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The Winter ’25 Newsletter
Investing in Youth Success
Supporting Our Community Since 1954
The Gifford Foundation is a private foundation dedicated to the stewardship of the funds entrusted to its care. The Foundation is committed to using its financial and human resources to build the capacity of individuals and organizations to enhance the quality of life for the community we serve.
Capacity Building
We help nonprofits build the skills and resources necessary to boost their impact.
Grants
Since our inception, we have given out over $45 million to CNY nonprofits.
A Network of Support
Our staff works to facilitate development and growth within our community.
How We Help
We recognize that there are many individuals and organizations who have a drive to make a difference within their communities. Unfortunately, a lack of resources and training can stand in the way of making these ideas a reality. For 70 years, the Gifford Foundation has provided the grants and leadership training necessary to facilitate broad, community based change across CNY. Our capacity building initiatives help raise the bar for what’s possible.
Over $45 million in grants awarded
Grantmaking is traditionally reactive, but in line with our belief in community engagement we emphasize a personal approach. By developing a relationship with each grantee, we are better able to help them become strong and durable forces within our community.
Grants awarded since our founding
Engage With Us
Winter 2024 Newsletter
Explore stories, interviews, and strategic resources for you and your organization in this latest issue of The Gifford Newsletter.
Support
Explore our resource and program directory to see which opportunity is the best fit for you or your organization.
Meet Our Team
Our team directory allows you to instantly connect with and learn about our team members.
Read Our History
Take a look back at the origins of The Gifford Foundation as we celebrate our 70th year.
Sign Up For Our Mailings
Stay informed about events, grants, workshops, and more by joining our email list.
Socialize With Us
Are you connected with us on all of our platforms?
Featured Stories
Interviews, profiles, and other spotlights on the innovative nonprofit leaders making a difference in our community.
Introducing Our Newest Team Member
It has been widely and correctly observed that the internet has become the new “town square”. Breaking news, social dialogue, commerce, the arts, political activism, and even classroom education has all gone digital, a process that has been accelerated by the coronavirus. Moreover, this shift has meant that organizations and businesses alike have to incorporate digital media into their daily operations. With this in mind, The Gifford Foundation decided at the end of last year to bring on a fulltime team member to concentrate primarily on communications.
Re-imagining Arts Access at the Everson
Accessibility has become a top priority for arts organizations, and it takes many forms. While some efforts are focused directly on surviving the coronavirus pandemic, others are designed to break down the barriers that have historically kept communities of color from participating in these institutions. The leadership at the Everson Museum of Art is working to connect these initiatives towards a common goal of building connections with larger and more diverse audiences.
Using Art to Teach Capacity Building
In November of 2020, The Gifford Foundation together with the CNY Community Foundation invited Abby Wilkymacky and Kim Larkin to host a three-part Digital Collaboration workshop for nonprofit organizations in Central New York. Held virtually, these sessions were designed to teach participants how to smooth the transition to remote work, host more constructive meetings, and reimagine the traditional processes behind brainstorming and goal setting. The primary avenue through which Wilkymacky and Larkin taught these sessions was one that many participants were not expecting: the arts.
Stay in touch
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