The Fostering Philanthropy Fund, a component fund of the Rockland Community Foundation, will hold the 26th annual Rockland Philanthropy Day Breakfast on Thursday, November 5, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Pearl River Hilton. A keynote presentation entitled “Mental Health: Transforming Grief Into Purpose” will be delivered by Michael Seidenfrau, who is launching the inaugural 2 Infinity & Beyond Halloween 5K Run/Walk, on October 31st in memory of his daughter Jordyn Seiden to raise awareness and support for organizations serving individuals facing mental health challenges and intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Philanthropy Day 2026 is brought to you in partnership with the Rockland Community Foundation Advisory Board, The Fostering Philanthropy Fund and past board members of the Rockland Development Council. Notably, in 2024, the County Executive, Ed Day, proclaimed the Thursday after Election Day to be Philanthropy Day in Rockland County in perpetuity.

The Philanthropy Day Breakfast is an opportunity to celebrate a commitment to enhance the quality of life and giving in Rockland, and to honor the individuals and businesses who make this possible.

The event will recognize the following with 2026 Philanthropy Day Awards:

• Outstanding Philanthropists- Jack Holt & Patricia Zugibe

• Outstanding Nonprofit or Fundraising Professional- Elizabeth Santiago

• Outstanding Volunteer- Lauren Shields, Posthumous Honor

• Outstanding Corporate Leadership- PayServ Payroll Solutions

In honor of the awardees, $500 will be donated to a Rockland nonprofit of the awardee’s choice for all categories (Philanthropists, Nonprofit or Fundraising Professional, Volunteer, and Corporate Leadership). In addition, at the Philanthropy Day event, three mental health organizations, NAMI Rockland, VCS, and Loeb House, will each be presented with a $1,000 grant made possible through the Fostering Philanthropy Fund and the generosity of all sponsors.

To learn more or purchase tickets for this inspiring event, please visit https://cfosrny.org/philanthropyday/

The Fostering Philanthropy Fund

The mission of the Fostering Philanthropy Fund is to continue the important work that the Rockland Development Council (RDC) had started in Rockland County in 1999. The fund, stewarded by The Rockland Community Foundation, perpetuates RDC’s signature Philanthropy Day event, providing an opportunity to honor philanthropic community members and organizations as well as to provide an impactful message on the power of philanthropy. The fund may also be used for other activities which will educate, support and inspire individuals in the field of fundraising, encourage community collaboration, and promote philanthropy. To learn more visit https://rocklandgives.org/fund/fostering-philanthropy-fund.

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Fee for Event: $40.00