Want to Help?

Give input and get involved.

To encourage a vibrant Central New York, people from every corner of our community have the opportunity to give input and get involved.

Taking action doesn’t require a background in leadership or knowledge of government—it just takes a desire to see community change and a willingness to share your time or talent.

Whether you’re an experienced volunteer, an activist, a student, working professional, or a stay-at-home parent, there are roles both big and small that you can play to shape the future of the region.

Give Now

CNY Vitals is an initiative of the Central New York Community Foundation. Support the Community Foundation’s work addressing the region’s greatest needs.

Donate

Address Racial Equity

Volunteer

Assist NYCLU with canvassing, protest monitoring and campaign development Learn More »
Help Partners CNY with education event planning and administrative support Learn More »
Volunteer at We Rise Above the Streets’ Sandwich Saturday initiative Learn More »
Join the Urban Jobs Task Force as a committee member Learn More »
Serve as an advocate for OG's Against Violence Learn More »
Assist Families for Lead Freedom Now with grassroots efforts to end lead poisoning Learn More »
Assist with World of Cheddar's financial literacy programming Learn More »

Donate

Fund PGR Foundation to support their mentorship program for young girls Learn More »
Improve maternal health outcomes and support families with Doula 4a Queen Learn More »
Support workplace & economic development through Jubilee Homes of Syracuse Learn More »
Donate to the Peacemaking Program Learn More »
Give to Black Media Mogul Maker's media training program Learn More »
Help 100 Black Men's mentorship and education programs Learn More »

Civic Engagement

Join a board through BoardSTRONG. Learn More »
Grow leadership skills through Leadership Greater Syracuse. Learn More »
Build your strengths as a nonprofit leader through the Marsellus Executive Development Program Learn More »
Engage in the community through FOCUS Greater Syracuse. Learn More »
Partake in Centerstate CEO’S Executive Leadership Development Series. Learn More »
Learn about and discuss community issues at Thursday Morning Roundtable. Learn More »

Take Action

Contact your elected officials. Learn More »
Register to vote. Learn More »
Join a community action group. Learn More »
Run for office. Learn More »
Organize around an issue.
Share your views by writing a letter to the editor. Learn More »

Tackle Poverty

Volunteer

Serve food at the Samaritan Center. Learn More »
Volunteer at Salvation Army Learn More »
Work in a Rescue Mission Thrift Shop. Learn More »
Organize food at the CNY Food Bank’s pantry. Learn More »
Mentor local children at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Syracuse. Learn More »
Distribute food at the Sullivan Food Cupboard Learn More »
Provide kinship support for parents, relatives, and friends who are caring for children through Community Action Partnership for Madison County Learn More »

Donate

Support the United Way. Learn More »
Give goods to The Food Bank of CNY. Learn More »
Deliver food or clothing to CazCares Food Pantry and Clothing Closet. Learn More »
Donate food and personal items to the Emmaus Food Pantry. Learn More »
Give food or clothing to the Southside Family Resource Center. Learn More »
Provide business clothing and feminine products to the Women’s Opportunity Center. Learn More »
Pass on household items and building materials to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Learn More »
Distribute food & hygiene products to those living in homelessness Learn More »

Civic Engagement

Join a board through BoardSTRONG. Learn More »
Grow leadership skills through Leadership Greater Syracuse. Learn More »
Build your strengths as a nonprofit leader through the Marsellus Executive Development Program. Learn More »
Engage in the community through FOCUS Greater Syracuse. Learn More »
Partake in Centerstate CEO’S Executive Leadership Development Series. Learn More »
Learn about and discuss community issues at Thursday Morning Roundtable. Learn More »

Take Action

Contact your elected officials. Learn More »
Register to vote. Learn More »
Join a community action group. Learn More »
Run for office. Learn More »
Organize around an issue.
Share your views by writing a letter to the editor. Learn More »

Educate Our Citizens

Volunteer

Serve as an adult education tutor at The Learning Place. Learn More »
Be a foster grandparent at PEACE Inc. Learn More »
Transport students to and from college through On Point for College. Learn More »
Tutor adults or children at the Northside Learning Center. Learn More »
Join your district’s PTO.
Mentor children through 100 Black Men. Learn More »
Support your local library.
Become a Book Buddy Learn More »

Donate

Literacy Coalition of Onondaga County Learn More »
Literacy Coalition of Cortland County Learn More »
Literacy Coalition of Oswego County Learn More »
Sponsor free books for a child through Imagination Library. Learn More »
Help fund adult literacy programs at ProLiteracy. Learn More »
Send Syracuse students to college through Say Yes to Education Syracuse. Learn More »
Put underprivileged children through summer camp at Camp Lookout. Learn More »
Support libraries in the MidYork Library System. Learn More »
Provide funding for Cortland Area Communities that Care. Learn More »

Civic Engagement

Join a board through boardSTRONG. Learn More »
Grow leadership skills through Leadership Greater Syracuse. Learn More »
Build your strengths as a nonprofit leader through the Marsellus Executive Development Program. Learn More »
Engage in the community through FOCUS Greater Syracuse. Learn More »
Partake in Centerstate CEO’S Executive Leadership Development Series. Learn More »
Learn about and discuss community issues at Thursday Morning Roundtable. Learn More »

Take Action

Contact your elected officials. Learn More »
Register to vote. Learn More »
Join a community action group. Learn More »
Run for office. Learn More »
Organize around an issue.
Share your views by writing a letter to the editor. Learn More »

Impact Local Health

Volunteer

Volunteer with The United Way. Learn More »
Volunteer at your local hospital.
Provide patient care at Oneida Healthcare. Learn More »
Be a crisis call volunteer at Vera House. Learn More »
Serve as a hotline volunteer at Contact Community Services. Learn More »
Teach fitness classes for Step Up Moment. Learn More »
Provide emotional support for parents and guardians at David’s Refuge. Learn More »
Get involved with the Syracuse-Onondaga Food Systems Alliance Learn More »

Donate

Assist the Rahma Health Clinic. Learn More »
Support the Ronald McDonald House. Learn More »
Provide funding for Sarah’s Guest House. Learn More »
Help sustain disability services offered by ARISE. Learn More »
Support Helio Health. Learn More »
Fund advocacy services through BRiDGES. Learn More »
Provide funding for Cornell Cooperative Extension’s food assistance programming. Learn More »
Help fund food delivered by Meals on Wheels. Learn More »

Civic Engagement

Join a board through boardSTRONG. Learn More »
Grow leadership skills through Leadership Greater Syracuse. Learn More »
Build your strengths as a nonprofit leader through the Marsellus Executive Development Program. Learn More »
Engage in the community through FOCUS Greater Syracuse. Learn More »
Partake in Centerstate CEO’S Executive Leadership Development Series. Learn More »
Learn about and discuss community issues at Thursday Morning Roundtable. Learn More »

Take Action

Contact elected officials. Learn More »
Register to vote. Learn More »
Join a community group. Learn More »
Run for office. Learn More »
Organize around an issue.
Share your views by writing a letter to the editor. Learn More »

Improve Housing

Volunteer

Help build or renovate houses through Habitat for Humanity. Learn More »
Revitalize neighborhoods with Home HeadQuarters. Learn More »
Support Syracuse Parks and Recreation. Learn More »
Beautify neighborhoods with the Syracuse Garden Club. Learn More »
Plant trees with Onondaga Earth Corps. Learn More »

Donate

Fund Catholic Charities of Onondaga County’s Project Joseph program. Learn More »
Help sustain renters’ rights through CNY Fair Housing. Learn More »
Build houses with Madison County Habitat for Humanity. Learn More »
Support tenants’ rights through Greater Syracuse Tenant Network. Learn More »
Provide funding for housing renovations made by Syracuse Model Neighborhood Facility. Learn More »
Donate property to the Greater Syracuse Land Bank. Learn More »

Civic Engagement

Join a board through boardSTRONG. Learn More »
Grow leadership skills through Leadership Greater Syracuse. Learn More »
Build your strengths as a nonprofit leader through the Marsellus Executive Development Program. Learn More »
Engage in the community through FOCUS Greater Syracuse. Learn More »
Partake in Centerstate CEO’S Executive Leadership Development Series. Learn More »
Learn about and discuss community issues at Thursday Morning Roundtable. Learn More »

Take Action

Contact elected officials. Learn More »
Register to vote. Learn More »
Join a community group Learn More »
Run for office. Learn More »
Organize around an issue
Share your views by writing a letter to the editor. Learn More »

Help Our Residents

Volunteer

Volunteer to support veterans through Clear Path for Veterans. Learn More »
Organize refugee events for Interfaith Works. Learn More »
Teach sign language with WHOLEME. Learn More »
Welcome home veterans from Honor Flight missions. Learn More »
Support individuals with disabilities through Access CNY. Learn More »

Donate

Help refugees thrive through HOPEPRINT. Learn More »
Increase adult English proficiency through Literacy CNY. Learn More »
Support resettlement services for New Americans. Learn More »
Support transportation for the underserved through Providence Services of Syracuse. Learn More »

Civic Engagement

Join a board through boardSTRONG. Learn More »
Grow leadership skills through Leadership Greater Syracuse. Learn More »
Build your strengths as a nonprofit leader through the Marsellus Executive Development Program. Learn More »
Engage in the community through FOCUS Greater Syracuse. Learn More »
Partake in Centerstate CEO’S Executive Leadership Development Series. Learn More »
Learn about and discuss community issues at Thursday Morning Roundtable. Learn More »

Take Action

Contact elected officials. Learn More »
Register to vote. Learn More »
Join a community group Learn More »
Run for office. Learn More »
Organize around an issue
Share your views by writing a letter to the editor. Learn More »

Stimulate the Economy and Support the Arts

Volunteer

Volunteer to support diversity in the work force through Northside UP. Learn More »
Sell tickets for Redhouse arts performances. Learn More »
Become a mentor to help entrepreneurs and local businesses thrive through SCORE. Learn More »
Volunteer to assist with ArtRage art exhibits. Learn More »
Get involved with Adapt CNY Learn More »

Donate

Support local musicians through the Society for New Music. Learn More »
Donate historical artifacts to the Onondaga Historical Association. Learn More »
Support educational arts programming through Open Hand Theater. Learn More »
Provide funding for local arts and entertainment through CNY Arts. Learn More »
Foster innovative orchestral and ensemble performances through Symphoria. Learn More »
Buy local. Learn More »

Civic Engagement

Join a board through boardSTRONG. Learn More »
Grow leadership skills through Leadership Greater Syracuse. Learn More »
Build your strengths as a nonprofit leader through the Marsellus Executive Development Program. Learn More »
Engage in the community through FOCUS Greater Syracuse. Learn More »
Partake in Centerstate CEO’S Executive Leadership Development Series. Learn More »
Learn about and discuss community issues at Thursday Morning Roundtable. Learn More »

Take Action

Contact elected officials Learn More »
Register to vote Learn More »
Join a community group Learn More »
Run for office Learn More »
Organize around an issue
Share your views by writing a letter to the editor Learn More »

*See something missing? If there are additional opportunities you would like to suggest be included on this page, please send them for consideration to info@cnycf.org.