CORTLAND, NY (607NewsNow) – The Central New York Community Foundation’s (CNYCF) community grant program is expanding into Cortland County.

On November 7, the group received a $12 million dollar gift from the estate of Nicholas and Agnes Renzi, longtime philanthropists responsible for supporting multiple local projects including the Renzi Health Campus and Cancer Center in Cortland.

The fund will allow CNYCF, which typically serves Onondaga and Madison Counties, to offer its community grant program in Cortland County. Local nonprofits will be able to apply for approximately $600,000 in community grants each year beginning in the fall of 2026.

The grant amounts will range from $10,000 to $150,000. The fall grant cycle will focus on health, human services and economic development. Applicants in the spring will focus on arts, culture, environment, animals, civic engagement, and education.

The fund is endowed and designed to last in perpetuity. A percentage of the money will be granted each year while the remainder is invested. Read more from CNYCF here.

Predeceased by his wife Agnes in 2020, Nicholas Renzi passed away earlier this year.