February 2025
Fall Awards Announced
CFOC's Fall 2024 Awards Cycle allocated $50,000 for enrichment programming and needs for children from birth through elementary school. We received many worthy applications in a very competitive round. Our awardees for the Fall Cycle were:
- Bugbee Children's Center - Professional Development for Board of Directors and Employees
- Catholic Charities of Delaware, Otsego, and Schoharie Counties - Child Care Program Enrichment Activities
- Athelas Therapeutic Riding - Head Start with Horse Program / Unadilla Community Food Pantry - Winter Warmup
- Rural Health Network of SCNY - Local Food for Little Learners / Community Cupboard of Edmeston - Morris and Pathfinder Backpack Program
- Opportunities for Otsego - Winter Coat Program
- Community Arts Network of Oneonta (CANO) - Expanding equitable opportunities for local kids to participate in CANO's Summer Arts Program
CFOC expects to announce a Spring Awards Cycle sometime in March.
Otsego County Cemetery Restoration Fund Announces Round 2 Funding
The Otsego County Cemetery Restoration Fund, after completing a successful first round of cemetery projects throughout Otsego County, is pleased to announce a second round of funding.
With the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence coming in 2026, Round 2 focuses on Revolutionary War projects. Eligible projects include:
- Restoring, repairing, and cleaning of Revolutionary War veterans’ headstones.
- Informational markers of Revolutionary War veterans (at grave site, upon entrance to the cemetery, on maps, etc.).
- Research related to Revolutionary War veterans buried at the cemetery. This biographical research should be as thorough as possible – what the veteran did before, during, and after the Revolutionary War.
Potential applicants must speak with a representative from the Community Foundation of Otsego County before applying. Please email Jeff Katz, Executive Director, at jeff@cfotsego.org.
Student Voices, Student Choices Returns!
Before a hugely supportive audience at the Slade Theater (Hartwick College), six Otsego high school teams presented programs that they created to address local needs. It was an amazing night, and the students represented their communities well, with creativity and passion.
As in previous years, each team received funding for their projects, winning $2,500 for their cause. The overall winner was Schenevus. Their project—to update and revitalize the Dragon Closet, which provides clothing and hygiene products for students in need—garnered the coveted SVSC trophy. Other projects were:
- Worcester – The Hygiene Project, creating a surplus of toiletries for all students.
- Morris – A progress report on last year’s SVSC project, including the creation of a Morris Food Pantry and next steps such as joining the Regional Food Bank.
- Oneonta – Assisting Your Safe Haven (formerly The Lord’s Table) in rebranding as a 501(c)(3) and spreading awareness of their services, along with Cooperstown’s Welcome Home CCS program.
- Laurens – Creating a sensory room for students diagnosed with autism or other mental disabilities.
Seventy high school students, advisors, and Hartwick College student mentors participated in this year’s program. One school superintendent said, "I am AWED at how well this event went. Students from all of the participating districts stepped up to the plate to serve their community."
As they always do, our Otsego County students gave us much to be thankful for.
CFOC Announces New Board Member and Officers
CFOC welcomes Angelica Gosiewska Palmer to our Board of Directors.
Angelica is a Social Practice Performance Artist and an Accounting Consultant from Cherry Valley, running both Green Circle Consulting and The Telegraph School. She is also the Board Treasurer of the Cherry Valley Community Facilities Corp and a founding member of the Businesses of Historic Cherry Valley.
"Being on the CFOC board is an effective way to create positive change for our region," Palmer said. "I have been very impressed with what CFOC has accomplished and my experience as a local artist and entrepreneur will add an important perspective to our discussions. Community capital is integral to the prosperity of our region and the decisions CFOC makes on who and what to fund have lasting impacts."
CFOC is also pleased to announce that Dave Rowley will become our second Board President, and Tim Lord will become Vice-president starting in February. Scott White (Treasurer) and Patricia Kennedy (Secretary) will continue in their roles. Our Founder and first Board President, Harry Levine, will continue to serve on the Executive Committee as Past President.
If you’re looking to have an impact and benefit from the tax advantages of giving, consider establishing a donor-advised fund (DAF) with the Community Foundation.
A DAF is like an investment account that benefits from tax-free growth—but the purpose is to support the charities you love. You can establish the account with a gift to the Community Foundation of either cash or appreciated stock. The assets will grow tax-free, and you may be eligible for a tax deduction.
When you fund your account, you can receive a tax deduction for the value of the gift. Consult your tax adviser for details. If you contribute securities, you won’t pay capital-gains tax on their appreciated value, and you may receive a deduction of up to 30 percent of your adjusted gross income.
Once your fund is established, you can distribute gifts to your charities at your convenience. You can also name a successor to your fund so that your impact on Otsego County continues. Unlike DAFs established with financial services firms, your fund will always be managed locally.
