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Cortland, NY - The estate of a Cortland couple has left $12 million to the Central New York Community Foundation to give back to non-profit groups in their community. Nicholas Renzi, who died in February at 93, was senior vice president at Pall Corp. in Cortland, retiring in 1994. His wife, Agnes, died in 2020. The money will create two endowed funds at the Community Foundation. The larger fund, the Nicholas and Agnes Renzi Charitable Fund, will expand the Community Foundation’s Community Grants program into Cortland County for the first time. That means non-profits in Cortland County can apply for grants that help groups ranging from health and human services and economic development to animal shelters, arts and culture, and education. “Nick and Agnes believed deeply in giving back to the community that became their home,” said Melanie Littlejohn, president & CEO of the Central New York Community Foundation. “Their generosity will empower nonprofits in Cortland County to create lasting change.” This latest donation adds to $2 million the Renzis gave the foundation previously. The couple moved to Cortland in 1971 and Nick began working at Pall Trinity the next year, said Tom Griffith, vice president of development at the CNY Community Foundation. Pall Corporation in Cortland makes filtration systems. Renzi oversaw operations in Cortland and Puerto Rico. The couple were always very active in charitable organizations. “Nick and Agnes were both very concerned about food insecurity and emergency needs,” Griffith said. “They connected deeply with these missions.” Starting next fall, Cortland County nonprofits will be eligible to apply for grants ranging from $10,000 to $150,000. About $600,000 will be available each year from the Renzi Fund. The foundation is adding a staff member next year to facilitate the fund. The Renzis’ gift will also provide a $75,000 grant to help tackle a problem chosen by the community. This “participatory budgeting” program invites residents to create proposals. The community choses the winner. Renzi also helped set up the the Renzi Cancer Center and Renzi Health Campus at Guthrie Cortland Medical Center. He donated $1 million to each project. He retired in 1994. He taught business management at Tompkins Cortland Community College and served on the Cortlandville Planning Board. Agnes was a certified braille transcriber, volunteering time to make literature accessible for blind children.
