New York Employment Labor and Training Grants

This funding opportunity supports local nonprofit organizations in the greater Rochester area to address environmental health disparities and build community capacity through practical projects.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that assist migrant and seasonal farmworkers with employment services, training, and housing solutions.

The Northeast SARE Professional Development Grant program aims to advance sustainable agriculture practices by enhancing the knowledge, awareness, skills, and attitudes of agricultural and other service providers. This directly aligns with the foundation's mission to support sustainable agriculture through education and professional development. The grant focuses on empowering professionals who work with farmers, enabling them to teach, advise, or assist in the adoption of sustainable methods. The program seeks to create a ripple effect, where trained service providers then apply their learned expertise to help farmers improve their agricultural practices, fostering a more sustainable food system within the Northeast region. The primary beneficiaries of this program are agricultural service providers, including those in non-profit organizations, colleges, universities, Cooperative Extension, and other entities that serve the farming community. Additionally, the program extends its reach to other service providers such as real estate agents, bankers, and attorneys, who can indirectly influence farmers. The overarching impact goal is to cultivate a more resilient and sustainable agricultural landscape in the Northeast by equipping these professionals with the necessary tools and knowledge. Expected outcomes include increased adoption of sustainable and climate-smart agricultural practices by farmers, improved ecological and economic resilience to climate change, and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The program prioritizes a wide array of topics, encompassing marketing and business, crop production, raising livestock, aquaculture, social sustainability, urban and Indigenous agriculture, and traditional ecological knowledge. A significant focus is placed on climate-smart agriculture practices, which are intended to improve ecological, social, and economic resilience to climate change. This includes practices such as reduced and no-till farming, cover cropping, prescribed grazing, ruminant feed management, manure management, fertilizer management, and on-farm energy efficiency. The program's strategic priorities are clearly aligned with addressing contemporary agricultural challenges through education and practical application. Northeast SARE actively encourages projects from, or in collaboration with, women, the LGBTQIA+ community, and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Furthermore, it encourages proposals from Minority Serving Institutions and other organizations in the Northeast that work with historically underserved communities, demonstrating a commitment to equity and inclusivity in agricultural development. The theory of change behind these priorities is that by supporting a diverse range of voices and institutions, the program can foster more innovative and equitable solutions for sustainable agriculture, leading to broader and more effective adoption of sustainable practices across the region. The expected measurable results include an increase in the number of service providers trained in sustainable agriculture, a documented increase in farmers adopting climate-smart practices, and the successful implementation of projects that demonstrate improved ecological, social, and economic resilience. Awards typically range from $30,000 to $150,000, with project lengths usually spanning 2 to 3 years, and a maximum allowed duration of 3.5 years. The program's geographical focus is exclusively on the Northeast region, which includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Vermont, and Washington, D.C., ensuring targeted and localized impact within this specific area.

This program provides financial assistance to property owners in Lewis County to renovate vacant or blighted commercial buildings, transforming them into active business spaces and boosting local economic growth.

This funding opportunity is designed to help organizations provide training that equips individuals with essential soft skills and job readiness competencies needed to succeed in the workforce.

The Connection, Health, & Equity through Food (CHEF) Grant Program is a collaborative initiative across Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Eastern Massachusetts, and Upstate New York, administered by the Maine Council on Aging. The program's core mission is to increase older adults’ equitable access to healthy food and social connection, aligning with a broader goal of addressing systemic issues like food insecurity and social isolation. This grant program seeks to support older adults by fostering programmatic infrastructure, expanding existing programs, and launching innovative new initiatives that cater to their food and social connection needs. The target beneficiaries of the CHEF Grant Program are primarily older adults, with a specific focus on underserved and marginalized populations. These include BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), LGBTQ+, women, veterans, people living with disabilities, and individuals residing in rural communities. The program's impact goals are centered on enhancing the quality of life for these older adults by improving their access to nutritious food and opportunities for social engagement. Projects that serve diverse older people, veterans, and older people living with disabilities are given priority. The CHEF program prioritizes finding solutions to the root causes of food insecurity and social isolation. These root causes include poverty, transportation barriers, rurality, and language barriers. While the grant does not explicitly detail the foundation's strategic priorities or a formal theory of change, the emphasis on equitable access, addressing systemic issues, and supporting vulnerable populations suggests a strategy focused on community-based interventions and empowerment. The program's design indicates a theory that by investing in local organizations and initiatives, significant improvements can be made in the well-being of older adults. Expected outcomes include increased access to healthy food for older adults, enhanced social connections within communities, and a reduction in the prevalence of food insecurity and social isolation among the target populations. While specific measurable results are not explicitly outlined, the program's focus on data for older people served (50.1% of the overall population served) suggests an intent to track the reach and impact on the primary beneficiary group. The grant duration is not mentioned, but the anticipated grant size of $2,000 – $10,000 for most grants indicates support for projects with tangible, localized impacts.

This funding opportunity is designed to help organizations create or expand clean energy training programs, particularly for individuals from disadvantaged communities and those facing employment barriers.

The Northeast Dutchess Fund's NEDCorps initiative offers grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to nonprofits, municipalities, and community organizations in northeast Dutchess County, New York, to develop or expand services for the immigrant community, with a total of $35,000 available for distribution.

The Seeds of Sustainability Grant Program, offered by the Western New York Foundation, aims to bolster nonprofit organizations working within the food system. This program aligns with the foundation's mission by supporting efforts to improve organizational capacity and drive transformative work. Through this initiative, the foundation seeks to empower nonprofits to achieve their objectives and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient food system in the region. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are small to mid-size nonprofit organizations with budgets between $100,000 and $6,000,000, operating within Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, and Wyoming counties in New York. The program's impact goals center on enhancing the operational effectiveness and sustainable growth of these organizations. It seeks to equip them with the necessary skills, knowledge, and resources to amplify their impact on local and regional food systems. The program prioritizes several key areas to achieve its objectives. These include supporting strategic leadership development, fostering collaboration among community stakeholders, strengthening communication efforts to raise awareness and attract resources, expanding resources to stabilize financials, promoting programming excellence, and enhancing overall operational effectiveness. These focuses are designed to address the multifaceted needs of nonprofits and build a robust foundation for long-term success. Expected outcomes and measurable results include improved board and staff leadership, stronger community engagement and expanded services through collaborative efforts, increased awareness and resource attraction due to enhanced communications, greater financial stability and long-term sustainability, more effective program delivery and evaluation, and improved day-to-day operational productivity in areas such as administration, grant management, finance, human resources, technology, and facility management. The foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change are evident in its commitment to capacity building, believing that by strengthening the internal capabilities of nonprofits, they can more effectively drive transformative change in the food system. To be eligible, applicants must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, demonstrate a commitment to transformative change in the food system, and have three years of 990 filings. The program's detailed approach, from leadership support to operational enhancements, reflects the Western New York Foundation's comprehensive strategy for fostering sustainable growth and impactful work within the vital food sector of the region.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to public and private primary and secondary schools in New York City to promote hands-on gardening and farming education for students.

The Scherman Foundation’s Core Fund for Reproductive Rights and Justice supports organizations working within a comprehensive reproductive justice framework that addresses the impact of race, class, gender, and sexual identity on women’s reproductive health and autonomy. The Foundation prioritizes funding for innovative national and state-based organizations using strategies such as base building, leadership development, public education, policy advocacy, voter engagement, and culture change. General operating support is emphasized for state-based and local organizations, while larger and policy-focused groups may receive project-specific support.

The Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene and Social Services (DMHSS) is offering a grant program to support Youth Team Sports (YTS) programs for underserved youth under the age of 18. This initiative aims to foster the development and operation of organized physical activities that encourage competition among groups of two or more individuals. The program's mission aligns with the DMHSS's broader goal of promoting the well-being of the community's youth, recognizing the significant role that sports can play in their holistic development. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are underserved youth under 18 in Chautauqua County. The program's impact goals are multifaceted, extending beyond mere physical activity. It seeks to achieve educational connection and achievement, physical health and well-being, mental health and well-being, employment, and community cohesion. These goals highlight a comprehensive approach to youth development, acknowledging the interconnectedness of various aspects of a young person's life. The funding awards are guided by a set of core principles that serve as the program's priorities and focuses. These include educational connection and achievement, emphasizing the link between sports participation and academic success; physical health and well-being, promoting active lifestyles; mental health and well-being, recognizing the positive impact of sports on emotional and psychological health; employment, potentially through skill development and teamwork; and community cohesion, fostering a sense of belonging and collective effort. The expected outcomes and measurable results are tied to these guiding principles. By supporting YTS programs, the DMHSS anticipates improvements in the educational engagement and academic performance of participating youth, enhanced physical fitness and reduced health risks, improved mental resilience and emotional regulation, development of transferable skills that can aid in future employment, and a stronger sense of community and social responsibility among the youth. Each applicant can request up to $15,000 in funding to support programming for the program year of October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025. The program, created under the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), reflects a strategic priority to invest in community-based initiatives that directly address the needs of vulnerable youth. The underlying theory of change posits that by providing access to organized team sports, underserved youth will gain valuable life skills, improve their overall well-being, and become more engaged and productive members of their communities. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits or other community-based organizations operating in Chautauqua County that meet specific requirements, further underscoring the commitment to local, impactful interventions.

This funding opportunity supports projects that enhance the skills and career prospects of young professionals under 40 across various sectors in New York.

This program provides $5 million in funding to nonprofit organizations in New York State to support mental health, workforce development, or housing initiatives for individuals aged 0-24 in communities disproportionately impacted by past drug policies.

This funding opportunity provides $1 million to organizations that support employment access and equity for transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary individuals in New York State through training and workforce development programs.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is soliciting proposals for the Northeast Forests and Rivers Fund (NEFRF), a program dedicated to restoring and sustaining healthy rivers, forests, and grasslands to provide habitat for diverse fish and wildlife populations. This initiative aligns with NFWF's broader mission to protect and restore native wildlife species and their habitats, leveraging public and private funding to achieve significant conservation outcomes. The NEFRF, formerly known as the New England Forests and Rivers Fund, represents a strategic investment in the ecological health of the Northeast region, fostering biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. The program's target beneficiaries include various fish and wildlife populations such as river herring, Atlantic salmon, brook trout, wood turtles, golden-winged warblers, New England cottontails, and bobolinks. Beyond wildlife, the program also aims to benefit agricultural producers, particularly those in Historically Underserved and Special Emphasis categories, by helping them design and implement conservation practices. The impact goals are centered on improving habitat quality and connectivity, enhancing forest conditions, and promoting hayfield management conducive to successful grassland bird breeding. NEFRF's priorities and focuses are outlined in NFWF’s Northeast Watersheds Business Plan (March 2023), specifically targeting strategies for Stream and Riparian Habitat, and Upland Forests and Grasslands. Key implementation strategies for 2024 include restoring stream and riparian habitats, improving forest management for age and structural diversity, and promoting hayfield management. A significant portion of funding, approximately $625,000, is set aside for projects that assist agricultural producers in adopting conservation practices beneficial to target species like northeast turtles and golden-winged warblers, while also increasing Farm Bill program participation. Additionally, the program encourages projects that involve community outreach, engagement, collaborative management, and the incorporation of traditional knowledge and community input. Expected outcomes and measurable results include improved habitat for specific fish and wildlife species, enhanced age and structural diversity in forest blocks, successful grassland bird breeding, and increased participation of agricultural producers in conservation programs. Projects are expected to contribute to measurable conservation benefits through community input, co-design processes, and engagement with community-level partners (e.g., municipalities, NGOs, community organizations, community leaders) to ensure project design, implementation, maintenance, and long-term sustainability post-grant award. The grant duration is three years, with projects expected to start no later than six months after the award date. The NFWF's strategic priorities for the NEFRF reflect a theory of change that posits by investing in targeted habitat restoration, improved land management, and community engagement, ecological health will be restored and sustained, benefiting both wildlife and human communities. Funding is provided by a consortium of partners including the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Zoetis Foundation, and Sylvamo, underscoring a collaborative approach to conservation. The program encourages a holistic view of conservation, integrating scientific best practices with local community needs and traditional knowledge to achieve robust and lasting environmental improvements across Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and parts of New York.

READY Community Foundations, part of ARC's READY Appalachia initiative, offers no-cost training to community foundations in Appalachia. Participants will build skills in financial management, fundraising, grantmaking, and strategic planning. Eligible foundations can apply for up to $25,000 in funding to implement capacity-building projects post-training. Applications are due by July 5, 2024.

This grant provides $8,000 in unrestricted funds to support individual artists and collaborative groups in New York State or Tribal Nations, allowing them to pursue their creative vision without project-specific requirements.

Grant Opportunity: Cattaraugus County Microenterprise Assistance Program Grant (New York) This program provides funding for microenterprises with five or fewer employees, owned by individuals meeting low- or moderate-income criteria as defined by HUD. Not-for-profit corporations are not eligible. Both existing and startup micro-businesses can apply, with startups defined as businesses that have filed structure documentation within the last 6 months. Applicants must submit a completed application, business plan, and proof of income and family size. The assisted business activity must result in the creation of employment positions consistent with low- and moderate-income benefit provisions. Proof of job creation and employee income will be required before grant funds are disbursed.

This funding opportunity supports artist residencies in K-12 public schools and community organizations in Tompkins County, aimed at integrating arts into education and enhancing students' creativity and skills.