Upstate Foundation Staff
Awards
Upstate Foundation receives “Impact Award” from the Central New York Business Journal and named “Economic Champion” by CenterState CEO.
The Upstate Foundation team – and those who support us – can be proud that our organization received recognition for the positive impact we are having in our community!
The Upstate Foundation is the recipient of the Impact Award from the Central New York Business Journal for its Covid-19 relief efforts. “This award is for someone who created or implemented a program that touched the lives of others in a meaningful way and has had a direct impact on the community. Must be able to demonstrate the impact.”
The Impact Award was one of several categories that was part of the CNY Business Journal’s 2021 Nonprofit Awards. The Foundation was selected from among many other not-for-profit organizations for the Impact Award because the judges were impressed with all that we accomplished during the pandemic.
Specifically, we raised $1 million in eight months for Covid relief to assist Upstate employees, students and patients. In addition to an outpouring of donations, the Central New York community responded with in-kind gifts totaling $360,000. And our Upstate Strong Covid Relief Benefit Concert raised nearly $250,000.
For the first time ever, Upstate Foundation was recognized by Centerstate CEO (Syracuse’s economic development corporation) as a 2020 “Economic Champion.” Bestowed on the Foundation for its merits and impact our community, this honor recognized the Foundation as a formidable economic driver, job creator and overall positive force in our region.
Executive Staff
Eileen Pezzi, MPA
Vice President for Development, Upstate Medical University
Executive Director, Upstate Foundation
315-464-7853
Sue Clark
Associate Vice President for Development
315-464-4416
Terry Heany
Chief Financial Officer
315-464-4265
In a profession where the average national turnover for development officers is just 16 months,* the average length of stay at the Upstate Foundation is nearly 9 years. The reasons development officers stay are varied, but it is certainly a key factor in the significant growth of the Foundation.
* The Chronicle of Philanthropy