Legacy Foundation receives many more requests for grants annually than its endowment can support. The board of directors has developed a priority rating system that each director employs in making his or her decision on the quality of life impact of each potential grant. A consensus is reached on the most positive impact grants at the grant review meeting in the spring and fall.
Legacy Foundation also provides endowment funds for two award programs. One was established by Tompkins Trust Company to identify and reward excellence in volunteering within Tompkins County. The other was established by Tompkins Trust Company in the name of its former President and CEO, Raymond Van Houtte, to identify and reward outstanding teachers and other employees of Tompkins County schools. A separate awards committee makes the selection from nominated community members and the cash awards are made annually to be given to a deserving organization of the awardees choice.
Following are the grants approved and funds distributed in 2007:
CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILY
Ithaca Community Childcare Center (IC3)
IC3 is the area's largest childcare provider, daily serving children ages 8 weeks to 8 years old. Demand continues to increase for the K - 3rd grades program and an unmet demand exists for 4th and 5th grades as well as part day toddler care for local working parents. "This project will help children continue to gain access to early childhood learning opportunities that might otherwise not be available, due to lack of acceptably maintained existing space and the addition of space as demand dictates." $20,000 was approved to assist in the capital campaign to accomplish these needs. .Tompkins Community Action (TCA)
A grant of $4,820 was approved to purchase an auto refractor vision-screening tool for the Head Start program. This device is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics to effectively screen three and four year olds to determine the existence of vision impairments that may detract from the child's learning abilities.Day Care & Child Development Council
The Council provides for an Infant/Toddler Health Initiative aimed at fostering good, positive and healthy development of children "at risk" and supporting a positive life course for parents. A grant of $7,500 was approved to support this initiative.Family and Children's Services (F&CS)
A grant of $45,000, payable over three years was approved in 2006 to help provide for weekly child psychiatrist availability at F&CS. The second payment against this grant was made in 2007.EDUCATION, ARTS, AND HUMANITIES
Kitchen Theatre Company (KTC)
KTC, in addition to its seasonal play schedule, has provided Family Fare productions since 1997. It is the only professional source in Tompkins County for long runs of family-friendly programming open to the general public. Its mission "is to provide bold and engaging theater in a uniquely intimate venue to the greater Tompkins County community." A grant of $10,000 was approved to assist in the underwriting of three new works for the 2007-2008 season and help with the preparation of six more works for publication and rental.Cinemapolis/7th Art
The consolidation of this organization's two locations to one new facility provides for the planning of a new venue to allow for a space for community outreach relative to the films presented in the new theatre. A classroom/educational space is planned to allow for lectures, discussion and other educational offerings. $5,000 was granted to help defray the costs of furnishing this space.Sciencenter
A two-year grant was approved in 2006 for a facility enhancement project. The final payment of $10,000 was made in 2007.HEALTH AND PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Foodnet
Foodnet, which also manages the Meals on Wheels program for Tompkins County, has been experiencing continuous increase in demand for delivered meals. 203,935 meals were served to over 1,000 people in 2006. Equipment size has constrained capacity to meet this demand. In 2007 a project to replace the existing 30-gallon tilt skillet with a 40-gallon tilt skillet was planned. The Executive Director stated, "being able to make this equipment change will keep our food production efficient and help keep our meal delivery schedule on time." A grant for $11,475 was approved for the purchase of the new skillet.Challenge Industries
Two new contracts at remote work locations were added to the offerings of Challenge and employment level increased at the remote Finger Lakes Fresh business site on North Route 13. All of which necessitated the procurement of a new passenger van. $15,000 was granted to assist in the purchase.Pet the Pet Program, Inc.
This organization provides a variety of pets to interact with residents of local skilled nursing facilities; senior housing centers and day treatment programs for developmentally disabled adults. Professional studies support the improvement in human health and well being through the use of service and therapy animals. $2,623 was provided as a grant to assist the purchase of reliable transportation for program volunteers and pets.Longview
Longview provides older adults with affordable, high quality housing services and continuing care options to enhance quality of life. A plan to build a Special Care Facility at Longview was implemented in 2007. This facility will extend individual care to include skilled nursing. A $30,000, one time, grant was made to the overall building campaign.Suicide Prevention & Crisis Service (SPCS)
SPCS developed curricula to teach suicide and bullying prevention skills to 7th and 8th graders in middle school Health classes. It has been tested successfully in the DeWitt Middle School and the organization desires to provide the curricula to the other middle schools in Tompkins County. A $10,000 grant was approved to help extend the project to the 2007-2008 academic year.Finger Lakes Independence Center, Inc. (FLIC)
FLIC assists all people with disabilities, their families and friends to promote independence and make informed decisions in pursuit of their goals. There are no service fees. A grant of $5,100 was approved to purchase modular ramps to be loaned to individuals who are temporarily or permanently disabled.Cayuga Medical Center Foundation (CMC)
A $30,000 grant to be paid over 3 years was approved in 2006 to be used in the fund raising campaign to improve the emergency and intensive care facility at CMC. A second payment of $10,000 was made in 2007.COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENT
Finger Lakes Land Trust (FLLT)
FLLT was established in 1989. Since then, it has converted more than 8,800 acres of undeveloped lakeshores, rugged gorges, majestic forests, and scenic farmland. The recently purchased Babcock property consists of 115 acres that features more than a mile of frontage on the Cayuga Inlet, hosts a key segment of the Finger Lakes Trail, and borders more than 2,000 acres of protected open space. The Executive Director commented, "Your support of this project will help us ensure the future of this wonderful tract of wooded hillside and streamside meadows." A $5,000 grant was approved to support the completion of this project.Brooktondale Community Center
The Caroline community has worked for two years to consolidate its community services into one building that has required much remodeling and renovation. They have successfully completed all projects except the overhaul of the building septic system. A grant of $3,000 was approved, and combined with other grants, will finalize this project.On Site Volunteer Services (OSVS)
OSVS is a student-run organization that recruits and manages groups to perform volunteer service throughout Tompkins County's local nonprofit agencies. A grant of $3,000 was approved to enable the On Hands Program to be adapted to use with high school level students.Human Services Coalition (HSC)
A grant of $15,000 to be paid in three increments was approved in 2006 to help support a three-year pilot program to increase the organizational strength of local not-for-profits. The second increment of $5,000 was paid in 2007.
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