Our Team, Community Non-Profit

Kerr Mesner, Ph.D

Kerr Mesner, Ph.D (he/him)

Kerr Mesner, Ph.D (he/him) is a consultant, facilitator, spiritual director, and the owner of Heart Story Consulting. Dr. Mesner is also a queer/transgender scholar, performing artist, and activist. He completed his Ph.D. in Education at the University of British Columbia, Canada, and taught for several years in Education and Women’s/Trans/Queer Studies. Through his company Heart Story Consulting, he supports nonprofits, schools, and higher ed institutions in creating spaces that honor diversity, with a particular focus on the work of celebrating gender diversity. Kerr believes deeply in the power of local community to connect, inspire, and create change. www.heartstoryconsulting.com.

Malia'Kekia Nicolini

Malia’Kekia Nicolini (‘oia/she/they)

Malia’Kekia Nicolini (‘oia/she/they) is kanaka maoli, they received their inoa (name) traditionally from an inoa po (mothers dream) that held both an inoa ho’ailona (symbol) and their inoa ulaleo (ancestors voice). Malia’Kekia is an artistic director, speaker, arts curriculum designer, consultant, and gratitude enthusiast. ‘Oia is the Co-Founder of Play Pathways Initiative specializing in teaching play-based strategies for the realms of education and business. Malia’Kekia is also the BOLD Co-Chair (Building Opportunity for Leadership and Development) for the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival Region 1. Training includes: artEquity’s BIPOC Leadership Circle, Arts & Cultural Organization Management (Harvard), BFA (Music Theater). Malia’Kekia weaves all of their experience together to empower dreams and create sustainability towards a play-integrated world. www.playpathways.com

Grant Reviewer Information

We envision a thriving and enriching community for all. The Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes works to address the current needs of the community through a multiple avenue approach to correct the problems that exist and find creative solutions to avoid the problems in the future. We award grants to non-profit organizations whose programs make a positive impact on the needs and issues that face our community.

To do this, we look for community members to volunteer as grant reviewers for the foundation’s largest grant cycle, the Community Grant Program. A group of 18-20 diverse mix of community volunteers, civic and nonprofit professionals, business leaders, and educators with unique knowledge and experiences are needed to help guide the Community Foundation’s grantmaking. Experience evaluating grant applications is helpful but is not required.

View and download the grant reviewer position description here.

To be considered for the volunteer role of grant reviewer, please fill out an application.

Questions? Please reach out to Sara Shaut, Vice President of Programs by emailing ses@communityfund.org

Leadership Advancement Award

This sabbatical funding program provides the opportunity for executive directors to step fully away from day-to-day work responsibilities. During the leader’s absence, other staff will maintain operations and work with board members, committees, volunteers, and each other to assure the returning executive is not overwhelmed with tasks upon their return.

Eligibility

Executive Directors (or equivalent position such as President or CEO) with at least ten years of paid service to their current organization. The sabbatical period must be two to three months to be considered for funding.

Organization represented must meet the following criteria:

Include Chemung County NY in their service area but can reach a larger regional audience.

Have a current strategic plan in action.

Have a DEIB plan that includes board composition and operational goals.

Recipient of a Community Foundation grant within the prior five years.

Have staff in place that can assume duties associated with the executive’s absence that will benefit from an opportunity to assume some of the executive duties to bolster their own leadership development.

Continue to pay the executive their full salary, including all benefits, during the sabbatical period.

Selection and Participant Follow-Up

Selection and Participant Follow-Up
Applications are due November 1 and notification will be made by December 1. Members of the Community Foundation staff and board will serve on the selection committee.

If an applicant that meets all the stated criteria is not selected, they are encouraged to re-apply. Successful applicants cannot re-apply within ten years.

Follow-up
At the end of the sabbatical period, the executive will provide the Community Foundation with a brief written overview of the experience that includes:

Three personal and three professional takeaways for the future.

One “big picture” moment of clarity regarding the mission and/or operation of their organization.

One piece of advice for other executive directors in these three categories: new (1-2 years), experienced (3-8 years), and seasoned (9 years or more.)

Award Details

Up to $10,000 will be awarded. These funds can be used for the following expenses:

Costs associated with airfare and lodging during travel, but not meals or other personal expenses.

Costs associated with personal development opportunities, such as retreats or workshops, that would not otherwise qualify as traditional staff development expenses.

Stipends for staff assuming additional responsibilities.

Fees associated with temporary contracted services directly related to fulfilling executive role.

How to Apply

Applications will be due November 1 and notification will be made by December 1.

Applicants will provide a written plan to detail how they will spend their time away from the organization and what they hope to accomplish. Travel is highly encouraged.

Other application materials will include:

Proof that the organization meets the stated criteria.
Letters of support from at least one board member and one staff member.
Travel plans and expenses.
Expenses associated with executive absence. This can include stipends for other staff members or contracted organizational support. Download the sabbatical budget here.
Summary of how duties will be re-assigned during the executive absence.

Apply Here

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Twin Tiers Christian Service Fund

The Twin Tiers Christian Service Fund provides two grant opportunities to support holistic and spiritual living for either residents or nonprofit organizations in Chemung and adjacent counties.

The Twin Tiers Christian Holistic Living Grant provides grants up to $2500 to education, healthcare, and/or human service organizations in Chemung and adjacent counties.

The grant may be used for events and programming that encompass a holistic living component. Funding may also support staff training in spiritual practices that will ultimately support and enhance their work in the community.

The Twin Tiers Christian Moving Up Grant provides funding support for individuals up to $500 who require financial assistance for basic needs, additional training/certifications, or other programs and services that will ultimately support and enhance their physical, mental, social, emotional, and spiritual growth..

When Should I Apply?

The Twin Tiers Christian Service Fund accepts grant requests with a rolling deadline throughout the year. Individuals and/or organizations may submit requests for funding up to $2,500 (nonprofits) or $500 (individuals) through an online application. Notification of a grant award can be expected within 30 days after submitting.

Please make sure you’ve allowed plenty of time between submission, internal review, and notification of a grant, and the timing of your training, program and/or event.

Deadline

Applications: rolling deadline, applications may be submitted at any time throughout the year.

Notification: no more than 30 days from submission

Who May Apply?

Individuals and/or nonprofit organizations may apply. Organization’s must be a registered 501(c)3 or have a fiscal sponsor. Individual/Nonprofit must be located in and serving the citizens of Chemung and/or adjacent counties of Upstate, New York. Grants are evaluated based on the availability of funds and community priorities.

Where should I send my application?

Grant Applications are submitted online by using the online application form.

If you don’t already have a profile within the online grant system you will need to create one.

Once you’ve created a profile, you will be able to click Apply from the menu on the top of the page and then scroll through the available grant opportunities to select the Twin Tiers Christian Service Holistic Living or Moving Up grant.

To view a pdf of the applications, click below:

Nonprofit Organizations: Twin Tiers Christian Moving Up Grant
Individuals: Twin Tiers Christian Holistic Living Grant

To begin your application, click on the button below.

Questions? Contact the Vice President of Programs at 739-3900 or ses@communityfund.org.

Apply Here

Finland Education Experience: June 5-13, 2023

Finland is widely considered to have the most effective educational system in the world. Sending a large group of local PreK through grade 12 teachers and staff to learn directly from their Finnish counterparts would be a community grant investment with the potential to impact generations of local students. It would also create new relationships among local educators in the short-term that would deepen partnerships between schools and districts.

Eligibility

The application process is open to educators in Chemung County that meet the following criteria:

Bachelor’s degree or higher in education. Master’s degree preferred if appropriate.
3 or more years of full-time experience in public and/or private PreK-12 education
3 reference letters. At least one from a supervisor or school administrator, one from a
peer, and one from a parent or student.
Essay detailing why they would like to be a part of this experience and their career plans
in education.
Teachers can also be nominated by other district staff and administrators.

Trip Details

Trip Details
June 5 – 13, 2023

Day 1	Travel to NYC by charter bus for a direct flight to Oulu.
Day 2	Welcome to Finland! Arrive in time for dinner and to unpack and catch up on sleep.
Day 3	Begin Finnish Education Study Tour – Gain an inclusive picture of Finnish education and the latest innovations in the field of education. Visit schools at all levels, observe in classrooms and speak to leaders, teachers, and students about the subjects represented on the trip.
Day 4	Expert session on Early Childhood Education. Visit a daycare center, comprehensive school, and primary school.
Day 5	Today the focus will be on the Finish curriculum and development of Learning Spaces, Science Education, STE(A)M and robotics and visit different schools in Oulu as well as an engaging discussion with local teachers
Day 6	Visit the University of Oulu to research teacher training and competence development at the LEAF Laboratory, which focuses on the future of education
Day 7	Fly to Helsinki for Helsinki city tour
Day 8	Tour Suomenlinna Fortress – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day 9	Travel back to NYC and ultimately home by charter bus.

Selection and Participant Follow-Up

Selection and Participant Follow-Up
A panel of board members and community volunteers would review and select participants
based on the materials submitted by applicants and the desire to create a diverse cohort based
on:

• Grade level
• Years of experience
• Type of educator (i.e., grade level, special education, arts)
• Teacher demographics
• Student demographics

Participants will be required to document the experience in real-time through journaling, video,
audio, interviews, and other tactics. These experiences will be archived, summarized, and made
available to the public.

After the trip, participants will work in groups to develop a presentation of learning for various
district subcommittees. Examples of subcommittees include but are not limited to, groups
focusing on curriculum, social/emotional learning, and fostering psychologically safe and
affirming classrooms/schools. Content should connect to the New York State Culturally
Responsive-Sustaining Education Framework and the New York State Board of Regents’
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Framework and Policy Statement.

The goal will be to turn these presentations into recommendations by mid-August 2023 for potential implementation in the 2023-2024 school year.

In January 2024, participants will be surveyed to determine any changes they have made in
their classrooms as a result of the learning opportunity and assess the relationships
built/sustained.

Cost and Funding

The cost is $5192 per participant is covered entirely for 25 Chemung County educators and includes the following:

● Round trip airfare on Finnair
● Double hotel accommodations
● All meals
● Private transportation as per itinerary
● Five days of academic education and Finnish culture program
● Helsinki cultural experiences
● English Speaking tour manager during the tour
● Airport Transfers

The Community Foundation is covering the entire cost of 25 Chemung County educators.
School districts have agreed fund the expenses associated with substitute teachers and
participating administrators.

How to Apply

Applications will be accepted between November 18, 2022 and December 31, 2022.
Applicants or those wishing to nominate an educator, will need to complete the online application. Teachers can also be nominated by other district staff and administrators.

In addition to some basic questions, you’ll also need to provide:

3 reference letters. At least one from a supervisor or school administrator, one from a
peer, and one from a parent or student.
Essay detailing why they would like to be a part of this experience and their career plans
in education

Apply Here

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Grant Process, Schedule and Reporting

To apply for a grant from one of the Community Foundation’s competitive grant cycles, please login to our online portal to access current applications. Grant applications are accepted annually. Guidelines and deadlines are publicized within each opportunity description.

Each proposal is reviewed by a panel of community members and formally approved by the foundation’s Board of Directors. Awards are determined based on the proposals value to the residents and communities of the Finger Lakes region as well as availability of funding, quality and vision presented in the application. For further information on the grants process, please contact the Vice President of Programs

Who May Apply?

Registered 501(c)(3) organizations.

Proposals from faith-based organizations will only be considered if:
(1) service benefits all, regardless of religion;
(2) service provided is not religious in nature; and
(3) there is no proselytizing associated with the service.

What activities are ineligible for funding?

The Community Foundation generally does not make grants from unrestricted funds for the following:

Annual campaigns, special event fundraisers or sponsorships

Religious purposes

Political or partisan purposes

Activities taking place before grant decisions are made

Trips for schools or clubs

Deficit funding or debt retirement

Individuals (except through scholarships for education)

Competitive Grant Cycle Schedule

Community Foundation administers eight main competitive grant cycles per year.

February
Rose’s Youth Philanthropists
March
Fund for Women of the Southern Tier
Central Christian Churches Fund
April
Elmo Royce Youth Fund & Camperships
May
Schuyler County Fund
June/July
Community Grant Program – Program & General Operating
August
Keuka Area Fund
September
Edith Saxton Fund for Steuben County Youth Services
October
Elmo Royce Youth Fund

Grant Follow-Up Report

Grantees receiving $2,000 or more in competitive grant funds from at least one competitive program are required to submit a grant follow-up report. Grantees have at least one full year from the date of notification to complete the stated objectives in the application. The report process is designed to help our nonprofit partners share successes and opportunities for growth. If you have any questions about the reporting process or timeframe, please contact the Vice President of Programs at sep@communityfund.org.

Grant follow-up reports can be found by logging in to the online portal and accessed on your applicant dashboard. Reports are due October 1 every year.

Reports require a final budget report that can be downloaded here: Follow-Up Budget Form

This form is an Excel file.
Download and save this form to your desktop, complete it in full, save (as a PDF if you can), and upload into your application.

Budget Templates

Program/Project Budget Template
This form is an Excel file.
Download and save this form to your desktop, complete it in full, save (as a PDF if you can), and upload into your application.

ACH Authorization

The Community Foundation has transitioned to making grant payments via Automatic Deposits (ACH) directly into the Organizations banking institution. If Community Foundation does not have an ACH form for the Organization or the Organization’s banking information has changed, follow these steps:

1. Download this Form.
2. Fill out completely and save the form to your desktop
3. If the organization has recently received a grant award and we do not have a form on file, upload the ACH form into the Grant Agreement & Acceptance Procedures process within the online grant system.

If the organization needs to update the ACH form that is on file, please email the new form to Sara at ses@communityfund.org.

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Karah Sheahan (she/her)

Karah joined the Community Foundation in 2022 as the Office Manager. She has a degree in health science from the University of Arkansas. Most Recently Karah worked for Swift Glass as a Customer Service Representative while prior to that she was the Health and Safety Specialist at the American Red Cross- Sullivan Trail Chapter

Karah serves on the DSO committee at Diven Elementary School in Elmira and loves volunteering on Popcorn Fridays.

Karah lives in Elmira with her husband Mickey, two daughters Hannah and Finnleigh, and dog Fowler. When she’s not at the Community Foundation, you can find Karah taking walks, baking, taking photos and spending time at the lake kayaking. Her favorite snack is popcorn with extra salt.

Penny Lane (she/her)

Penny Lane and her 26 toes came to the Community Foundation from the Chemung County SPCA in 2016. Penny resides in the Hewit household with her other fur-ends, Lucy, Max and Phoebe. As the Chief Philanthro-paw officer, Penny makes sure the other cats understand her superior status by being the first to demand treats from Randi in the morning.

While her hiss-tory remains unknown, Penny makes a better future by sponsoring a prize during FLXGives and periodically hosting drives and campaigns for her pals at the SPCA. Penny has fully embraced the work-from-home life-style and can be found perched on a windowsill in the sunshine, checking out what’s happening in the kitchen, or at a blanket at the foot of the bed.

Nancy Van Fleet (she/her)

Nancy began working at the Community Foundation in 2004 as a part-time administrative assistant and shortly after that became the full-time scholarship officer. She retired in 2016 to have more time to travel with her husband. As you can see, Nancy just couldn’t bring herself to stay away from such a wonderful organization and returned to the Foundation in 2018 on a part-time basis.

Nancy volunteers on the other side of the scholarship program as a member of the selection committee for the general scholarship applications and the Twin Tiers Youth for Christ scholarship. She loves being involved in the process and reading about the student’s lives and future aspirations.

Nancy lives in Elmira with her husband Tim and cat Smokey. Her favorite thing is being a Nana to her grandson Nolan. She also is a lover of water and on any nice day from April to October you will find her at Seneca Lake. In the colder months she enjoys painting and reading.

Katie Strickler (she/her)

Katie Strickler moved to the area from Cold Spring, NY after graduating with a degree in sociology. As the Scholarships and Youth Philanthropy Program Associate at the Community Foundation since 2016, Katie manages the program that awards almost $500,000 annually. Her favorite part of her job is learning about the big hearts in our region’s youngest residents! Katie has expanded the Foundation’s youth programming to give students a place to explore their passions for giving in elementary school through 12th grade.

As an AmeriCorps member early in her career, she was introduced to several youth serving organizations in the area and continues to work with them at special events or through volunteering.

When not at the office, she’s on her bicycle or in hiking boots exploring trails and searching for the perfect cloud inversion. Katie, Andrew, and their cat Twix live just outside of Corning and are so happy to call the Finger Lakes Region their home.

Sara Shaut (she/her)

A graduate of Binghamton University with a master’s degree in public administration, Sara Shaut joined the Community Foundation in 2008 and now serves as Vice President of Programs. Sara is responsible for all program and grantmaking activities at the foundation totaling over $2 million annually. She also takes pride in making sure the foundation plants are watered regularly.

Before joining the Community Foundation, Sara managed fund development and alumni affairs at Corning Community College and was Director of Public Affairs and Communications for Planned Parenthood of the Southern Finger Lakes. She currently serves on the board of directors for Glove House and volunteers often at the Chemung County SPCA.

Sara lives in Elmira with her son, two dogs, and two cats. She can be found either walking the dogs for miles and miles or watching her leftie pitcher son play baseball on his own field of dreams. She’s his biggest and loudest fan. A forever resident of the Southern Finger Lakes (having lived in Corning, Elmira, and Watkins Glen), Sara is proud of the place she calls home and committed to its well-being.

John Siranni (he/him)

John joined the Community Foundation in Spring of 2002 as the financial officer and now serves as the CFO. He received accounting degrees from Corning Community College and Elmira College and has worked as a non-profit organization accounting specialist since 1993.

John served/serves on a few boards including the Nonnie Hood Parent Resource Center, Southern Tier Running Club, Corning Classic Charities, and the Corning Area Chamber of Commerce. He is a long time member of the Corning Rotary Club and has served on several committees of the club.

John lives in Corning with his wife Melissa and two geriatric rescue dogs. The ultimate animal lover, he has had numerous dogs and a couple of cats in his life. Two of his dogs were trained and worked as therapy dogs for a couple of years. John and Melissa enjoy traveling, especially to Italy, to enhance their genealogical research into their Calabrese ancestry. John enjoys outdoor activities such as running, biking, and most recently hiking.

Randi Hewit (she/her)

Randi Hewit joined the Community Foundation team in 2002 and became President in 2007. She has a degree in sociology and women’s studies from Rollins College and joined other foundation presidents at Stanford University in 2008 to study philanthropic leadership. During her time at the Foundation, it has grown from $10 million to $75 million in endowed assets.

Over the years, she has been on a lot of nonprofit boards, including stints as board chair at Corning Children’s Center and WSKG Public Broadcasting. She currently serves on the boards of Corning Museum of Glass and Bethany Senior Housing and co-chairs Engage New York.

Outside of the world of nonprofit management, Randi owns an independent bookstore on Market Street in Corning NY and spends a lot of time listening to podcasts about politics, feminism, and her favorite tv shows. She is an above-average crafter and avid birthday-celebrator.

Randi lives in Corning with her husband, daughter, and four cats. They never meant to have four cats, but they also never seem to turn one away. They can be found eating brunch nearly every Sunday at their favorite BBQ restaurant, and Randi is always happy when someone from the community comes by to chat about grants and scholarship opportunities.

Who

We

Are.

Who We Are.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

Randi Hewit

John Sirianni

Sara Shaut

Caitlin McConville

Nancy Van Fleet

Karah Sheahan

Penny Lane

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