M&T Bank Fund awards grants to Mohawk Valley organizations

UTICA, N.Y. — Seven Mohawk Valley nonprofits will benefit from more than $160,000 in grants that the M&T Bank/Partners Trust Bank Charitable Fund (MTPT) awarded during the first quarter of 2021.

MTPT — a donor-advised fund of the Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties — works at “investing in its local community.”

“Our advisory committee gave considerations to many deserving ideas submitted by local organizations that enhance our communities and our lives. We look forward to seeing these projects take shape throughout the coming months,” David Manzelmann, Utica market president of M&T Bank, said.

M&T Bank created the MTPT Fund in 2007 to “provide continued support for the Mohawk Valley community.” Since then, MTPT has awarded more than 210 grants totaling nearly $4 million to a various programs and organizations.

Manzelmann leads a local advisory committee that reviews potential grant opportunities on a quarterly basis.

Grant recipients

The House of the Good Shepherd will use a $40,000 grant for painting and furniture in the Sunset Avenue restoration project, which will “make it possible to provide respite care to youth in Oneida County.”

Mohawk Valley Jr. Frontiers will use a $30,000 grant to help pay for its college short gap scholarships. The funding will provide about 20 short-gap scholarships for “underrepresented” students.

In addition, the fund awarded On Point for College — a program that helps lower-income, first generation students to “achieve education and career success” — a $20,000 grant.

The organization Utica Monday Nite will use a $5,000 grant to fund its Levitt AMP Utica music series partnership. The concert series will be held this summer and will feature artists from around New York.

The fund awarded the Utica Public Library a $11,500 grant for its summer reading program and fademicon event. The funding will cover supplies, performer fees, advertising, and prizes.

Arc Herkimer will use a $50,000 grant to renovate its Folts Street building to “make the space more modern and functional” and to resolve various health and safety concerns.

Morrow Warming Center of Utica will use a $3,900 grant for an entrance gate. Morrow Warming Center is a warming station and rest area for homeless persons not served by community shelters due to behavioral issues.