Mission

The mission of the Stewart W. and Willma C. Hoyt Foundation, Inc., created to perpetuate the Hoyts' charitable interest, is to use its resources to enhance the quality of life of the people of Broome County, primarily through judicious grantmaking.
 

Board of Directors

Fannie R. Linder, Chair
Albert Mamary, Vice-Chair
William H. Rincker, Secretary-Treasurer
Aubrey Clark
Teri Goodall-Komar
Maria Motsavage
Howell M. Palmer
Gary David Rein
Barbara P. Ring

Staff

Catherine Schwoeffermann, Executive Director
Roxanne Kermidas, Executive Assistant
Janet Scarinzi, Executive Assistant
Jane M. Fett, Finance Manager

Background

Willma Cornell Hoyt’s Broome County roots ran deep. An only child, she was born in 1888 to a family with a long history in the area. Her grandfather Cornell had established a successful funeral business, later continued by her father, first in Port Crane and then in Binghamton. The family enjoyed the respect of the community in part because of the value they placed on family, church, friendship, and high standards of business practice.

In 1907, at age 19, Willma married Stewart, a native of Michigan. The Hoyts, who were childless, lived with her parents at 70 Front Street for many years, and the two couples were very close. Both Hoyts were generous, and throughout the 60 years of their marriage, they followed a pattern of regular giving to their church and to arts and social service organizations in the Broome County area.

Two years after Stewart’s death in 1968 at the age of 94, Willma established the Hoyt Foundation with assets based on their early investments in IBM. Annual gifts to the community, in accordance with the Hoyts’ long established interests, were made by a small board including Willma for the remainder of her life. When she died in 1982, also at the age of 94, the foundation received its major funding—some $9 million—from her estate.

Although the lives of both Willma and Stewart Hoyt were distinguished by quiet philanthropy, they would be surprised at the extent to which their legacy has benefited the community in which they made their home for so many years. Since 1971, grants to the people of Broome County from the Hoyt Foundation have totaled over $22 million, a remarkable gift from a couple whose unassuming lives were made extraordinary by their generosity to others.

Currently, the Hoyt Foundation’s endowment is approximately $22 million. Stewart and Willma Hoyt’s vision and funding, coupled with the prudent management afforded by a dedicated Board, has created a strong mechanism to seek solutions to critical issues facing our community.

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Grant Guidelines and Funding Restrictions

Grants are limited to qualified nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) designation from the IRS. Organizations must be located in, or directly serving residents of, Broome County, New York.

The Hoyt Foundation focuses broadly in the areas of:

• Arts
• Humanities
• Education
• Health
• Human Services

Organizations may qualify to submit proposals for special projects, capital needs, or technical assistance. The Foundation is particularly interested in assisting programs that meet an urgent community need, that do not unnecessarily duplicate the work of other organizations, that have explored alternative funding sources, and that have some reasonable assurance of ongoing support.

The Hoyt Foundation does not make grants to individuals, nor to churches or organizations for religious purposes. It does not make grants to organizations that have so many counterparts that to consider one would open a floodgate (examples: individual scout troops, ambulance squads, volunteer fire departments, schools and PTAs). Other limitations may apply.

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Inquiries

Letters or calls of inquiry are encouraged to determine eligibility. A meeting with the Executive Director must precede submission of a full proposal to the Hoyt Foundation.

Direct inquiries to:

Catherine Schwoeffermann, Executive Director
Hoyt Foundation
70 Front Street
Binghamton, New York 13905

or by calling: (607) 772-0780

Grants will be considered at the June and November board meetings. Application deadlines are April 1st and September 2nd. All potential grantees must have a telephone discussion with the Executive Director at least one month prior to the application deadline (March 1 for spring applications and August 1 for fall applications). If the grant meets the Hoyt Foundation’s guidelines, a second meeting will be scheduled to discuss the grant application process.

A copy of Hoyt’s complete Guidelines for Grants may be downloaded.

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Recent Grants

Binghamton Housing Authority/Community Potential, Inc.
$10,000 – Gang Prevention Program

Binghamton University Foundation
$52,000 – Mental and Physical Health Outreach for BCSD Children

Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park
$75,000 – Construction of New Dual-Species Exhibit

Broome Community College Foundation
$35,000 – Student Scholarships and Faculty Development

Broome County Arts Council
$107,000 – United Cultural Fund Campaign

Broome County Council of Churches
$11,500 – Insulation and Siding on CHOW Warehouse

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County
$250,000 – Capital Project/Renovation and Modernization of Front Street Facility

Council of Community Services of New York State
$5,000 – Board Governance Workshop and Companion Mini-Grant Program

Danielle House
$5,500 – Front Porch and Entry Door Replacement

Goodwill Theatre Center
$150,000 – Capital Campaign for the Creation of a Regional Performing Arts Center

Planned Parenthood
$100,000 – Renovation of Hawley Street Building

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