|
Dear Friends,
Imagine an Adirondack region where everyone has an opportunity to thrive. A place strengthened by our love for its incredible natural resources and compassionate, civically engaged population. That is the vision behind Adirondack Foundation’s new strategy to address some of our region’s biggest challenges and position it as a model for rural America. In the coming months, we will share our bold vision for the future, and we look forward to working with you to achieve it together.
As we turn the page on 2023 and look ahead to a bright 2024 and beyond, let's take a moment to celebrate the positive things happening across our region. Lake George won a $10 million Downtown Revitalization grant and the North Country Regional Economic Development Council won an additional $10 million to retain and retrain Fort Drum soldiers and their families post-military, encouraging them to stay and fill our workforce gap. The expansion of Beta Technologies into Plattsburgh, the opening of new hotels in Schroon Lake and Lake Placid, a youth recreational center in Malone, child care centers in Chestertown and Keene — these are just a few reasons to be optimistic about the region’s future.
At Adirondack Foundation, in 2024 we will be focused on our role as thought leader and convenor, celebrating the bright spots and identifying gaps we can help fill. It will take a broad coalition of everyone who loves the Adirondacks to make this a community with opportunity for all. Here are my top three intentions for 2024:
- Taking calculated risk with philanthropic dollars to spark innovation and prompt the kind of visionary steps needed to positively change our communities.
- A focus on policy advocacy to ensure Adirondacks communities thrive alongside the environment.
- Working smarter and more strategically. Some of our efforts may fail and that is OK — as long as we continue to adapt, innovate, and inspire.
We cannot do this alone and count donors, local and state government, and other community based organizations as critical partners. We remain eager to help Adirondack communities grow stronger, together. If you are interested in joining in, please reach out and let me know.
| |
|
Cali Brooks
President & CEO
| |
New Trustees, from left to right: Jamie Baxter, Stephanie Pianka, and Julia Race. | |
|
Adirondack Foundation recently welcomed several new Trustees — Jamie Baxter, Stephanie Pianka, and Julia Race — as well as a new staff member, Nikki Hilchey.
Jamie Baxter is the president of Baxter Associates, Inc., a private investment firm, and has been director of a number of corporate and nonprofit organizations. She lives in Inlet and Florida.
Stephanie Pianka is the Senior Vice President of Finance and Budget and Chief Financial Officer of New York University. She is also an avid triathlete, and a board director for Phoenix Footwear Group and the Rotary Club of Lake Placid. She lives in Lake Placid and New York City.
Julia Race currently works as a physician recruiter for multiple hospitals at St. Lawrence Health, an affiliate of Rochester Regional Health. She lives in Malone.
| |
Nikki Hilchey, Development Officer | |
|
Nikki Hilchey, our new Development Officer, brings 16 years of experience working in philanthropy on a wide range of projects, starting in grant writing and administration and growing to also manage the annual fund, fundraising events, stewardship communications, and planned giving. She is a Co-Advisor for Peru Drama Club, and lives in Keeseville.
Meanwhile, we bid a fond farewell to retiring Trustees Nancy Monette, Dick Strowger, and Holly Wolff, as well as Director of Donor Engagement Janine Scherline — we wish her the best in her new job.
| |
Generous Acts at Adirondack Foundation is now accepting applications. Nonprofit groups, schools and municipalities: Generous Acts at Adirondack Foundation wants to bolster your good work. If your organization promotes basic needs, educational pathways, and economic vitality in the Adirondack region, we encourage you to apply for Generous Acts today. The application will remain open and available online until Tuesday, February 13, 2024. | |
Join The Adirondack Foundation Team | |
|
We are looking for our next great hire — is it you?
The Director of Philanthropic Services is a full-time, cross-functional position that works closely with the CEO, VP for Philanthropy, and VP for Grants and Program to advance the community foundation’s donor services, fund development, asset expansion, and grantmaking outcomes. Part of a collaborative team, this position is externally focused on building productive relationships with current and new donors that lead to increased philanthropic activity and Foundation capacity to benefit our region.
| |
Grants for Outdoor Recreation Projects | |
The Northern Forest Center and the Adirondack Community Recreation Alliance is seeking proposals for grants from its Innovation Fund, designed to help communities, non-profits, and businesses to create or enhance local efforts to increase the community benefit of outdoor recreation. Proposals are due January 26. | | | | |
