Volunteers do make a difference, and one in particular is helping The Schenectady Foundation play a significant role in the community

Mark Handelman (left), Chair of The Schenectady Foundation’s Distribution Committee, receives an award from a participant in the Sponsor A Scholar program at Schenectady High School. The Foundation has sponsored 15 college scholarships through this program to-date.

Volunteer Spotlight: Mark Handelman Brings Dedication, Able Leadership to Foundation

As chair of The Schenectady Foundation’s Distribution Committee, Mark Handelman is very clear about his goals: “When making choices about grants, we look to support the programs that make the most sense. Where is the money going to do the most good?”

Under his able leadership over the past two years, the Foundation has granted $1.5 million, strategically serving Schenectady’s communities, its nonprofit organizations and the many people whose lives are enhanced by their work.

A native of Schenectady, Mark is deeply involved in his community. In addition to his work with The Schenectady Foundation, he serves on the boards of St. Clare’s Hospital and the Daughters of Sarah Senior Community Foundation. He is also active with the United Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York where he is a member of the Grants and Allocation Committee and sits on the Endowment Board of Governors. Mark’s many volunteer commitments include hands-on activities as a volunteer reading coach to third graders at Paige Elementary School and a patient-family volunteer with Community Hospice, where he served as president of the Board.

After years in the wholesale liquor distribution business, Mark had a second career in commercial real estate businesses and continues to be involved in real estate investments. “I have been very fortunate in my life, and my volunteer activities are a way of paying my dues. Volunteering keeps my feet on the ground. I get a lot of enjoyment from it – I get as much out of it as I put in.”

Also close to his heart is his work with his synagogue, Agudat Achim, where he serves, with his wife, Barrie, on the Endowment Committee. Their grandchildren are the fifth generation of Mark’s family to belong to the congregation.

Dedication to others runs in Mark’s family. Barrie, a retired teacher of the visually impaired and an active volunteer, was recently called out of retirement to teach Braille to a young child who is going blind. The Handelmans have three grown children who are all active in their communities.

Mark’s father, Irving, was also very involved with the Foundation. When he died in 1987, Mark was asked to join the Distribution Committee, which he did for two terms. “We had very little money to give away in those days so there was a different challenge to our work.”

After that, he temporarily stepped down from the Distribution Committee, although he continued to stay involved with the Foundation’s Erbacher Scholarship – a four-year college scholarship for graduates of Schenectady County high schools intending to pursue teaching careers.

Because of his talents and commitment to Schenectady, Mark was asked to return to the Distribution Committee in 2001. His warmth and down-to-earth approach underpin his successful leadership style. “I hope to bring common sense, a willingness to listen and an ability to hear. I also really try to protect the community’s assets.”