A Vibrant Region with Opportunity for All

Driven by our vision, the Community Foundation’s mission is to Engage, Invest, and Lead to strengthen Herkimer and Oneida counties.

See how we make a difference

Our Foundation

Build, Enhance & Sustain the Community in Which We Live

Welcome to the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, a leading community foundation in Upstate New York! Our experienced and dedicated staff and trustees are committed to matching donor support with community and nonprofit organization needs through innovative, solution-based community investments aimed at positive regional impact. Our community project funding, local grant programs, and initiatives have allowed us to move the Herkimer and Oneida County region forward.

For 70 years, we have grown and stewarded community resources to ensure greater capacity for future needs and unexpected challenges. On top of creating endowed funds and setting up planned charitable giving options, we've also created many scholarship and community grant opportunities.

If you'd like to learn more about our community funding opportunities, how to set up a planned giving partnership, or ways to support Herkimer and Oneida County nonprofits, we welcome you to contact us today!

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Our Mission

Engage

We partner with donors and community organizations to determine funding solutions to residents' needs, advancing and enhancing community development.

Invest

We maximize donor impact through long-term stewardship, and commit funds and resources to nonprofit partner organizations for the greatest possible community impact.

Lead

We provide leadership to bring community partners together for collaborative impact, acting as a trusted advocate that can bridge differences and build meaningful coalitions.

Annual Figures as of December 31, 2025

$250M

Total Assets

$24.8M

Donations

3,221

Donors

613

Active Funds

$17.9M

Community Investments

$250M

Total Assets
$24.8M

Donations
3,221

Donors
613

Active Funds
$17.9M

Community Investments

Our Story is Your Story

Strengthening Our Community Together

Grant Opportunities

Ways to Give

Create a Fund

Who We Are

We Are Here to Better Our Community

Through nonprofit partnerships we work to strengthen our community, enhancing neighborhood vibrancy, creating jobs, educating, and addressing racial equity and social justice challenges.

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In Their Own Words

“My wife and I had talked about establishing a foundation, and as we discussed it more, we began to see all the potential challenges involved. How do you manage it? How do you decide what agencies to give grants to without the ability to supervise it all? The more challenges that we considered, the more it seemed that the Community Foundation was the place that could handle all of these matters and handle them very well.”
Donald Van Waes, Fundholder

“It has been an unbelievable relationship. We’ve been able to figure out a way to utilize the Community Foundation’s resources for some great projects that have turned into stories that we’ve been able to tell in various ways about how amazing the organization has been in helping us reach our goal of building community.”
Kevin Crosley, President/CEO, Arc Herkimer

“Every day, I’m proud to be part of a community so rich in promise and possibility—as we turn challenges into progress. Together we can realize our collective potential so that everyone’s opportunity to succeed contributes to a bright future for all.”
Alicia Dicks, President/CEO

(3 Total)

More to Explore...

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What are the benefits of Charitable Checking Accounts?

Charitable Checking Accounts simplify the giving process by keeping donations and grant recommendations organized in one secure place. Through the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, donors can easily support the nonprofits they care about while reducing administrative hassle.

Scholarship Fund Established Honoring Timothy J. “Slipperman” Gilles to Support Local Students Pursuing Music Education 

Herkimer and Oneida County students with a passion for music now have a new opportunity to pursue their dreams, thanks to the establishment of the "Slipperman” Music Scholarship in Memory of Timothy J. Gilles Fund at the Community Foundation. The scholarship will provide financial support to local graduates seeking to continue their education in music-related fields, ensuring his legacy lives on through the next generation of musicians.

What is a Charitable Checking Account?

Charitable giving is meaningful, but the logistics can sometimes feel complicated. For donors across Herkimer and Oneida counties, tracking receipts, choosing where to give, and organizing documentation during tax season can delay even the best intentions.

Community Foundation Unveils Two New Ways to Give

Charitable Checking Accounts and the Mohawk Valley Giving Guide offer simple, flexible ways for residents to support causes they care about.