Wayne County Community Endowment

The estate of Jeanette “Nettie” Bullis has been instrumental in maintaining Wayne County’s vitality. Her estate established several different funds at the Community Foundation that support nonprofits focused on health, quality of life, youth, the elderly, and scholarships for students. Other individuals and families also have made a point to help their communities and their neighbors by creating funds that support nonprofits, causes they are passionate about, or college-bound students.

Major Funds

Bullis Fund (2000): This fund was established with a $12 million gift from the estate of Nettie Bullis, an astute businesswoman whose family settled in Macedon in the late 1830s. Income generated by the endowment fund is used for grants directed by an all-local Advisory Committee to reflect Miss Bullis’ interest in improving the quality of life for residents of Wayne County, especially in the town of Macedon or within the area served by the Palmyra-Macedon Central School District. Miss Bullis believed strongly in providing a “hand up” not a “hand out;” therefore, most grants require a matching component. To date, this fund has distributed more than $13.4 million in grants. To learn how to apply for a grant from the Bullis Fund, click here.

Wayne County Community Endowment Fund (1984): This fund was established with a portion of Nettie Bullis’s estate to begin a permanent endowment that supports the county’s changing and evolving needs. It continues to be supported by contributions from local individuals, families, and organizations interested in investing in Wayne County and making it a better place to live, work, and grow. To make a gift to the Wayne County Community Endowment Fund, click here.

Income generated by the endowment fund is used for grants directed by a volunteer panel of community‐minded Wayne County residents who are knowledgeable about community needs and dedicated to improving the health, well-being, and quality of life for Wayne County residents. Learn about recent grants in our 2023 Wayne County Annual Report. To learn how to apply for a grant from the Wayne County Community Endowment, click here.

Under the Wayne County Community Endowment umbrella, the Advisory Committee also facilitates grantmaking for the following funds:

• Wayne County Health and Quality of Life Fund supports programs aimed at improving the health and quality of life of residents.
• Wayne County Youth and Seniors Fund supports projects and programs for youth and the elderly.
• Wayne GTF Corporate Fund supports projects and programs that promote literacy of ethnic and minority youth.
• Arley Mae and Louis Delisio Fund supports direct services to youth or the development of a youth recreational facility in Clyde.
• Dr. Norman and Laura “Jinny” Loomis Fund supports educational activities for underserved children and youth in Wayne County.

Wayne County Humane Society Endowment Fund (2002): This organization is one of more than 150 that have established endowment funds at the Community Foundation.

Bullis Family Scholarship Fund (1982): This scholarship fund provides nearly every graduating senior from Palmyra-Macedon High School the opportunity for financial assistance with the costs of higher education. Since its creation over $1.4 million in scholarships has been awarded.

Dr. Abraham R. Bullis Medical Scholarship (1981): Created by Bullis’ estate in honor of her grandfather, a pioneer physician, to help graduates of Palmyra-Macedon Central School who are attending medical school to obtain a doctor of medicine (MD) or similar degree.

Scholarships: In addition to the two Bullis scholarships (listed above), many more have been established to specifically assist Wayne County students with college expenses. Visit our scholarship section to learn about scholarships for which Wayne County students may qualify.

Wayne County Demographics

Before Wayne County was its own county, some of its land was partly in Seneca County and partly in Ontario County. It became a separate county, with its 604 square miles, in April 1823. More than 93,000 people call this county home. Lake Ontario’s presence greatly influences the climate of the northern part of the county, which is known for the orchards that produce apples, pears, and sour cherries.

From Sodus Bay to the Montezuma Wetlands, and to the Enchanted Fountain in Wolcott and Macedon’s historic landmarks, Wayne County is an astonishing community with many benefits. The region is close to the city of Rochester but far enough away to maintain its historical and rural roots. Wayne County also has a strong history of caring — with neighbors helping neighbors — that adds to the many treasures that makes the community and its residents so special.

A Transfer of Wealth report commissioned by the Community Foundation contains detailed information on each of its regional counties, including this overview of Wayne County.

Find out even more about Wayne County, its people, economy, education and more at ACTRochester.org.

For More Information

If you would like to learn about creating a fund to support Wayne County, donating to an existing fund, or creating a legacy to support our community, email Jeff Polino or call him at 585.341.4373. If you would like to learn more about the Wayne County Community Endowment, Bullis Fund, or scholarships supporting our community, email Sara Bukowiec or call her at 585.341.4371.