Donor Stories | Give | The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region

Our Family of Fund Advisors

The Community Foundation partners with generous individuals, families, foundations, and corporations that share a commitment to strengthening our community through philanthropy.

Explore some of their stories here, or visit our blog for more stories of donor impact.

Man in blue shirt sitting at desk with gallery wall

Building Community Impact for the Long Term

Darrin Jahnel’s Vision in Action For Darrin Jahnel, success isn’t defined solely by business growth or entrepreneurial achievement, it’s measured by impact. The co-founder of the Jahnel Group, a Schenectady-based ... Read more

Smiling elderly woman in blue top standing in garden

Almeda C. Riley — A Lifetime of Service to Her Community

Growing up in Wellsville, NY, A.C. was recruited as a volunteer at a very young age, tagging along beside her mother, often going door to door to gather support for ... Read more

Pencil sketch portrait of an elderly couple smiling together

Neil Golub – Our Region’s Greatest Ally

Everyone needs a hero, and the Golubs have been ours. “Leading in their commitment to family, to company, and to community, the Golubs created wide and open spaces for others ... Read more

Elderly man with glasses in vintage black and white portrait

Chuck Liddle — A Champion for Our Community

After sharing nearly 30 years of his time, talent, and treasure with the Community Foundation, Chuck Liddle, longtime friend of the Foundation and champion for our community, passed away in ... Read more

Group holding oversized Community Foundation grant checks indoors

Arnold Cogswell Health Care Fund

When the Albany Hospital for Incurables closed its doors in the early 1990s, proceeds from the sale were earmarked for charity. Arnold Cogswell, a well-known community leader, had held leadership ... Read more

Four family members posing together outdoors under a canopy

John Faunce and Alicia Tracy Roach Fund

Honoring a Legacy of Service and Compassion The John Faunce and Alicia Tracy Roach Fund, created with a gift from the estate of John and Alicia Roach, was the preface ... Read more

Smiling boy in orange life vest holding a small fish

Bender Scientific Fund

Advancing Educational Research and Discovery Bender Hygienic Laboratory, founded in 1895 in Albany, was the first not-for-profit public health, medical, educational and research laboratory in the nation. It was named ... Read more

Happy family of four smiling outdoors near coastal dunes

Building Connections to Make More Good Possible

The Mirrel Family Vision Jeff Mirel came to the Capital Region to care for his grandfather, but it was the community that convinced Jeff and his wife Janel to set ... Read more

Two women smiling together indoors in casual attire

Melissa Daniels — A Journey from Grief to Empowerment

Melissa Daniels was a social worker— a woman of profound strength and optimism. Throughout her lifelong health challenges, she continued her education, eventually achieving her dreams to support and empower ... Read more

Two men in suits having a discussion at a formal event

Legacy Supports the Next Generation of Journalists

A Family Legacy Dedicated to Helping Others Kevin McGoldrick was never able to meet his grandfather Gene Robb, storied publisher of the Times Union and Knickerbocker News from 1953-1969. However, ... Read more

Man carrying cardboard box at outdoor food distribution site

The Herbert K. and Isabel C. Liebich Endowed Fund

Continuing a Legacy of Community Support During their lifetimes, Herbert and Isabel Liebich generously supported our community through their donor advised fund at the Community Foundation and in scholarship awards ... Read more

Judith Fetterley Donor Advised Fund

A lifelong gardener, Judith Fetterley has always enjoyed watching things grow, carefully tending the soil and her plants. Her approach to gardening mirrors her approach to giving. “I always felt ... Read more

American kestrel perched on a tree branch in habitat protected through charitable legacy giving in New York's Capital Region

Joan S. and Peter R. Weill Endowed Fund Distributes First Grants

Joan and Peter Weill’s Vision In early 2022, the Community Foundation received a bequest that will forever impact our Region’s natural landscape and habitat. Nearly a decade before, Joan and ... Read more

Young artist giving thumbs up beside his dramatic artwork

Scholar Exhibits at Smithsonian

The Legacy of the Carr Family Memorial Scholarships The Carr Family Memorial Scholarships fund was established in early 2023 by Lisa and Alan Smith of Virginia. Lisa is a Capital ... Read more

Smiling elderly woman with white curly hair outdoors

Investing in Her Community’s Future

The Judith (Judy) Stein Vision Throughout her childhood, Judith (Judy) Stein’s mother instilled in her and her siblings the idea of fairness through the example she set for them every ... Read more

Older man and woman smiling together indoors

Partners with a Passion for Their Community

Jim & Cheryl Gold Jim and Cheryl Gold met during their studies at the Cooperstown Graduate Program of the New York State Historical Association and State University College at Oneonta ... Read more

Man and woman posing with Luncrest Farm wooden sign

Next Generation Entrepreneurs Work to Improve their Community

The Lundy Legacy Foundation Having grown up on multi-generational family farms in Upstate New York and New Jersey, Reid Lundy and Breanna Lundy, CFP, graduated from Cornell University with a ... Read more

Two men shaking hands and smiling outdoors

Dedicated to Equality

The Barry Alan Gold Memorial Advised Fund Sherry and Barry Gold never took for granted their good fortune. Childhood sweethearts, they shared a commitment to family and community, which was ... Read more

Large family group photo on wooden deck by lake

William and Mary Barnet Family Foundation

William Barnet II was an early investor and a founding member of the Community Foundation. As his family had done before him, Mr. Barnet served his community as a volunteer, ... Read more

Four masked volunteers working at a food pantry

Virginia and Harry Taylor Endowed Fund

Both veterans of World War II, Virginia and Harry Taylor shared a lifelong commitment to service. Virginia served with the US Naval Reserve, putting her nursing background to good use ... Read more

Smiling older couple posing together in vintage portrait photo

Honoring a Legacy

Myra and Joseph Patanian Endowed Scholarship In 1994, the board of the Latham Chamber of Commerce (now Colonie Chamber) chose to honor the founder and local small business owner, Joseph ... Read more

Smiling older woman with sunglasses on head near tree

Building and Sustaining Our Future

Barbara Linell Glaser, Ed.D. Having grown up surrounded by the natural landscapes of Minnesota, Barbara Glaser holds a special place in her heart for the great outdoors. Barbara made her ... Read more

Large group of people posing indoors at formal event

Make Your Own Scholarship Celebrates 20 Years!

The History and Impact of the Make Your Own Scholarship Program Phyllis (Philly) Dake believed in the power of higher education and making it accessible. It was through her personal ... Read more

Elderly man building a model boat in a workshop, reflecting a legacy of charitable giving and community impact

Honoring John Boyd’s Legacy

The John A. Boyd Scholarship Fund John Boyd was a student at Watervliet High School when he was offered a job with a weekly pay of $9 — it was ... Read more

Kids enjoying snacks outside a Community Services Center

Providing A Safe Place For Kids

The History and Impact of the Floyd Wicks Endowment Fund Nearly 30 years ago, the Community Foundation worked with the Mechanicville Area Community Service Center in southern Saratoga County to ... Read more

Smiling older woman whose legacy of advocacy and charitable giving continues to support social justice initiatives

Vera “Mike” Michelson — An Advocate’s Legacy Continues to Fight for Justice

Community activist Vera “Mike” Michelson devoted her life to fighting for social justice and bridging racial and economic divides while putting her progressive political beliefs into practice with street-level pragmatism. ... Read more

Six seniors posing together at a historical exhibit

Community Philanthropy and Giving in the Greater Capital Region

On a Monday morning in July, I sat down with five Community Foundation supporters at the Rensselaer County Historical Society for a conversation about their commitment to philanthropy at the ... Read more

Children and adults in orange Race Track Chaplaincy shirts outdoors

Jennifer Crimi Sunshine Fund

Dennis and Lynne Crimi established the Jennifer Crimi Sunshine Fund as a way to continue to share the light their daughter brought to each of them and to her global community. The ... Read more

Our Family of Fund Advisors

The Community Foundation partners with generous individuals, families, foundations, and corporations that share a commitment to strengthening our community through philanthropy.

Explore some of their stories here, or visit our blog for more stories of donor impact.

Building Community Impact for the Long Term

Almeda C. Riley — A Lifetime of Service to Her Community

Growing up in Wellsville, NY, A.C. was recruited as a volunteer at a very young age, tagging along beside her mother, often going door to door to gather support for ... Read more

Neil Golub – Our Region’s Greatest Ally

Everyone needs a hero, and the Golubs have been ours. “Leading in their commitment to family, to company, and to community, the Golubs created wide and open spaces for others ... Read more

Chuck Liddle — A Champion for Our Community

Arnold Cogswell Health Care Fund

John Faunce and Alicia Tracy Roach Fund

Honoring a Legacy of Service and Compassion The John Faunce and Alicia Tracy Roach Fund, created with a gift from the estate of John and Alicia Roach, was the preface ... Read more

Bender Scientific Fund

Building Connections to Make More Good Possible

The Mirrel Family Vision Jeff Mirel came to the Capital Region to care for his grandfather, but it was the community that convinced Jeff and his wife Janel to set ... Read more

Melissa Daniels — A Journey from Grief to Empowerment

Legacy Supports the Next Generation of Journalists

The Herbert K. and Isabel C. Liebich Endowed Fund

Judith Fetterley Donor Advised Fund

Joan S. and Peter R. Weill Endowed Fund Distributes First Grants

Scholar Exhibits at Smithsonian

The Legacy of the Carr Family Memorial Scholarships The Carr Family Memorial Scholarships fund was established in early 2023 by Lisa and Alan Smith of Virginia. Lisa is a Capital ... Read more

Investing in Her Community’s Future

The Judith (Judy) Stein Vision Throughout her childhood, Judith (Judy) Stein’s mother instilled in her and her siblings the idea of fairness through the example she set for them every ... Read more

Partners with a Passion for Their Community

Jim & Cheryl Gold Jim and Cheryl Gold met during their studies at the Cooperstown Graduate Program of the New York State Historical Association and State University College at Oneonta ... Read more

Next Generation Entrepreneurs Work to Improve their Community

Dedicated to Equality

William and Mary Barnet Family Foundation

William Barnet II was an early investor and a founding member of the Community Foundation. As his family had done before him, Mr. Barnet served his community as a volunteer, ... Read more

Virginia and Harry Taylor Endowed Fund

Both veterans of World War II, Virginia and Harry Taylor shared a lifelong commitment to service. Virginia served with the US Naval Reserve, putting her nursing background to good use ... Read more

Honoring a Legacy

Myra and Joseph Patanian Endowed Scholarship In 1994, the board of the Latham Chamber of Commerce (now Colonie Chamber) chose to honor the founder and local small business owner, Joseph ... Read more

Building and Sustaining Our Future

Make Your Own Scholarship Celebrates 20 Years!

The History and Impact of the Make Your Own Scholarship Program Phyllis (Philly) Dake believed in the power of higher education and making it accessible. It was through her personal ... Read more

Honoring John Boyd’s Legacy

The John A. Boyd Scholarship Fund John Boyd was a student at Watervliet High School when he was offered a job with a weekly pay of $9 — it was ... Read more

Providing A Safe Place For Kids

Vera “Mike” Michelson — An Advocate’s Legacy Continues to Fight for Justice

Community Philanthropy and Giving in the Greater Capital Region

Jennifer Crimi Sunshine Fund

Dennis and Lynne Crimi established the Jennifer Crimi Sunshine Fund as a way to continue to share the light their daughter brought to each of them and to her global community. The ... Read more

Supporting the Place They Call Home

Our Family of Fund Advisors

Our Family of Fund Advisors