The Upstate Foundation
The Upstate Foundation is a Syracuse-based 501(c)(3) public charity serving as the primary fundraising arm of SUNY Upstate Medical University, managing over 1,300 named funds for patient care, education, research, and community health across Central, Northern, and Southern New York.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1975
- HeadquartersSyracuse, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What The Upstate Foundation does
The Upstate Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity established in 1975 in Syracuse, New York, that operates as the primary philanthropic and fund-raising entity for SUNY Upstate Medical University and its affiliated facilities, including Upstate University Hospital, Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital, the Upstate Cancer Center, the Golisano Center for Special Needs, and the Nappi Wellness Institute. The foundation manages more than 1,300 named funds covering patient care, medical and health-professions scholarships, scientific research, and community health, and in 2025 disbursed $10.4 million in awards, scholarships, and grants.
Revenue is generated across five distinct streams: individual donations (one-time, recurring, tribute/memorial, and payroll deduction through the Power of Us and Community Giving campaigns), corporate sponsorships and cause-marketing packages negotiated by a dedicated corporate development function, signature event fundraising (Radiothon for Kids, Towsley Pro-Am, Upstate Open, Call In for Cancer, Gala, and Giving Tuesday), planned giving vehicles (charitable gift annuities with a $50,000 minimum, charitable bequests, retirement-plan beneficiary designations, donor-advised funds, and real estate gifts), and named-fund grants. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors, holds a 2025 Platinum Candid Seal of Transparency, and operates with 11–50 staff across a Central, Northern, and Southern New York footprint.
Distribution and donor acquisition run primarily through regional corporate outreach, employee payroll deduction programs, an online giving portal, and recurring media partnerships (notably iHeartMedia and CNY Central), with planned giving inquiries handled by a dedicated legacy giving contact. The foundation is not a technology company and does not develop proprietary software products; its core "platform" is the administrative apparatus around 1,300 restricted and endowed funds, donor stewardship, event execution, and corporate solicitation.
The Upstate Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Upstate Foundation
- Legal name
- The Upstate Foundation, Inc.
- Website
- https://upstatefoundation.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1975
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Upstate Foundation is a Syracuse-based 501(c)(3) public charity serving as the primary fundraising arm of SUNY Upstate Medical University, managing over 1,300 named funds for patient care, education, research, and community health across Central, Northern, and Southern New York.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Upstate Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Healthcare Philanthropy and Charitable Foundation Services
- NAICS
- Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB), Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries (BPAGAKAE)
Keywords
Where The Upstate Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Syracuse
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
The Upstate Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Direct donations from individuals through online portal, phone, mail, and payroll deduction (Power of Us employee giving program). Includes tribute and memorial gifts, one-time and recurring donations.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships for signature events (Radiothon, Towsley Pro-Am, Upstate Open, Call In for Cancer, Gala) and ongoing corporate engagement programs. Event sponsorship packages at various levels with recognition benefits.
- Special Event Fundraising: Revenue from annual signature events including Radiothon for Kids, golf tournaments (Towsley Pro-Am, Upstate Open), Call In for Cancer radiothon, Gala, and Giving Tuesday. Events raised over $1 million in 2025.
- Legacy and Planned Giving: Charitable gift annuities (minimum $50,000), charitable bequests through wills/trusts, retirement plan beneficiary designations, life insurance gifts, donor-advised funds, and real estate gifts. Membership in Legacy Society for planned giving donors.
- Grants and Named Funds: Grants and awards ($10.4 million in 2025), plus management of 1,300+ named funds for patient care, education, research, and community health.
- Community Giving Campaign: United Way workplace giving campaign (Upstate Community Giving Campaign) allowing employees to designate gifts to Upstate Foundation funds through payroll deduction.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | One time | Generic Place Cards - $50 minimum for 25 cards |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Custom Place Cards - $100 minimum for 35 cards |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Charitable Gift Annuity - $50,000 minimum |
| Other | One time | Restricted Purpose Fund - $1,000 minimum |
| Other | One time | Permanent Named Fund (Endowment) - $10,000 minimum |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
The Upstate Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Upstate Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity that serves as the primary philanthropic entity for Upstate Medical University, raising and managing charitable donations through individual giving, corporate sponsorships, planned/legacy gifts, and signature fundraising events to support patient care, education, scientific research, and community health initiatives. It administers over 1,300 named funds and disbursed $10.4 million in awards, scholarships, and grants in 2025.
Product overview
The Upstate Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity that serves as the primary philanthropic entity for Upstate Medical University. Rather than a single software product, the foundation operates a comprehensive giving platform comprising over 1,300 named funds, multiple annual campaigns (Friend in Deed, Golisano Children's Hospital, Cancer Center), specialized initiatives (Golisano Center for Special Needs, Child and Adolescent Mental Health), and signature fundraising events (Radiothon, Towsley Pro-Am, Upstate Open, Gala, Call In for Cancer). The foundation also offers planned giving vehicles including charitable gift annuities, donor-advised funds, legacy society membership, and tribute/memorial gift programs. These products collectively support patient care, education, scientific research, and community health and well-being across Central New York.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Named Funds Management Management of over 1,300 unique healthcare funds covering patient care, education, scientific research, and community health, with options including restricted purpose funds (minimum $1,000) and permanent named endowments (minimum $10,000).
- Friend in Deed Annual Campaign Upstate University Hospital's annual fundraising campaign providing financial resources for unmet patient and family needs, hospital programs, and services not covered by other means of support.
- Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital Fundraising Dedicated fundraising for Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital supporting patient comfort, specialty equipment, Child Life Program, and unmet needs for pediatric patients and their families.
- Upstate Cancer Center Fundraising Support for the region's only cancer center treating both pediatric and adult patients, funding patient assistance, cancer research, and programmatic needs.
- Golisano Center for Special Needs Campaign A $6 million fundraising campaign to establish and operate the Golisano Center for Special Needs, providing coordinated medical and behavioral care for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), including diagnostic evaluation, treatment services, and family support.
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Campaign Campaign to heighten awareness, increase clinical capacity and programmatic initiatives, improve access to services, and support research in pediatric mental health.
- Nappi Wellness Institute Support Funding program supporting the Nappi Wellness Institute, the most recent addition to the Upstate Medical University campus.
- Power of Us Employee Giving Program Annual spring employee giving campaign allowing Upstate Medical University employees to donate through payroll deduction to any of the foundation's 1,300+ funds (minimum $5 per pay period).
- Legacy Society and Planned Giving Program Planned giving program offering charitable bequests, charitable gift annuities (minimum $50,000), donor-advised funds, retirement plan beneficiary designations, life insurance gifts, and real estate gifts; membership in the Legacy Society for planned giving donors.
- Special Occasion Favors Custom or generic place cards notifying guests that a donation has been made to Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital, Upstate Cancer Center, or Upstate Medical University in their honor for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, and corporate events.
- Donor-Advised Funds Donors establish funds at the foundation, receive immediate tax deductions, and advise on grant distributions to qualified charities throughout the year.
- Radiothon for Kids Annual two-day radio fundraising event benefiting Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital, partnered with iHeartMedia (NewsRadio 570 WSYR, Y94, MIX 103.3, NOW 105.7) and CNY Central TV. Raised a record $285,318 in 2026.
- Upstate Towsley Pro-Am Golf Tournament Long-running annual Pro-Am golf tournament at Turning Stone Resort Casino (courses Shenendoah, Kaluhyat, Atunyote), in partnership with CNY PGA. Generated over $2 million for Upstate Medical University programs over four decades.
- Upstate Open Golf Tournament 39th annual golf tournament at Turning Stone Resort Casino offering elite golf experiences across multiple courses to support patient care, research, and education.
- Upstate Gala Annual signature fundraising gala held at Turning Stone's Grand Expo Convention Center celebrating philanthropy and raising funds for patient care, education, research, and community health. Raised over $11 million cumulatively.
- Call In for Cancer Fundraising event supporting the Upstate Cancer Center.
- Tribute and Memorial Gifts Charitable gifts to honor or remember special people, designated to any of the foundation's 1,100+ funds, including a grateful staff recognition program.
Quantifiable outcome
- $10.4 million in 2025 awards, scholarships and grants to benefit patients, students, researchers, and the community
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use The Upstate Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
The Upstate Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Upstate Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, major and minor.
- iHeartMediacoreHost and sponsor of Radiothon for Kids with stations NewsRadio 570 WSYR, Y94, MIX 103.3, and NOW 105.7. Provides radio studio facilities and airtime for fundraising.
- CNY CentralcoreTV media partner for Radiothon for Kids. Aired heartwarming stories during newscasts of medical miracles at Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital.
- Excellus BCBSflagshipPresenting sponsor for Upstate Open golf tournament. Major healthcare insurer partner supporting foundation events.
- CNY PGAflagshipCentral New York Professional Golfers' Association serves as tournament partner and provides PGA professionals for Towsley Pro-Am tournament.
- Turning Stone Resort CasinoflagshipVenue partner for Towsley Pro-Am and Upstate Open golf tournaments. Provides golf courses (Shenendoah, Kaluhyat, Atunyote) and hosts Gala at Grand Expo Convention Center.
- Epic SystemsmajorCorporate sponsor for Towsley Pro-Am and Gala events. Healthcare software company supporting foundation fundraising.
- LeChase ConstructionmajorCourse sponsor for Upstate Open and sponsored/attended Upstate Foundation Sneaker Gala. Construction company with Central NY operations supporting foundation events.
- Syracuse University OTTHOmajorUniversity dance marathon program that raised nearly $110,000. Combined with other college dance marathons (Binghamton, Cornell, Ithaca) to raise over $200,000 in 2023.
- FustCharlesmajorPresenting sponsor for Upstate Open and Gala events. Corporate partner supporting foundation fundraising.
- Nascentia HealthmajorPresenting sponsor for Upstate Open and corporate sponsor for Towsley Pro-Am. Healthcare services provider supporting foundation events.
- Extra LifeminorGaming community that has raised over $250,000 through online events and safe in-person gatherings such as RetroGameCon for sick and injured children at Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital.
- Children's Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH)flagshipActive member since 1984. Receives financial support from retail businesses across Central and Northern New York and Southern Tier through various fundraising campaigns.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Upstate Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- UR Medicine Strong Memorial Hospital Foundation: Philanthropic arm of University of Rochester Medical Center, an academic medical center foundation similar in structure to the Upstate Foundation. Comparable scope across patient care, research, and medical education fundraising.
- Bassett Healthcare Network Foundation: Rural upstate New York healthcare system foundation supporting a network of hospitals and clinics. Comparable in mission and rural-regional donor cultivation model, though serving a different geography within New York.
- Stony Brook Foundation: Philanthropic foundation for Stony Brook University, a fellow SUNY institution. Directly comparable as a public-university-affiliated foundation managing scholarships, research, and community programs.
- Roswell Park Alliance Foundation: Philanthropic foundation for Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo. Direct peer in supporting cancer care, oncology research, and patient assistance programs with a disease-specific fundraising model.
- Guthrie Foundation: Philanthropic arm of the Guthrie health system serving the Twin Tiers region of NY and PA. Comparable multi-hospital foundation model with similar event-driven and corporate sponsorship GTM.
- Albany Med Foundation: Philanthropic entity for Albany Medical Center, another New York academic medical center. Direct peer in supporting patient care, medical education, and research across upstate New York.
- Crouse Health Foundation: Syracuse-based hospital foundation supporting Crouse Hospital, the foundation's closest geographic peer in Central New York. Competes for overlapping corporate sponsors and individual donors across the same regional market.
Others
- Children's Miracle Network Hospitals: National network of which Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital is a member since 1984. Functions as a fundraising partner and channel rather than a competitor, providing access to national retail campaigns and college dance marathon programs.
- United Way of Central and Northern New York: Regional United Way affiliate that operates the Upstate Community Giving Campaign workplace giving program alongside the foundation. An ecosystem partner rather than direct competitor, sharing the regional donor pool for workplace giving.
Broad incumbents
- Mount Sinai Health System Foundation: Large NYC-based academic medical center foundation supporting a multi-hospital system. Operates a comparable patient care, education, and research grantmaking model at substantially greater scale than the Upstate Foundation.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses2 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Upstate Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceThe Upstate Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Upstate Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
The Upstate Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Upstate Foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Upstate Foundation
What does The Upstate Foundation do?
The Upstate Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity that serves as the primary philanthropic entity for Upstate Medical University, raising and managing charitable donations through individual giving, corporate sponsorships, planned/legacy gifts, and signature fundraising events to support patient care, education, scientific research, and community health initiatives. It administers over 1,300 named funds and disbursed $10.4 million in awards, scholarships, and grants in 2025.
Is The Upstate Foundation a public or private company?
The Upstate Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Upstate Foundation founded?
The Upstate Foundation was founded in 1975. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Upstate Foundation based?
The Upstate Foundation is headquartered in Syracuse, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Upstate Foundation make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate Sponsorships, special Event Fundraising, legacy and Planned Giving, grants and Named Funds and community Giving Campaign.
Who are The Upstate Foundation's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are UR Medicine Strong Memorial Hospital Foundation, Bassett Healthcare Network Foundation, Stony Brook Foundation, Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, Guthrie Foundation, Albany Med Foundation and Crouse Health Foundation. Others are Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and United Way of Central and Northern New York. Mount Sinai Health System Foundation is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does The Upstate Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Upstate Foundation.
What industry is The Upstate Foundation in?
The Upstate Foundation's product category is Healthcare Philanthropy and Charitable Foundation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAKAL, Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations, with a secondary code of BPAGAKAB, Community Foundations. Its NAICS code is 813211 and its SIC code is 8300.