For more than 15 years, the NYBDC Foundation has furthered our mission of promoting business prosperity and economic welfare in the communities we serve through charitable giving. In 2017 alone, nearly 100 organizations received support from the NYBDC Foundation thanks to the directed and matched gifts from our board members, who can each direct up to $3,000 in donations annually as well as receive matches for personal contributions of up to $1,000.
One organization that has greatly benefitted from the NYBDC Foundation’s donations over the past several years is the Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI). “Thanks to NYBDC, IPEI has been able to support innovative and creative teaching in our public schools,” explains former Executive Director Terry Byrnes. “These gifts fund grants to teachers that enable them to supplement their regular curriculum with enriching experience like field trips to museums, lake and field ecology, partnerships with community resources, student collaborations with artists, and much more.”
Contributions from the Foundation not only support essential organizations like IPEI, they also allow board members to give back to their own communities. NYBDC board member and Watertown, NY native Mark Lavarnway has taken the opportunity to direct contributions to organizations in New York’s sprawling North Country, including the Watertown Urban Mission, the Watertown YMCA’s scholarship program, and the Northern NY Community Foundation.
“I’ve lived in Watertown all my life and through my involvement with these organizations I have become aware of the work they do and the impact they have on the community,” explains Mark. “I was honored and thrilled to be able to direct contributions from the NYBDC Foundation to support their goals and help those in need in the North Country.”
Through its charitable contributions, the NYBDC Foundation compliments our work to strengthen communities and local economies. Together, we’re making difference for a small business clients and partners and the communities they serve.
