Giving Rye: Meet the Osborn Foundation
Giving Rye is a feature series highlighting non-profits and community groups in and around the City of Rye. Today meet Cathy Levy of the Osborn Foundation.
Your Name: Cathy Levy
Name of your organization: The Osborn
Your role: Director of Development
MyRye.com: Tell us your organization’s mission.
Levy: 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?
Levy: The Osborn has been operating since 1908 – 116 years in Rye.
What programming or work in Rye is the organization best known for?
Levy:
- 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 initiatives on campus such as the Employee Enrichment Fund and our Academic Achievement Awards.
- Our community relations programs fund programs in the greater Rye area that we support through sponsorship and donations. The Osborn Foundation focuses on other not-for-profits that provide needed services, such as the Rye Y, Rye Rotary, Rye School, local hospitals, Rye Free Reading Room, and Rye Arts Center just to name a few.
Looking forward to 2025, what will be your top initiatives?
Levy:
- Funding our campus programs, including the conservation of our Arboretum.
- Continued funding for local projects.
- Continued funding for local nonprofits in Rye and beyond.
Tell us about the population you serve and how they can get involved with your programming and services.
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 organizations, including the Rye Rotary, Rye City Lions Club, 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?
Levy: Yes, we are a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization.
Looking back across 2024, what were your organization’s top achievements?
Levy:
- We were able to renovate our auditorium, where we host educational and musical programs for the community and our residents.
- We added an updated amenity space, providing an area for our residents to socialize together while enjoying a beverage, playing games, and chatting.
- Through our WellSpring series, we offered a robust series of educational programming, including author events and the Lumos Orchestra, for our residents and the greater Rye Community.
How can local residents support your organization?
Levy: There are several ways local residents can support The Osborn. Of course financial support is always welcomed. Our Charity Care program is an important program to many residents to add a level of security for those residents who have outlived their resources. In-person volunteer possibilities are numerous such as reading to residents whose sight is impaired and visiting with residents who’s loved ones might not live close.
What local Rye residents and area businesses have been the longest, steadiest supporters of your organization?
Levy: We are grateful for the generous support of our residents. We also receive donations from the Rye community and beyond. This includes families of our residents, friends, trustees and our staff. We also appreciate the generous contributions from our many business partners.
Tell us about you:
How long have you been in your current role?
Levy: I have been in my role for over three years.
Is the role full time or part time?
Levy: My role is full time.
How would your friends and family describe you in one word?
Levy: Compassionate and caring
Where did you grow up?
Levy: I grew up in Connecticut.
What is your favorite unimportant thing about you?
Levy: I enjoy mentoring those who are in the early stages of their nonprofit careers.
If the next five years is a chapter in your life, what is this chapter about?
Levy: I look forward to growing the impact of The Osborn Foundation. I also plan to continue pursuing my passions of learning French and practicing yoga.
What would you do if you were not afraid?
Levy: I would continue to ride horses.
Where do you live in Rye and how many years have you lived in the City?
Levy: I live in Tuckahoe, NY.
Thanks Cathy!
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