Waterford Harbor Aerial_COL_Legacy_1800x564.jpg

Next Century Campaign

HomeGiveNext Century Campaign
Looking forward to the canals next century.

Two hundred years ago, New Yorkers boldly envisioned and built the longest constructed transportation system on the North American continent.

In commemoration of the Erie Canal's Bicentennial, the Erie Canalway Heritage Fund has launched its Next Century Campaign to help steer a course toward an ever more vibrant, sustainable future along New York's extraordinary canals.

The Campaign is a multi-faceted strategy designed to preserve the canal's heritage and grow its economic impact across the more than 200 communities within the Canalway Corridor. Attracting more than 3.3 million visitors every year for events and tours, the canals will remain a vital resource for recreation, tourism, and commerce thanks to this ambitious campaign.

Key Focus Areas

Foster Diverse and Accessible Recreation & Promote Heritage-Based Tourism

Your donation will support expanded amenities, recreational initiatives, and stewardship of our trails and waterways.
DeWitt_Accessibility_7_7_2021-13 569x384.jpg

Host & Support Community and Corridor-wide Events

Your donation will help us engage hundreds of thousands of visitors and generate millions of dollars annually in economic impact for canal communities.

Fort Edward_Paddle-Champlain_CoL2023-9_569x384.jpg

Conserve Our Unique Heritage

Contribute to canal preservation and community development, including investments in rural Mohawk Valley and a condition assessment of canal structures from the 1800s.

LittleFalls_SIgn-Post_CoL2021_sm-13_569x384.jpg

Educate Current and Future Generations

Give more students—including from low-income schools—access to dynamic in-person field trips and bring the canal to the classroom through the Erie Canal Learning Hub.

Pittsford_TicketToRide_CoL2023-52_569x384.jpg

Support Legacy Projects

Support our work to meet future needs, be responsive to urgent and emerging challenges, and ensure that generations to come can experience the canals that transformed America.

Spencerport_Recreation_CoL2021_03_569x384.jpg

Your generous support today will ensure that the canals that transformed America continue to be cared for and serve as an engine of economic and community development now and into the next century.

Rome_Canalfest-Fireworks_569x384.jpg
Donate Online

Join our community of supporters by making a secure online payment.

Amsterdam_Gateway-Overlook-Bridge-_FFORTE_569x384.jpg
Mail Your Donation

Please make checks payable to:
Erie Canalway Heritage Fund, Inc.
P.O. Box 219
Waterford, NY 12188

Next Century Case Statement_cover_569x384.jpg
Next Century Campaign

Read our case statement to discover what we can accomplish together.

For more information on the Next Century Campaign or to discuss campaign corporate sponsorship, please contact:

Bob Radliff, Executive Director
518-237-7000, ext. 203
bob_radliff@eriecanalway.org

The Erie Canalway Heritage Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works hand-in-hand with the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission. Your contribution to the Heritage Fund supports our efforts to preserve and share our extraordinary canal heritage. It helps us continue to work with partners to promote the Canalway Corridor as a world-class tourism destination. And it leverages additional financial support to advance the entire region.

Thank You to our 2024 - 2025 Next Century Campaign Donors

Leadership Circle

Gifts of $10k or greater

BNY Mellon
Carl & Suzanne Blowers
Paul L. Comstock
Empire State Development's Division of Tourism/I LOVE NY
Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation
Ronald Lee Fleming, Trustee, Fleming Family Foundation
Mark P. & Roxanne A. Hettler
M&T Bank
M&T Charitable Foundation
Miller/Howard Investments Inc.
Eric and Dr. Judy Mower
National Park Foundation
National Park Service
New York State Canal Corporation/New York Power Authority
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Mohawk River Watershed Basin Program
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Congressman Paul D. Tonko & U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development

Legacy Partners

Gifts of $5,000-$9,999

Brookfield Renewable
Amy Durland
The Harrison Studio

Promoters

Gifts of $2,500 - $4,999

Nancy Castillo and Lois Geshiwlm
Canal Bank, A Division of Chemung Canal Trust Company
Northwest River Supplies, Inc. (NRS)
Harry Sicherman
Stewart's Shops


Heritage Supporters

Gifts of $1,000 - $2,499

Judy & Philip Cherry
Ted & Bonita Hock
Momentive
Paul & Linda Neureuter
One Digital
Brad & Amber Packard
David Saginaw II
Spruce Creek Campground
Syracuse University
Wegmans Food Markets, Inc.
Kal Wysokowski

1825 Society

Gifts of $500 - $999

Anonymous
Tom & Paula Blanchard
James Farr
Marilyn Higgins
Dana Scofund
Mary Liz Stewart
Erin Tobin
Robert and Susan Touhsaent Charitable Fund at the Rochester Area Community Foundation

Businesses, Organizations, and Foundations

Gifts up to $999

2k Design
Bass Pro Shops & Cabela Outdoor Fund
CNY Community Foundation, Inc.
Disney Corporation – Employee Matching Program
Ess-Kay Yards, Inc.
Google – Employee Matching Program
Grossman St. Amour CPAs
Hancock Estabrook, LLP
Hornbeck Boats, Inc.
Hueber-Breuer Construction Co., Inc.
InterFaith Works of Central New York
Sharon Leighton, Khione Consulting
Muddy Waters Café
MVP Health Care
National Grid
The Coppola Firm
Washington St. Partners

World Canals Conference Sponsors

BoatUS
Canal Bank, A Division of Chemung Canal Trust Company
Colliers Engineering & Design
Confer Plastics, Inc.
Fairport Office of Community + Economic Development
M&T Bank
Anne & Chris McCaffrey
People Inc.
Schnabel Engineering
The William G. Pomeroy Foundation
The Harrison Studio
Visit Buffalo Niagara