Syracuse, NY (June 16, 2006) - The Future Fund of Central New York, a young professionals "giving circle," has awarded its second annual grant of $5,000 to the Catholic Charities/Northside CYO.

Northside CYO Neighborhood Director, Felicia Castricone accepted the award at the Future Fund's annual meeting held at the Syracuse University School of Architecture's Warehouse Building. The money will be used to enhance the summer ESL program for newly arrived refugee youth.

This summer program will facilitate the entry of refugee youth into local public schools by providing them with basic English language skills and with a general introduction to the school setting. The Future Fund grant will allow Catholic Charities/Northside CYO to hire a full-time certified ESL teacher as well as purchase textbooks and supplies to enhance the program.

The Future Fund is a volunteer, member-driven initiative created through the Central New York Community Foundation in 2004. Future Fund stands for the group's core values of philanthropy, involvement and empowerment. Members vote on the focus for annual grants and participate in the selection of the grant recipients.

Annual Future Fund membership dues are contributed to an endowment managed by the Community Foundation. While the endowment builds, matching donors provide the funding for immediate grantmaking.

Five local donors have each contributed $1,000 to match membership dues paid by Future Fund members. In its second year, over 60 members have joined the giving circle or renewed their memberships, continuing to outpace the matching commitments.

The Central New York Community Foundation has served Central New York for over 80 years, receiving, managing and distributing charitable funds for the benefit of nonprofit organizations. Grants are awarded for programs in the areas of human services, arts and culture, education, environment, health, economic development and civic affairs. The region's largest endowed philanthropic foundation, the Central New York Community Foundation awards over $5 million in grants to nonprofit organizations annually. The Community Foundation, of 431 East Fayette Street, Syracuse, NY 13202, can be reached at (315) 422-9538 or www.cnycf.org.