The Community Foundation was founded in 1927 by people with heart and vision. Motivated by a strong desire to continuously improve the region, community leaders joined together to form what was then a relatively new approach to philanthropy — a community foundation.
Since then, Central New York has evolved within a changing world. But the Community Foundation remains a constant, stable force — perpetually developing the local community’s charitable endowment while addressing the ever-changing needs of its residents.
We will remain forever grateful to our founders for their insight and commitment to our mission.
Frederick W. Barker
President, Syracuse Savings Bank
Harold C. Beatty
Vice President and Trust Officer,
Syracuse Trust
George H. Bond
Attorney, Bond, Schoeneck & King
Frederick V. Bruns
President, Excelsior Insurance
John J. Buettner
Anesthesiologist, Syracuse Memorial,
St. Josephs & St. Mary’s Hospitals
Carleton A. Chase
President, First Trust & Deposit
Harry J. Clark
Civil Engineer, Syracuse Rapid Transit
Judson W. Clark
President, Liberty National Bank
John R. Clancy
President, J. R. Clancy
Elmer T. Eshelman
President, City Bank Trust
Charles S. Estabrook
Senior Partner, Hancock & Estabrook
Charles W. Flint
Chancellor, Syracuse University,
1922-1936
Stewart F. Hancock
Attorney, Hancock & Estabrook
Henry H. S. Handy
Co-Founder, Girard National Bank
and Philadelphia Trust Company
Dora G. S. Hazard
Co-Founder, Huntington Family Centers and League of Women Voters
Hollister E. Hessler
President, H. E. Hessler Company
Frank H. Hiscock
Partner, Hiscock & Barclay
Adolph M. Holstein
Founder, Syracuse Ornamental Company
Mary E. Jenkins
President, Herald Company
William H. Kelley
Partner, Kelley Brothers, Coal Dealers
Edmund H. Lewis
Associate Judge, Mackenzie Hughes,
NYS Court of Appeals
Francis H. McChesney
President, Hall & McChesney Publishers
Edward H. O’Hara
Editor, Herald Journal
Oscar F. Soule
President, Merrell & Soule
Hurlburt W. Smith
Co-owner,
L.C. Smith-Corona Typewriters
Lewis P. Smith
Co-Founder, Mackenzie, Smith, Lewis
& Mitchell Law Firm
Wilbert L. Smith
Co-owner,
L.C. Smith-Corona Typewriters
Giles H. Stilwell
Attorney, Syracuse & Suburban Railroad and H. H. Franklin Manufacturing
Benjamin Stolz
Attorney, Messrs. McGowan & Stolz
John B. Tuck
Senior Partner, Tuck & Tuck Law Firm