UTICA, NY – The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties concluded another impactful year of community investment in 2025, awarding more than $17.9 million in grants, scholarships, and emergency relief funds—the highest total distributed in a single year in the Foundation’s nearly 75-year history. Donations received in 2025 totaled over $24 million, marking the strongest year on record in terms of dollars raised.
The Community Foundation made the following commitments in support of major community projects and programs in partnership with community leaders and partners. While these projects were approved and committed to in 2025, projected timelines and completion may extend to future years:
Compassion Coalition – $120,000 investment for the creation of a nonprofit resource center
Integrated Community Alternatives Network (ICAN) – $350,000 for Transfiguration Church Social Care and Family Housing Center in Rome
Munson – $100,000 for “Munson for All” accessibility projects
Nascentia Health – $100,000 investment for “Age in Place” senior housing In 2025, the Community Foundation held the following grant rounds:
The Arts Grant Round awarded $271,000 to 43 organizations serving Herkimer and Oneida Counties for projects and programs focused on literary, performing, and visual arts, including, but not limited to, music, dance, theatre, arts and crafts, painting, and writing.
The Equity Grant Round, held in collaboration with UpMobility Foundation, aimed to address fundamental causes of systemic racism and socioeconomic inequity that impact historically marginalized populations. In total, $376,000 was awarded to 24 organizations.
The First Responders Grant Round, powered by Hero Fund America Fund, awarded $25,000 to 17 first-responder organizations across the United States. The grant round helped support the education, training, lifesaving equipment, and mental health needs of fire, emergency medical services, and law enforcement agencies.
Through the Helpful Harvest Grant Round, supported by the Community Foundation’s Helpful Harvest Fund, over $106,000 was awarded to 44 human service organizations including food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and others to help alleviate food insecurity and support increased need around the holiday season and colder months.The Community Foundation’s donor-advised funds awarded 795 grants in 2025, totaling more than
$6.1 million to 370 organizations locally and across the country. Donor-advised funds are a great tool for donors that wish to be actively involved in the grantmaking process and distribute charitable dollars over time and with maximum impact. Through 78 different scholarship funds at the Community Foundation, more than $405,000 was awarded to 190 students.
Following the June 22, 2025, severe storms and tornado that touched down in Clark Mills, the Town of Kirkland, and surrounding areas, the Community Foundation established an emergency response fund to support those that were impacted. Through a partnership with Oneida County and contributions from donors and local businesses, the Clark Mills, Town of Kirkland and Affected Areas Storm Relief Fund awarded nearly $980,000 to affected residents.
Grants are made possible through the generosity of donors and organizations that create funds at the Community Foundation. The following new funds were created in 2025 to facilitate the charitable goals and initiatives of each fundholder:
Abraham House Community Fund
Aileen Townsend Fund for Hospice & Palliative Care
Career Exploration Fund
Charles H. Adrean D.S.C. Post 625 Memorial Scholarship Fund
Clark Mills, Town of Kirkland and Affected Areas Storm Relief Fund
Community Food Insecurity Fund
EGH Donor-Advised Fund
Elizabeth Gerling Legacy Scholarship Fund
EMH Donor-Advised Fund
For the Love of the Game Fund
Forest Hill Cemetery Preservation Foundation Fund
Francis and Theresa Kelly and Family Memorial Scholarship Fund
George W. and Carmella Inserra Memorial Scholarship Fund
Herkimer County Office for the Aging Charitable Fund
Ian J. Amendolare Blue Collar Trade Award Fund
James E. Brown Scholarship Fund
Kelberman Autism Fund
Kevin M. Grimmer Scholarship Fund for Notre Dame Schools
Michael Chanatry Scholarship Fund for Notre Dame Schools
MUNPC Fund
Oneida County Sheriff Office Wellness Fund
Peter Corigliano, IV Memorial Fund
Pets and People Charitable Fund
PHS Class of 2000 Scholarship Fund
The Center Assistance Fund
The Lynch Wildwood Fund
Ulinski Family Fund
VVS Education Foundation Scholarship Funds
Founded in 1952, the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties envisions a vibrant region with opportunity for all. In fulfillment of its “Engage. Invest. Lead” mission, the Community Foundation has transformed decades of donor generosity into $150 million invested in social impact initiatives, collaborative leadership and grantmaking. Find out more at foundationhoc.org.
