The Gifford Foundation
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126 N. Salina St.
Syracuse, NY 13202
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Board President's Message Executive Director's Message Former President's Message

 


Information prepared by the Rosamond Gifford Charitable Corporation for the 2003 Annual Report
 

MESSAGE FROM INCOMING PRESIDENT MOWER

Under Edward Green's presidency, our board became better stewards of the Gifford Foundation's financial investments and developed a more focused approach to grantmaking. Drawing from his long experience as a business and civic leader, he guided us well through a time of fiscal challenge and hard choices. We emerge now, board and staff together, as a funding organization that is, in a sense, bicameral. On our "program side" we will continue to support worthy projects, endeavors and institutions that contribute to our community's quality of life. On our "initiative side" we will facilitate the building of hope and human capacity in a neighborhood of Syracuse that has proven that it richly deserves our attention and resources.

We wish our resources were greater than they are, since we see so much opportunity to invest in partners, places and actions that would surely make a difference in many people's lives. I'm reminded of a story shared in an ethics workshop at this spring's conference of the Council on Foundations. the story goes: long ago, in a land where most people were desperately poor and sick, the keepers of a wonderful palace of healing set aside for the wealthy allowed 10 paupers to be admitted each year. A young man assigned to open the door on the designated day at first thought it was a great honor to be the one to choose the lucky 10. But after only a few years, and in deep despair, he asked to be relieved of this duty. More so, each time he opened the door, the joy shown on 10 faces could not distract him from the pain so evident on the 11th.

Shutting the door in front of the 11th face is hard and humbling, as any Gifford staff or board member will tell you. In our discussions we return often to talk of what is right, what is ethical, what is possible, and what is enough. My turn to play a leading role in that ongoing dialogue has come this year, and I look forward to my new responsibilities, which are after all, not so daunting as I think about the talent and dedication with which I am surrounded whenever I lead a meeting.

We have done a bit of restructuring and tightened up on some systems, and we are in the midst of yet another cycle of strategic planning. It is an exciting time to be President of the Board, and I welcome the work. At the end of it, I hope to hear that I led with a gentle touch and wasn't really needed much at all.

Judith C. Mower

 
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