The Schenectady Foundation

The Schenectady Foundation Click the links below to learn more, sign up for our newsletter, and donate. William H. In 1963, The Foundation made its first grant: $250 to the YMCA.

The Schenectady Foundation was created by community leaders as a charitable trust to benefit the health and well-being of people who live and work in Schenectady County, NY. Schenectady's Community Foundation -- Advancing the sustainable well-being of the people of Schenectady County. The Schenectady Foundation (TSF) was created by community leaders as a charitable trust to benefit the health and

well-being of people who live and work in Schenectady County, NY. Milton, 3rd, a leader at Schenectady Trust Company, developed the idea for the Foundation. In 1962, with the bank’s support, he engaged the community’s leaders to establish The Schenectady Foundation. While a modest gift at that time (about $1,900 in today’s dollars), it was the first of many to come. Since its inception, TSF has granted close to $16 million in grants and scholarships for charitable programs in Schenectady County. The mission of The Schenectady Foundation is to advance the sustainable well-being of the people of Schenectady County. The Schenectady Foundation is the only community foundation exclusively serving Schenectady County. By developing a major endowment for our community, TSF is able to make significant grants that truly have an impact on our health and well-being. Over time TSF has supported more than 180 community organizations, and has provided a strong base of support for charitable projects both large and small. As a primarily volunteer-driven entity, TSF has minimal internal expenses relative to similar organizations. This means more of the income from contributed assets goes to support the community. Most assets are unrestricted by the donors, enabling TSF to make significant grants that address current community needs and issues. TSF identifies key issues on which to focus its grants. TSF has provided substantial support to programs in the fields of Health Care, Education, Maternal & Child Health, Child Care, Child Mental Health, Youth Achievement, and Arts, Civic and Cultural projects.In 2008, TSF adopted its strategic focus of Strengthening Families – building self-reliance, academic and life skills, and a stronger community -- and has granted more than $5 million to support Strengthening Families initiatives.

Behind every scholarship is a student with a dream, a goal, and the determination to achieve it. Thanks to the generosit...
06/18/2026

Behind every scholarship is a student with a dream, a goal, and the determination to achieve it. Thanks to the generosity of our community, scholarship recipients are pursuing careers, continuing their education, and making a difference in the world around them.

This year, The Schenectady Foundation awarded $91,000 in scholarships to students across Schenectady County. In this series, we’re highlighting three recipients and sharing where their journeys have taken them since receiving support through the Anna Hudson Erbacher Scholarship and our STEM Scholarship.

Their stories are a reminder that investing in students today creates opportunities that last a lifetime.

As we celebrate their accomplishments, we’re working toward an important goal: increasing our annual scholarship awards to $100,000 next year so that even more students can pursue their aspirations.

You can help make that possible.

Text SCHOLARSHIPS26 to 50155 to give directly to our Scholarship Fund or donate through the link:

https://secure.qgiv.com/for/theschenectadyfoundation/

Together, we can continue opening doors, expanding opportunities, and supporting the next generation of students in Schenectady County.

When Food is Medicine One project The Schenectady Foundation is proud to support is Catholic Charities Food Farmacy, wh...
06/18/2026

When Food is Medicine

One project The Schenectady Foundation is proud to support is
Catholic Charities Food Farmacy, which provides Schenectady County residents who are food-insecure and have chronic health conditions with the ingredients - fresh produce, whole grains, lean proteins, etc. - for wholesome, nutritious meals they can make at home.

Client testimonials attest to the transformative and empowering effects of the Food Farmacy.

“It helped out a lot,” said one client. “I learned how to eat and drink better. Getting fresh fruit and vegetables fills the gap for the month. Talking to the nutritionist perked me up when I was feeling down.”

Another said, “I have lost 25 pounds and am under 300 pounds. I could not have done this without what I have learned and been offered at the Food Farmacy. I have added fiber to my diet, and I’ve been juicing. I feel so much better.”

These photos showcase some of the delicious meals Food Farmacy clients have made.

To learn more, visit our website:

https://www.schenectadyfoundation.org/page/news-4/news/when-food-is-medicine-163.html

A dream took center stage. Thanks to the support from The Schenectady Foundation, My Daughters and Me, My Sons and Me, I...
06/17/2026

A dream took center stage.

Thanks to the support from The Schenectady Foundation, My Daughters and Me, My Sons and Me, Inc. brought The Wiz Kids to life, giving local youth and their families the opportunity to experience the magic of live theater.

For many of the children involved, this was their first time stepping onto a stage. Through months of rehearsals, creativity, and teamwork, they discovered new talents, built confidence, formed lasting friendships, and created memories that will stay with them for years to come.

The success of The Wiz Kids wasn’t measured only by what happened under the spotlight. It was found in the courage to try something new, the pride of accomplishment, and the joy shared by performers, families, and audience members alike.

We are proud to support programs that expand access to the arts and create opportunities for young people throughout Schenectady County.

To learn more about how The Schenectady Foundation supports its community, click the link below:

https://www.schenectadyfoundation.org/

As food insecurity continues to impact families across Schenectady County, The Schenectady Foundation remains committed ...
06/16/2026

As food insecurity continues to impact families across Schenectady County, The Schenectady Foundation remains committed to supporting the organizations working every day to ensure our neighbors have access to nutritious food.

We are proud to announce $40,000 in grant funding to six local food pantries:

• Braman Hall Food Pantry (Duanesburg)
• Sycamore Collaborative (Schenectady)
• Rotterdam Community Center
• Fresh Table Community Pantry (Scotia)
• Hope Answers Food Pantry (Schenectady)
• Scotia-Glenville Food Pantry

These grants will help strengthen food access efforts across our community and provide critical support to residents facing increased financial challenges.

Since late 2025, in response to the ongoing SNAP crisis, The Schenectady Foundation has awarded more than $170,000 to food pantries throughout Schenectady County. This continued investment reflects our belief that no one in our community should have to worry about where their next meal will come from.

We are grateful to our nonprofit partners for the vital work they do every day and to our donors whose generosity makes this support possible.

Want to help get more resources to food pantries that are seeing unprecedented need? Click the link to learn more:

https://www.schenectadyfoundation.org/page/food-secure-schenectady-97.html

Peak season at our glorious Schenectady Central Park Rose Garden
06/12/2026

Peak season at our glorious Schenectady Central Park Rose Garden

With today’s heat advisory, Schenectady’s splash pads offer a fun and refreshing way for families to stay cool while enj...
06/12/2026

With today’s heat advisory, Schenectady’s splash pads offer a fun and refreshing way for families to stay cool while enjoying the outdoors.

We’re proud that the splash pads at Wallingford Park, Tribute Park, and Woodlawn Park were funded in part through The Schenectady Foundation’s Thriving Neighborhoods Fund, which supports projects that enhance quality of life and strength and communities across Schenectady County.

If you’re looking for a way to beat the heat today, consider visiting one of these neighborhood parks and enjoying all they have to offer.

Learn more about how we’re investing in stronger, healthier neighborhoods throughout Schenectady County by clicking the link below:

https://www.schenectadyfoundation.org/

Just a reminder .... This is tonight!
06/11/2026

Just a reminder .... This is tonight!

The Schenectady Kids Art Festival was a wonderful celebration of creativity and community. We are proud to support event...
06/10/2026

The Schenectady Kids Art Festival was a wonderful celebration of creativity and community. We are proud to support events that inspire artistic expression and bring people together.

Our sponsorship of this festival was made possible through The Schenectady Foundation's Arts Fund. By contributing to the Arts Fund, you help make programs like this possible and support arts and cultural opportunities throughout Schenectady County.

Consider making a gift today through the link below to help inspire the next generation of artists and strengthen our community through the arts.

https://secure.qgiv.com/for/theschenectadyfoundation/

Do you want to learn more about how rising costs are affecting our neediest neighbors? Do you want to better understand ...
06/05/2026

Do you want to learn more about how rising costs are affecting our neediest neighbors? Do you want to better understand how poverty impacts families and individuals in Schenectady County? Do you want information about how you can help end poverty in our community?

If the answer to any of the above is yes, please join us on June 11 at this great event!

Every scholarship tells a story of perseverance, ambition, and possibility. For students across Schenectady County, scho...
06/05/2026

Every scholarship tells a story of perseverance, ambition, and possibility. For students across Schenectady County, scholarship support can be the difference between putting their dreams on hold and taking the next step toward a brighter future.

Through the generosity of our community, The Schenectady Foundation has awarded $91,000 in scholarships this year to help students pursue higher education and career opportunities. Now, we’re working toward an important milestone: increasing our annual scholarship awards to $100,000.

Your donation to our Scholarship Fund helps open doors, remove barriers, and remind students that their community believes in them. Together, we can create more opportunities, and empower the next generation to succeed. Click the link to be the impact.

https://secure.qgiv.com/for/theschenectadyfoundation/

Address

PO Box 710
Schenectady, NY
12301

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+15183939500

Website

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