The Tioga County Development Corporation (TCDC), a 501(c)(6) non-profit Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) formed the Tioga County Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation on September 21, 1999. The exclusive purpose of the Foundation is for the benefit of and to perform the charitable, educational and scientific functions and activities of the Tioga County Development Corporation. The Board of Directors is given the sole discretion to decide which functions and activities will receive the support of the Foundation. The Mission of the Tioga County Foundation is to assist the people of Tioga County with educational sponsorships through Leadership Programs and Scholarships. The Foundation believes that with scholarship support the Foundation can challenge and motivate the people of Tioga County to further develop a successful community. Activities which may qualify for support from the Foundation include the following.

The Tioga County Foundation will have two (2) primary functions. The first primary function will be to serve as the financial instrument for the Leadership Tioga County developed by the Tioga County Development Corporation. The purpose of Leadership Tioga County is to recruit, train, encourage & develop caring individuals to participate in community leadership activities & responsibilities throughout Tioga County. The first Program developed under Leadership Tioga County was the Youth Leadership Program in 1999 for 11th grade students from the three (3) public school districts. The Tioga County Foundation solicits contributions and awards scholarships to the students for the Program.

In 2002, TCDC developed Leadership Tioga County: Community Leadership Program which is similar to the Youth Leadership Program but involves adults from throughout Tioga County. In addition, other Leadership Programs, workshops and seminars will be offered. Contributions for the Leadership Programs will come from corporations, businesses, individuals, educational institutions and civic organizations. Proceeds will be used exclusively for the operation and implementation of Leadership Tioga County.

Second, the Tioga County Foundation will be the recipient of various local, county, regional, state and federal funds for TCDC, as well as other public entities throughout Tioga County. The Foundation will serve as a clearinghouse and act in an administrative capacity on their behalf.