Door Opener Society

The Door Opener Society recognizes professional advisors whose contributions to philanthropic estate planning have been significant, substantial and long-standing. Eligible inductees are attorneys, accountants, financial planners, trust officers, brokers, or insurance agents who encourage their clients to consider charitable giving to the Community Foundation.

Beginning in 2020, professional advisors who are outstanding partners with the Community Foundation in the promotion of philanthropy in our region will be recognized with our Door Opener Society award.

Inductees into the Door Opener Society provide a valuable service to their clients and to the people of Tompkins County. Every new gift, fund and bequest provides much-needed philanthropic resources in Tompkins County. All who inform us of their plans become members of our Legacy Society either publicly or anonymously.

Many professional advisors work with the Community Foundation to help clients achieve their charitable goals through an outright gift, giving to or creating a fund or bequest. Thank you to all who design, craft and customize their financial objectives to include charitable giving.

Door Opener Society Members

Door Opener Inaugural inductees

2020 – John Hinchcliff, (retired) attorney at Miller Mayer, Kim Rothman, attorney at Bousquet Holstein, and William Currie, VP at Morgan Stanley (above)


2021 – George Ferrari, staff, with Mariette Geldenhuys, attorney at Geldenhuys Law Firm (above)

2021 – Nancy Massicci, staff, with Anna Holmberg, attorney at Coughlin & Gerhart (above)

2022 – Julia C. Gorman, VP at Merrill Lynch, with George Ferrari, staff (above)

2023 – Frank Torelli, Wealth Advisor, pictured with Lisa Whitaker, President/CEO of CFCU Credit Union and George Ferrari

2024 – Estate Planning Council of Tompkins County

quote Community Foundation Donor Advisor

I was lucky enough to participate as a parent in schools and be on boards and see how hard people work to make Ithaca the community it is— my feeling is how to make sure this continues.