donors

450

Active Funds

$11.2M+

Community Investments

$175M+

Total Assets
$9.2M

Donations
1,230

Donors
450

Active Funds
$11.2M+

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 Dicks, President/CEO

(3 Total)

More to Explore...

All News All Stories

Community Foundation Advances Equity Initiative at Town Hall Forum

More than 100 residents took part in the Community Foundation’s Equity Initiative Advisory Group town hall forum, the culmination of the group’s work and discussion over the last several months.

Equity Advisory Group to Hold Community Forum

The Community Equity Forum will take place on Wednesday, October 20, 6:00-8:30 p.m., at Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute, with a report on the group’s work to date, and breakout sessions for attendees to share their thoughts.

Building a Living Legacy: Charles A. Gaetano

In many ways Charles A. “Chuck” Gaetano’s story is Utica’s story. This fund spotlight features how Charles A. Gaetano built a living legacy.

Hero Fund America Fund Announces Awards in Support of First Responders

The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties Hero Fund America Fund has awarded $10,000 to increase awareness, advocacy and support for fire, emergency medical services (EMS), and law enforcement agencies in New York and other states.