Recent Headlines
ESF Alumni Jesse and Betsy Fink Commit $2 Million to Campaign for ESF
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – June 12, 2025 — State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) alums Jesse Fink ’79 and Betsy Fink ’79 have committed $2 million to the recently announced $40 million Campaign for ESF. Longtime champions of environmental innovation and education, the Finks have doubled their investment in the Betsy and Jesse Fink Career Development Program and expanded their support for two cornerstone initiatives at ESF: the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment (CNPE) and the Restoration Science Center (RSC).
“Private donations are more important now than ever before and we are very grateful to Jesse and Betsy. The Finks are helping to ensure that ESF has the resources it needs to continue our groundbreaking research and prepare our students to be the environmental leaders of tomorrow,” said ESF President Joanie Mahoney.
The Finks’ gift reflects their commitment to “systemic investing,” a philanthropic approach that seeks to transform the underlying systems that drive environmental challenges. Their foundation, the Betsy and Jesse Fink Family Foundation, supports organizations and leaders working toward a more sustainable and equitable future.
“Supporting ESF is really important to us because it formed who we are and gave us a foundation for our environmental work,” said Jesse.
Jesse is grateful to ESF for helping launch his career. “The career development team played a big role in getting me my first job ... As a result, I personally want to do everything we can to help students get an internship or fellowship,” he said.
Founded in 2018, the Betsy and Jesse Fink Career Development Program helps ESF students secure internships and fellowships, covering travel and other related expenses. The program is designed to ensure that students graduate with the experience and connections needed to launch impactful careers.
“Thanks to Betsy and Jesse’s incredible generosity, our students have greater opportunities to thrive and succeed,” said Brenda Greenfield, ESF’s Director of Advancement. “Their impact is felt every day across our campus. We could not be more grateful for their ongoing support and investment in ESF’s future.”
Betsy’s undergraduate studies in forest ecology and restoration nurtured a deep commitment to biodiversity and sustainability. Betsy has been particularly inspired by the work of the CNPE’s founding director, Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer ’75.
“Storytelling is a powerful tool for helping people understand and care about how we use and relate to the natural world – and few have done this more powerfully than Robin, whose work inspires more thoughtful and respectful stewardship of our shared resources,” said Betsy.
The Finks’ support of the RSC allowed for the creation of a Pollinator Ecologist position at ESF, held by Molly Jacobson ’21. Jacobson has contributed to data collection and analysis for the Pollinator Pathways Project on Martha’s Vineyard, a program focused on biodiversity and habitat loss that is also supported by the Finks. This partnership exemplifies the kind of collaborative, science-based work the Finks aim to foster.
Philanthropy is more than giving for the Finks. It’s investing in ways to heal the world.
“ESF is a proven institution,” said Jesse. “It's been around for over 100 years. It harvests high-quality students who become incredibly passionate environmental problem solvers. At the end of the day, problems are solved by people, and ESF is a great institution that cultivates wonderful people to do great things.”
About SUNY ESF
The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is dedicated to the study of the environment, developing renewable technologies, and building a sustainable and resilient future through design, policy, and management of the environment and natural resources. Members of the College community share a passion for protecting the health of the planet and a deep commitment to the rigorous application of science to improve the way humans interact with the world. The College offers academic programs ranging from the associate of applied science to the Doctor of Philosophy. ESF students live, study and do research on the main campus in Syracuse, N.Y., and on 25,000 acres of field stations in a variety of ecosystems across the state.