Northern New York Community Foundation General Grant

The Northern New York Community Foundation’s General Grant Program is a regional funding initiative aimed at enhancing quality of life across Northern New York. Established with a commitment to community enrichment, the Foundation supports a broad array of nonprofit programs and initiatives. Its general grant program serves as a flexible funding mechanism to address diverse and evolving community needs. Rooted in the Foundation’s mission and values, the program seeks to empower projects that demonstrate vision, strong planning, and potential for meaningful local impact. Eligible areas of focus include health and wellness, arts and culture, human services, education, youth and elder support, families, the environment and conservation, community development, and recreation. While this list is not exhaustive, it reflects the Foundation’s broad commitment to the well-being and vitality of the region. Funding is awarded to initiatives that demonstrate clear community benefit, strong leadership, and strategic support. Applications should clearly communicate their alignment with the Foundation’s mission and present a compelling case for funding. Accessing the General Grant Program requires an initial submission of a Letter of Inquiry (LOI), which is mandatory for this specific grant track. Other Foundation funding opportunities may not require an LOI. Applicants must use the online portal to submit their LOI, which will be reviewed by Foundation staff for alignment with funding priorities. Applicants are encouraged to discuss their project ideas with Foundation staff prior to submission. In some cases, a site visit may be requested following initial discussions. Once the LOI is evaluated and deemed eligible, applicants may be invited to submit a full grant proposal. The Foundation’s review process includes a quarterly cycle with distinct deadlines for both LOI and full proposal submissions. This structured process ensures that each proposal is carefully considered in light of available funding and the strategic goals of the Foundation. There is no stated match requirement, and award amounts are not specified in the program materials. For the 2025 grant cycle, LOI deadlines fall on December 26, 2025; March 13, 2025; June 12, 2025; and September 18, 2025. Corresponding full proposal deadlines are January 23, 2026; April 17, 2026; July 17, 2026; and October 23, 2026, respectively. This quarterly schedule reflects the recurring nature of the program. Interested applicants may contact Philanthropy Associate Emily Pfeil at emily@nnycf.org or Director of Philanthropy Kraig Everard at kraig@nnycf.org for further guidance and to schedule preliminary discussions.

Applicants are encouraged to contact Foundation staff before submitting an LOI to discuss ideas. A site visit may be required. Strong alignment with mission and well-articulated community impact are emphasized.