The Gifford Foundation

05/12/2026

Check out Sheena's full conversation on The Human Side podcast here: https://youtu.be/BbGWgi4fipQ?si=qT0e2QCB9fXYgezU

05/01/2026

Another incredible night of connection and community earlier this week at our Meet Your Match: Board Recruitment Night in partnership with FOCUS Greater Syracuse, Inc. and Leadership Greater Syracuse.

It’s always energizing to bring together passionate, community-minded individuals with local nonprofit organizations doing vital work across Syracuse. Events like this continue to highlight just how important strong, engaged, and well-prepared boards are to the success and sustainability of the organizations that make our region such a great place to live.

We’re grateful to everyone who joined us, shared their experiences, and is stepping up to give back in meaningful ways. The momentum continues and we’re excited to keep building these connections!

04/23/2026

Review the RFQ here! bit.ly/4tw02Bn

04/13/2026

This weekend, the Building Men Program celebrated 20 years of life-changing impact with partners, supporters, community advocates, and past and present program participants.

The powerful remarks from the evening’s speakers made one thing clear: this work isn’t just important, it is essential. For two decades, Building Men has been a constant in the Syracuse community, providing mentorship, structure, safety, and support to boys and young men as they navigate the search for their authentic identities amid confusing messaging around masculinity.

Twenty years in, Building Men has not only transformed countless lives, but has built a foundation that ensures it will continue showing up for the community for years to come. The Gifford Foundation is honored to stand with an organization that is making a lasting difference today and into the future.

04/08/2026

Apply for Embracing Disruption (deadline June 5): https://giffordfoundation.org/support/embracing-disruption/
Consultant RFQ: https://bit.ly/4cf3au4
Grant Writing Workshop Registration: https://bit.ly/41o5iup

03/26/2026

📣 Attention, activated citizens and local nonprofit boards: Meet Your Match is back! Join The Gifford Foundation, FOCUS Greater Syracuse, Inc., and Leadership Greater Syracuse on April 28 for our next Board Recruitment Night. Meet Your Match provides an opportunity for local nonprofit organizations and community-minded citizens to connect, explore shared interests, and discover meaningful ways to work together. Register here: https://lnkd.in/g8xCrsg5

02/23/2026

Local platforms like “Bridge Street” on NewsChannel 9 WSYR play an important role in highlighting how organizations like Gifford and the nonprofits they support serve our community. Today, Gifford Executive Director Sheena Solomon joined Iris St. Meran and Erik Columbia to reflect on the organization’s legacy and its evolution into the foundation it is today. Check it out here! https://www.localsyr.com/bridge-street/rosamond-gifford-pioneering-the-gifford-foundation/

02/04/2026

First "What If..." proposal submission deadline for this year is coming up on FEBRUARY 9, 2026!

Have You Ever Thought, “What If…”? Since its launch in 2011, The Gifford Foundation’s “What If…” Mini Grant program has become a trusted and accessible resource for Syracuse residents of all ages and backgrounds. The program provides funding and support for community-driven projects that help make our city a better place to live. Learn more about this year’s orientation sessions, application deadlines, and how you can apply for a “What If…” Mini Grant here:

“What if…” minigrants are designed to foster growth in neighborhoods and help Syracuse residents positively impact their communities.

02/02/2026

💌 Our Winter 2026 Newsletter is live! Learn how 2025 set the stage for progress, read new stories from our community, and get updates on upcoming grant opportunities and workshops. Don’t miss it! 👉

Guiding Growth: How Embracing Disruption Helped Four Nonprofits Find Their Way Forward Now completing its most recent cohort, Embracing Disruption has once again demonstrated the power of pairing rigorous assessment with trusted consulting relationships. Four participating organizations—Erie Canal...

02/02/2026

We're honored to share that earlier this month, the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance - Syracuse presented The Gifford Foundation with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major Award for Economic Justice, recognizing its commitment to centering diversity and inclusion in funding decisions and empowering diverse voices across Central New York.

Pastor Turner presented the award to Gifford Executive Director, Sheena Solomon. Mayor Sharon F. Owens opened the program by recognizing Syracuse's public servants and public school staff in attendance.

Gifford is proud to be among an inspiring group of honorees, including Pamela J. Odom (SCSD), Jamila Sherman (Crouse), Cuse Connection, and Charles Garland (Garland Funeral Home). Congratulations to all of the deserving recipients, and thank you to for including us in this joyous event!