Last night, local professional advisors gathered to celebrate partnership, generosity and the many ways advisors help clients create meaningful impact in our community.
We were so pleased to present Karin Sloan DeLaney of @bhlawpllc , with our third annual Partner in Philanthropy Award. Karin, thank you for your dedication, guidance, and continued partnership.
We’re also grateful to our Gold Sponsors for helping to make events like our Professional Advisor Reception possible: @bhlawpllc , @bonadiogroup , @nbtbank , and the Estate Planning Council of Central New York.
📸: @lighttothedarknessstudios
From an unaccompanied minor, to empowering change, Hassina Adams shares her story of resiliency in our debut episode of #SincerelyCNY
Visit cnycf.org/podcast to watch or listen!
🎙️✨ Philanthropy is more than money — it’s how we show up for each other.
In her interview with George Kilpatrick on Inspiration for the Nation, our President & CEO Melanie Littlejohn shares the vision behind Sincerely, CNY — our new podcast celebrating the people and stories making a difference across Central New York. ❤️
Link in bio!
#SincerelyCNY #CNYCommunityFoundation #CentralNewYork #CommunityImpact
In this week’s episode of Cultivate with Alex Canavan, @alexcanavan.co sits down with Monica Merante, Senior Director of Philanthropic Services at the Central New York Community Foundation (CNYCF).
Monica has spent over a decade at the @cnycf helping donors build legacies that last — connecting families to causes that reflect their deepest values and teaching the next generation what it means to give with purpose.
And after just one conversation with her, it’s easy to understand why people trust her with something as personal as that.
This episode is an invitation to explore what you stand for and how to build a legacy that reflects it.
If you’ve ever felt called to do more, give more, or make a greater impact with what you have, this is a great place to start.
🎧 Cultivate with Alex Canavan EP 130: The Art of Giving ft. Monica Merante
🔗 Watch the episode and subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts — link in bio!
This episode is sponsored by the Central New York Community Foundation, a public charity that turns community dollars into community change. Their podcast, Sincerely, CNY, is a love letter to this region told through its most inspiring voices. 🔗 Learn more: cnycf.org
@alexcanavanpodcast is a podcast show based in Syracuse, NY, produced by the @cnywomensnetwork in partnership with @diam.media .
#cnycf #nonprofit #boundarysetting #selfgrowth burnout
A legacy of compassion is making a lasting impact in our community. 💛
Through a generous $1.8 million bequest, Teresa Motz's vision is living on by supporting individuals recovering from trauma across Cayuga County. The newly established fund will provide resources, connection, and hope to those facing life's most difficult moments. 🤝
This is more than a gift. It's a commitment to uplifting others for generations to come. 🌟
#CommunityImpact #HopeAndHealing #SkaneatelesCommunity #NonprofitSupport #StrollSkaneateles
I had the privilege of attending the Marsellus M.A.D.E. (Mission-driven, Achievement, Dedication, and Elevation) graduation ceremony at the @cnycf .
My friends and colleagues, Demitrius McNeil and Arlaina Harris of @ourglassconsulting , did a fantastic job facilitating the six-month organizational leadership program which is designed for mid and senior-level managers within nonprofit organizations who have demonstrated their commitment to Mission-driven, Achievement, Dedication, and Elevation.
As I sat in the audience, I couldn’t help but notice the tiny details about the graduation ceremony. As the local leaders came up to receive their certificate, Arlaina beautifully captured each individual as they are and who they became throughout the cohort experience.
Our Glass Consulting’s mission is to equip leaders with the tools needed to foster thriving workplaces where management excellence drives employment fulfillment, connection, and belonging.
For more information on this program, visit the @cnycf .
Philanthropy isn’t reserved for the ultra wealthy.
That’s something I’m just now fully understanding.
On this week’s episode of Cultivate (#130), I found myself rethinking what it actually means to “give back.”
For a long time, I think I associated philanthropy with massive donations, foundations, and people with endless financial resources.
But this conversation with Monica Merante—Senior Director of Philanthropic Services at the Central New York Community Foundation—made me realize that contribution can look so many different ways.
Sometimes it’s money.
Sometimes it’s time.
Sometimes it’s opening doors, making introductions, creating opportunities, or building spaces where people feel seen and supported.
And honestly? That realization shifted something for me.
As we continue growing @cnywomensnetwork , giving back to causes and communities we care about is something I want to be much more intentional about moving forward.
In this clip, we talk about:
🤍 redefining what philanthropy actually means
🤍 why contribution isn’t tied to wealth
🤍 how impact starts long before financial abundance
🤍 the responsibility that comes with building community
This episode is sponsored by @cnycf + @cnywomensnetwork and is one of the most perspective-shifting conversations I’ve had in a long time.
🎧 Episode is live now. Tap the link in bio to watch or listen.
#philanthropy #leadership #community #giveback
Our staff takes pride in not just serving our community, but actively shaping its future.
In our latest What We Are Up To post, we’re highlighting the many ways our staff members are driving positive change in our community and beyond.
Among them is Monica Merante, CAP®, senior director of philanthropic services (pictured), who recently co-presented at the AdNet 2026 Conference in Phoenix alongside Tim Bresnahan of the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta.
🔗 Check out the link in our bio to learn more about what our staff has been up to.
Because being a good leader isn’t just about having the answers.
Sometimes it’s about having the courage to admit when you don’t.
On this week’s episode of Cultivate (#130), @alexcanavan.co sits down with Monica Merante—Senior Director of Philanthropic Services at the Central New York Community Foundation—for a conversation about the kind of leadership we don’t talk about enough.
In this clip, we talk about:
🤍 the pressure leaders feel to always “have it together”
🤍 why honesty can feel uncomfortable at the top
🤍 how vulnerability actually builds stronger teams
🤍 the balance between transparency and responsibility
This episode is sponsored by @cnycf + @cnywomensnetwork and is full of honest conversations about leadership, burnout, contribution, and building something that truly matters.
🎧 Episode is live now. Tap the link in bio to listen.
#leadership #transparency #careergrowth #leadershipdevelopment
Most people think leadership is about achievement.
But the best leaders?
They’re focused on contribution.
On this week’s episode of Cultivate (#130), @alexcanavan.co sits down with Monica Merante—Senior Director of Philanthropic Services at the Central New York Community Foundation—for a conversation that goes far beyond giving.
We talk about:
🤍 what most organizations get wrong about leadership + boards
🤍 how to actually build a high-functioning team
🤍 the difference between achievement vs. contribution
🤍 the real reason you’re burned out (and why “rest” isn’t fixing it)
🤍 how to build a legacy that goes deeper than writing checks
This episode is sponsored by @cnycf , and will challenge how you think about leadership—at work, in your business, and in your life.
🎧 Episode is live now. Tap the link in bio to listen.
#leadership #womeninleadership #philanthropy #careergrowth
Join us in congratulating our colleagues who were recently promoted: Colby Cyrus, program officer, Dana Fiel, senior finance manager, Tom Griffith, chief philanthropy officer and Jan Lane, director of philanthropy. We’re lucky to have them on our team! 🎉
Click the link in our bio to learn more.
Tuesday afternoon was all about connection 🤝
Thank you to the nonprofit leaders who showed up, shared their work, and built new relationships through speed networking. Our community is stronger because of you.
@peaceincsyr
