named programs · 8 · from sources
What they call their work
Author Visits
Funds visits by authors Jason Reynolds and Jarrett J. Krosoczka to engage students in literature and writing through interactive programs.
Compliment/Conversation Cart
Supports a student-run cart at Herman Avenue Elementary that promotes kindness, peer interaction, and empathy through daily questions and motivational stickers.
Elementary General Music Piano Labs
Equips elementary schools with mini MIDI keyboards to develop music literacy, note reading, and fine motor skills in preparation for future musical study.
Postcard Pen Pals
Funds postage for a pen pal exchange between fifth graders in Auburn and Marcellus school districts to build communication and writing skills.
Resiliency and Regulation Room
Establishes a calming space at Auburn High School for students to self-regulate, reflect, and re-engage with learning after periods of absence or emotional distress.
Root Coding Robots
Distributes coding robots to all elementary schools and junior high to introduce and scaffold computer programming skills across grade levels.
The Wellness Closet
Provides essential clothing and undergarments to students in need to improve school attendance and confidence.
Tonies for Teachers
Provides Toniebox audio players to K-2 classrooms to support literacy, listening comprehension, and mindfulness through hands-on, screen-free storytelling.
activities · 3 groups
What they do
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Teacher & Classroom Innovation Grants 1 activity
- Awarding grants to educators in the Auburn Enlarged City School DistrictFunds projects and initiatives proposed by educators within the Auburn Enlarged City School District to enhance teaching and learning. This grantmaking activity supports innovation and resource development in classrooms across the district.
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Financial Aid and Scholarship Access Programs 1 activity
- Providing scholarships to studentsAdministers a scholarship program that awards financial support to students for academic pursuits, with scholarships ranging from $500 to $2,000 annually. The foundation has awarded scholarships to between two and six students each year from 2016 to 2022, including through the Dean and Margaret LaDue Memorial Scholarship Fund established in 2009.
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Hands-On STEM Education Programs 1 activity
- Supporting direct educational programs and classroom resources in the Auburn school districtImplements and funds a wide range of hands-on, school-based programs and materials across the district, including Tonieboxes for literacy, VersaTiles for math and literacy, STEM buckets for first grade, butterfly life cycle kits, piano labs, mini MIDI keyboards, silent disco headphones, wireless headphone systems, postcard pen pal postage, cooking programs, sensory and mindfulness rooms, compliment carts, Read and Ride programs, student-run coffee carts, film production workshops, pyrography instruction, student murals, journalism equipment (Padcaster), board games for study halls and family nights, adaptive materials for at-risk students, aerial yoga, smoothie bikes, traffic safety gardens, classroom novel sets, game show buzzers, weekly math puzzles, and participation in civic leadership summits. These initiatives span elementary, junior high, and high schools, targeting academic, social-emotional, creative, and physical development.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$96K
Contributions & grants$25K26%
Program service revenue$8K9%
Investment income$54K56%
Other revenue$9K
expenses
Total expenses$69K
Program expenses68%
Admin / overhead21%
Fundraising11%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$40K
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$1.07M
Cash$49K
Investments$1.02M
Liabilities$2K
Net assets$1.07M
Liquid reserves185.2 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -9.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 17
- ALLYSSA DELPIANO — DIRECTOR
- ANDREW TEHAN — VICE PRESIDENT
- BEN SUSMAN — DIRECTOR
- BILL TENITY — DIRECTOR
- BONNY BLAIR — VICE PRESIDENT
- CARMELA BARBAGALLO — DIRECTOR
- DENISE PELLEGRINO — SECRETARY
- JANIE HUTCHINSON — PRESIDENT
- JESSICA WRENCH — DIRECTOR
- KATHY RHODES — DIRECTOR
- KELLEY GRIDLEY — DIRECTOR
- LISA GREEN — DIRECTOR
- MARIANNE O'CONNOR — TREASURER
- MARK DIVIETRO — DIRECTOR
- MIGUELINA CUEVAS-POST — IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
- PATRICIA FESTA — DIRECTOR
- TERRI MAHONEY — DIRECTOR
relationships · 4
Who they work with
- Auburn Enlarged City School District Partner — Collaborates with the school district to support educators and students through grants and scholarships.
- Auburn High School Partner — Provides scholarship recipients from its senior class and hosts application submissions through its Guidance Office.
- Marcellus School District Partner — Engages in a postcard pen pal exchange with fifth graders from an Auburn elementary school.
- OCM BOCES Partner — Provides a portable planetarium for fifth-grade solar system education at Genesee Elementary.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Collaborative Grantmaking for Enriched Learningmethodology: collaborative_grantmakingBy partnering with schools and local organizations in grantmaking, we create enriched learning opportunities for students, because community-informed investments lead to more relevant and impactful educational programs.
- Hands-On Audio Learning with Tactile Technologymethodology: hands-on_audio_learningBy using screen-free, tactile audio tools like the Toniebox in storytelling activities, we enhance literacy, listening comprehension, and social-emotional learning because multisensory, low-distraction formats deepen engagement and accessibility for diverse learners.
- Real-World Application of Academic Skillsmethodology: real-world_application_learningBy applying math skills in real-world contexts such as cooking, we reinforce academic learning and build practical life skills because experiential learning strengthens retention and demonstrates the relevance of abstract concepts.
- Service-Integrated Skill Buildingmethodology: service-integrated_learningBy integrating community service into student-led projects, we foster empathy, generosity, and civic connection because combining service with skill development reinforces both personal growth and academic learning.
- Targeted Scholarships with Field Flexibilitymethodology: targeted-scholarship-with-flexibilityBy directing scholarships to high-achieving Auburn High School seniors pursuing teaching careers in math or science—and allowing flexibility into other high-need STEM and health fields when needed—we strengthen local workforce development because it incentivizes local talent to enter and remain in critical shortage areas.