Community Foundation of Otsego County Award

The Community Foundation of Otsego County (CFOC) has announced its Fall 2025 Award Cycle with a dedicated focus on family and child welfare, particularly targeting food insecurity. In collaboration with the Mildred Parish Foundation Fund at CFOC, the Black Family Foundation, and the Black Family Foundation Fund at the Richland Community Foundation, a total of $135,000 in grant funding will be distributed to eligible local nonprofits during this cycle. This funding opportunity supports a broad range of program types designed to meet urgent needs in the community. Examples of eligible projects include those that address food insecurity through school-based nutrition programs, the purchase of refrigeration or efficiency upgrades at food pantries, and new healthy eating initiatives. The grant also supports projects that provide health-related services such as dental hygiene and mental health care, basic necessities that contribute to educational success like warm clothing or language access, utility bill assistance, rental prevention support, and childcare certification programs. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or must work through a qualified 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor, with formal documentation of that relationship. Organizations may submit one application that includes multiple program components. Churches and religious organizations may also apply, provided the proposed project serves the broader public and is not exclusive to a religious congregation. Applications must be submitted online using CFOC’s new Foundant grants management platform. First-time users are required to create an organizational profile before submitting. Applications are due no later than October 24, 2025. Submissions received after the deadline will not be accepted. Award decisions are expected to be finalized by the end of November 2025. Upon notification, awarded organizations must submit a written acceptance and comply with all award conditions before receiving funds. A final report will be required for all funded programs, including outcome metrics, impact evaluations, and lessons learned. Any organization with an outstanding final report from a previous grant cycle will not be considered for new awards until the report is submitted. Required application materials include a completed proposal form, the organization’s most recent IRS Form 990, and the latest Statement of Financial Position and Statement of Activity. A detailed project-specific budget must also be included. While the percentage of board members who have made personal cash donations is considered during evaluation, it is not disqualifying. Applicants with questions about the grant or the application process are encouraged to contact CFOC at contact@cfotsego.org or call 607-286-3750.

CFOC recommends submitting a complete and detailed budget, indicating administrative costs clearly. Early contact is encouraged for guidance. Board engagement is valued, though not mandatory.