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 2010:
CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILY
Cornell Cooperative Extension 4-H Urban Outreach Program (UOP)
$3,000 was awarded to partially fund the 4-H UOP in the Overlook at West Hill and Linderman Creek neighborhoods. The program schedules daily after school sessions in adult nutrition education, parenting skills, transportation options, gardening, and consumer financial education.Family Reading Partnership (FRP)
A grant of $1,000 was approved to help cover the cost of writing, printing and evaluating the impact of "Baby’s 1st Year with Books" Guidebook.Corporate Development Committee of Lansing Central Inc.
Project Lead the Way program is a national program that introduces engineering courses to Middle School and High School students. $5,000 was awarded to contribute to funding the program’s first year start-up costs.Trumansburg Central School District Foundation (TCSDF)
$6,000 was awarded, payable over two years, to partially fund the Trumansburg Kids Explore & Discover program. The program is modeled on the IPEI Ithaca Discover the Trail Program implemented within the Ithaca City School District.Cornell Cooperative Extension Family & Community Development Program
A grant of $3,500 was approved to provide an eight-week parent/caregiver workshop entitled Parenting for Violence Prevention offered for the Elementary and Middle School’s families to complement the school’s Second Step antibullying classroom program.Family & Children’s Services (FCS)
The Children’s Comprehensive Care Fund is designed to address the shortfall between insurance coverage and actual cost of providing mental health care to children in need. $6,000 was approved to contribute to the establishment of this fund.Meadowgate
Meadowgate conducts equine facilitated mental health therapy and youth programs. $3,000 was awarded to partially fund the purchase of treated posts and boards, fill dirt and proper horse footing soil to build a riding corral used in the conduct of the programs.EDUCATION, ARTS, AND HUMANITIES
The History Center
$3,000 was approved to support the design and installation of a series of three large, high quality, interpretive panels chronicling the history of the community. The panels will feature text and photographs from the History Center’s vast collections and provide the only single place for one to read an engaging history of Tompkins County.The Sciencenter
A project was presented to fund the purchase and installation of a motorized, automatic door mechanism for both the outer and inner doors at the main entrance of the museum to enhance accessibility. $8,000 was approved to partially fund this project.The Learning Web
A grant of $3,000 was approved to support the fund raising effort to secure a down payment on the purchase of the building currently housing the Learning Web and its programs.The State Theatre
$5,000 was awarded to partially fund the cost of materials for a construction project that would add a curtain system at the back of the theatre. Such a system existed in the 1980’s and successfully enhanced patrons’ enjoyment of the performances by discouraging individuals from congregating at the back of the theatre and talking during performances.Tompkins Cortland Community College Foundation (TC3F)
TC3F requested funds to replace eight beds in the nursing skills center with six upgraded beds. The new beds provide enhanced patient positioning, better controls, and improved safety features for caregiver and the patient. $8,000 was awarded for this project.Kitchen Theatre
$5,000 was approved to contribute to the final portion of the new theatre renovation project. The "Bold New Space" project will provide the theatre company with an increase in seating capacity and reduced annual expenses.HEALTH AND PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Beechtree Care Center (BCC)
A grant of $15,000, to be paid over two years, was approved to fund renovations in support of a new focus emphasizing a person-centered life style at the facility. New flooring, wall painting, hallway and room signage, paintings, photographs and plantings, and home-style furniture are included in the renovation plan.Challenge Industries (CI)
$5,000 was approved to partially fund the purchase of 6 high-end Dell computers and software and 3 Fujitsu high-speed scanners to allow for the growth of CI’s Document Preservation Enterprise.Foodnet of Tompkins County
Foodnet requested funds to be used to purchase and install a Standby Power Generator. Foodnet Meals On Wheels serves a choice of one or two meals daily to more than 500 Tompkins County residents. $6,000 was approved.Advocacy Center
The STOP Violence Against Women program provides for home lock changes to homes of individuals and families with an abuser, who has continued to harass, abuse or stalk them. $1,000 was approved to allow the continuance of the program.Catholic Charities of Tompkins/Tioga (CCTT)
$10,000 was approved to partially fund a 30hr/week position to provide front desk support for Tompkins County Programs of CCTT for one year.Lifelong
A grant of $5,000 was approved to purchase replacement heat exchangers for two of four rooftop heating/AC units.Ithaca Health Alliance (IHA)
$5,000 was approved to provide laboratory testing for patients with chronic and debilitating illnesses that seek care at the Ithaca Free Clinic.Human Services Coalition Health Planning Council (HPC)
$4,500 was requested to provide training, program licensing, and establishing of networks with physicians and human services agencies for the Diabetes Self-Management Program. The grant was approved.Cornell Cooperative Extension Food & Nutrition Program (FNP)
Part of the FNP provides free breastfeeding classes to qualifying new mothers. $1,531 was approved to purchase breastfeeding support products for class members.COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENT
Better Housing of Tompkins County
An award of $2,500 was approved to partially fund the Emergency Materials Fund for 2010. The fund provides zero interest loans or grants for qualified Tompkins County residents who have small home repair needs.Sewgreen
A $5,200 was approved to provide funds to enhance the youth development program. The program provides education to students and other young people relative to good environmental practices.Tompkins Learning Partners
An award of $3,000 was given to contribute to a capital improvement campaign to convert the facility’s entire second floor to usable tutoring and training rooms, a teaching kitchen, and computer laboratory. Additional work will retrofit the heating system and repair leaks and replace old carpets and furnishings.Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA )
The Fenced Rescued Dog Enclosure Yard became contaminated with a parasite brought in with the recovery of some 100 animals rescued from a local trailer home. $10,000 was awarded to assist in reclaiming this space required for the daily intake of animals.Finger Lakes Wine Center, Inc.
$8,000 was contributed to a fund raising campaign to purchase capital items for the outfitting and operation of the new Finger Lakes Wine Center. As a dedicated tourist destination that highlights Ithaca, Tompkins County, the Finger Lakes area and the local wine industry the wine center will spur local economic development and drive revenues throughout the entire wine region.
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