$12 million Dollars Given to Cortland County Nonprofits by Nick and Agnes Renzi

Lily Byrne, X101 News:

Nick and Agnes Renzi’s estate has gifted $12 million to Cortland County non-profits, Melanie Littlejohn, president and CEO of the Central New York Community Foundation, announced at the Center for the Arts Friday morning.

“Today is about the celebration of generosity,” Littlejohn said. “It is about the acknowledgement of what happens when you plant a seed. It is also about the recognition of icons – icons in giving, icons in loving, icons in knowing that when you have been blessed, you then turn around and serve as a blessing to others.”

The funds will be dispersed by expanding the Central New York Community Foundation’s Community Grants Program, which traditionally supports projects in Onondaga and Madison counties, to Cortland County. More than $2 million was awarded by the program in 2024.

“They loved every part of [this community,] to the point where they are giving to ensure that it lasts a lifetime,” Littlejohn said.

The funding equates to about $600,000 a year, which will all stay in Cortland County. In Fall of 2026, Cortland County nonprofits will be able to apply for Community Grants ranging from $10,000 to $150,000.

“Local non-profits will have the chance and the ability to dream just a little bit bigger, and the residents will have a voice in shaping the future of this community,” Littlejohn said.

Tabitha Scoville, Director of the Cortland County Historical Society, said the non-profit has needs that go unmet all the time.

“What [Littlejohn] said about it being a transformation gift is exactly right,” Scoville said. “It’s exactly what Cortland County needs.”

Kelly Tobin, executive director of the Cortland YWCA, hopes they can get some funding for capital improvement.

“We’re really looking at making sure we can preserve this very old, over 100-year-old building,” Tobin said. “Also, the programs are changing. The landscape in our community is continuing to change. We are continuing to find more and more needs that are unmet in our community, and people are coming to us, so we’re really looking at our capacity and how we can make sure we are prepared. In order to do that, we need funding.”

Nick Renzi also helped build the Renzi Cancer Center at Guthrie Cortland Memorial Center, and the Renzi Health Campus. Agnes Renzi spent decades as a braille transcriber.

“The work that non-profits are doing in Cortland, and across our region, across our country, is critically important to building strong and resilient communities, and helping our neighbors in so many different ways,” Littlejohn said.

Carrie Narrow, Executive Director for Cortland ReUse, hopes the funding will strengthen their programs that reduce waste, provide warming kits to residents, and provide vouchers for unhoused people.

“This iconic opportunity from CNYCF means the chance to deepen our community impact,” Narrow said. “It can turn our promotion of sustainability into real action.”

The Fall round of grants will focus on projects supporting health, human services and economic development. In the Spring, grants will be given to projects focussed on the environment, animals, education, civic engagement, and arts and culture.

Applicants must schedule a pre-grant meeting with the Community Foundation before applying. Applications will open in the Spring.