M&T Bank Fund Awards More than $110,500 to Community Organizations

M&T Bank/Partners Trust Bank Charitable Fund (MTPT) awarded $110,548 in grants to eight local nonprofits in the fourth quarter of 2018. MTPT, a donor-advised fund of The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties, is committed to investing in its local community.

In 2018, the fund awarded more than $827,000, bringing the fund’s lifetime granting to more than $2.4 million. Since 2007, MTPT has awarded more than 164 grants to a variety of programs and organizations throughout Herkimer and Oneida counties.

The fund’s fourth quarter 2018 grants include the following recipients:

Hope House
A $5,000 general support grant was approved for Hope House which provides three meals a day, serving over 90,000 meals each year to those in need. With the help of hundreds of volunteers, visitors from all walks of life are welcome.

Johnson Park Center
A $20,000 grant was awarded to Johnson Park Center to support the fifth year of the Head, Hand and Heart Family Enrichment Program which prepares children ages 3 to 5 to be kindergarten-ready. Fifteen low income, disadvantaged families in Utica will be chosen to participate in this year’s program.

Masonic Medical Research Institute
A $25,000 grant has been awarded to Masonic Medical Research Institute (MMRI) to purchase centrifuge equipment. This technology will allow researchers to better understand the underlying causes and mechanisms of some of the country’s most devastating diseases.

Oneida County Youth Bureau
Oneida County Youth Bureau received a $13,360 grant to fund a program for 90 exceptional youth and 10 adult chaperones to tour the Glimmerglass Theatre and have one-on-one conversations with professional performers, musicians, directors and staff.

Rescue Mission of Utica
A $3,000 grant was awarded to Rescue Mission of Utica to support the annual holiday dinner and purchase toys for youth and outerwear for those in need. The organization provides individuals overcoming homelessness, abuse, addictions and disabilities with safe shelter, food, clothing, counseling and other supportive services.

St. Joseph St. Patrick Church – Mother Marianne’s West Side Kitchen
A $5,000 general support grant was awarded to St. Joseph St. Patrick Church for Mother Marianne’s West Side Kitchen which provides over 4,000 hot meals each month in addition to bagged lunches, and a warm, welcoming environment for all.

Utica College – Young Scholars Liberty Partnership Program
Utica College’s Young Scholars Liberty Partnership Program received a $35,488 grant to support the 2019 Summer STEAM Scholars Project, a three-week summer education program with 48 high school and over 70 middle school participants from the Utica City School District. The program seeks to pique students’ interest in STEAM subjects and prepare them for college.

YMCA of the Mohawk Valley
A $3,700 grant was awarded to YMCA of the Mohawk Valley to help fund the organization’s Youth Center Program which provides over 400 children with social, educational and recreational services that promote healthy lifestyles, strong families, school readiness and youth development, all at no cost.

The MTPT Fund was created by M&T Bank in 2007 with the mission to provide continued support for the Mohawk Valley community.

“We’re committed to supporting nonprofit organizations and programs that work to enhance our communities’ local strengths,” said David Manzelmann, M&T Bank Utica market president. “It is through these organizations that we can invest in the education of our children and improve the quality of life for families. We share a passion to achieve these goals and look forward to developing new partnerships that create significant and lasting change in our community.”

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.