A Culture of Benevolence
- 11 hours ago
- 5 min read
By Erena Fulton ◆ Photos by Jessica McCafferty
The survival of all communities – rural, urban, and everything in between – depends on both natural resources and the people within them. However, economic growth does not necessarily translate to poverty reduction. Although state and federal programs can ease some of the burden along with private companies and charitable donations when this support is not enough, community foundations step up to address the shortfalls. Estate planning is a vital part of their success in building long-term, endowed charitable assets to use in the regions they serve.
The first community foundation (CF) in the United States was established in 1914 by Fredrick Goff, a retired judge and banker. Over a hundred years later, the Cleveland Foundation has “channeled $1.7 billion worth of gifts into local charitable causes” (philanthropyroundtable.org). Today there are 900 Community Foundations in the U.S., 22 of which are in New York state. The North Country region is fortunate to have its own Adirondack Community Foundation (ACF) serving 200,000 year-round residents and another 200,000 seasonal residents in every community within the Blue Line and beyond.
The Role of Community Foundations
Fundamentally, the purpose of a CF is to improve the quality of life for the residents of a specific region. As non-profit philanthropic hubs, they work with individuals, families and businesses to build long-term community assets that benefit local organizations such as nonprofits, municipalities and schools. Areas of need include educational assistance for students in pre-K through college, helping young people find career pathways, easing food insecurity and homelessness, and expanding programming at local libraries, schools and cultural centers. Donors may decide to contribute to specific organizations based on their interests, values and passions or they may choose to support a general unrestricted fund managed by a CF.
Adirondack Community Foundation’s mission
With offices in Lake Placid and staff across the Adirondack region, ACF is set up strategically to complete its mission of “connecting people, ideas and resources to improve lives and expand opportunities throughout the Adirondack region.” Since its inception in 1997, $94 million has been distributed with an expectation to reach $100 million in 2026. In 2025 alone, its Generous Acts Fund awarded 136 grants, totaling $1,162,380. That kind of success requires some serious teamwork.
Fifteen staff members do the day-to-day work while the volunteer Board of Trustees and a Community Council provide oversight and guidance. As the head of the team, Cali Brooks has served as president and CEO since 2002. Brooks said, “Those who live in and love the North Country” might think of giving as a “responsibility and pleasure to give back to a community that has given you so much.”
Matt Donahue, Director of Philanthropy and Planned Giving, agreed and said that one important function is to “manage charitable funds to support the vitality of the region for charitable purposes.” He added, “We’re lucky to help people design their own legacy.”
Vice President of Philanthropy, CJ Dates further explained that ACF uses targeted research and surveys to construct a “bird’s-eye view of community needs.” These tools help identify current and future areas that may need more development or support.
Regional and Community Focus
Once regional and community needs are identified, Brooks said, the Foundation uses “philanthropic capital to leverage investment.” Dates added that they continually work hard “to attract national and state funding.” For example, Accelerate Workforce Housing, a housing initiative, was launched by a grant funded by ACF and other local foundations that included a matching grant by Hearst Foundations and a $3 million investment by New York State. Loans are “prioritized for developers building projects that are permanent (no short-term rentals allowed) and affordable to people making between 120 and 200% of area median income” (ncountrypublicradio.org). Targeting the housing crisis in the North Country “will create a pipeline for developing new homes that support local economic and community health” (esd.ny.gov). Along with the housing shortage, other areas of life in the North Country can benefit from assistance.
The ACF website provides an extensive list of links to essential programs that the Foundation coordinates support for, like the Food Backpack program available in 27 of the 74 local public schools in our region. Another, Adirondack Birth to Three Alliance (BT3), focuses on “improving care, nutrition and education during a child’s first 1,000 days.” A third, Adirondack Innovation Initiative (A2i), targets building a “tech innovation ecosystem and network…to help more people live in the Adirondack region full-time, with a good job that supports a sustainable lifestyle.” These programs are made possible with generous donations by neighbors and residents.
One Donor’s Story
The ACF website is worth combing through for inspirational stories of charitable giving. One memorable story is the origin of The Damoth Fund, established as a bequest by Robert Damoth who passed away in 2011 at 76 years old. He loved his community and quietly bequeathed it $2.5 million. The income from this gift is awarded annually to four organizations: Cranberry Lake Volunteer Fire Department, the Clifton Community Library, the Wilderness Health Care Foundation, and the Clifton-Fine School District. “This year,” Brooks said, “we will distribute a total of $100,000.” His gift, she said, “underscores the power of leaving a legacy.” Damoth is only one of hundreds of donors who saw a need and stepped in to fill it.
Financial Benefits
Giving is easy. It can be painless, satisfying and can provide substantial tax benefits for donors. Some common means for establishing endowments or legacy funds are bequests, retirement funds, IRAs, life insurance policies, and charitable trusts. Dates noted that “a variety of assets from personal property to mutual funds” can also be donated and used to continue local programs or set up a new one. Donahue added that financial advisors must always be consulted before making decisions concerning charitable giving and that donating “highly taxable assets to charitable organizations can take the tax burden off heirs.” In order for the continued improvement of life in the North Country, donations to organizations from Adirondack residents and the corporations that do business within the region are essential.
Looking Forward
Change is inevitable, but with intentional programs and targeted funds the Adirondack region can continue as a beautiful, peaceful area where it’s a good place to work, live and play and a safe place to raise a family. Brooks suggested considering an estate plan that includes a 95% share of assets for family and a five percent share for the community. Dates echoed that idea saying if North Country Baby Boomers donated five percent of their wealth, that “would change the entire community.” Donahue noted that we live “at the epicenter of kindness and remarkable generosity” among neighbors who consistently demonstrate that they care deeply about each other. This culture of benevolence plays a vital role in fostering philanthropy and addressing local challenges essential to sustained community development.
Adirondack Community Foundation
304 Bear Cub Lane
Lake Placid, NY 12946
(518) 523-9904
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