ITHACA, N.Y. (WHCU) -An anonymous donor has pledged $500,000 to the Community Foundation of Tompkins County.

The non-profit regional organization’s operating endowment will more than double with the donation, supporting efforts to expand programs and initiatives in key areas such as health and human services, education, economic growth, the environment, and community building, among others. Chief Development Officer Nancy Massicci calls the gift transformative, saying it will allow the organization to expand programs and initiatives that directly impact the people of Tompkins County.

“This is historic,” said Massicci. “Our donor’s unprecedented generosity to support our everyday needs gives us a remarkable opportunity to build and implement our strategic vision, thereby fostering a more equitable Tompkins County.”

Community Foundation operates without state or federal funding, and each year must raise at least 65% of its operating budget independently.

“We are continually building the operating endowment and are welcoming gifts of any size,” said CEO George Ferrari.