- Shown above: Among the Fall 2026 grants made by the Morris Family Advised Fund is a gift to add education and community space to the Jamesville Community Museum, housed in the community’s one-time train station.
CENTRAL NEW YORK (September 2026) — The Morris Family Advised Fund, a donor-advised family fund dedicated to supporting education, economic equity and community initiatives throughout Central New York, has announced its Fall 2026 grants to seven organizations whose work reflects these priorities. The grants support workforce development, educational opportunities, community revitalization, basic needs and programs that strengthen the health and well-being of individuals and families throughout the region.
Workforce & Educational Development
- Mercy Works, Synergy Leadership Internship Program — Mercy Works’ 2026/27 Synergy Leadership Internship Program provides high school and college students with paid, field-related internships, professional skill development and hands-on civic projects. Students address local challenges including homelessness, literacy, mental health access and cultural integration while building skills, confidence and connections that can lead to meaningful employment.
- Jamesville Community Museum (shown above) — The Morris Family Advised Fund is supporting an expansion of the Jamesville Community Museum to create additional classroom and community space. The expanded facility will provide opportunities for educational programming, community activities and greater public engagement with the museum and the history of the Jamesville community.
Housing Projects
- SEED Syracuse — SEED Syracuse is collaborating with Access CNY and E.A.T. to renovate an eatery in the historic Chimes Building at 500 South Salina Street in Syracuse. The new café will provide Access CNY clients with workforce training and employment opportunities while contributing to the revitalization of downtown Syracuse.
Community & Family Support
- McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center — McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center is Onondaga County’s only nationally accredited child advocacy center. It provides trauma-informed services to children and families affected by abuse, including forensic interviews, advocacy, mental health support and prevention education, while working to prevent child abuse and strengthen the community response to it.
- Make-A-Wish Central New York — The Morris Family Advised Fund is helping Make-A-Wish Central New York fulfill the wish of a child facing a critical illness. Make-a-Wish typically grants approximately 90 wishes annually in the region, creating meaningful experiences for children and their families during extraordinarily challenging circumstances.
- Free Laundry Saturday (FLS), Auburn — Free Laundry Saturdays, hosted by the Auburn Church of the Nazarene) provides individuals and families in the Auburn area with free access to laundry services, addressing a basic need for people experiencing financial hardship or homelessness. The program also distributes hygiene and household supplies through a mobile outreach trailer and connects participants with other community resources.
Through these grants, the Morris Family Advised Fund seeks to support organizations that are creating practical opportunities, strengthening communities and addressing needs across Central New York. From helping young people prepare for the workforce to supporting families in crisis and revitalizing community spaces, each recipient represents an investment in a stronger and more equitable region.
About the Morris Family Advised Fund
The Morris Family Advised Fund is a donor-advised family fund supporting organizations and initiatives that advance education, economic equity and community well-being in Central New York.