Community Impact in New York

The Fund for Columbia County: Grants for Community Impact is a competitive grant program administered by the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation. Established in 1998, this fund aims to improve the quality of life for residents of Columbia County, New York. It serves as a dedicated resource to strengthen communities by supporting services and programs that address local needs and foster equity, safety, health, and well-being across the county. The program offers three types of grants within its Community Impact cycle: Project Grants, Renewal Grants, and General Operating Grants. Project Grants are available for new or existing programs that directly benefit Columbia County residents. Renewal Grants are accessible to prior Project Grant recipients in good standing, with up to two years of continued support allowed. General Operating Grants are reserved for established nonprofits with at least three years of 501(c)(3) status and a track record of successful partnership with Berkshire Taconic. Only one application per organization is permitted each year. Primary areas of focus include youth development, education, elderly services, health and social services, and civic or community engagement efforts involving arts, culture, or education. Projects outside these categories or from first-time applicants require consultation with the program officer prior to submission. The fund does not support for-profit entities, private operating foundations, annual appeals, capital campaigns, bricks and mortar, or retrospective expenses. Although support may be extended to faith-based organizations, it is limited to their non-religious, community-focused programming. To be eligible, applicants must be nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, schools, civic entities, or community groups serving Columbia County residents. Collaborative applications are welcome, provided they designate a lead applicant and include letters of support from all partners. All applicants must complete any required final reports from previous BTCF grants prior to reapplying. Applications that focus on underserved populations, including BIPOC, low-income, LGBTQIA+, disabled, immigrant, refugee, or geographically isolated communities, receive priority. Projects demonstrating clear impact, feasibility, and innovative approaches are also favored. Grants are typically between $2,500 and $7,500, though larger awards may be considered for projects with exceptional potential. All awarded activities must be implemented within 12 months unless otherwise agreed upon. A post-project report assessing outcomes is required to remain eligible for future funding cycles. The application portal opens on January 1 and closes on February 15 each year. Proposals are reviewed by an advisory committee and final decisions are approved by the foundation’s board of directors. Questions about program eligibility or strategy should be directed to Leila Kaplan at lkaplan@berkshiretaconic.org.

Contact the program officer if the project is outside standard focus areas or if applying for the first time.