Provide a low-cost, tax-efficient, and convenient donor-advised fund vehicle that enables donors to support charities now and over time and to facilitate philanthropy in their communities.
Tompkins Charitable Gift Fund Inc uses donor-advised giving to move substantial charitable dollars through a mix of local, regional, and national grants. Its recent record includes seven-figure support for Cornell University in Ithaca across 2023, 2024, and 2025, alongside another major recurring relationship with Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. That combination points to a funder that can make both large institutional grants and smaller community gifts through the same charitable platform. The foundation also directs meaningful support to place-based nonprofits in Tompkins County and nearby areas, including United Way of Tompkins County, Cayuga Medical Center Foundation, and Ithaca Children’s Garden. Beyond those core community relationships, its grant list reaches education, health, food access, and arts organizations, with awards to Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Rochester Institute of Technology, The East Harlem School, and Food Bank of the Southern Tier. As a public charity with a donor-advised fund structure, the fund supports IRS-qualified charities and lets donors recommend grants on a flexible timetable. The result is a grantmaker that combines broad charitable use with repeated support for specific institutions and community-serving organizations.
In education and higher education, Tompkins Charitable Gift Fund Inc has made repeated large grants to Cornell University, including awards in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and also supported Rochester Institute of Technology. In medical philanthropy, it gave to Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia and to Cayuga Medical Center Foundation in Ithaca. Community and human services also appear regularly. United Way of Tompkins County received multiple grants across 2023, 2024, and 2025, and Love Living at Home in Ithaca appears in the recent list as well. In food access, the foundation supported Food Bank of the Southern Tier in Elmira and The Food Bank of the Southern Tier. Arts and culture show up too, including Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, while environmental giving appears through Finger Lakes Land Trust and Ithaca Children’s Garden.
Typical grants cluster around a modest middle range: the 25th percentile is $7,200, the median is $10,000, and the 75th percentile is $20,000. The recent-grants list also shows a long tail of much larger awards, including recurring multi-year gifts to major institutions. The pattern suggests a donor-advised fund platform paired with a board-run annual competitive program. Both the Donor Advised Fund and the Directors Philanthropy Fund accept unsolicited recommendations or applications, and the donor-advised vehicle allows grants of $200 or more to IRS-qualified charities. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including Cornell University, Thomas Jefferson University, United Way of Tompkins County, and The East Harlem School.
$2.3M
$12.4M
$3.5M
$2.8M
Most grants fall between $7K and $20K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$7K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$20K
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Grantmaking is concentrated in New York, which accounts for 71% of grants, and the recipient list is entirely U.S.-based. Ithaca appears repeatedly, including Cornell University, United Way of Tompkins County, Cayuga Medical Center Foundation, Ithaca Children’s Garden, and Love Living at Home. Other New York cities in the recent list include Elmira, Rochester, New York City, and Spencer. Outside New York, recent recipients include Philadelphia, Boston, and National City, California.
It is a public charity that operates a donor-advised giving vehicle. The structure is designed to let donors make irrevocable contributions, receive immediate tax deductions, choose investment pools, and recommend grants to IRS-qualified charities over time.
Recent grants cluster around a median of $10,000, with the 25th percentile at $7,200 and the 75th percentile at $20,000. The recent list also includes much larger awards to some institutions, showing a wide range in grant size.
Yes. Cornell University appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Thomas Jefferson University appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025; United Way of Tompkins County appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025; and The East Harlem School appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
The foundation supports community and human services, health and medical services, education, arts and culture, and the environment. Those areas are reflected in recent grants to organizations such as Food Bank of the Southern Tier, Cayuga Medical Center Foundation, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and Finger Lakes Land Trust.
Yes. The donor-advised fund allows fund holders to recommend grants of $200 or more to any IRS-qualified nonprofit at any time, and the program also offers investment pools for potential growth of contributions.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Tompkins Charitable Gift Fund that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Organizations must support communities in the fund's eligible geographic area. See Appendix A of the grant guidelines for qualifying counties.
Deadline: April 1 annually. The 2027 cycle is scheduled to open on September 1, 2026; the page also lists the application portal opening as August 1.
Who can apply: Any IRS-qualified charity (nonprofit). Grants must be recommended by a donor-advisor who holds a Donor Advised Fund with Tompkins Charitable Gift Fund.
Deadline: No fixed deadlines; grants can be recommended at any time (rolling). Minimum grant recommendation is $200.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CORNELL UNIVERSITY | ITHACA, NY | $1,000,000 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $600,000 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| UNITED WAY OF TOMPKINS COUNTY | ITHACA, NY | $75,000 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY FOUNDATION |
| NATIONAL CITY, CA |
| $50,000 |
| 2025 |
| FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| THE EAST HARLEM SCHOOL | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| ITHACA CHILDREN'S GARDEN | ITHACA, NY | $40,000 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| FOOD BANK OF THE SOUTHERN TIER | ELMIRA, NY | $38,000 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY | ROCHESTER, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| ITHACA PUBLIC EDUCATION INITIATIVE INC | ITHACA, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE | ALBERT LEA, MN | $21,000 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN | WASHINGTON, DC | $20,000 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| FINGER LAKES REUSE | ITHACA, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS | NEW YORK, NY | $17,000 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF TOMPKINS COUNTY | ITHACA, NY | $17,000 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| CORTLAND REPERTORY THEATRE | CORTLAND, NY | $15,000 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| 1890 HOUSE MUSEUM | CORTLAND, NY | $15,000 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| TOWN OF CINCINNATUS | CINCINNATUS, NY | $14,500 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR ANIMAL WELFARE | YARMOUTH PORT, MA | $14,000 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| EPISCOPAL RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT | HARLAN, IA | $14,000 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS US | HAGERSTOWN, MD | $14,000 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY | TRUMANSBURG, NY | $14,000 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| CAYUGA MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION | ITHACA, NY | $12,500 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| TOMPKINS COUNTY SPCA | ITHACA, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| PROJECT HOPE | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD FEDERATION OF AMERICA | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL OF THE USA | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| FINGER LAKES LAND TRUST | ITHACA, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| FOOD BANK OF CENTRAL NEW YORK | ELMIRA, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| FRIENDS OF THE PRESUMPSCOT RIVER | WESTBROOK, ME | $10,000 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| NORTHERN PLAINS RESERVATION AID | MERRIFIELD, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| KULA CATHOLIC COMMUNITY | KULA, HI | $10,000 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| NAACP LEGAL DEFENSE FUND AND EDUCATIONAL FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| TEMPLE BETH EL | ITHACA, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| CORPORATE ACCOUNTABILITY | BOSTON, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER | ROCHESTER, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| MERCY CORPS | PORTLAND, OR | $10,000 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| WESTBROOK MUSIC BOOSTERS | WESTBROOK, ME | $10,000 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| SOUTHERN CAYUGA SCHOOLS | AURORA, NY | $9,000 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| BERGEN EVANGELICAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | BERGEN, NY | $9,000 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| TRUMANSBURG SCHOOL DISTRICT | TRUMANSBURG, NY | $7,159 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| BOSTON UNIVERSITY | BOSTON, MA | $7,000 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| THE BROCKPORT FOUNDATION | BROCKPORT, NY | $6,000 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| FOODNET MEALS ON WHEELS ITHACA | ITHACA, NY | $5,500 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| FAMILY AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES | ITHACA, NY | $5,500 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| HANGAR THEATRE | ITHACA, NY | $5,500 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| SCIENCENTER | ITHACA, NY | $5,500 | 2025 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| CORNELL UNIVERSITY | ITHACA, NY | $1,089,800 | 2024 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $600,000 | 2024 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| FIDELITY INVESTMENTS CHARITABLE GIFT FUND | BOSTON, MA | $370,236 | 2024 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| UNITED WAY OF TOMPKINS COUNTY | ITHACA, NY | $83,000 | 2024 | FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
ITHACA CHILDREN'S GARDEN
$40,000FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE.
FOOD BANK OF THE SOUTHERN TIER
$38,000FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE.
ITHACA PUBLIC EDUCATION INITIATIVE INC
$25,000FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE.
CORTLAND REPERTORY THEATRE
$15,000FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE.
1890 HOUSE MUSEUM
$15,000FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE.
TOWN OF CINCINNATUS
$14,500FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE.
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS US
$14,000FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE.
CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY
$14,000FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE.
CAYUGA MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION
$12,500FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE.
FRIENDS OF THE PRESUMPSCOT RIVER
$10,000FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE.
KULA CATHOLIC COMMUNITY
$10,000FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE.
FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE.
TEMPLE BETH EL
$10,000FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE.
UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
$10,000FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE.
WESTBROOK MUSIC BOOSTERS
$10,000FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE.
SOUTHERN CAYUGA SCHOOLS
$9,000FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE.
BERGEN EVANGELICAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$9,000FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE.
TRUMANSBURG SCHOOL DISTRICT
$7,159FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE.
FOODNET MEALS ON WHEELS ITHACA
$5,500FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE.
FAMILY AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES
$5,500FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE.
HANGAR THEATRE
$5,500FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE.
SCIENCENTER
$5,500FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE.
THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY
$600,000FURTHERANCE OF TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE.
