Inspiring Ideas. Igniting Action. Impacting Locally.

The Airport Community Foundation (ACF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and enhancing local communities surrounding the metropolitan New York airports. The foundation focuses on programs that promote aviation and airport workforce development, education and training, and local quality-of-life initiatives. It works closely with airport stakeholders, civic associations, and local authorities to identify and address the community’s needs and provide help wherever possible.

We aim to ensure that airports are seen as valuable resources for the local communities, providing employment and business opportunities and serving as invested partners in helping these communities access the resources necessary to enhance their quality of life.

The term “airport community” differs depending on who you ask. It could mean:

  • the various airports located in the metropolitan New York area,
  • the stakeholders that operate at these airports,
  • or the relationship between the airports and the local communities.

The Airport Community Foundation bridges the gap between these community members. It brings them all together to ensure the future of aviation in this region and the advancement of this industry, and shares what makes them all shining examples of what makes our airports the best in the world.

The New York airport community has always been extremely generous in donating time and money to worthy causes at our airports and within the surrounding communities. As a result, the Airport Community Foundation (ACF) was founded to assist local airport and aviation-related associations with fundraising efforts to help them continue the essential work they provide on behalf of our industry.

Since 2023, the Airport Community Golf Classic (ACGC) has proven itself as one of the premier airport events, raising funds for the JFK Airport Cargo Association, Kennedy Airport Airlines Management Council (KAAMCO), Council of Airline Maintenance Managers (CALMM), and the Aviation High School Education Foundation. The proceeds from this event have been used to benefit those in need in our area, provide scholarships for local students, and promote aviation and the airport as fantastic places to have a career.

By highlighting the generosity of the companies and airport associations operating at the airport, we hope to show the benefits that the airport community provides to the entire metropolitan area.

ACF Executive Board Members

The Airport Community Foundation is managed by a volunteer committee of airport leaders raising funds to assist local airport associations in promoting workforce development, educational opportunities, and advancing business growth while creating connections within the local communities that our airports service.

Raymond Ringston

Raymond Ringston

Airport Media, Inc.

Michael Falacara, Chief Operating Officer, The ARK at JFK

Mike Falacara

The Ark at JFK

Katie Bliss

Katie Bliss

Aqueous Solutions

ACF Advisory Board Members

Deborah Brown

Deborah Ann Brown

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

Brian Cooley

Brian Cooley

American Airlines Cargo

Vito D'Anna

Vito D’Anna

Lufthansa Cargo

Sean McCalla

Sean McCalla

VRH Construction

Arnold Sue, ASAK

Arnold Sue

ASAK Solutions

Nancy Vargas - DH2

Nancy Vargas

DH2 Chauffeured Transportation

The ACF Mission

To serve the metropolitan New York airport community and its surrounding communities and organizations to improve the quality of life of its citizens and enhance the general public welfare in areas of need among the poor, underprivileged, and underserved groups within the community, to provide greater access to and enhance educational and job opportunities within the community, and to lessen the government burden by improving the local environment, including promoting and advancing the creation of local air transportation industry related job opportunities, increasing and supporting air industry-related technical educational awareness and opportunities for underserved and underrepresented populations, improving the local and regional environment through public green and beautification initiatives, providing assistance to underserved persons in the community, and promoting volunteerism and civic engagement, which activities may include, but are not limited to, making grants to government and civic organizations, schools, libraries, religious institutions, and other qualified institutions to further the corporation’s charitable purpose, granting educational scholarships in technical and professional areas relating to the air industry, organizing and conducting career fairs relating to the air industry, establishing community service leadership and recognition awards, funding green area planting initiatives, garbage removal, blighted area clean-up and revitalization, preservation of wetlands and clean water supplies, and providing access to food, shelter and medical services of insecure persons, and to engage in all lawful actions or practices necessary or appropriate to the conduct of the purposes set forth above, so long as such actions or practices are consistent with status as a charitable organization pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.