Values
Responsible:
- Provides leadership and resources to address problems within our regional community
- Encourages individuals and organizations to participate in organized philanthropy
- Preserves and enhances assets entrusted to our stewardship
Responsive
- Identifies and evaluates the ever-changing needs of our region
- Makes grants consistent with Community Needs
- Offers flexible options of charitable giving for individuals of varying means
Lasting
- Builds capacity for community problem solving
- Builds endowment in order to enrich quality of life and improve the human condition for generations to come
Statement on Social, Economic, and Racial Justice:
As philanthropic leaders in south central New York, we stand with those who seek to eliminate racial injustice. We are committed to doing our part both internally as an organization, and in the region. Systemic racism at the individual, community and societal level cannot be addressed with one-time statements. Reaching change requires ongoing action borne out of hard work, difficult conversations, education and commitment. We invite all our supporters and community partners to join us in working to address the social and economic justice issues that disproportionately affect the Black, Indigenous, and people of color communities in our country.
Our Trust Based Approach
Core Principles: Building Relationships, Empowering Change
- Leading with trust: We believe in starting from a place of trust rather than requiring organizations to prove their worthiness. This means streamlining grant applications and reporting processes to reduce burdens on grantees.
- Center relationships: Open and honest communication is vital. By prioritizing genuine connections, we can better understand the needs and challenges of our nonprofit partners.
- Redistributing power: Our commitment includes sharing decision-making authority with grantee partners, acknowledging that those closest to the work have the best understanding of what is needed.
- Collaborating with humility and curiosity: We recognize that no single entity has all the answers. Our approach emphasizes listening and co-creating solutions with our grantees.
- Working for systemic equity: Addressing inequities in funding practices is central to our mission. We strive to dismantle barriers that perpetuate harm and inequity within the philanthropic sector.
These values will inform every aspect of our funding model, from our application process to capacity-building workshops. Our goal is to create a supportive environment that enables nonprofits to thrive, focusing on the impact of their work rather than navigating administrative hurdles.
For more insights on trust-based philanthropy, visit Trust-Based Philanthropy.