New York Recreation Grants

The 2024 Community Experts Fund, spearheaded by the Peter and Elizabeth Tower Foundation, is a grant initiative designed to amplify youth voice within organizations. This program aligns with the Foundation's mission by directly engaging young adults with lived expertise in the grantmaking process, ensuring that funding decisions are informed by the concerns and priorities of the young people it aims to serve. This strategic approach underscores a theory of change that values authentic youth engagement as a catalyst for effective and impactful program development. The target beneficiaries of this grant are youth-serving nonprofit organizations working with young people who have an intellectual disability, learning disability, mental health challenge, or substance use disorder. The program specifically prioritizes services delivered in Massachusetts (Barnstable, Dukes, Essex, or Nantucket County) and New York (Erie or Niagara County). The impact goals include fostering youth leadership and ensuring that community voice directly shapes grant allocation and program design. The fund focuses on supporting a variety of initiatives that empower young people. Eligible expenses include stipends for youth participation, staff time dedicated to youth engagement, transportation and accommodation for youth programming, program supplies and food, community and recreational programming, outreach and promotion of youth leadership opportunities, technology and equipment, and training. This broad scope allows organizations to tailor their proposals to specific needs while adhering to the core objective of youth empowerment. Applicants can request up to $25,000 to support their programs. While the grant duration is not explicitly mentioned, the emphasis on youth-led design and ongoing engagement suggests an expected outcome of sustainable youth leadership within recipient organizations. The measurable results would likely include increased youth participation in organizational decision-making, development of youth-led projects, and the overall strengthening of youth voice in the designated service regions. This grant opportunity exemplifies the Foundation's strategic commitment to empowering young people and integrating their perspectives into community-based solutions.

The Youth Sports and Education Grants, sponsored by Lewis County (NY), invite applications for programs that provide structured sports activities for youth aged 6-17. This grant program aims to foster youth development through sports and educational programming. The project period for these grants runs from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025, with a grant duration of one year. Eligible programs must demonstrate basic competency in governance, monitoring and evaluation, partnership, and financial stewardship, ensuring that the grants support well-managed and effective initiatives. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are youth aged 6-17 residing in New York State. The impact goals include promoting healthy physical activity, providing educational opportunities, and ensuring a safe environment for participants. A crucial focus is on child protection, requiring all funded programs to have a child protection policy in place that adheres to local, city, agency, school district, and state guidelines. This commitment underscores a strategic priority to safeguard young participants while promoting their engagement in sports and education. Priorities for funding include programming costs directly related to youth activities. This encompasses expenses such as coaches, instructors, direct service staff, and mentors, including their training and professional development. Additionally, funding can cover equipment, educational programming costs, and facility or field usage. A key focus is on maximizing direct service to youth, with a cap of 15% of funds allocated for administrative and overhead costs for the implementing agency. Expected outcomes include increased participation in structured sports activities among New York State youth, enhanced educational attainment through integrated programming, and the establishment of safe and well-managed environments for children. Programs are also required to collect registration data, including participant demographic information, to facilitate accurate reporting of anonymized aggregate data to the OCFS, allowing for measurable results and ongoing program evaluation. The foundation's strategic priorities align with promoting youth well-being and development, utilizing sports and education as key tools for positive community impact.

The Youth Team Sports Funding is a grant program offered by Lewis County in New York, designed to support local community-based organizations and nonprofits in providing team sports activities for youth. The program's core objective is to foster youth development through organized physical activity, particularly targeting under-resourced communities within New York State. The grant period is from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025, and it emphasizes adherence to child protection policies and data collection for accurate reporting. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are youth under 18 years old residing in under-resourced communities within New York State. The program aims to increase participation in team sports, which are defined as organized physical activities where groups of two or more individuals compete. The impact goals include promoting physical well-being, fostering teamwork, and providing structured recreational opportunities for vulnerable youth populations. The grant prioritizes funding for programming costs directly related to supporting youth participation in team sports. This includes expenses for coaches, instructors, direct service staff, mentors (including training and professional development), referee fees, and the purchase of equipment or uniforms. Additionally, capital investments such as facilities, fields, fences, storage, and lighting are eligible. A notable focus is also on the purchase of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) by local organizations to meet current legal requirements. Expected outcomes of the program include an increase in the number of youth participating in organized team sports, improved access to sports activities for under-resourced communities, and enhanced safety through the implementation of child protection policies and the availability of AEDs. Measurable results will likely stem from the collected registration data, including participant demographic information, which OCFS requires for anonymized aggregate reporting. This data will allow for the assessment of the program's reach and effectiveness in serving its target population and achieving its outlined objectives.

The Tourism Advancement grants provided by Tompkins County aim to attract visitors to the area, specifically encouraging overnight stays. This aligns with the broader mission of promoting tourism and supporting local economic development within Tompkins County. The grants fund a variety of projects and marketing campaigns designed to increase travel demand. The primary beneficiaries of these grants are nonprofit organizations designated as 501(c)3 and municipalities within Tompkins County. The impact goal is to generate increased tourism, particularly during periods when the market has the capacity for additional travelers. This strategic approach ensures efficient utilization of existing infrastructure and maximizes the economic benefit to the county. The program prioritizes initiatives that are aligned with the Strategic Tourism Plan or other established tourism implementation plans. Focus areas include large-scale events, marketing campaigns, artistic and cultural installations, guided tours, and various recreational and sporting events. These activities are expected to draw a diverse range of visitors, including niche audiences. Expected outcomes include an increase in the number of overnight stays in Tompkins County and a boost to the local economy. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided text, the emphasis on "generating travel demand" and "attracting visitors" implies that success will be measured by indicators such as visitor numbers, hotel occupancy rates, and overall tourism revenue. The grant activity period runs from November 2024 to April 2025, suggesting a focus on increasing tourism during the off-peak or shoulder seasons.

This funding opportunity supports community organizations in Monroe and Ontario Counties to create engaging summer programs for youth aged 3-18, focusing on learning, skill-building, and social-emotional development.

The Launch LC grant opportunity, facilitated by Naturally Lewis, is a competitive program designed to bolster start-up businesses within Lewis County, New York. Its core mission aligns with enhancing the quality of life for residents and fostering a more appealing community for living, working, and recreation. Naturally Lewis, as the funding body, strategically aims to support creative entrepreneurs whose ventures will contribute to these overarching community development goals, embodying a direct alignment between the grant's purpose and the foundation's strategic priorities. The program is specifically tailored to address local economic growth and community enrichment through targeted business support. The program's target beneficiaries are start-up microenterprises—defined as businesses with five or fewer employees—that are either new or have been operating for less than six months in Lewis County. A key impact goal is to empower low-to-moderate income individuals, either by directly supporting businesses owned by them or by incentivizing the creation of jobs made available to this demographic. This focus ensures that the grant funds not only stimulate economic activity but also contribute to social equity and opportunity within the community. The 6-month program structure is designed to provide comprehensive training, funding, and essential tools, thereby equipping entrepreneurs for successful business launch and sustained operation. Naturally Lewis prioritizes start-up businesses within specific categories: Food & Beverage, Small-scale Manufacturing, Tourism, and Construction Trades. These sectors have been identified as key areas that can significantly enhance local experiences for both tourists and residents, directly contributing to the community's attractiveness and economic vitality. The funding model, with awards ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 based on project costs, ensures that a variety of small-scale projects can receive crucial early-stage capital. The requirement for applicants to contribute at least 10% of project costs with personal funds promotes a shared investment and commitment to the business's success, aligning with a theory of change that emphasizes entrepreneurial buy-in. Expected outcomes include the successful establishment and growth of new microenterprises in Lewis County, leading to job creation, particularly for low-to-moderate income individuals. Measurable results will be seen in the number of businesses successfully launched, the volume of grant funds effectively utilized for equipment, machinery, furniture, and inventory, and the tangible improvements in community quality of life and attractiveness. The program explicitly excludes retroactive projects, ensuring that funding is directed towards new ventures that will generate future positive impacts. Ultimately, Naturally Lewis anticipates that the Launch LC grant will serve as a catalyst for sustainable economic development and community vibrancy in Lewis County.

The Café Royal Cultural Foundation NYC Performance Grant supports individuals focused on the production of theatre, dance, and performance art, which can be accompanied by music. This grant aligns with the foundation's mission to foster artistic creation by providing essential funding for projects that bring art to an audience. The foundation recognizes that an audience is often the final, crucial piece in a work of art created by dancers, musicians, actors, and writers. The target beneficiaries for this grant are individual performers of theatre, dance, and performance art. Eligibility criteria specify that applicants must be United States Citizens or Resident Aliens, residents of New York City for at least one year prior to applying, and plan to remain residents through the project's completion. The grant focuses on supporting full productions, specifically stating that readings for plays will not qualify. This demonstrates a commitment to funding complete and public-facing artistic endeavors. The grant prioritizes the production aspect of performing arts, explicitly stating that it does not fund costs associated with the creation or composition of new work. This focus ensures that the grants are directed towards bringing existing or newly developed works to the stage, emphasizing the performance and audience engagement. The foundation's strategic priority appears to be the direct support of artistic presentation and the cultivation of a vibrant performing arts scene in New York City. Expected outcomes include the successful staging of theatre, dance, and performance art productions. Measurable results would be the number of performances supported, the number of audience members reached, and the successful completion of the funded projects by eligible New York City artists. The implicit theory of change is that by funding the production of these art forms, the foundation contributes to the cultural enrichment of New York City, provides opportunities for artists to present their work, and ensures public access to diverse artistic expressions. Funding information specifies that grants are awarded up to $10,000, with a range of $1,000 to $10,000. While a specific grant duration is not mentioned, the expectation is that projects will be completed. The foundation's dedication to supporting performance, rather than creation, highlights its commitment to the final stages of artistic work, ensuring that art reaches its intended audience.

The Genesee Valley Council on the Arts is offering the Individual Projects Grant of $1,000 to $3,500 to artists residing in Livingston or Monroe Counties, New York, to create a new body of work within the year 2025, with the application deadline set for October 21, 2024.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local cultural organizations and individual artists working with Staten Island public schools to deliver hands-on arts education experiences for K-12 students.

The Lewis County Youth Development Program is seeking applications for grants to fund a wide variety of youth development initiatives. While the specific foundation mission is not explicitly stated, the program aligns with a broad mission of fostering positive youth development and providing community-level services, opportunities, and supports for young people in Lewis County, New York. The program aims to encourage municipalities to invest in a diverse range of activities that contribute to the holistic growth of youth. The target beneficiaries of this program are youth under 21 years of age residing in Lewis County. The impact goals are to promote positive youth development across several key areas. These areas include Citizenship and Civic Engagement, fostering youth leadership and cultural competency; Community involvement through youth activism, mentoring, and community service; Economic Security, focusing on career development and life skills; Physical and Emotional Health, encompassing seasonal activities like summer camps and opportunities for creative expression; Education, specifically "out-of-school time" programming for educational engagement and drop-out prevention; and Family, offering conflict resolution supports. The program prioritizes a comprehensive approach to youth development, encouraging a wide variety of programs that address multiple facets of a young person's life. A strong focus is placed on inclusivity, requiring a non-discrimination policy that ensures no youth are denied services based on ethnicity/race, political affiliation, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, physical or other disability, national origin, or any protected characteristic. Data collection, including participant demographic information, is also a key focus, emphasizing accurate reporting of anonymized aggregate data to OCFS. Expected outcomes include enhanced youth leadership, increased community engagement, improved economic readiness, better physical and emotional well-being, stronger educational attainment, and more resilient family units among the youth served. Measurable results will be derived from the collected participant demographic information and program-specific data as required by OCFS. The program's strategic priorities are to support community-level services that demonstrate competency in governance, monitoring and evaluation, partnership, and financial stewardship, aligning with a theory of change that posits comprehensive, well-managed, and inclusive youth programs lead to positive individual and community-wide developmental outcomes for young people. The project period for these grants is from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025.

This opportunity invites midway operators to submit proposals for providing and managing rides, games, and concessions at the Great New York State Fair from 2025 to 2034.

This grant provides financial support to small nonprofits focused on promoting diversity and inclusion for underserved communities, including various racial, ethnic, and LGBTQIA+ groups.

This grant provides funding to nonprofits and government agencies in Western New York to support initiatives that assist caregivers, preserve community assets, enhance access to recreational spaces, and expand youth sports opportunities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to U.S. states, territories, and eligible Indian tribes for implementing approved plans to prevent and manage invasive aquatic species.

This program provides funding to municipalities, nonprofits, and state agencies in New York for urban tree planting projects that enhance green spaces and combat climate change.

This funding opportunity supports local artists in Fulton, Montgomery, and Saratoga Counties to create new public art projects that engage and involve their communities.

The Air Products Greater Massena Community Fund, administered by the Northern New York Community Foundation, offers financial assistance to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations and local governing bodies. Its primary mission is to enhance the quality of life for residents within the Greater Massena community. This aligns with the foundation's broader goal of supporting community needs, as evidenced by its commitment to programs that benefit areas such as health and wellness, arts and culture, human services, education, families, youth and/or elders, environment and conservation, community development, and recreation. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are residents of the Greater Massena community, particularly those in disadvantaged communities within St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties. The impact goal is to improve various aspects of community life through diverse programs and initiatives. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed for each category, the evaluation process emphasizes the potential impact on the Massena community, especially its support for disadvantaged populations. The grant program's priorities and focuses are broad, encompassing a wide array of community needs. These include, but are not limited to, health and wellness, arts and culture, human services, education, families, youth and/or elders, environment and conservation, community development, and recreation. Each grant request undergoes an evaluation based on its potential impact, the amount of available funding, and the quality of the applicant's planning, leadership, and proposal support. The foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change are centered on fostering positive community development and improving the quality of life through targeted financial support. By providing grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, with an upper limit of $7,500 per application, the fund aims to empower local organizations and governing bodies to address pressing community needs. The deadline for applications is July 31, 2024, indicating a structured approach to funding cycles. More information can be found by visiting the Northern New York Community Foundation.

This funding program provides financial support for building and business improvements in downtown Jamestown, including a new grant for planning future projects, aimed at local businesses and organizations looking to revitalize the area.

This program provides financial support to individual artists from the Bronx across various disciplines, encouraging their creative work and community engagement through public service activities.

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.