, good news for you

Philanthropy Magnified - monthly impact report

2025 | February Issue - Starting our Silver Anniversary Year (2000-2025)

Board Member Spotlight

Victor Younger

Victor B. Younger brings over 20 years of dedicated engagement in the Ithaca community to his role as a new board member. As the Diversity & Inclusion Officer at Cornell University's Nolan School of Hotel Administration, Victor leverages his expertise to foster inclusive environments and champion equity within his professional work.

Victor holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality Management from Virginia State University and a Master’s degree in Student Affairs Administration from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. A certified Cultural Intelligence (CQ) facilitator and accomplished diversity strategist,

Victor is passionate about creating pathways for understanding and collaboration across diverse communities.

Deeply committed to his family, faith, and community, Victor’s personal life reflects his values. He enjoys golf, gardening, traveling, and singing, which further enrich his connection to those around him.

CLICK HERE for Board Biographies.

CFCU Community

Credit Union: A Gift That Strengthens Our Community

Pictured: Lisa Whitaker, CEO, CFCU,

Frank Torelli, Wealth Advisor, CFCU,

George Ferrari, CEO, Community Foundation

At the heart of Tompkins County, the Community Foundation works tirelessly to connect generosity with opportunity, helping many nonprofits and community initiatives thrive. But behind every successful nonprofit, there are champions who ensure its mission continues. One such champion is CFCU Community Credit Union.

CFCU has long been a pillar of support, not just as a financial institution but as a true community partner. Over the years, their contributions have gone beyond financial donations—they’ve provided leadership, space, and time, ensuring the Community Foundation has what it needs to grow and serve more people.

More Than Just a Gift—A Commitment to Community-Thank you, CFCU!

Learn more about donors' generosity HERE

Community Partnerships: Keep Doors Open

Responsive Support: $10,000 grant fills a need, providing free space for family reunification and free books for early literacy development. Fund Advisor, Sandy True shares her family commitment for all children in Tompkins County "to have opportunities for growth and health." More about Family Reading Partnership and The Nook HERE

Leading Public Grantmaker in Tompkins County

Young, Black, and Dope: Celebrating Excellence Beyond Boundaries,

A Review

We hope you’re still feeling inspired after joining us for To Be Young, Black, and Dope! Your presence, energy, and engagement helped make this virtual gathering a powerful celebration of young Black leadership, resilience, and excellence. If you missed it, you can view the recording HERE.

From the thought-provoking panel discussion to the unforgettable words of wisdom from our community elders, this event reminded us that our ancestors’ legacies live on through the bold and brilliant leaders of today. Our stories, struggles, and triumphs are woven together, creating a collective movement that honors the past while shaping the future.

Too often, the brilliance and contributions of young Black people go unrecognized, despite the fact that they are leading movements, shaping culture, and redefining success in every space they enter. That’s why it is essential to not only create spaces where their voices are heard but to actively celebrate their achievements, innovations, and leadership. When we acknowledge READ MORE.

Community Foundation's 25th Anniversary Year

We were started in 2000 making this year our silver anniversary. In each month's e-newsletter we will look back at the impact, relationships, and achievements made possible by generous donors and accomplished mission-driven organization partners.

Take a look back through our history by looking back 10 years to our 15th Anniversary: 2015 February E-Newsletter

Community Volunteer

We celebrated the Women's Fund and our 2015 Laura Holmberg Awardee, Joan Barber of Danby, long time volunteer with the Ithaca Kitchen Cupboard food pantry system.

Do you have a favorite Community Foundation memory from our first quarter century? If so, contact CEO George Ferrari gferrari@cftompkins.org and share a few words so that we can share them with others.

An Evening and Afternoon with an Ancestor: Angela Davis

On February 4, 2025, Ithaca College hosted “We Are Because They Were: An Evening with a Living Ancestor,” featuring renowned scholar and social justice advocate Dr. Angela Davis. We had the honor of sponsoring the event along with Ithaca College and Southside Community Center. Dr. Davis, a distinguished professor emerita at the University of California, Santa Cruz, is celebrated for her extensive work in feminist studies and the history of consciousness. Her activism spans decades, focusing on issues such as the prison industrial complex, abolition, and the intersections of race, gender, and class. Her notable publications include “Abolition. Feminism. Now.” and “Abolition: Politics, Practices, Promises, Vol. 1.

The evening’s conversation was moderated by Director of Religious and Spiritual Life, Lauren Kelly Benson. She posed pre-submitted questions from the community, guiding discussions on liberation work, activism, community, and individual roles within the collective.

Dr. Davis emphasized the importance of collective action in the pursuit of freedom, highlighting the significant roles of women, especially Black women, and queer individuals in these efforts. She stated, “It’s about recognizing the power, the power that we can generate.”

Breaking Barriers & Building Futures: A Transformative Visit to Ultimate Reentry Opportunity (URO)

Our visit to Ultimate Reentry Opportunity (URO) was an experience that left us both inspired and deeply moved. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with sweet treats, open arms, and a sense of warmth that made it clear—this is more than an organization. URO is a sacred space where transformation happens, a place built on the belief that every person deserves a true second chance.

URO exists to disrupt the cycle of incarceration and build pathways for successful reentry. The organization is a beacon of hope for those returning home from prison, providing the resources, advocacy, and community support needed to rebuild lives. But make no mistake—this work does not happen by chance. It happens because of the bold vision and relentless leadership of URO’s Executive Director, Taili Mugambee. True change in reentry justice can only happen through strong leadership, and URO’s success is a direct result of that vision.

One of the most powerful initiatives we learned about was the Prison Garden Program—a project that not only provides incarcerated individuals with agricultural skills but also creates a sense of healing and purpose. The act of tending to a garden, nurturing growth, and working the land is a radical form of rehabilitation in a system that too often dehumanizes. This program is proof that reentry work starts long before release; it begins with READ MORE.

What's on the Menu?

We believe that real change happens when people come together with a shared vision for a stronger, more equitable future. Community engagement is the heartbeat of our work—it’s how we listen, learn, and take action to support the needs of those we serve.

Every conversation, every collaboration, and every act of generosity strengthens our collective impact. Whether you are a donor, a volunteer, a partner, or a community member sharing your story, your voice matters. Your insights shape the initiatives we support, the programs we fund, and the lasting change we create together.

We are committed to fostering meaningful connections and ensuring that every interaction—big or small—is valued. Because at the core of our mission is a simple truth: a thriving community is built by all of us, for all of us. How will you engage with us? Click HERE to learn more!

Thank you for being part of this work.

Your engagement fuels the future we are building together.