named programs · 2 · from sources
What they call their work
Community Grantmaking Program
Provides grants to nonprofit organizations that effectively address community needs in Schenectady County
Donor Engagement and Publications
Produces newsletters and publications to inform and engage donors in charitable giving
activities · 7 groups
What they do
-
Capital Infrastructure Funding 2 activities
- Funding affordable housing and neighborhood revitalizationFinances community development projects such as the cleanup of abandoned buildings, creation of 85 affordable housing units, and economic development initiatives like the Hillside View Project in Hamilton Hill. Also funded Phase 2 of Tribute Park and blight removal in Mont Pleasant.
- Funding community infrastructure and public space improvementsSupports the development of community infrastructure, including funding a new Laundromat in Hamilton Hill, designating the Bornt Branch Library as a Family Place Library, and committing $150,000 to develop the new Mont Pleasant library branch and improve safety at Orchard Park.
-
-
Local High School Scholarship Programs 1 activity
- Administering scholarship programs for local studentsOffers multiple scholarship programs for Schenectady County students, including up to four Erbacher Teaching Scholarships ($10,000 each), at least two Schenectady STEM Scholarships ($10,000 each), up to five Build Your Future Vocational Scholarships (up to $1,000 each), and sixteen Good Neighbor Awards ($1,000 each) based on civic involvement, character, and financial need.
-
-
Charitable Grantmaking to Specific Causes 1 activity
- Funding community needs in Schenectady CountyMakes grants to tax-exempt charities addressing community needs in Schenectady County, NY, with a focus on health and well-being. Has invested over $35 million in local communities to date and plans to allocate $1.4 million in charitable projects in 2026.
-
-
Literacy Program Funding 1 activity
- Funding early childhood and family support programsProvides funding for books and toys distributed through the Parent Child+ program and supports initiatives that expand access to quality child care and workforce literacy training in Schenectady County.
-
-
Agricultural Grantmaking and Funding Programs 1 activity
- Funding food security initiativesFunds programs to improve food security in Schenectady County, including investing $3.5 million since 2021. Supports the Food Farmacy program, Weekend Backpack Partnership, and the Schenectady County Food Council. Also funded pantry visits and food orders during transition to Medicaid-reimbursable services.
-
-
Mental Health Research and Services Funding 1 activity
- Funding youth mental health, domestic violence survivor, and elder legal servicesAwards grants to expand access to youth mental health services, domestic violence survivor services, and legal services for elderly residents in Schenectady County.
-
-
Flexible Grants to Grassroots Organizations 1 activity
- Operating micro grant program for pilot and planning projectsOffers a Micro Grant program providing awards of $10,000 or less primarily for planning, research, and pilot projects to strengthen local nonprofits and community initiatives.
-
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$3.46M
Contributions & grants$363K11%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$3.10M90%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$2.52M
Program expenses91%
Admin / overhead9%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$1.61M
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$56.00M
Cash$2.34M
Investments$48.44M
Liabilities$1.35M
Net assets$54.65M
Liquid reserves241.9 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +16.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 4
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| TRUSTCO BANK | TRUSTEE | 1 | $189K |
| ROBERT CARREAU | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND SEC | 1 | $183K |
| KEY BANK | TRUSTEE | 1 | $26K |
| SARATOGA NATIONAL BANK | TRUSTEE | 1 | $5K |
board members · 9
- ALFRED TOMPKINS — DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE MEM
- JENNIFER KENNEALLY — DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE MEM
- JOHAN MATTHEWS — DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE MEM
- KEVIN SMITH — TREASURER
- KIRK LEWIS — DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE MEM
- MONA GOLUB — VICE CHAIR
- OMAYRA PADILLA DEJESUS — CHAIR
- PAMELA PEARLMAN — DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE MEM
- RAYSHEEA TURNER — DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE MEM
relationships · 30
Who they work with
- Albany Barn Partner — Partnered on the Hillside View Project to support community maker-space and economic opportunities.
- Arrow Bank Partner — One of the current Trustee Banks managing and investing funds for The Schenectady Foundation.
- Brightside Up, Inc. Partner — Funds the Parent Child+ program operated by Brightside Up, Inc. to support early childhood literacy and school readiness.
- Capital Roots Partner — Collaborates with Capital Roots, referencing their Greater Capital Region Food System Assessment to inform food security initiatives.
- Catholic Charities Tri-County Services Partner — Receives grant funding from The Schenectady Foundation to operate the Food Farmacy program.
- Chamber of Commerce Partner — Represented on the Appointing Authority that names Distribution Committee members for The Schenectady Foundation.
- Congregation Gates of Heaven Partner — Rabbi Matthew Cutler, longtime rabbi at Congregation Gates of Heaven, has been appointed to the Board of Directors.
- Habitat for Humanity of Schenectady County Partner — Kristine Moore serves on the board of directors, indicating an organizational connection through shared leadership.
- Key Bank Partner — One of the current Trustee Banks managing and investing funds for The Schenectady Foundation.
- Metroplex Partner — Partnered on the Hillside View Project for neighborhood revitalization.
- New York State Department of Health Government — Oversees the Medicaid-reimbursable program transition supported by The Schenectady Foundation’s grant to the Food Farmacy.
- New York State Office of Charities Registration Government — Funds nonprofit corporations registered with this office.
- Robert Carreau Partner — Executive director of The Schenectady Foundation, guiding legacy giving and community engagement.
- SUNY Schenectady County Community College Partner — Member of the Appointing Authority that names Distribution Committee members for The Schenectady Foundation.
- Sanford A. and Marilyn Shuler Funder — Provided a generous estate gift that funds the Schenectady STEM Scholarship.
- Sanford Shuler Funder — Established the Schenectady STEM Scholarship as a former GE scientist.
- Schenectady Clergy Against Hate Partner — Rabbi Matthew Cutler helped found this interfaith group, which aligns with the foundation's community-building mission.
- Schenectady County Food Council Partner — Partnership to advance food security through systems change and equitable access to healthy food.
- Schenectady County Public Health Services Partner — Engages with Schenectady County Public Health Services' Healthy & Equitable Food Action Plan to guide local food system improvements.
- Schenectady Land Bank Partner — Partnered on the development of Tribute Park.
- Schenectady Trust Company Partner — Supported the establishment of The Schenectady Foundation in 1963.
- The Community Builders Partner — Collaborated on the Hamilton Hill 2 and Hillside View housing and community development projects.
- Trustco Bank Partner — One of the current Trustee Banks managing and investing funds for The Schenectady Foundation.
- Union College Partner — Member of the Appointing Authority that names Distribution Committee members for The Schenectady Foundation.
- United Way Partner — Represented on the Appointing Authority that names Distribution Committee members for The Schenectady Foundation.
- Wright Family Foundation Partner — Collaborated on the Hillside View Project.
- businesses Partner — Partners with local businesses in community-building and systems change efforts.
- government Government — Works with government entities as part of cross-sector collaboration to strengthen community systems.
- local food pantries Partner — Works to increase the capacity of local food pantries to improve food access.
- nonprofits Partner — Collaborates with nonprofit organizations in co-creating community solutions and systems change.
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.
- Catalyst Model for Community Changemethodology: catalyst modelBy using strategic grantmaking, convening power, and targeted investments, the foundation aligns stakeholders and activates collective action around priority issues, because coordinated, multi-organizational efforts produce greater systemic impact than isolated interventions.
- Food Is Medicine Modelmethodology: food_is_medicineBy funding medically tailored meal programs with customized nutrition, the foundation improves physical and mental health outcomes for individuals managing chronic conditions, because food functions as a clinical intervention in disease management.
- Place-Based Endowment Stewardshipmethodology: place-based_investmentBy focusing exclusively on Schenectady County and stewarding permanent endowment funds, the foundation builds long-term community capacity and trust, because localized investment and perpetual resourcing enable sustained, adaptive responses to evolving needs.
- Resident-Led Systems Changemethodology: resident-led systems changeBy supporting cross-sector collaboration and community-driven co-creation of solutions, the foundation addresses root causes of systemic challenges, because resident leadership ensures relevance, equity, and sustainable impact in neighborhood revitalization and service design.
- Strategic and Participatory Grantmakingmethodology: participatory grantmakingBy applying a selective, evidence-based grantmaking process that prioritizes programs with beneficiary input, the foundation increases program effectiveness and equity, because involving clients in design improves relevance, utilization, and outcomes.