About The gifford foundation
The Gifford Foundation: Empowering Communities for Over Six Decades
The Gifford Foundation is a non-profit organization that has been empowering communities in Central New York (CNY) for over sixty years. Founded in 1954 by William L. Gifford, the foundation has been providing grants and leadership training to individuals and organizations that are committed to creating positive change in their communities.
The foundation's mission is to promote the well-being of CNY residents by supporting initiatives that address social, economic, and environmental challenges. The foundation believes that community-based solutions are the most effective way to create lasting change, and it works closely with local leaders and organizations to identify areas of need and develop strategies for addressing them.
One of the key ways in which the Gifford Foundation supports community-based initiatives is through its grant program. The foundation provides funding for a wide range of projects, including those focused on education, health care, housing, economic development, arts and culture, and environmental sustainability. Grants are awarded based on a competitive application process that takes into account factors such as project feasibility, impact on the community, collaboration with other organizations or individuals working towards similar goals.
In addition to its grant program, the Gifford Foundation also offers leadership training programs designed to help individuals develop skills necessary for effective community engagement. These programs include workshops on topics such as strategic planning, fundraising strategies, board development and governance.
Over the years since its inception in 1954 until now ,the Gifford Foundation has played an instrumental role in promoting positive change across CNY. Its support has helped countless individuals achieve their goals while also strengthening local communities as a whole.
One example of this impact can be seen through its support of Syracuse's Near Westside Initiative (NWSI). This initiative was launched in 2006 with a goal of revitalizing one of Syracuse's most economically challenged neighborhoods through investments in housing rehabilitation projects , community gardens, and other initiatives. The Gifford Foundation provided funding for the NWSI's early stages, which helped to build momentum and attract additional support from other organizations.
Another example of the foundation's impact can be seen through its support of the Central New York Community Foundation (CNYCF). The CNYCF is a philanthropic organization that works to improve the quality of life in CNY by supporting a wide range of charitable causes. The Gifford Foundation has been a longtime supporter of the CNYCF, providing funding for many of its programs and initiatives.
In addition to these specific examples, there are countless other ways in which the Gifford Foundation has made a positive impact on communities across CNY. Its commitment to community-based solutions has helped to create lasting change in areas such as education, health care, economic development , arts and culture ,and environmental sustainability.
Overall, it is clear that the Gifford Foundation plays an important role in promoting positive change across Central New York. Through its grant program and leadership training initiatives ,the foundation empowers individuals and organizations with resources necessary for creating meaningful change within their communities. As we look towards future challenges facing our region ,we can be confident that the Gifford Foundation will continue to play an instrumental role in promoting social justice and equity throughout Central New York .