A Foundation for the people of Schenectady
Advancing the sustainable well-being of the people of Schenectady County.
The Schenectady Foundation was created by community leaders in 1962 as a charitable trust to benefit the health and well-being of people who live and work in Schenectady County, NY. Today, the seeds planted by our founders have come to bountiful fruition. Backed by a sustainable, ever-growing community fund -- the Foundation has emerged as a force in Schenectady’s social sector by performing three essential roles:
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Catalyst. We are an investor in projects with the potential to move the needle on our community’s most challenging issues, such as food insecurity and neighborhood blight. See our "Grants" section to learn more about the Foundation’s grants.
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Convener. We convene and facilitate -- gathering together organizations to achieve as a group what none could do alone. The Foundation's only interest is achieving the best outcomes for the community. See our "Initiatives" page to learn more about the Foundation’s work in this role.
- Custodian. We are a steward of the resources entrusted to the Foundation. Gifts to the Foundation are invested for the long-term by experienced Trustee banks. We are careful to preserve and grow our funds, even as we increasingly re-invest grants back into the community each year.
Origins
William H. Milton, 3rd, a leader at Schenectady Trust Company, developed the idea for the Foundation based on his graduate research. In 1962, with the bank’s support, he engaged the community’s leaders and local banks to establish The Schenectady Foundation. The Foundation became a respected institution to which members of the community could leave their legacy via bequests, wills, estate plans and gifts made during their lifetime.
Assets managed by Trustee banks grow through appreciation, and from new gifts, providing a sustainable source of support for Schenectady’s charities. In 1963, the Foundation made its first grant: $250 to the YMCA. While a modest gift at that time, it was the first of many to come.
Schenectady’s Community Foundation
The Schenectady Foundation is the only community foundation exclusively serving Schenectady County. By developing an endowment for our community, the Foundation is able to make grants that impact our health and well-being for generations to come.
Governance
Good governance and transparency are of paramount importance to The Schenectady Foundation. The Foundation is driven by its obligation to be an outstanding steward of funds entrusted to it by donors. Governance responsibilities are conducted by four distinct, but integrated entities:
Distribution Committee
Members of the Foundation's Distribution Committee ensure that funding goes to address community priorities.
Trustee Banks
Banks with trust powers in Schenectady County are eligible to serve as Trustees of the Foundation. The Trustees manage and invest funds, generate income for the charitable purposes of the Foundation, and perform fiscal oversight responsibilities. Trustco Bank, Key Bank and Arrow Bank currently serve as Trustees.
Appointing Authority
The Appointing Authority names the members of the Distribution Committee, ensuring that the Committee is responsive to and reflective of the community. Appointing Authority members are the president of Union College, board officers of the Chamber of Commerce and United Way, and the president of SUNY Schenectady County Community College.
The Schenectady Foundation, Inc.
A supporting organization, The Schenectady Foundation, Inc. was formed in 2009 to serve as the operating arm of the Foundation. "Inc." carries out the day to day responsibilities of the Foundation including community outreach, program development, grant oversight and marketing.
Leadership
The Foundation's Distribution Committee ensures that funds generated from the community's endowment are effectively granted to address the community's needs.
Our Distribution Committee:
Kirk Lewis, Chair
The Foundation welcomed Kirk Lewis to the Board in January 2024. He brings extensive experience in the non-profit sector to his new role.
An attorney by trade, he is retired as CEO from the Schenectady ARC, which provides services and programming for more than 1000 people with developmental disabilities and their families, after 24 years at the organization.
In retirement, Lewis plans to stay active in the developmental disabilities community. He serves on the NYS Developmental Disabilities Advisory Council .
Lewis, a Schenectady native who graduated from Linton High School, is excited to lend his talents, knowledge and community ties to The Schenectady Foundation. “I have a deep affection for the city and the county, and I like what the Foundation has been trying to do,” he said.
Mona Golub, Vice Chair
Mona provides leadership both in the community and to Schenectady’s homegrown supermarket, Price Chopper/Market 32, where she serves as Vice President of Public Relations and Consumer Services, with oversight for the company’s public/community/government relations, customer communications and philanthropic endeavors.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Ms. Golub founded Second Wind Productions in 1989 to bring free, world-class concerts to Capital Region parks.
A graduate of Bowdoin College, she serves as Artistic Producing Director of Schenectady’s award-winning Music Haven and continues to expand its programmatic reach to include theater and special events.
Pamela Pearlman, Vice Chair
Pamela started her career in social work, then became an accountant, preparing tax returns until she retired.
She volunteers with the two organizations at Schenectady’s Central Park, the Rose Garden Restoration Committee and Friends of the Greenhouse.
Kevin Smith, Treasurer
Kevin serves as Director of Private Client Services for Fenimore Asset Management where he works closely with individuals, small businesses and non-profits. He takes pride in providing financial direction to his clients.
Kevin has more than 20 years of experience in financial services, having formerly been a Vice President with Berkshire Bank's Wealth Management Group, and a Trust Officer with Trustco Bank.
He currently serves as a board member for The Schenectady Community Home and the Estate Planning Council of Eastern New York.
Raysheea Turner Bryant
Raysheea is a partner at Wallace Turner Law in Albany, established in 2020 and believed to be the first Capital Region law firm owned by two Black women.
She has been named one of the Albany Business Review’s 40 Under 40 and one of the National Black Lawyers’ Top 40 Under 40. Raysheea also serves as chair of Destine Prep Charter School in Schenectady.
Rabbi Matthew Cutler
Rabbi Matthew Cutler, is well-known as the longtime spiritual leader at Congregation Gates of Heaven, where he has served since 1995. “Rabbi Matt” brings his characteristic enthusiasm and energy to the Board, as well as his commitment to see Schenectady get stronger and better.
Cutler helped found Schenectady Clergy Against Hate, an interfaith group dedicated to crossing religious and political lines to foster healthy dialogue and build a stronger community.
“One of the things that’s exciting about The Schenectady Foundation is that it unites so many different organizations in the Schenectady County area,” Cutler said.
Kristine Moore
Kristine Moore, a Schenectady resident and mother of four boys currently serves as the community school site coordinator at Giffen Memorial Elementary School in Albany.
Through her job and various volunteer engagements, Moore honed her collaboration skills and built relationships with community groups and programs.
As president of the Goose Hill Neighborhood Association she organized clean-up days that became a model for other neighborhoods. She currently serves on the board of directors for Habitat for Humanity of Schenectady County and is involved in The Schenectady Foundation’s One Schenectady initiative.
Alfred Tompkins
Alfred has worked to nurture the Schenectady community since 1993, when he became Director of Community Outreach for the City Mission of Schenectady.
In 2006, he was called to serve as a community worker at Calvary Tabernacle Church. After 11 years as pastor at Calvary Tabernacle, he became a family support specialist in the Schenectady City Schools in 2017.
He is a graduate of the Schenectady city schools, Northcentral University, Lancaster Bible College and Davis College.
Trustee Banks
Local financial institutions play an important role in the Foundation. Banks with trust powers in Schenectady County are eligible to serve as Trustees of the Foundation. The Trustees manage and invest funds, and generate income for the charitable purposes of the Foundation. Gifts to the Foundation, whether contributed through estates or direct cash, are held by one of the Trustee banks.
To learn more about the Trustee banks, or to discuss options for gifts to the Foundation, please contact:
John Bresonis
Trustco Bank
(518) 381-3644
Andrew Webb
Key Bank
(518) 257-8428
Marilyn Kraus, CTFA
Arrow Bank
(518) 538-4095
Our Staff
Our capable and dedicated staff works in a team environment to ensure the overall quality of programs, donor satisfaction, transparency, and accountability. You may reach any of us by calling (518) 393-9500 weekdays from 8:30 am to 5 pm.
Robert A. Carreau, executive director and Foundation secretary
Robert is responsible for driving the Foundation's strategic initiatives and community impact, working with donors and gift advisors and developing strategic relationships with community stakeholders. His unofficial title is "Chief Catalyst".
He has been involved with the Foundation since 1992 as its Secretary and was appointed Executive Director in 2010. With 40 years experience in the charitable sector, his work has included strategic consulting with foundations, corporations and non-profits to focus their work on achieving outcomes. Mr. Carreau's volunteerism includes serving as a trustee of The Carlilian Foundation and on the board of the Empire State Youth Orchestras.
Prior to his work with the Foundation, Carreau led the United Way of Schenectady County as its CEO. He earned a master's degree in Political Communications from the State University at Albany.
When not involved in Foundation or community work, Carreau finds time to throw pottery, build clay sculptures, play the mandolin and co-host the Eighth Step's monthly open mic at Proctors.
Email: rcarreau@schenectadyfoundation.org
Joy Lee, Chief Administrative Officer
Joy manages the business operations of The Schenectady Foundation. Her passion for helping others and serving the community has steered the course of her career. She brings years of experience in the nonprofit and public service sectors where she served in office management, program coordination, and bookkeeping roles.
She has an undergraduate degree in Business Management from University of Pheonix in Honolulu, Hawaii. After relocating back to the Capital Region in 2020, Joy earned a master’s degree in Human Resource Management from Southern New Hampshire University.
In her off time, you will find Joy at the library looking for the next book on her reading list, practicing yoga, creating something in her sewing and craft room, or planning her next trip.
Email: jlee@schenectadyfoundation.org
Amy Batson, Development & Programs Coordinator
Amy's maintains the Foundation's data bases, and ensures that our donors and stakeholders have a great experience whenever interacting with the Foundation, and efficiently receive acknowledgements and contributions tax letters. She also coordinates the Foundation's scholarship programs, and supports the grant review process.
Amy graduated with an MPA from George Mason University in 2000, and BA in political science from SUNY Oneonta in 1997. She brings twenty plus years of work experience in education, local government, non-profit, private, and union organizations.
Originally from Hudson Valley, Amy has lived and worked in the Metro DC and Capital District NY area. Amy enjoys collecting vinyl, vintage Fisher Price toys and spending quality time with her family, friends and four-legged BFF, Olive Oyl.
Mare (Mare) Pieper, MSW, Chief Impact Officer
Mare joins The Schenectady Foundation as their new Chief Impact Officer. In this role, she will provide leadership for the Foundation’s community impact including overseeing the implementation and development of the community-driven systems change strategy - ONE Schenectady. Her work will include fostering the development of a Capacity Building Hub approach, a Funders Table collaborative, and the Grassroots Fund. Mare will serve as an integrator across the organization, helping connect the dots between strategy and grantmaking.
With over 30 years of nonprofit experience, Mare brings expertise in nonprofit organizational leadership and strategic growth, relationship-based donor cultivation, community engagement, and a passion for collaboration.
Her social work and executive director background informs a deeply respectful approach to challenges from the community and grassroots organizational perspective. Having held senior positions with two funding organizations, Mare is also able to offer an understanding of the considerations that accompany the funder role.
Mare is passionate about tapping into the opportunity that exists within a group, bringing a belief in the power of each person’s potential and of their proximity to the issues. She infuses her work with integrity, compassion, and joy- aimed at creating sustainable change through a shared ownership approach.
Mare holds an MSW from the University of Pennsylvania, where she focused on family systems and clinical training, with an emphasis on racism studies. Mare’s personal passions include staying active in the outdoors, gardening, music, anything beach-related, and enjoying adventures with her family and friends whenever possible. Her greatest joy comes from finding ways to spread kindness!
Sofia Pawlusik, Community Impact Manager
Sofia leads key initiatives such as being the Coordinator for the Schenectady County Food Council and serving as a resource for residents and grassroots organizations in the One Schenectady Community-Driven Change project. Her position involves fostering community collaboration, managing communications across various platforms, facilitating inclusive meetings, managing administrative tasks, and supporting community-based grant programs.
Sofia graduated Summa Cum Laude from Rivier University in the fall of 2023, earning a BS in Health Science and obtaining a Certification in Nutrition and Healthy Living from Cornell University. Driven by her passion for food and nutrition security, she is dedicated to promoting health and social connectedness. Outside of her professional pursuits, Sofia enjoys exploring local markets, honing her skills in crocheting and painting, leisurely walks, and all things flowers.
Sofia, a native of the county, has called this place home for over a decade, ever since her family relocated when she was young. Her affection for this community runs deep, seeing Schenectady as a truly unique city with the potential to grow and ensure its residents don't just survive but thrive.
Email: spawlusik@schenectadyfoundation.org
Elizabeth A. Walsh, PhD, Community-Driven Systems-Change Facilitator
Elizabeth provides leadership to the Foundation’s community initiatives intended to support community-driven systems change, including ONE Schenectady. She contributes support in strategy development, meeting facilitation, communications, evaluation, training, and other forms of technical assistance.
Elizabeth brings decades of experience in equitable, resident-driven development and systems change for thriving communities from her work in Boston, Austin, Buffalo, and Denver. While completing her master’s and doctoral degrees in Community and Regional Planning at the University of Texas at Austin, Elizabeth collaborated on community-engaged, equity-centered, regenerative design initiatives ranging from green and healthy housing to urban agriculture.
As a professor of Urban and Regional Planning at the University at Buffalo and the University of Colorado at Denver, Elizabeth’s work focused on civic engagement, capacity-building, and collective action for climate justice and resilience planning. While at the University at Buffalo, she led the Champions for Change program, a nationally recognized program that helps community leaders and university students unleash the power community-driven systems change to advance the Buffalo-Niagara region’s regional sustainability plan. As a professor of community development at the University of Colorado at Denver and the University of Denver’s (DU’s) Center for Community Engagement to advance Scholarship and Learning, Elizabeth supported civic innovation and collective impact efforts to support just, inclusive and thriving communities where people and nature flourish.
Now a resident of Schenectady, NY, Elizabeth loves working with diverse neighbors to grow an equitable and regenerative food system.
Email: ewalsh@schenectadyfoundation.org
