The Mission of Cortland College Foundation The Cortland College Foundation was established in 1948 as a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization in order to raise, administer and distribute private contributions to support the students and faculty of the State University of New York (SUNY) College at Cortland. Providing private scholarship and financial aid support for students, and faculty development support, are primary goals of the organization and the College. The College was founded in 1868, as a normal school and teachers college, and at the present time graduates the largest number of teachers each year in New York State.