NETWORKWOMEN.COM: COVER STORY, APRIL, 2003

Sharon G. Grosser

Executive Director,
The Roslyn Savings Foundation

BY MAUREEN TRAXLER

With a Dr. Seuss-style hat covered with charity logo pins sitting on the window sill, two brightly colored puppets found in a cabinet drawer, and a hand-painted plate from Island Harvest sporting a picture of Snoopy resting on his dog house and the words, "In appreciation for all the empty plates you helped us to fill," Sharon Grosser's office reflects both her energetic, outgoing personality and the many adventures in philanthropy she has undertaken as executive director of the Roslyn Savings Foundation. And of course, she has a magic wand. "We try to make dreams come true," she quips.

But making dreams come true isn't as easy as "presto, change-o." It takes compassion, courage and commitment. It takes the ability to uncover core needs, a desire to enrich others' lives, and an investment in the future.

In 1997 when Roslyn Savings Bank became a publicly owned corporation, Grosser was tapped for its Foundation's leading role. Even though she came on board with 30 years experience at Northrop Grumman (formerly Grumman Corp.) and served 18 of those years as manager of community affairs, she faced a "quick learning curve," while getting acquainted with the technicalities of running a foundation. But "establishing the foundation was good for Roslyn," she said, "making our commitment even better on Long Island" - a commitment that dovetails with Roslyn's logo, "a big heart."

Grosser, who grew up in a family of modest means, credits her parents for teaching her the value of lending a hand. She carried that sense of sharing and commitment into her professional career. At Grumman, Grosser was instrumental in implementing the company's volunteer program, the Care Cats. She "mothered" the group in its good deeds by reminding them to wear identifying shirts, setting up schedules, and even attending events to assure the volunteers' safety. The Care Cats were partial to physical activities, like painting, cleaning public beaches, serving food to the needy and assisting at organized walks.

At Roslyn, Grosser's tasks are multiple, beginning with assisting petitioners to define their needs and shape their grant proposals. She encourages them to "think outside the box."

"To make a good proposal, it's more than just a plain cake mix É it's got to be hot!" Grosser told her audience at last November's Philanthropy Day, sponsored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals. With 5,000 potential clients, she admits that making decisions about which worthy group receives funding can be stressful. "They all have their own personalities and goals."

On the flip side, this compassionate professional urges organizations to keep the lines of communication open. She uses a theme of relationship in describing the giving process. "When a funder and a non profit meet, it's a courtship," she said. "Not everybody is meant to be together."

Grosser likens the first grant to "the engagement." The couple must communicate in order to keep the spark alive. So, once an organization has received funding, she expects that organization to keep in touch. "Just send us a postcard," she said. "I want to know how you're doing."

Grosser's job also calls for a matchmaker. For example, when Roslyn Savings Bank acquired Roosevelt Savings Bank, Roosevelt's Bedford-Stuyvesant branch in Brooklyn was managing a home improvement program. Partnering with a local housing group, it taught first-time homebuyers - in some cases, people who may have recently been homeless - how to repair sheetrock and faucet leaks, as well as how to save money, get a mortgage and keep their home. "Roslyn Chairman Joseph Mancino saw the program as something unique and exciting," Grosser remarked, "and he wanted to see it brought to Long Island."

Through her professional contacts, Grosser looked for a willing charity. The Community Development Corporation agreed to manage the program and house it in their Centereach location. Working with the CDC financially and physically, Grosser joined in shopping at Home Depot with charity representatives who also cleaned out the workshop area, built the workbenches, and bought the tools. In three months, the workshop was up and running, and the first class was in session. Following that success, the CDC has opened a second workshop in Freeport, and is adapting the training to meet the needs of such groups as Hofstra's Liberty Partnerships Program, SUNY's Empire State College, a Girl Scout troop and Old Westbury Gardens.

"This is a dream thing," commented Grosser, noting how the project's humble beginning mushroomed into a fine training program benefiting individuals and groups. "My original grant now has tentacles," she exclaimed.

The Roslyn Savings Foundation approves about 190 grants a year. Regulations specify that the institution must dispense 5% of net worth, but Grosser reports the Foundation's current budget of $1.8 million meets and exceeds that mandate. Most grants benefit community service groups, like youth groups, soup kitchens and homeless shelters. A grant helped the Long Island Blood Service purchase a donor-mobile, and its contributions to cultural endeavors rank among the highest nationally.

"Education is rising to the top, as well as funding issues involving families, especially children in those families. Families and children will be of major importance to the Foundation," says Grosser in identifying areas of growing need on Long Island.

Grosser is concerned that funding avenues are shrinking in today's difficult economy. "The non-givers aren't wearing tags," she stated, adding, "Maybe there has to be more discussion about the giving process. We need more companies and individuals to be givers."

For Grosser, the line between professional and personal giving is blurred. She serves on the advisory board of Pal-O-Mine, a therapy program that helps children with debilitating diseases to feel good about themselves, and build strength and confidence through horseback riding. Grosser sits on the President's Council at Adelphi University, where she received a bachelor's degree in management and communications, advising Dr. Robert Scott in developing future programs and activities. She's a member of the Nassau County Girl Scouts Corporate Advisory Committee, the Children's Medical Fund Board of Directors, the Community Banker's Association, and she chairs the UCP/FREE Women in Business Golf Classic and the Long Island Fund for Women and Girls Resource Council.

Less than a year ago, Grosser was approached by a new charity, Pet Peeves, for advice and guidance. The charity seeks to raise money for "no kill" animal shelters, educate prospective pet owners, and encourage the use of dogs in therapy programs. An animal lover, she now serves on their executive board. "I've learned so much," she said, by participating in discussion from the charity's point of view.

A respected leader in Long Island's civic and charitable arena, Grosser's community-oriented achievements have been widely acknowledged. In 2002, she was honored by the Community Development Corporation, the Stephanie Joyce Kahn Foundation, Pal-O-Mine, the Long Island Chapter of Crohn's and Colitis Foundation, and New Ground, Inc.

Grosser lives in Freeport in her childhood home. She enjoys golf, gardening, water sports and speed boating. Her terrier, Daisy, shares her charitable activities. Daisy is credited with film appearances on Cablevision, representing the Foundation at the Hi-Hello Child Care dog walks, and served as honorary chairdog for the Long Island Alzheimer Foundation's first annual dog walk.

A woman of many passions, Grosser is a collector of Charles Schultz' "Peanuts" comic strip memorabilia. "I take great delight in it," she said. "It's so removed from what you're supposed to be or expected to be." She sees the characters in herself and identifies with them depending on her mood. Some days she's crabby like Lucy, and on weekends, she said, "there's a little bit of pig pen - I don't want to be too groomed on the weekend." There are times she feels the frustration of Charlie Brown, especially if she embarks on a project without instructions, and she inevitably thinks of the boy with his kite in a tree.

Grosser doesn't have a well-defined map of her future, but she said, "I'm not slowing down. There's a devil in me," and in her usual witty way, she summed up life and career saying: "It's a very exciting life; it's long days, and you have to acquire a taste for chicken."

But this down-to-earth professional never loses sight of the investment in the future. When the proposals have been approved by the Foundation's committee and the checks have been dispensed, Grosser asks herself, "What did we achieve?" Her thoughts naturally focus on the grant recipients: "We say a little prayer, and hope it does what they're thinking it will do."