Community Foundation Awards Over $7.7 Million to Nonprofits in Second and Third Quarters, 14 New Charitable Funds Created

In the second and third quarters of 2025, the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties awarded more than $7.7 million, which is comprised of grants to nonprofits, scholarships to students, and support for those impacted by the June 2025 severe weather that impacted Clark Mills, the Town of Kirkland, and surrounding areas. Grants were awarded primarily in the areas of human services, arts and culture, education, and animals.

In April, the Community Foundation held its Equity Grant Round, in collaboration with UpMobility Foundation (UMF), which focused on addressing the fundamental causes of systemic racism and socioeconomic inequity that impact historically marginalized populations in Herkimer and Oneida counties. UMF also accepted applications from organizations outside of the Mohawk Valley on an invitation-only basis. Twenty-four organizations received funding totaling over $376,900.

The annual First Responders Grant Round, powered by the Hero Fund America Fund of the Community Foundation, was held in June and awarded over $25,000 to 17 first-responder organizations across the United States. The grant round helps support education, training, lifesaving equipment, and mental health needs of fire, emergency medical services (EMS), and law enforcement agencies.

In June, the Community Foundation, in partnership with Oneida County, launched the Clark Mills, Town of Kirkland and Affected Areas Storm Relief Fund to directly support recovery following damage inflicted on June 22, 2025, after severe storms and a tornado tore through the area. Over 260 emergency response awards have been distributed to date, totaling nearly $780,000.

Additionally, more than 170 students received scholarships totaling over $387,000 from 75 scholarship funds.

Donor-advised funds are established at the Community Foundation by community donors and businesses that wish to be actively involved in the grantmaking process and distribute charitable dollars over time and with maximum impact. The Community Foundation’s donor-advised funds awarded more than 430 grants in the second and third quarters of 2025, totaling over $2.9M to nonprofit organizations.

Grants are made possible through the generosity of donors and organizations that create funds at the Community Foundation. The following new funds were recently created to facilitate the charitable goals and initiatives of each fundholder:

• Abraham House Community Fund – A donor-advised fund for the benefit of Abraham House.
• Career Exploration Fund – A donor-advised fund established to provide career exploration opportunities to local middle and high school students, with priority given to Mount Markham Central School District and Brookfield Central School District.
• Clark Mills, Town of Kirkland and Affected Areas Storm Relief Fund – An emergency response fund established to directly support recovery efforts in Clark Mills, the Town of Kirkland and other affected areas following damage inflicted on June 22, 2025, after severe storms and a tornado tore through the area.
• DiMeo Educational Opportunities Fund – A fund created in memory of Steve DiMeo to support educational opportunities that advance workforce and community development across the Mohawk Valley by breaking down barriers for students and future employees, while strengthening the region's talent pipeline. The fund will be supported through community contributions and proceeds of special events such as the SUNY Poly Speaker Series. 
• Elizabeth Gerling Legacy Scholarship Fund – A scholarship fund established in memory of Columbus Elementary School Principal Elizabeth Gerling to provide scholarships for graduating seniors from Proctor High School that attended Columbus Elementary School to help them pursue their educational goals and build brighter futures.
• EMH Donor-Advised Fund – A donor-advised fund established for general charitable purposes.
• Forest Hill Cemetery Preservation Foundation Fund – An agency fund established by the Forest Hill Cemetery Preservation Foundation to administer and invest its charitable assets.
• For the Love of the Game Fund – A donor-advised fund established in memory of Bob Warwick for general charitable purposes and to support the "Love of the Game" award at Utica University.
• Francis and Theresa Kelly and Family Memorial Scholarship Fund – A designated fund to benefit Notre Dame Schools for the purpose of awarding student scholarships.
• Herkimer County Office for the Aging Charitable Fund – An agency fund established by the Herkimer County Office for the Aging to administer and invest its charitable assets.
• Ian J. Amendolare Blue Collar Trade Award Fund – A fund established in memory of Ian J. Amendolare to provide awards for graduating seniors from West Canada Valley Jr./Sr. High School pursing a degree or certificate in the trades.
• Kevin M. Grimmer Scholarship Fund for Notre Dame Schools – A scholarship fund established in memory of Kevin M. Grimmer to benefit student athletes graduating from Notre Dame Schools.
• Peter Corigliano, IV Memorial Fund – A donor-advised fund established in memory of Peter Corigliano, IV, dedicated to helping children and families dealing with complex medical conditions, with a special focus on congenital heart defects.
• The Center Assistance Fund – A field-of-interest fund established to support refugees' essential needs, including housing, food, clothing, healthcare, and case management services as The Center navigates organizational funding shifts.