Community Equity Initiative
In July 2020, The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties announced a $10 million, 10-year commitment to racial equity and social justice. The Community Equity Initiative will help realize our vision: A vibrant region with opportunity for all. This initiative begins with our community's pledge and will incorporate the following strategies.
Collaboration
Engagement
Impact Centers
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A way for people to support the goal of “opportunity for all” in Herkimer and Oneida counties. It’s part of a $10 million, 10-year community equity initiative commitment announced by The Community Foundation in July 2020
The Community Foundation’s support will be used for initiatives, programs and services to expand and enhance opportunities in education, careers, employment, health, housing and other quality of life areas. A diverse advisory board including community leaders of color will help guide spending decisions. $10 million is a big commitment, but 10 years will be just a start. We’ll need the support of the entire community to help create a better future for all.
We’re fortunate that our two counties have some very diverse communities and a history of welcoming people from all over the world to settle and succeed here. But lots of people who live and work in our community haven’t always had opportunity or fair treatment—especially people of color, new arrivals and Native Americans.
Some parts of our two-county community are more diverse than others now, which will continue to evolve. Our community’s future depends on how we treat people different from us whether we live next door to them or miles away. Treating this as some other area’s problem is not a solution.
Taking the pledge means you will “encourage diversity, challenge injustice and help build opportunity for all,” and it’s up to you to decide how. The community’s equity initiative is about bringing residents together to work toward positive results that make a difference in people’s lives. Criminal justice reform is an important part of any equity conversation, but The Community Foundation’s commitment won’t be spent on political activism or lobbying.
Over the last almost 70 years, people who care about the Mohawk Valley have given money to support it now and in the future. The Community Foundation invests some of that money to grow it over time for future needs, and awards some of the proceeds, the interest, to nonprofits doing important work—more than $90 million so far.