(Syracuse, NY – June 21, 2011) The Central New York Community Foundation awarded $587,427 in grants to 18 charitable organizations in Onondaga and Madison Counties from its unrestricted and field‑of‑interest funds.

Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum received $5,000 to complete a Cultural Landscape Report that will serve as a business plan for the management of the historic site. This will help the preservation, restoration, and reconstruction of the historic industrial complex.

City of Syracuse received $50,000 from the Spanfelner Fund to develop the landscaping adjacent to the Creek Walk between the Inner Harbor and Onondaga Lake that will enhance recreation opportunities and improve storm water management.

Community Memorial Hospital of Hamilton, NY received $60,000 to replace a vital Endoscopic Video System used in performing surgeries.

Community Resources for Independent Seniors received $5,330 to develop a resource directory of senior services available in Madison County in order to extend the time that seniors can remain in their own homes. This project was partially funded by the Carriage House Fund.

Crouse Health Hospital received $45,000 to implement a nurse-led diabetes clinic for patients transitioning from hospital to home. The program will provide the care, education, and testing necessary for patients to better self-manage their disease.

Fayetteville-Manlius A Better Chance received $2,800 to support technology upgrades including the purchase of a computer and donor tracking software, which will enhance the organization’s development.

Home Aides of CNY received $25,000 from the John M. & Mary L. Gallinger Fund to automate record keeping, allowing health aides to improve response time and the handling of complex cases for home care services. This project was partially funded by the Carriage House Fund.

Junior Achievement of CNY received $30,000 to support its work with the Syracuse City School District’s Naviance Program.  With this grant, they will address the current high drop-out rate through identifying at-risk students and connecting them at the junior-high and high school levels to real-world business experiences.

Learning Disabilities Association of CNY received $14,000 to purchase iPads and applications that will be used during Learning without Borders, an academically-based summer program for teens.

Madison County Literacy Coalition received $50,000 to hire an Executive Director and to support the continuing work of the coalition by launching an Imagination Library pilot program.

On Point for College received $22,192 to enhance a program that re-enrolls college “stop-outs” who paused their education by helping them find new pathways to complete a post-secondary credential.

Onondaga Community College Foundation received $100,000 to support the new SRC arena and physical education building on campus. The addition of a local arena would serve both students and community members through new and existing health and physical education courses.

ProLiteracy Worldwide received $100,000 to equip the new Colvin Center on the Near Westside for local literacy programming. This center will be a resource to local residents and programs, as well as a national learning lab to advance adult literacy research, practice, and professional development.

Sarah House received $4,000 to renovate the kitchen in their facility, which provides lodging for the families and loved ones of individuals receiving medical treatment in nearby hospitals.

Stone Quarry Hill Art Park, located in Cazenovia, NY, received $15,000 to renovate an indoor gallery. The renovation will permit the park to keep the indoor gallery open year round, to better preserve art exhibits, and to provide a more comfortable atmosphere for its visitors.

Syracuse Stories received $17,349 to support a film documenting the first Syracuse Stories festival, a program that captures the struggles, achievements, contributions, and hopes of diverse members of the community as they tell their stories thru the arts.  A portion of this grant was provided by the Dorothy R. Shoudy Fund to include sign language interpretation at the festival.

Tully Central School District received $16,756 from the William D. Barnet Memorial Scholarship Fund to pilot an e-reader program for high school students in collaboration with the LaFayette, Fabius-Pompey and DeRuyter school districts. This program will allow students to have access to the electronic equivalent of a backpack full of books, dictionary, thesaurus and reference sheets for every subject.

Vera House, Inc. received $25,000 to renovate the emergency shelter’s kitchen to enhance accessibility and the ease of use for residents.

The Central New York Community Foundation has served Central New York for over 80 years, receiving, managing and distributing charitable funds for the benefit of nonprofit organizations. Grants are awarded for programs in the areas of human services, arts and culture, education, environment, health, economic development and civic affairs. The region’s largest endowed philanthropic foundation, the Central New York Community Foundation awards more than $5 million in grants to nonprofit organizations annually.

The Community Foundation, of 431 East Fayette Street, Syracuse, NY 13202, can be reached at (315) 422-9538 or www.cnycf.org.