Non-Profit Success Stories

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

7

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

7

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.

7

Organizational Endowment

Through an organizational endowment, you can generate grants or scholarships in perpetuity for your community. Endowment funds are carefully invested in a diverse portfolio of stocks and bonds to generate earnings that will be a permanent source of community capital, helping to continue your good work forever.

There are two ways to create an organizational endowment at the Community Foundation. You, or your group of donors, can collaborate to establish a new endowment or you can move your existing endowment to the Foundation to manage.

When donors or nonprofit organizations work through the Community Foundation to achieve their charitable goals, they benefit from the expertise of experienced local program staff, community leadership, and investment management.

Contact us to find out how to get an endowment started today for your organization.

Contact Us

How Organizational Endowment supports the Southeast Steuben County Library

“When someone invests in an endowment,” says Pauline Emery, “they are creating a transformative opportunity for their community and future generations.” As the executive director of the Southeast Steuben County Library, she fully understands how important organizational endowments are. Part of the Library’s operating budget every year comes from an endowment made in memoriam of Cameron D. Stebbins.

Created by Rowland Stebbins III and his family, the fund honors the memory of Mr. Stebbin’s son, Cameron, and provides $25,000 each year to the library to offset services and acquisition costs. This money is used to support services that directly impact the 700+ community members who use the Library daily, including everyone from young children to elders in the region. “The nice thing about the endowment,” says Emery, “is that it has an immediate positive impact on people of all walks of life within our area.”

A person may walk into the Library and have a life-changing experience because of the funds generated through this ongoing gift. Whether one is inspired by a passage in a book or is able to communicate with family across the country through their technological resources, the Library staff knows the gift is having a deep impact on its patrons.

Funding from municipalities only covers enough to pay some of the staff, leaving the Library reliant on grants and the generous donations of community members to offset costs. “We are very grateful for the forethought and planning that went into this gift,” says Emery. “Mr. Cameron was an avid patron of the Corning Public Library (now the Southeast Steuben County Library), and it is fitting that his memory lives on in the programming and resources we offer to everyone who walks through our doors.”

Southern Tier Hospice and Palliative Care and Rose’s Youth Philanthropists

A Poignant Connection Between Teens

7

November is National Hospice Month; it’s also the 30th anniversary of hospice in the Twin Tiers. Since 1981, Southern Tier Hospice and Palliative Care has provided end of life services to people throughout the region. Professional staff and volunteers offer comfort, medical care and compassion as families face the mysterious, often frightening prospect of death. According to patient services provider, Margie Rogers, Hospice can never heal a broken heart or bring a loved one back. “We can just be there so no one has to go it alone,” she says. “We can also help survivors replace the emptiness with strength and hope to take forward.”

When death smacks up against the classic uneasiness of teenage-hood, the grieving process can be that much more complicated. “Most teens don’t understand the depth of loss and don’t get a lot of support,” confirms Chelsea Ambrose, MSW, Hospice’s Bereavement Social Worker. “Connecting teens with peers who’ve experienced a similar loss is a big piece of the healing.”

Rogers and Ambrose collaborated with Earth Arts of Ithaca and Tanglewood Nature Center to put together a program for youth ages 13 – 17. “Using nature helps demonstrate the cycles of life,” says Rogers. “Combined with a variety of art and activities, the program is designed to help teens explore their experience of grief and come out with a stronger sense of themselves and community.” Ambrose adds her hope that teens come away from the program with a social network of supportive friends that lasts long after the day-long event.

It’s especially poignant that Rose’s Youth Philanthropists, a committed group of young people under the direction of the Community Foundation awarded the grant to make the event possible, providing yet another layer of teen-to-teen support and care for peers in pain.

Mandeville Fund

A Donor’s Seeds See Fruition

7

“Not what we have but what we enjoy constitutes our abundance.”

– Epicuius, ancient Greek philosopher

7

It’s highly unlikely Epicurus, the ancient Greek philosopher knew David C. Mandeville, but his statement above describes Mandeville pretty accurately. Mandeville was a man of great means, but it wasn’t what he had that defined him. Rather, it was how generously he shared what he had, often anonymously, to support and sustain those things he enjoyed. Mandeville thoroughly enjoyed the arts, animals and his beloved home. He coupled that enjoyment with a solid belief that a commitment to trust the future actually secures it. Thanks to his foresight, Mandeville’s legacy now supports the enjoyment of so many residents and visitors to Chemung County.

Having been raised by rugged industrialists, Mandeville understood that some of his business-minded peers harbored suspicions about individual, unregulated, non-profit organizations. But, as a leader among philanthropists, he also knew what to do. In 1997, Mandeville created three newly-designated Family Funds, one directed to benefit the Clemens Center, one directed to support the Humane Society and one unrestricted to support the quality of life in Chemung County. By placing the funds in the hands of the Community Foundation, he demonstrated a second, secure option by which people could support in perpetuity the activities, places and ideas they enjoyed. At the Community Foundation their funds would be well-cared for thanks to the diligent oversight of an unbiased board and staff; they would be thoughtfully distributed through a professional, grant-making process.

“Their endorsement is as valuable in principal as it is in funds,” explains Executive Director, Tom Weidemann. “By making a substantial lead gift to our capital campaign the Foundation sent the signal loud and clear that the Clemens Center was a real asset, worthy of support by the community-at-large.” The result: overall donations, membership and attendance have all increased. More than that, Weidemann says the completely renovated performance spaces and public areas have enhanced the “emotional landscape that contributes to patrons’ awe and enjoyment” of the theater experience. He suspects Mandeville would be abundantly thrilled by this outcome in particular.

Spencer Crest Nature Center, Eldridge Park, The Promenade

Beyond The Woods: Supporting the Environment

7

“Protecting and preserving the environment in which we all live is vital to our living.”

7

Understandably, the term “environment” has often been limited to land, water and air. Historically, the Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes, Inc. has generously supported many “green” programs and projects. The health of our living spaces is important, but we care equally deeply about the quality of life for our communities.

Spencer Crest Nature Center

What does one do with 250 beautiful hilltop acres? Continually improve access and offerings so as many people as possible can enjoy and learn from them. The Community Foundation has been supporting this landmark for as long as we can remember. Over the years our donors and grant committee members have helped Spencer Crest create a fully functional education building that supports offerings for children and adults alike. We’ve partnered with local groups and agencies to create and maintain a “sensitivity” trail that is fully wheelchair accessible via a lift from top to bottom, a switchback ramp from the parking lot and a “boardwalk” that runs along the entire ¼ mile loop. “Improvements to the trail have had significant impact,” says David Pindel, Professor of Biology at Corning Community College and President of the Spencer Crest Advisory Board. “Use of the trail by the elderly and injured people has skyrocketed.”

Eldridge Park

In the 1880s, Eldridge Park was a Victorian walking garden. In the 1970s it was an amusement park. Now, it is a delightful mixture of the two with trails and a pond for strolling, as well as a carousel and mini golf course for amusement. It boasts dragon boats and popcorn; it hosts live music and fireworks. Most of all it is a thriving community gathering spot for picnics and parties, weddings and proms. Evidence of Community Foundation support exists throughout the park from the renovated buildings to the newest attractions.

The Promenade, Downtown Elmira

Well over fifteen years ago, planners from around the country who consulted on Elmira’s transit center noticed the elevated train trestle that cut right through the eastern part of downtown. Rather than an “ugly viaduct” they saw a unique walking space that could serve as a connector for important structures, facilities and amenities. It took a long time and significant convincing, but finally all parties got on board to make the Promenade Project a reality. “The Foundation was one of the first grant-makers,” notes Jay Schissel, project coordinator. “They brought significant visibility and legitimacy to the effort.”

Southeastern Steuben Habitat for Humanity

One Project That Touches Many Hearts

7

“I had something special to offer my daughter.”

– Gloria Fay, owner of the very first Habitat for Humanity home in Steuben County

7

They say home is where the heart is, but imagine the disruption that heart endures when it’s moved from one dwelling to another, over and over again. Gloria Fay, owner of the very first Habitat for Humanity home in Steuben County knows what unsettled means. She lived it as a child and did not want the same for her own child. “I was divorced, living in an apartment and looking around for options when someone told me about Habitat,” she says. “I went through the application and interview, but when my pastor said they’d accepted me I truly couldn’t believe it.” Like all Habitat owners, Fay put hundreds of hours of “sweat equity” into the house she eventually moved into the week before Christmas 1993. Even then, she still couldn’t believe it and would wake often in the middle of the night. “I would walk to the front window and stare out,” she remembers. “Just stand there thinking ‘this is my house’ and feeling so grateful.”

The kind of wonder, gratitude and exhilaration that translates into an improved quality of life for residents in our region is exactly what the visionaries who began the Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes, Inc. had in mind from the beginning. In fact, Fay’s Habitat project was funded in part by the original Southeastern Steuben Human Services Fund Grant Committee in Corning. Today, the Community Foundation continues to support Southeastern Steuben Habitat for Humanity which has built homes in Corning, Gang Mills, Addison and Bath, expanding their local coverage area as they are able, while at the same time supporting Habitat builds around the world.

Current Habitat President, Jan Harvey says the repercussions that result from helping someone into a home of his or her own expand exponentially. “I can’t even count the number of people who are positively affected each time we build,” she notes. Bottom line: Habitat, like the Community Foundation provides opportunity.

Where might that opportunity lead? Fay’s daughter is now happily married, employed and living in Ohio. And, positive results from many of the projects supported by our Foundation predecessors can still be felt throughout the region, from the Benjamin Patterson Museum in Corning to the YWCA in Elmira. Expanding opportunity and improving quality of life remain at the heart of what the Foundation does today, every day.

What

We

Do.

What We Do.