A quarter century of growth and philanthropy is highlighted with assets reaching $60 million and $32 million in grants distributed

MONTGOMERY, NY (November 26, 2024) – Over 300 esteemed guests gathered on October 23 at the West Hills Country Club for the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan’s (CFOS) Silver Anniversary Annual Reception.

Elizabeth Rowley, CFOS President and CEO, highlighted CFOS’s significant accomplishments over the past quarter century. “In our 25 years, we have established over 450 funds and distributed more than $30 million in grants and scholarships,” she told the crowd. “Thanks to your generosity, our Foundation continues to create a ripple effect, supporting countless individuals and organizations throughout Orange and Sullivan counties.”

This festive occasion fostered connections among community members and raised $124,000 to support the Foundation’s mission of enhancing philanthropy throughout the region by connecting people who care with causes that matter.

Rowley emphasized the commitment of the Foundation’s donors and fund representatives, saying, “Their dedication to our community makes it a better place to live, work, and raise a family.”

The evening commenced with cocktails, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and lively networking. Guests were treated to a special performance by local teaching artists Beth and Scott Bierko, who shared their original song “The Mighty Acorn,” written in honor of the Foundation’s milestone anniversary.

A key moment of the evening was the presentation of a $25,000 check to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center by CFOS Communications Creative Consultant and Fund Representative Nicole Feller Lee. The donation from the Corinne Feller Memorial Fund celebrated the fund’s 25 years of supporting ovarian cancer research and awareness as a component fund of CFOS.

“Thanks to the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, I have been able to focus on raising funds and awareness in memory of my sister with the confidence that the financial management and administration are in very capable hands,” said Feller Lee. “The Corinne Feller Memorial Fund has donated more than $300,000 to ovarian cancer research with the Foundation’s support.”

As the sole major fundraiser for the year, the Annual Reception plays a crucial role in supporting CFOS’s operating budget, ensuring the Foundation can continue providing essential administrative support for the hundreds of charitable funds it manages. Since its inception in 1999, CFOS has helped individuals, businesses, and organizations establish funds to support a wide range of causes, including education, health services, arts and culture, and more.

Videos highlighting the intentional actions of CFOS donors, and their widespread impact debuted at the event and can be viewed on the CFOS YouTube channel at youtube.com/@communityfoundationofoands.

The Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan looks forward to another 25 years of impactful philanthropy and community support, continuing its mission to connect people who care with causes that matter.