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The Fostering Philanthropy Fund, a component fund of the Rockland Community Foundation, held the 25th annual Rockland Philanthropy Day event on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at the Pearl River Hilton. The breakfast event is the largest annual gathering of non-profit agencies and philanthropists in the county. To the over 400 record number in attendance, Patrick Byrne, Rockland Community Foundation’s advisory board chair and Philanthropy Day Committee Chair, asked “How can there be any higher aim in life than giving?”
Philanthropy Day 2025 was presented in partnership with the Rockland Community Foundation Advisory Board, The Fostering Philanthropy Fund and past board members of the Rockland Development Council. The Philanthropy Day event 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 keynote presentation by Shiri Reuveni Ullrich, Founder of Rising Above Bakery and the delivery of a proclamation by County Executive Ed Day that November 6th, 2025, is designated as Philanthropy Day in Rockland County were program highlights. Reuveni Ullrich stressed the need for nonprofit services in the County and welcomed Luke Garrison to the stage to express first-hand how he has benefited from working at Rising Above Bakery.
Pictured are the 2025 Philanthropy Day Honorees: (L to R) Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy, Elena Sherwood; Outstanding Philanthropists, Peter and Rebecca Lang; Outstanding Volunteers Eileen and John Murphy; Outstanding Nonprofit or Fundraising Professional, Diane Serratore; and Outstanding Corporate Leadership, Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan, accepted by President & CEO Elizabeth Rowley. Photo credit to George Pejoves.
The following monetary awards were distributed to/on behalf of this year’s winners: $500 to the Youth in Philanthropy awardee towards her education or philanthropic goals, and $500 each to the Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan, People to People, TevaLand Sanctuary, and Rockland Homes for Heroes. In addition, at the Philanthropy Day event, Bridges was presented with a $2,500 grant for its Veterans Program, and the following food relief organizations received $2,000 each: Community Food Pantry, Meals on Wheels, People to People, Proyecto Faro Food Pantry, Rhoda Bloom Kosher Food
Pantry, Rockland Interfaith Food Pantry, Soup Angels, T.O.U.C.H., and Westcop Spring Valley. These grants were made possible through the Fostering Philanthropy Fund and the generosity of Champlain Hudson Power Express and our other sponsors.
The Fostering Philanthropy Fund
The mission of the Fostering Philanthropy Fund is to continue the important work that the Rockland Development Council (RDC) has accomplished in Rockland County since 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.
