Giving Rye: Meet The Osborn Foundation
Giving Rye is a new occasional feature highlighting non-profits and community groups in and around the City of Rye. Today meet Richard Sgaglio of The Osborn Foundation.
Your Name: Richard Sgaglio
Organization: The Osborn Foundation
Your role: VP of Marketing and Development for The Osborn Foundation and The Osborn
MyRye.com: Tell us your organization’s mission.
Sgaglio: To enrich the lives of those we serve in an inspiring, caring community while sustaining our commitment to excellence.
How long have you operated in Rye?
Sgaglio: The Osborn has been operating since 1908 – 115 years at the highest point in Rye.
What programming or work in Rye is the organization best known for?
Sgaglio:
- The Osborn Foundation is a charitable foundation, part of The Osborn network, which raises funds for projects both on and off The Osborn campus. An on campus example of this is our certified Level 1 arboretum and all the activities associated with maintaining it – planting, pruning, trimming and the overall health of our trees.
- Our resident-led initiatives help fund special projects on campus such as our recently completed Mauritz reading room, part of the Adams Library here on campus.
- Our community relations programs fund community programs in the greater Rye area. We support through sponsorship and donations. The Osborn Foundation focuses on other not-for-profits that provide needed services, such as Rye Y, Rye Rotary, Rye School, local hospitals, Rye Free Reading Room, and Rye Arts Center just to name a few.
Looking forward to 2024, what will be your top initiatives?
Sgaglio:
- We will continue to fund our on campus program through our Arboretum.
- We will continue to help fund local projects. We are currently working with The Osborn School to help refurbish their playground and to support their tree planting initiative.
- We will continue to help fund the local non-for-profits in Rye.
Tell us about the population you serve and how they can get involved with your programming and services.
Sgaglio: The Osborn Foundation is part of The Osborn and both residents and staff are very active in volunteerism. We have staff and senior managers who participate on various boards for such organizations as Rye Rotary, Friends of Karen, the Alzheimer’s Association, Rye Free Reading Room, Greenwich Hospital Advisory Board and much more.
Are you a 501(c)(3) non-profit with tax exempt status?
Sgaglio: Yes.
Looking back across 2023, what were your organization’s top achievements?
Sgaglio:
- We were able to fund the revitalization of our secure Memory Care Garden which required the removal of trees and shrubs that were no longer thriving and planting new, heartier varieties. This is a very special project for us because our memory care residents enjoy the freedom of being able to go outdoors without the restraint of having to wait to be with someone because the garden is secure.
How can local residents support your organization?
Sgaglio: There are several ways local residents can support The Osborn. Of course financial support is always welcome. Our Charity Care program is an important program to many residents, to add a level of security for those residents who have the potential to outlive their resources. In-person volunteer possibilities are numerous, from reading to residents, spending time with residents whose loved ones might not live close by to many other important and fun opportunities for those looking to give back.
What local Rye residents and area businesses have been the longest, steadiest supporters of your organization?
Sgaglio: The vast majority of our support comes from current residents and their families, as well as the families of former residents.
Tell us about you:
How long have you been in your current role?
Sgaglio: I have been in my role at The Osborn for five years.
Is the role full time or part time? Paid or volunteer?
Sgaglio: My role here is full-time.
How would your friends and family describe you in one word?
Sgaglio: Animated
Pick one:
Sgaglio:
| MyRye.com
Select from: |
Your Pick: |
| Coke or Pepsi? | Coke |
| Regular or diet? | Coke Zero |
| Action movie or rom com? | Rom Com |
| Cook, order in or eat out? | Cook |
| Dog, cat or no pet? | Dogs – Scooter and Cammy |
| Balsamic vinaigrette or ranch? | Balsamic vinaigrette |
| Ruffles Original, Lay’s Barbeque or Funyuns? | Lay’s Barbeque |
| Still, sparkling or tap? | Sparkling |
What is the kindest thing someone has ever done for you?
Sgaglio: The kindest thing someone has ever done for me is tell me they were a better person having known me.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why, and who would you take with you?
Sgaglio: I would go to Avellino, Italy or the Greek Islands to learn more about my ancestral homeland with my best friend and husband of 15 years.
What is your favorite streaming / TV series?
Sgaglio: I love any period piece. Right now I am enjoying the Gilded Age on HBO but love British PBS shows like All Creatures Great and Small, Miss Scarlett and The Duke.
What is your favorite movie?
Sgaglio: So many – I love zany comedies such as Zoolander and I am a big Ben Stiller fan. Also, can recite most of the dialogue from Pee Wee’s Big Adventure.
Where do you live in Rye and how many years have you lived in the City?
Sgaglio: I have lived in North Salem, NY for the past seven years and Brewster, NY prior to that.
Thanks, Richard!
