Upstate Foundation receives national distinction

Platinum is the highest level of recognition in GuideStar’s nonprofit profiles. Donors, funders, researchers, educators, professional service providers, governing agencies and the media, use the GuideStar site, seen by 7 million visitors annually.

According to GuideStar, the Platinum distinction encourages nonprofit organizations to share their progress and results in important new ways--moving way beyond simplistic financial ratios--to reflect the changes organizations are making in the world.

The Upstate Foundation had previously received GuideStar’s Bronze, Silver and Gold level distinctions, which offer increasingly detailed organizational information ranging from basic contact information to qualitative information. For the first time, GuideStar Platinum allows nonprofits to report their progress against their missions in quantitative terms. As an early adopter of Platinum recognition, the Upstate Foundation is demonstrating its commitment to measuring progress and results, and sharing that information with potential funders.

“Our donors expect us to use their contributed dollars wisely and appropriately to alleviate illness, search for knowledge and educate tomorrow’s health care practitioners,” said Eileen Pezzi, vice president for development at Upstate. “GuideStar Platinum is one more way for the Upstate Foundation to provide transparency so our donors can see the impact of their gifts.”

Founded in 1976, the Upstate Foundation manages nearly 900 funds and its assets managed total nearly $140 million. The Foundation’s most visible capital campaigns include the Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital and the Upstate Cancer Center, raising a combined total of more than $39 million.

According to a 2015 report published by SUNY, the Foundation’s fundraising efforts ranked fourth of 64 schools in the State University of New York (SUNY) system. Upstate is preceded only by much larger institutions: Stony Brook, Cornell Statutory and University of Buffalo. 2015 also marked the highest amount raised in a single year by the Foundation, more than $10.3 million, a significant accomplishment in a year following the end of the major campaign for the cancer center. In addition, the Foundation awarded more than $6.3 million in support of Upstate Medical University. The Upstate Foundation said it is most appreciative to all of its nearly 12,000 donors for their support of Upstate’s threefold mission of patient care, education and biomedical research.

Caption: The operations team is an integral part of the Upstate Foundation’s staff, working behind the scenes to ensure that funds are managed and utilized appropriately, produce data and statistics, process donations timely and accurately and facilitate donor stewardship and recognition. Members of the operations team are, from  left, Doreen Bonura, Terry Heany, Donna Bruch, Pam Ward (seated), Tammy Pike, Sue Clark and Cheryl Kardjian.