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A Journey Together
Our 25th Anniversary Celebration
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You’re Invited: Our Signature Event – 25th Anniversary & Annual Celebration
A Journey Together
Thursday, June 26 | 5:00–7:00 PM | Celebrations, Ithaca
Remarks at 5:45 PM Tickets: $45
Join us for a joyful evening as we mark 25 years of community philanthropy at our 2025 Annual Celebration!
Enjoy delicious food, a cash bar, festive moments, and meaningful stories as we honor the incredible journey we’ve taken together.
✨ Highlights of the evening include:
- Special remarks at 5:45 PM
- Stories from 25 years of Community Connections and Impact (2000–2025)
- 2025 Grant Awards: Empowering Resilient Communities to Thrive
- Distribution of our 2024 Annual Report: A Journey Together
- Coming Together: Tompkins Today and Tomorrow Fund grantmaking for now and forever
RSVP by June 12th.
Tickets & Registration OPEN NOW!
Click HERE to Register for this Event
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Bridging Campus
and Community:
Cornell University
Work Study Students
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Bridging Campus and Community: Community Data Analysts Strengthen Philanthropic Impact
Community collaborations thrive when academic insight meets civic experience — and this year, our Community Data Analysts (CDAs) exemplified the power of that partnership.
Gabriella Prantl and Ying Lin Zhao working under the guidance of Amy LeViere, Chief Philanthropic Services & Systems Officer, CDAs played a key role in advancing the Foundation’s data-driven goals. Their work spanned research projects, data integration, and analysis to support fund development and measure community impact — all aligned with sector best practices and the Foundation’s strategic plan.
These student analysts brought fresh perspective, curiosity, and technical expertise to the heart of our operations, helping turn complex data into meaningful strategies for growth.
Curious to learn more?
Read about our Community Data Analysts and their internship experiences with the Community Foundation — and discover how they’re helping shape the future of community philanthropy.
CLICK HERE
| 25th Anniversary Look Back: Time Machine | Quoted from our May 2018 Newsletter | |
A record number of children in Tompkins County - 4,400 - participated in Kids Discover the Trail! (KDT!) program, a series of field trips that bring learning to life at eight educational organizations. The picture above shows Newfield first graders visiting the Museum of the Earth. This year, 80% of elementary students from all six school districts in Tompkins County participated in the program.
KDT! was expanded to all six school districts last year after Community Foundation, along with several other donors, funded a feasibility study in 2011. Community Foundation contributed $10,000 toward the study, which examined how the program could be introduced into elementary schools in all districts in Tompkins County beyond Ithaca and Trumansburg.
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DEI Corner:
Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on June 19th. It commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, in 1865. It is a time to reflect on the history of slavery and freedom and to celebrate the resilience and achievements of Black Americans. Juneteenth is a celebration, education, and unity day, with traditions including family gatherings, religious services, parades, festivals, and cultural events.
How to Celebrate Juneteenth:
Attend Events:
Many communities host festivals, parades, concerts, and other events to celebrate Juneteenth.
Learn and Educate:
Explore the history of Juneteenth, visit museums or cultural sites, and learn about the experiences of Black Americans.
Support Black-Owned Businesses:
Shop at black-owned stores, eat at black-owned restaurants, and support black-owned organizations.
Volunteer:
Offer your time and resources to support Black communities and organizations that align with your values.
Reflect and Discuss:
Have open conversations about the history of Juneteenth and its significance for Black Americans.
| | Where Care Meets Community: Inside the Racker Center | |
Our recent visit to Racker was a powerful reminder of what it looks like when an organization truly lives its mission. From the moment we stepped inside, we were warmly embraced by a sense of belonging, joy, and intention.
Racker’s mission is to support people with disabilities and their families in living rich, full lives—and it’s clear that this mission is reflected in every part of their work. The organization offers a wide range of programs that meet individuals and families where they are, including early childhood education, clinical therapies, residential services, family support, and care coordination. Their preschool classrooms provide inclusive learning environments for young children with and without disabilities, while their residential programs create supportive homes that foster independence and belonging.
In addition to direct services, Racker also offers mental health support, behavioral consultation, and community-based skill-building, empowering individuals to thrive in school, work, and everyday life. Their team of professionals is both highly skilled and deeply READ MORE.
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Women's Fund Spring Education Event
Summary
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Let’s be honest, life feels overwhelming right now. When stress and uncertainty become constants, how do we keep ourselves healthy, centered, and resilient?
This year's Women's Fund spring education event, an engaging, down-to-earth conversation on how prioritizing rest and self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential.
Check out the summary from this event HERE
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Fund Advisors Briefing
Inspiration and Insights
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Our Unique Partners
in Local Philanthropy
We are grateful to our dedicated fund advisors for continuing to support Tompkins County communities. Whether you joined us in person at the recent Fund Advisors Briefing or were with us in spirit, we are deeply grateful for the role you play in our shared philanthropic journey.
One clear and compelling theme emerged during this year’s gathering: trust-based philanthropy — an approach rooted in collaboration, flexibility, and deep listening. Through powerful stories and thoughtful reflections, we were reminded how generosity, when paired with trust, creates lasting community impact. In particular, a moving reminder of our first donor advisor, Howard Hartnett, who left a powerful legacy, that continues today.
Special thanks to Bruce Lane, Elena Flash, Mary Berens, and Sarah Johnson for sharing their personal journeys and insights during our panel discussion. Your experiences sparked meaningful conversations and reminded us of the diversity and strength of our shared work.
We also extend deep appreciation to Alan Mathios for his thoughtful remarks on how we can enhance our collective impact through giving to the Tompkins Today and Tomorrow Fund. His leadership inspires us to think boldly and to build capacity to advance our community – for now and always.
Access 2025 Fund Advisors Briefing Resources and more: Click Here
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Council on Foundation's Statement
Defending Civil Society and Philanthropy’s Independence
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Last month, United Philanthropy Forum, Council on Foundations, Independent Sector, and National Council of Nonprofits released a powerful joint statement in response to the administration’s recent announcement targeting Harvard University’s tax-exempt status. While seemingly aimed at a single institution, the implications of this action ripple across the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors, posing a serious threat to civil society and the independence of charitable giving.
Civil society — and the charitable nonprofit sector that gives it form and voice — must remain independent of government influence. A robust civil society cannot survive when political leaders decide which institutions deserve protections based on ideology or political convenience.
Community Foundation of Tompkins County has joined hundreds of other charitable giving organizations by signing on to A Public Statement from Philanthropy, which underscores the sector’s unified commitment to protecting the freedom to give and invest in our communities.
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