About
Our History
The people, places, and generosity behind more than sixty years of community investment.
The Foundation grew from a family tradition of generosity, education, civic service, and deep connection to Delaware County.
Founder and First President
Olive B. O’Connor
Born in 1879, Olive B. Huggans was educated in Prattsville and at Stamford Seminary. She taught in several schools and served as principal of Prattsville Union Free School. In 1910 she married attorney A. Lindsay O’Connor and settled in Hobart.
Mrs. O’Connor devoted her life to church and civic service. She was the first woman on the Hobart High School Board of Education, president of the New York State Federation of Women’s Clubs from 1942–44, and the first woman president of the Delaware County Health and Tuberculosis Association. She led the Foundation until her death on June 5, 1972.
Public service and leadership
A. Lindsay & Charles R. O’Connor
A. Lindsay O’Connor was born in Davenport in 1881, graduated Phi Beta Kappa, cum laude, from NYU, and attended Albany Law School. He served eleven years as Delaware County District Attorney, became County Judge and Surrogate, and later served as a New York State Supreme Court Justice until 1951.
His brother Charles practiced law with him in Hobart, represented the New York State Attorney General in Delaware County, and became New York State’s first Federal Prohibition Director in 1919.
A tradition spanning generations
O’Connor Philanthropy
Judge and Mrs. O’Connor supported young people, community projects, hospitals, civic facilities, colleges, professorships, and scholarships. Over more than sixty years, grantmaking expanded to health, education, public safety, libraries, agriculture, the environment, economic development, historic preservation, and the arts.
Established November 21, 1965
The First Years
Olive O’Connor formed the Foundation exclusively for religious, charitable, literary, and educational purposes, including prevention of cruelty to children and animals. It was charged not to benefit private individuals, influence legislation, participate in political campaigns, or jeopardize its tax-exempt status.
Continuing the vision
The Foundation Today
The principal program interest remains quality of life in rural Delaware County. The Board meets in spring and fall to consider qualified requests, continuing Olive O’Connor’s vision through a fourth generation of philanthropy.