In 2009, the Oneida Nation Foundation distributed more than $50,000 to needy organizations and institutions here in Central New York and in Indian Country. The donations went to groups focusing on many areas including education, healthcare, veterans and the environment.

The local groups that benefitted from the Foundation’s giving in 2009 were: American Cancer Society-Utica; American Cancer Society - Syracuse; Arc of Onondaga County; Autism Speaks; Crouse Health Foundation; Emerald City Marine Corps Detachment #877; Great Swamp Conservancy; Harry J. Snyder Memorial Scholarship Fund; International Boxing Hall of Fame & Museum; Utica Center for Development, Inc.; Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation-Central NY; Make A Wish Foundation-Central New York Chapter; Mohawk Valley Council on Alcoholism/Addictions; Onondaga Community College Foundation; The Richard Hutchings Psychiatric Center; Resource Center for Independent Living; Rome Area Chamber of Commerce; Wanderer’s Rest Humane Association; The Salvation Army; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; and Veterans of Foreign Wars-Rome Post 2246.

The institutions and organizations that benefitted in Indian Country were: American Indian College Fund; Institute of American Indian Arts; National Indian Child Welfare Association; Oglala Lakota College; Running Strong for American Indian Youth-Slim Butt; Sundance Institute-Native American Initiatives; and 19 elementary, middle and high schools in the southwestern portion of South Dakota - Porcupine Schools, Pine Ridge High, Red Cloud Elementary, Red Cloud High, Red Shirt Village School; Rockyford Schools, Wounded Knee Schools, Bennett County High, Wolf Creek School, Batesland Schools, Little Wound High School, Pine Ridge Elementary, American Horse Schools, Little Wound Middle School, Our lady of Lourdes School, Little Wound Elementary, Crazy Horse Schools, Bennett County Elementary and Loneman School.

These donations were in addition to the $181,025 that 65 local and regional charities received last year from the Upstate New York Empowerment Fund for selling tickets to the Turning Stone Resort Championship, a PGA TOUR event.