Micro-Grant Program

The Northern New York Community Foundation’s Micro-Grant Program is designed to support the evolving needs of nonprofits across Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties in New York State. This program is administered directly by the Foundation and aims to catalyze small-scale community impact through flexible, responsive funding. The Foundation itself is a regional philanthropic institution that works to advance charitable initiatives and build community capacity through funding, collaboration, and stewardship of donor resources. Its Micro-Grant Program reflects these values by providing timely, modest awards to meet immediate needs or unlock future funding opportunities for eligible organizations. The program specifically targets 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that are both located in and actively serving the tri-county region. Funding awards range from $250 to $2,500 and are made on a rolling basis, allowing applicants to seek support outside of rigid grant cycles. Applicants may pursue funding for a variety of purposes, including bridge funding to support the launch or finalization of a community initiative, catalyst funding to spur broader charitable investment, programming that addresses the needs of specific vulnerable populations, or organizational development activities such as capacity building and strategic planning. By offering these flexible uses, the Foundation supports not only direct services but also the long-term sustainability and resilience of nonprofits in the region. There are clear exclusions outlined within the program guidelines. The Micro-Grant Program does not support operational expenses for existing programs, deficit coverage, projects that are already completed or near completion, or individual applicants. Additionally, churches and religious organizations are generally ineligible unless the proposed project demonstrates a broader community benefit. Grants for endowments are also not typically awarded, though exceptions may be made if the endowment is to be managed by the Foundation itself. Sponsorships for events are not considered under this funding stream. To apply, organizations must access the Foundation’s Grant Lifecycle Manager (GLM) portal, where they can create or log into an account and complete the application process. Required elements of the application include a project summary, clearly defined objectives, a detailed project budget, and information about additional funding sources. Applicants must also explain how the proposed initiative addresses community needs and how the Foundation’s support will be publicly acknowledged. A final grant report is mandatory for all awardees and must be approved before a new request can be submitted. The Foundation evaluates proposals on a rolling basis, without specific deadlines, which enables nonprofits to request support in alignment with urgent timelines or evolving project needs. Decisions are made internally by Foundation staff, including the Philanthropy Associate and Director of Philanthropy, whose contact information is provided for applicant inquiries. Although there is no formal limit on the number of requests an organization can submit, adherence to stewardship requirements and impact reporting are prerequisites for future consideration. Because the program is ongoing, it does not follow a fixed grant cycle and is considered non-recurring with no predefined reissuance schedule. Overall, the Northern New York Community Foundation’s Micro-Grant Program is a locally focused, low-barrier funding opportunity for small-scale, high-impact projects. Its accessible design, fast turnaround, and flexibility make it a valuable resource for nonprofits working to strengthen services and improve quality of life across the North Country.