M&T Bank Fund Awards More Than $104,000 in Community Grants

M&T Bank continues to invest locally through the M&T Bank/Partners Trust Charitable Fund (MTPT), a donor-advised fund of The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties. The fund has distributed more than $1 million in support of programs and organizations that will have a strong and lasting impact in the community.

The Fund’s most recently approved grants include the following recipients:

Mohawk Valley Community College

MTPT is funding $45,000 in scholarships for adult part-time students enrolled at Mohawk Valley Community College. The New Career Scholarship Program’s goal is to encourage adult students to continue and complete their studies. MVCC will award multiple scholarships annually through this funding over three years.

Rome Memorial Hospital

A $10,000 grant was approved toward the funding of 3D breast tomosynthesis technology at Rome Memorial Hospital. The addition of this advanced detection technology in the Women’s Imaging Center will offer the most up-to-date and comprehensive suite of services, allowing women to fulfill all breast imaging diagnostic and treatment needs locally. The funds will also be used for education of hospital staff on the new technology.

Kids Oneida

The MTPT Fund awarded a grant of $10,000 for the Positive Space family project, which engages families in group communication guided by the Kids Oneida clinical support team. Showcasing the organization’s mission of keeping families together, the 12-week program encourages families to express themselves through art. Together with a professional artist, families will learn the skills needed to effectively communicate their personal story and progress. The program’s final piece, a collaborative family mural, will be presented at a community gala in spring 2017. Kids Oneida is a non-profit, community-based provider of services to the highest risk youth with social, emotional and behavioral challenges in Oneida and Herkimer counties.

The House of the Good Shepherd

The House of the Good Shepherd received funding to support the Foster Care and Bridges to Health programs, providing services to more than 700 children and their families annually. The $20,000 grant will be used to renovate the St. Peter’s School community gymnasium in North Utica where these programs are held. An increase in family enrollment and the addition of Boys and Girls Club programing has created a need for additional space. The renovation of the gymnasium will play a vital role in the overall health and wellness of those who receive care. The gym will be open to the community to ensure that all children in need of a safe and healthy environment can find sanctuary at The House.

Johnson Park Center

A grant of $19,696 has been made to support the Johnson Park Center’s Head, Hand and Heart: Family Enrichment Program. The program is designed to prepare children in the Johnson Park community with the skill sets they need to enter kindergarten. Children ages 3 to 5 are given the opportunity to learn and grow in a safe, supportive environment through individual tutoring, interactive workgroups and home visits. Focusing on early childhood development toward literacy, learning and school readiness, the program aims to provide children from low income households a chance at a brighter future.

“M&T Bank is proud to support the positive work of nonprofit organizations and local educational programs in our communities. These organizations shape our youth’s future and have a meaningful impact on families. We are passionate about advancing this mission and look forward to developing new partnerships in support of these community goals,” said David Manzelmann, M&T Bank Utica market president.

Potential grant opportunities are reviewed by an advisory committee, led by Manzelmann. The group of local advisors meets quarterly, awarding strategic support to programs in education and other civic causes in Herkimer and Oneida counties.

The MTPT Fund was created in 2007 with the goal of providing sustained and continued support for the Mohawk Valley community. The funds have been managed and distributed through The Community Foundation since 2008.

Photo Caption: M&T Bank Utica Market President David Manzelmann with Christopher J. Gebo and Marley Seymour, participants in the Head, Hand and Heart: Family Enrichment Program at Johnson Park Center.