Shineman Foundation awards $1.2 million in grants to nonprofits

OSWEGO, N.Y. — The Richard S. Shineman Foundation announced that it has recently awarded 16 not-for-profit organizations with grants totaling more than $1.2 million in the first of three 2017 grant rounds.

Of that amount, $704,000 is being paid this year; the remainder over time. Projects reach a wide range of people and organizations that focus on community revitalization and preservation, education, health and human services, and arts and culture, according to a foundation news release.

Three multi-year capital campaigns were supported by the Shineman Foundation, payable over five years. It awarded the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) $250,000 for its new permanent home located at 163 S. First St. in Fulton. Catholic Charities of Oswego County was granted $250,000 toward renovation of its newly acquired building at 806 W. Broadway in Fulton. The Oswego YMCA was allocated $300,000 toward phase one of its renovation project to reconnect the armory to the pool and renovate its locker rooms at its West First Street complex.

The Oswego Renaissance Association (ORA) was awarded another $150,000, representing the foundation’s “continued commitment to assist the ORA in growing the momentum of reinvestment and vibrancy in the city of Oswego’s neighborhoods,” the release stated. More than 300 households participated in the ORA’s Neighborhood Challenge over the past three years.

In education, the Shineman Foundation awarded the Oswego City School District its second grant for Fitzhugh Park Elementary School to expand its pilot of the “Leader in Me” whole-school transformation program. The National Math Foundation was awarded a grant to establish a Math Corps II pilot program in Charles E. Riley and Minetto elementary schools in the 2017-18 school year “to boost student achievement through movement-based learning.” The Onondaga Community College Foundation received a grant to bring its Early College Credits program to all high schools in Oswego County during the 2017–18 school year. Harbor Festivals Guild also received funding for its 2017 Harborfest Children’s Park.

In health and human services, the Shineman Foundation awarded the Oswego chapter of ARISE a grant to expand its aluminum ramp program to “enable more house-bound individuals to get out into the community.” Oswego County Opportunities (OCO) received funding to keep its Runaway and Homeless Youth Shelter open. Capacity-building grants were given to the Pregnancy Care Center for client services education and to the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Oswego County (RSVP) to expand its “6 Steps to Better Balance” program throughout the county.

The Shineman Foundation also awarded several arts and culture grants. CNY Arts Center received funding for its “Fulton’s Future Project,” a marketing initiative to “develop a vibrant arts community in Fulton.” Oswego Players, in collaboration with six other arts organizations, was awarded a grant to promote the Bemelmans Festival at Fort Ontario May 12-21. Safe Haven Museum also received a capacity building grant for redevelopment of its brand and website.

The Shineman Foundation said two more grant rounds will follow later this year.

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