Several local Syracuse companies including First Niagara and Bowers and Company recently joined the Say Yes Corporate Compact through their commitments to the Say Yes Scholarship Endowment. The Endowment, which is housed at the Central New York Community Foundation, will ensure that the promise of education continues for Syracuse City School students for generations to come.
First Niagara’s $100K commitment was made in hopes of driving system-wide transformation throughout Syracuse, according to David Kavney, Central New York Market Executive for First Niagara. “Say Yes is a challenging and ambitious endeavor with tremendous potential. We are proud to be a partner.”
First Niagara’s philanthropic focus also closely aligns with the Say Yes mission, Kavney said. “Our focus is supporting youth and education and this initiative is changing the life course of our public school children every day, allowing them to realize their full potential, encouraging them to complete high school and go on to college. We are pleased to support these efforts.”
In addition to First Niagara’s contribution, Bowers and company committed $20K, Erie Materials and Community Bank each donated $5K.
“Most of our partners and staff grew up in Central New York and earned our degrees from local colleges, as well as graduated from local high schools,” said Carl Austin, Co-Managing Partner of Bowers and Company, a firm of Certified Public Accountants established in Syracuse 35 years ago. “We see the value and the potential of what Say Yes means to our families, our city and our region and are proud to make a commitment to ensure its success,” Austin said.
Contributions to the Say Yes to Education Fund are matched dollar-for-dollar up to $5M before the end of 2013. Over $2M has already been raised toward this match.
Say Yes Syracuse is a chapter of Say Yes to Education, Inc., a non-profit foundation committed to dramatically increasing high school and college graduation rates for urban students. Since 2008, Say Yes Syracuse and community of caring, committed people have devoted time, money and resources to provide holistic, year-round support to our students throughout their K-12 years and beyond.
For more information, contact Lisa Moore, Director of Development, Say Yes to Education, 315.883.5538 or lmoore@cnycf.org
