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Central New York Community Foundation Inc

EIN 15-0626910 · Syracuse, NY

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO FOSTER A THRIVING AND EQUITABLE CENTRAL NEW YORK REGION BY LEADING AND INSPIRING A COMMUNITY CULTURE OF GIVING, CELEBRATING LEGACY AND STEWARDING CHARITABLE RESOURCES FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW.

Income
$50.7 million
Spending
$31.0 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 78%
Employees
31
Volunteers
170
Highest pay
$357,705, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 39% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 44% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (4)
  1. $6.3 million spent. PROGRAMS: GRANTMAKING AND STRATEGIC INITIATIVES THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION'S PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO SUPPORT NONPROFITS ACROSS THEIR LIFECYCLE. THIS RANGES FROM THE BIRTH OF NEW ORGANIZATIONS OUT OF COMMUNITY CONCERNS, TO THE LAUNCH OR EXPANSION OF NEW IDEAS FOR WAYS TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY, TO THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF STAFF AND ORGANIZATIONAL PROCESSES. OUR PROGRAMS SEEK TO BRING ABOUT POSITIVE CHANGE AND IMPACT WHILE HONORING DIVERSITY AND BUILDING INCLUSION WITHIN AND ACROSS OUR COMMUNITIES. THROUGH OUR INVOLVEMENT AND INVESTMENTS IN COLLECTIVE IMPACT EFFORTS, WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE LEADERSHIP AND RESOURCES THAT MOVE OUR REGION FORWARD.
  2. $16.1 million spent. DONOR-ADVISED FUND DISTRIBUTIONSDONOR-ADVISED FUNDS ARE ESTABLISHED BY INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES OR BUSINESSES THAT CHOOSE TO BE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE GRANTMAKING PROCESS. THEY ARE CONSIDERED A CONVENIENT WAY TO MANAGE A DONOR'S CHARITABLE GIVING BY ALLOWING THEM TO ADDRESS A WIDE VARIETY OF ISSUES AND FULFILL THEIR CHARITABLE INTERESTS AS THEY EVOLVE OVER TIME.
  3. $2.3 million spent. SCHOLARSHIPSSCHOLARSHIP FUNDS ARE ESTABLISHED BY DONORS WHO WISH TO HELP STUDENTS PURSUE THEIR EDUCATIONAL DREAMS. THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION IS THE HOME TO SYRACUSE'S SAY YES TO EDUCATION ENDOWMENT. SAY YES GUARANTEES A PATH TO COLLEGE FOR STUDENTS OF THE SYRACUSE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT AND PROVIDES SUPPORT TO STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES THAT ENHANCES THEIR OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT.
  4. $3.0 million spent. DESIGNATED FUNDSDESIGNATED FUNDS ARE PERSONALIZED BY DONORS TO SUPPORT THE SPECIFIC ORGANIZATIONS THEY CARE ABOUT. THESE FUNDS PROVIDE LONG-TERM, CONSISTENT SUPPORT TO ONE OR MORE CHARITIES SELECTED BY THE DONOR. GRANTS FROM THESE FUNDS REPRESENT A PAYOUT OF THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION'S BOARD-APPROVED SPENDING POLICY RATE FOR PERMANENT FUNDS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending March 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 1948.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

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