When Karen Dunigan attended an executive leadership lunch for the Center for Family Health in 2006, she didn’t intend to create a new way of giving. She wanted to solve an immediate problem in her community. New mothers needed portable cribs. Many brought their babies...
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Volunteer Spotlight – Jennie Zoll
This month, our Otsego Community Foundation (OCF) Volunteer Spotlight shines on Jennie Zoll. Without volunteers like Jennie, the OCF would not exist. We rely on community members like Jennie, who donate their time, energy, and expertise to the organization. Jennie is...
First Congregational Church Community Meal Grant Impact
In 2022, Vicky Rigney registered for the OCF 100+ Women Who Care event for the first time. She nominated the First Congregational Church Community Meal Program as one of the local non-profit organizations eligible for the evening’s proceeds. Vicky’s expectations for...
Secure Act 2.0, New Rules Governing Charitable Gifts
On December 29, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2022 (SECURE Act 2.0). The law builds upon the initial SECURE Act, passed in 2019, and includes dozens of new provisions aimed at helping...
OCF Welcomes Communications Coordinator
We are happy to announce that Kristine Lassen has joined the Otsego Community Foundation (OCF) team as our Communications Coordinator! “Over the past few years, the OCF has experienced significant growth. The workload, with gifts received and grants awarded, has...
A Framework to Activate Pathways of
Generosity Throughout Otsego County
In the last few years, between the COVID-19 pandemic and the May 2022 tornado, the limits of Otsego County’s philanthropic Community have been stretched. “Otsego County has a responsive culture that can come together and address immediate or urgent community needs....
OCF Now Accepting Scholarship Applications
The Otsego Community Foundation (OCF) is accepting scholarship applications for graduating seniors, fifth-year early college participants, and current college students starting on February 1, 2023. A total of 13 scholarships will be awarded, ranging from $500-$1,500....
Volunteer Spotlight: Barb Brown
This month’s volunteer spotlight features Barb Brown. Barb has been a big part of the transformational growth of the OCF. She started as an active parent when her daughter was a member of the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) and then she became the advisor. She...
What Is Your Word Of The Year?
In past years, I have chosen a word each year to be my anchor in my personal life, and while I haven’t gotten around to it quite yet for 2023, professionally reflecting on 2022, one word comes to mind: EXTREME. Over the past 365 days, local philanthropy has...
2023 Grant Seekers Information Session
Our next Grant Seekers Information Session is on Wednesday, January 4th, at 4:00 pm. This is an in-person session, held in the upstairs meeting room of the Otsego County Library (or via Zoom). The purpose of this information session is for nonprofits, educators, and...
The OCF is seeking Communications Coordinator
Do you have a gift for writing and love our community? The Otsego Community Foundation (OCF) is seeking a Communications Coordinator to help create content and share stories. Qualified candidates must have superior writing and verbal, and written communication skills....
Your Generosity In Action – Grantee Site Visits
Each year in October, our grant committee visits some of our grantees in person. In addition to viewing their programs, we learn about their accomplishments, challenges, and plans for the future. This year we visited Gaylord Little League, Gaylord Middle School, New...












