Tioga Downs Regional Community Foundation Grant

The Tioga Downs Regional Community Foundation is a charitable initiative founded by the leadership of Tioga Downs Casino Resort to strengthen the economic and social fabric of the Southern Tier and Northern Pennsylvania region. Established through the commitment of Mr. Jeffrey Gural, the Foundation was created from the belief that those with resources have an obligation to help improve the quality of life for their neighbors. The Foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) public charity whose mission is to promote community and economic development in the counties surrounding Tioga Downs Casino Resort, including Broome, Tioga, Chemung (New York) and Bradford (Pennsylvania). Each year, the Foundation awards competitive grants to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations whose work combats local poverty and addresses community deterioration. The program funds a broad range of charitable, religious, literary, scientific, and educational initiatives that tangibly improve well-being within the target counties. While emphasis is placed on projects that meet immediate local needs, the Foundation also supports longer-term community development programs that demonstrate clear, measurable benefit and strong local partnerships. Award recipients are determined through an annual review and are publicly announced on Giving Tuesday, underscoring the Foundation’s connection to community giving traditions. Grant funds may be used for direct program expenses and reasonable administrative costs, provided all expenditures align with the organization’s charitable mission and serve the designated counties. The Foundation does not require formal quotes for project work; however, cost estimates and detailed project impact descriptions are encouraged to strengthen applications. Matching funds are not explicitly required, though applicants should present a sound and sustainable financial plan that supports program continuation beyond the grant term. Applicants must be recognized 501(c)(3) public charities in good standing. Other nonprofit classifications such as 501(c)(4) or 501(c)(6) are not eligible. Fiscal sponsors may apply on behalf of qualifying projects only if they can supply separate accounting and formal sponsorship agreements. Projects must clearly demonstrate local benefit in one or more eligible counties. Political, lobbying, or debt-service activities are not eligible for funding. The 2025 cycle follows a fixed annual schedule. Applications open mid-year and must be received by **October 31, 2025 at 5 p.m. Eastern Time**. Awards totaling approximately $2 million will be announced on **Giving Tuesday, December 2, 2025**, consistent with prior cycles. All submissions must be mailed as hard-copy applications to **Tioga Downs Regional Community Foundation, P.O. Box 15, Nichols, NY 13812**. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Both successful and unsuccessful applicants will receive notification by email on the award date. For questions, applicants may contact **Jill Teeter, Executive Director**, at **tiogafoundation@tiogadowns.com**. As of this cycle, the Foundation’s 501(c)(3) status is pending IRS final determination, but operations continue in alignment with public charity standards. Based on its recurring annual pattern, the next anticipated grant cycle will open in summer 2026 with awards expected on Giving Tuesday 2026.

Ensure the application is complete; incomplete submissions are not reviewed.