10/17/2026
Miles Away, Still Giving Close to Home. Robin Masson shares: "For nearly 40 years, Ithaca and the Finger Lakes were where I lived, practiced law, and built community. Giving back was part of that life—through charitable donations, free and reduced-cost legal services, and service on nonprofit boards. But at the Community Foundation of Tompkins County, I found my philanthropic home.
Serving on the Board and grant review committees showed me what collective giving can accomplish. I also saw donor advisors step forward when grant requests exceeded available funding or urgent needs arose between grant cycles. Their generosity turned more good ideas into action. I remember thinking, “One day, I want to do that.”
Ten years ago, my husband and I moved to Santa Barbara, California, after I retired. Our address changed; our connection to Tompkins County stayed strong.
Recently, we recommended a grant to Tompkins Learning Partners to expand sensory tools and educational materials for neurodivergent learners. It was exactly the kind of opportunity I had hoped for: a chance to meet a need we might otherwise never have known about.
Our fund helps us support organizations we already value and discover new ways to make a difference. Wherever we live, it gives us a lasting way to give back to the community that gave us so much." Community Foundation thanks Rob and Robin for inspiring all of us!
