The Community Foundation of Tompkins County’s 2025 Grant Cycle, titled "Empowering Resilient Communities," provides flexible, unrestricted support to organizations strengthening the resilience of Tompkins County’s diverse communities. Grants are available to 501(c)(3) nonprofits, faith-based organizations offering non-religious services, and public sector agencies, with a focus on aligning funded work with the Foundation’s mission of advancing equity, inclusion, and social justice.
Grant awards range from $500 to $12,000. Applications must be submitted online by May 14, 2025, at 5:00 PM. Funding notifications will be released in mid-June 2025, and grant activities must be completed within 12 months of award receipt. Final reports are due by March 31, 2026.
The Foundation’s grantmaking philosophy emphasizes trust-based philanthropy, reducing barriers to funding for grassroots and emerging initiatives, and encouraging transparency and collaboration. Proposals should clearly outline community impact, racial equity contributions, measurable goals, adaptability to community needs, and collaboration efforts.
While unrestricted funding is the primary focus, donor-advised funds, field-of-interest funds (covering topics like arts, aging, animal welfare, food security, and youth development), and discretionary grants may also be leveraged based on application alignment. Previous funding does not guarantee future awards, and applicants must submit any outstanding grant reports to be eligible.
Technical and content support is available for applicants needing assistance. Organizations can also request translated applications or neurodivergence accommodations. Reviewers will assess completeness, clarity of mission and goals, and commitment to community-centered outcomes.
