Brightening the lives of people with autism.

History of Spectrum Services Foundation

Spectrum Services Foundation began as a longstanding committee of the Board of Trustees of the Center for Spectrum Services.  As a Development Committee, its members met regularly to develop and execute various fundraising ideas to benefit the students and programs of the school.

In the mid-1990s, many local nonprofit organizations began to develop foundation boards to increase their development capacity. In 1997, the Board members of Center for Spectrum Services voted to explore this opportunity with legal and financial counsel.

Spectrum Services Foundation Board was incorporated in March 1998 and received its 501(c) 3 Determination Letter from the IRS in January of 2000.  Its original mission statement was “to increase the financial security and strength of Center for Spectrum Services.”

In July 2004, members of the Foundation Board were successful in their application to the Dyson Foundation for a $6776 board development grant.  With the management assistance of the Council for Community Services of NYS, the Board members developed a revised mission statement and by-laws, statements of vision and core values, and began developing and expanding the resources of the Foundation Board.

Since that time, the Foundation Board has continued to expand, welcoming community leaders and Spectrum Services parents to continue crucial fundraising for the Center for Spectrum Services.  Spectrum Services Foundation hired its first employee in 2007.  The Development Coordinator is a part-time position intended to support the Foundation Board’s fundraising activities in all capacities.

In May 2008, together with the Board of Trustees, the Foundation Board undertook a Strategic Planning initiative which put in place the necessary process to secure a sound financial future for the Center for Spectrum Services. It also began the planning work required for an agency re-brand, and in 2009, The Children’s Annex Foundation became Spectrum Services Foundation.

In September 2010, the Foundation Board hired its first Foundation Director, with the goal of raising $250,000 over 15 months in celebration of the Center for Spectrum Services’ 35th anniversary.

Having achieved that goal by the end of 2011, the Spectrum Services Foundation Board and its Director, Laurie A. Rich have added Planned Giving and Corporate Development programs to the Foundation’s fundraising for the Center for Spectrum Services. They are necessary additions to help us achieve our higher financial goals. These are due to increased demand for Spectrum Services’ programs and the funding gap created by a third year of a State-imposed tuition freeze.


Spectrum Services Foundation Board of Trustees

The mission of the Foundation Board is to enrich relationships and inspire generous support of the vision of The Center for Spectrum Services.

Board members accomplish this mission with a dedication to these core values:

Commitment
The determination and boldness to make our vision a reality.

Stewardship
The management of donor assets with transparency, honesty and integrity.

Financial development
The expansion and diversification of resource opportunities.

Communication
The cultivation of dialogue with our donors and our greater community.

Spectrum Services Foundation Board Members

Thomas E. Ahern, President
Jon Ollendorf, Vice President
Susan Buckler, MA, CAS, Treasurer
Crystal Jacob, Secretary
Scott Bove
Linda Esposito, MPH
Caroline Mattison, FNP-C
Robbie Rimes
Jamey Wolff, MA, CAS

Foundation Advisory Board Members

Mari Kirwood Bird
Steve Hummell
Anthony Semento

Laurie A. Rich, Foundation Director