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Foundation Milestones

12/16/97 - SISB Community Foundation is formed by Staten Island Savings Bank when the bank is converted to a public company. Bank Chairman Harry P. Doherty establishes a foundation board and becomes its Chairman. Foundation assets valued at $20 million.

6/30/98 - The Foundation reports 228 gifts totaling $1,127,715.

10/5/98 - The Foundation hires its first Executive Director, Betsy Dubovsky.

6/30/99 - At the end of the first two fiscal years (18 months) Foundation assets are nearly $37 million and total giving exceeds $2.8 million in response to more than 700 requests from over 300 organizations. Most of the dollars go to capital projects for renovation, new construction, and expansion. Capital grant recipients are Project Hospitality, Community Resources, Safe Horizon, Staten Island Children’s Museum, Monsignor Farrell High School, Snug Harbor Cultural Center and the Seton Foundation.

4/4/01 - Foundation name changes to SI Bank & Trust Foundation as Staten Island Savings Bank changes its name to SI Bank & Trust with its expansion into Brooklyn and New Jersey.

6/30/01 - For fiscal years 2000 & 2001 nearly $4 million is awarded. Foundation assets are $54,000,000 and total giving exceeds $6.5 million. Major grants are awarded to St. John’s University, S.I. YMCA, Jewish Community Center of S.I., S.I. Botanical Garden, A Very Special Place, St. Peter’s Boys High School, Sisters of Charity Hosing Development, and S.I. University Hospital. The “Initiative for School Success” is launched with the YMCA starting an after school program at Public School 57.

9/11/01- In the aftermath of the 9/11 tragedy, the Foundation’s one-to-one match of donations from the local community to three disaster relief organizations totals $500,000 in only two months. The Foundation also launches the “Emergency Nonprofit Matching Fund.” The boards, staffs and volunteers of 33 Staten Island organizations, empowered by the promise of the Foundation’s dollar-for-dollar match, raise the full amount for which they were approved, resulting in another $670,000 granted by the Foundation. Several organizations are rescued from the brink of collapse.

6/30/03 - In fiscal years 2002 & 2003 grants awarded total $5.8 million. Foundation assets exceed $72 million and nearly $13 million in total giving. Since 9/11, local nonprofits have been faced with decreased government funding and individual giving. The Foundation is determined to strengthen organizations by funding technical/management assistance. Major capital grantees are Staten Island Mental Health Society, Eden II School for Autistic Children, the Staten Island CYO-MIV Center, and the Seamen’s Society for Children and Families. Staten Island Institute of Arts and Sciences launches “Mastering Arts Education.”

4/13/04 - SI Bank & Trust Foundation continues as an independent private foundation focused entirely on Staten Island when SI Bank & Trust merges with Independence Community Bank.

9/20/04 - Foundation board approves $1 million matching grant to Staten Island University Hospital for a new emergency room.

1/27/05 - Matching grant by Foundation to Jewish Community Center of Staten Island for a flagship facility, leads to $2 million individual gift.

2005 - Foundation matches funds raised by the Staten Island community for Tsunami South Asia Recovery, Hurricane Katrina Relief and Pakistan Earthquake Relief.

6/30/05 - In fiscal years 2004 & 2005 giving totals $8.5 million. Foundation assets are nearly $82 million with total giving exceeding $21 million. The Foundation’s commitment to youth development is demonstrated with the approval of grants to Olympia Activity Center, Covenant House, Salvation Army, Community Service Society, Notre Dame Academy and Markham Intermediate School 51. Council on the Arts and Humanities for Staten Island begins “Growing Arts in Neighborhood Schools” grants. Northfield Community LDC launches “Train the Teachers Financial Literacy Program.” A study of the Mexican Immigrant community leads the Foundation to establish a network of immigrant service providers and to focus on ESL services. A Foundation-funded study of Stapleton is presented to the Stapleton community.

9/2005 - Foundation funds “Art of the Game,” a collaborative project of 20 arts organizations.

3/2006 - Foundation funding aims to establish a network of Staten Island after school providers. Funding to the College of Staten Island produces The Social Capital Community Benchmark Survey, a study to measure quality of life issues on Staten Island.

4/2006 - Foundation works on a strategic planning process.

6/2006 - Foundation assets on track to be fully diversified when Sovereign Bank acquires Independence Community Bank in a “cash for shares” transaction.

12/7/06 - Foundation officially changes its name to The Staten Island Foundation.

4/2007 - Foundation’s Board of Directors approves its first Strategic Plan and affirms its commitment to education, health and human services, and arts and culture. Grants will be more results oriented and soon Smaller Opportunities Grants replace event support.

6/12/07 - $1 million grant approved to Richmond University Hospital for equipment to improve surgical services.

6/30/07 - At the close of the 2007 fiscal year, Foundation assets top $95 million. Grants awarded in 2006 & 2007 total $8.8 million. Total Foundation giving tops $30 million. The board allocates up to $1 million for the Staten Island Foundation Children’s Literacy Project for public school teacher development in literacy programs and the Foundation introduces summer literacy enhancement grants.

11/14/07 - Outcomes Workshops presented by Rensselaerville Institute to introduce The Foundation’s Outcome Funding approach to local not for profits.

12/16/07 - The Staten Island Foundation celebrates its Tenth Anniversary!

2/16/08 - The Foundation mourns the loss of its founder, Harry P. Doherty, Chairman and President

6/18/08 - Allan Weissglass, longtime community leader, is elected Chairman of the Board. The Board of Directors approves an allocation of funds for Catholic elementary schools for curriculum mapping, professional development for teachers and principals and technology.

10/29/08 - The board simultaneously funds the Staten Island Vision Project to develop a strategic action plan based on borough-wide community input and SINY, Inc. to improve the borough’s image. Foundation support initiates the collaboration of Staten Island’s three local colleges who present the Three College Lecture Series on the Presidential Election 2008.

1/16/09 - Foundation assets decline with the severe economic downturn and the Foundation launches a dialogue with local nonprofits. The Community Resource Exchange (CRE)-facilitated Town Hall for Staten Island Not-for-Profit Organizations asks them what’s needed to survive and thrive. Sponsorship is shared with Richmond County Savings Foundation and Northfield Bank Foundation and there is collaboration with the Staten Island Not-for-Profit Association.

3/25/09 - The first in a breakfast workshop series called Contingency Planning and Community Building for Staten Island Not-for-Profit Organizations is held with representatives of 50 organizations. The series includes: Deciding What’s Core to Your Mission, Collaborations, Developing Budget Scenarios & Sharing Strategies for Cost-Cutting, Preserving the Talent: Human Resource Issues for Tough Times

 

© 2009 The Staten Island Foundation