Welcome to the July 2021 edition of Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes Philanthro-news. This is a monthly compilation of news, articles, reports, and upcoming events for nonprofits in the Finger Lakes region.

You can also follow us on social media at the links found at the bottom of the newsletter.
Community Foundation Spotlight
Women Leaders Launchpad: Deep Dive into Transformative Leadership

Application Deadline: August 13


Are you a middle/senior manager or emerging leader in a non-profit organization who wants to change the trajectory of your life, your career, and/or your organizations’ effectiveness? 

Do you want to participate in an immersive/intensive deep dive into:

  • Self-knowledge, the basis of leadership
  • Influencing skills and methods
  • Strategic thinking and creative problem solving
  • Work/life/energy balance
  • Networking and bonding with other NPO professionals

Then check out the Women Leaders Launchpad offered by the Community Foundation in conjunction with Rhonda Morton of Savannah Consulting. The program includes a formal workstyle/personality assessment and report (FEBI), 360-degree workplace pre-assessment, four three-hour group workshops, and three 90-minute individual coaching sessions over a two-month period, beginning in September 2021.

Launchpad sessions will be custom-designed based on participants’ needs. Ten participants will be chosen to attend. Typically only one participant per organization, unless the organization is large and the participants do not work closely together. The Community Foundation will offer partial scholarships as needed.

Audience

Launchpad is designed for women in non-profit organizations who are:
  • Willing to make an investment in themselves during and between sessions.
  • Open to creative expression, including storytelling, movement and the visual arts.
  • Committed to applying their learning on the job, at home, and in the community, and to sustaining changes long-term.
  • Interested in developing ongoing supportive relationships with co-participants.
  • Eager to become role models and mentors for their peers, and to transform their organizations through authentic and fearless leadership.

For more information and to apply visit our website here.


#FixtheForm is an initiative of Grant Advisor and the Technology Association of Grantmakers that seeks to break down barriers to grant funding and build a more effective nonprofit sector.

Over 2,500 reviews on GrantAdvisor.org say small (but impactful) changes to grant applications represent the top opportunity for improvement in the field. 

To specifically identify the top changes needed, a survey was launched in November 2020. In less than four weeks it received 500 responses from grantseekers across nine countries, representing every shape, size, and activity area of the nonprofit sector.

The top result was “Not being able to see the full grant application ahead of time.”

See the full results here.

There is a whole lot more we can (and need to) do together to #FixTheForm.

We want to hear from Finger Lakes nonprofits - What are your top pain points when it comes to applying for a grant at the Community Foundation? Send us a confidential email to info@communityfund.org and share your top pain points.
Keuka Area Fund Grant Cycle is Now Open

Deadline to apply: August 21

The Keuka Area Fund provides grants to registered 501(c)(3) organizations that serve residents of the communities surrounding Keuka Lake and protect the physical environment of the region. Projects serving the residents of Steuben County towns and villages of Bradford, Prattsburgh, Pulteney, Urbana, Wayne, Wheeler, and/or Yates County will be considered

For more information and to apply visit our website here.
Mini-Grants at the Community Foundation

The mini-grant program guidelines at the Community Foundation have been updated to meet the changing needs of nonprofits in *Chemung and SE Steuben Counties.


The most important changes are:

  • Nonprofits may apply for a mini-grant between $100-$1,500
  • Less restrictive eligibility
  • Grantees must be a registered 501c3 or have a fiscal sponsor

Mini-grants are designed to fund projects that are small in scale, meet an unanticipated need or opportunity, or fall outside of our larger funding cycles. With quicker turnaround times and smaller grant amounts, our mini-grants can have a meaningful impact on a broader range of nonprofits.

* At this time mini-grants are restricted to nonprofits in Chemung and/or SE Steuben Counties.
ICYMI - Community Foundation launches Facebook group, Good Works Together

If you find yourself looking for a place to share great stories about the people you know that are doing so much good in our community, the Good Works Together group is the right place to be.

Monthly Zoom with the Community Foundation

August 3, 9:30 am

Our next monthly nonprofit Zoom will be held on August 3rd at 9:30 am.

Meeting ID: 845 0675 2434
Passcode: 375617
Events, Community Resources & Announcements

Annie E. Casey Foundation releases the 2021 Kids Count Data Book

The 32nd edition of the Annie E. Casey Foundation's KIDS COUNT® Data Book describes how children across the United States were faring before — and during — the coronavirus pandemic.

This year’s publication continues to deliver the Foundation’s annual state rankings and the latest available data on child well-being. It identifies multiyear trends — comparing statistics from 2010 to 2019. In addition, the report shares data on how families endured throughout the pandemic. Read more...
Identifying Barriers in Programs and Services; Advancing Racial Justice and Equity and Support for Underserved Communities

Comment by July 15


The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is requesting input from the public on how it can advance racial justice and equity for underserved communities as part of its implementation of Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government. USDA is requesting input to identify barriers that people of color and underserved communities and individuals may face in obtaining information from USDA.
The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes has launched Southern Finger Lakes Traditions: A Cultural Mapping Project.

Southern Finger Lakes Traditions: A Cultural Mapping Project, is a media-rich website celebrating the rich tapestry of community life in the Southern Finger Lakes and the Southern Tier. 

Help them share widely stories about the people, places and events that make this region home for so many. We want to meet everyone from fly tyers to Christmas cookie bakers. Calling all Indian classical dancers, polka musicians, gospel singers, wood carvers, quilters, pysanky artists, come tell your stories! What are the places and events that bring your community together? The website features an interactive map to view profiles by traditions, cultural groups and geography. Check back regularly for new profiles by visiting http://sflxtraditions.org.
The Corning Museum of Glass is recruiting for part-time Museum Guides to start in September

Apply by August 6

Museum Guides create and implement strategies for helping gallery visitors have personally meaningful experiences with the historical, science, and art collections at the Museum.

Interested candidates should apply for this position by submitting a resume and cover letter by August 6 to edu@cmog.org.

The cover letter should briefly address the following questions:
--What excites you about this position?
--How do your skills and experience match up with this position?
--How has your experience prepared you to support CMoG’s mission, vision, values, and equity statements 
is recruiting for 3 full time positions

Apply by July 16




  • Child Care Subsidy Case Manager
  • Day Care Registration Case Manager
  • Enrollment Case Manager - Legally Exempt Child Care

All positions are posted on INDEED. Interested individuals can apply through INDEED or send their cover letter and resume to Ruth Harvey at rharvey@chemchildcare.com
The Elmira Center for Cultural Advancement presents The Elmira Black Film Series

July 16 (Sylvie's Love),23rd (The Five Heartbeats) & 30th (Judas and the Black Messiah)

Elmira's first Black Film Series presented by The Elmira Center for Cultural Advancement (ECCA) will show movies outside every Friday night during the month of July at the Diven Elementary School Field.

Tickets are only $10 for a block of 4. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit their website https://www.eccany.org/.

July 16-18

The Elmira Street Painting Festival is an art-filled, family fun weekend celebrating creativity! Stroll through Elmira's historic downtown while art takes place on the ground- and all around.

Marvel at the dozens of masterpieces evolving right before your eyes as artists take to the streets with chalk in hand. Browse the fine regional crafts and artwork of numerous vendors. Sample the varied tastes of our local restaurants, step into a pop-up gallery, move to the rhythm of live music, experience all that the festival has to offer. Come for the day- or make it a weekend!

Find more information about the festival and the event schedule here.
Virtual Community Discussion Group: Learning Together Part 3

July 22, 6-7 pm


We are continuing our diversity, equity, and inclusion learning journey together with a deep dive into the 1619 Project.


You have likely heard about this work first published in the New York Times and then turned into a podcast hosted by the author, Nikole Hannah-Jones. It has become a major topic of conversation in the media on all points along the political spectrum, and for this reason, we think it makes a lot of sense for us to engage with the material and discuss our findings as a community.

About the 1619 Project
In August of 1619, a ship carrying more than 20 enslaved Africans arrived in the English colony of Virginia. America was not yet America, but this was the moment it began. No aspect of the country that would be formed here has been untouched by the 250 years of slavery that followed. On the 400th anniversary of this fateful moment, it is time to tell the story.

Link to the 6-part podcast

Link to the full print version of the 1619 project

We ask that you consider reading OR listening… the two methods cover the same material.

If you would like to be part of the community discussion afterward, join us via Zoom on Thursday, July 22 from 6-7 pm.

Meeting ID: 831 3776 0253
Passcode: 062735