New York Recreation Grants

The Black Equity & Excellence Fund, established by the Central New York Community Foundation, is dedicated to supporting community-based projects that foster self-sufficiency and enhance the physical and economic well-being of the Black community in Central New York. This initiative aligns with the Foundation's broader mission to strengthen race-related matters and promote social and educational growth within the community. By investing in projects that directly address the unique needs and challenges faced by Black residents, the fund aims to create a more equitable and thriving environment, reflecting the Foundation's strategic priority of community development and social justice. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are organizations and projects that explicitly serve the Black community, particularly in Onondaga and Madison counties. The overarching impact goal is to improve the quality of life for Black individuals and families through various interventions. The program aims to empower the Black community by building upon existing capabilities and addressing systemic disparities. This is achieved by focusing on specific interest areas that have been identified as crucial for community advancement and well-being. The fund prioritizes projects within several key focus areas, including Black Creatives, Black Leadership + Advancement, Black LGBTQIA+, Black Mental Wellness, Black Legacy + Generational Wealth, Black Business, Black Maternal Health, Black Civic Engagement, Black Youth + Students, and Black Tech. These areas reflect the Foundation's theory of change, which posits that targeted investments in these sectors will lead to holistic development and greater equity. Projects are encouraged to contribute to dialogue that strengthens race-related matters and supports social and educational growth, indicating a strategic approach to fostering long-term, sustainable change. Expected outcomes include increased self-sufficiency, improved physical and economic conditions, and enhanced community well-being within the Black community. Measurable results are tied to the types of projects funded, with different funding levels supporting various initiatives, from grassroots efforts and pilot programs to the expansion of existing projects and large capital projects. The eligibility criteria, which mandate Black leadership in senior executive positions and at least 51% Black board membership, further ensure that the projects are community-led and responsive to the needs of the Black population, thereby maximizing impact and fostering authentic community empowerment.

This funding opportunity provides financial and technical assistance to New York municipalities for projects that revitalize waterfront areas, enhance climate resilience, and improve public access and water quality.

This grant provides funding for nonprofit organizations in the greater Theresa area to support projects that enhance community well-being, education, and cultural initiatives.

This program provides financial assistance to private landowners and organizations for planting new forests on non-forested lands of five acres or more in New York, helping to combat climate change and support local economies.

The Aaron Judge ALL RISE Foundation is accepting applications for its Mini-Grant Program, offering $2,500 grants to organizations in Bronx County, NY, Fresno County, CA, and San Joaquin County, CA, that support youth leadership, citizenship, health, school activities, and community involvement.

This grant provides funding for research projects that enhance the health of the Lake Champlain Basin, focusing on climate change adaptation, water quality, and community resilience, and is open to universities, nonprofits, and businesses in Vermont and New York.

The Chautauqua County Tourism Product Development Grant Program, with a deadline of 10/01/2024, offers $10,000 to $100,000 for projects that enhance tourism and recreation opportunities, increase visibility, and promote overnight stays in the county, with a focus on event development, marketing, and attraction enhancement.

The Cultivator of Change program, sponsored by the Western New York Foundation, is designed to recognize and support individuals demonstrating exceptional leadership within the food system. This initiative aligns with the foundation's broader mission to strengthen communities by fostering local and regional food systems. The program directly supports the foundation's strategic priorities by investing in vital leaders who are critical to the well-being of the communities in Western New York. The program targets leaders who act as change agents among underserved populations, operate with empathy and compassion, seek community-driven solutions to pressing food system issues, and are willing to share their experiences and knowledge. The primary impact goal is to empower these leaders, enabling them to continue and expand their efforts in building stronger, more equitable food systems. The program focuses on individuals who prioritize equity and demonstrate the potential for realizing scale in their work, contributing to the foundation's theory of change by supporting bottom-up innovation and community resilience. Key priorities for this grant include identifying leaders who actively work to address food system challenges within Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, and Wyoming counties in New York. The program emphasizes leaders who are committed to equitable practices and show a strong ability to engage communities in developing sustainable food solutions. This focus ensures that the grants directly address critical needs within the specific geographic areas served by the Western New York Foundation. Selected food system leaders will receive a $2,500 grant to aid their ongoing work. The expected outcomes include enhanced capacity for individual leaders to continue their impactful work, increased innovation in community-driven food system solutions, and ultimately, stronger, more equitable local and regional food systems. Measurable results will include the selection of two leaders from each of the seven counties twice a year, demonstrating the consistent identification and support of these vital community assets.

This fund provides financial support to nonprofit organizations that enhance the quality of life for residents in Clarence, New York, through educational, charitable, recreational, and cultural initiatives.

The Jeannette F. Schlobach grant program, funded by the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, offers $10,000 to $100,000 to nonprofit organizations in Dutchess, Putnam, or Ulster Counties, New York, that provide services such as case management, housing, education, job training, and health services to residents impacted by poverty, with a focus on historically marginalized and under-funded communities.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in the Berkshire Taconic region for innovative projects that improve environmental quality and promote community health, with a focus on engaging at-risk and low-income youth.

The Rock Charitable Fund, managed by the Northern New York Community Foundation, is currently accepting applications from eligible charitable organizations, houses of worship, cemeteries, and governmental entities that serve St. Lawrence County residents. This grant program is designed to align with the foundation's mission by supporting vital community needs within the county. The funding aims to address specific charitable purposes that contribute to the well-being and historical preservation of the area. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant program include veterans of the United States military residing in St. Lawrence County, who will receive support for their medical or recreational needs. Additionally, the program benefits churches, houses of worship, and cemeteries in St. Lawrence County by providing funding for their maintenance and preservation. A third key beneficiary group includes entities responsible for the preservation and maintenance of places of legitimate historical significance within the county. The impact goals are to enhance the quality of life for veterans, ensure the longevity of religious and historical sites, and foster community pride and heritage. The program prioritizes initiatives that directly support veterans, particularly through qualified veteran organizations or any nonprofit with programs or initiatives directly supporting veterans, rather than direct aid to individuals. It also focuses on the crucial maintenance and preservation of religious institutions and historical landmarks. The fund's strategic priorities are clearly laid out in its charitable purposes, emphasizing direct community benefit in these three key areas. The theory of change suggests that by providing targeted financial support, the foundation can directly contribute to the welfare of veterans and the preservation of essential community assets, leading to a more resilient and historically conscious St. Lawrence County. Expected outcomes include improved medical and recreational access for veterans, leading to better well-being. For religious and historical sites, the anticipated outcome is the successful upkeep and preservation of these important community structures, preventing decay and maintaining their cultural and spiritual value. Measurable results could include the number of veterans served, the scope of medical or recreational services provided, and the specific maintenance or restoration projects completed for churches, houses of worship, cemeteries, and historical sites. At least $100,000 in grant funding is available, with individual grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, and a grant duration of up to three years, providing a substantial period for impactful projects. Organizations that have previously received funding must wait three years before reapplying, ensuring equitable access to funding across the community.

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Community Services (OCS) is soliciting applications to award approximately $1.5 million in Community Economic Development (CED) discretionary funds through the CED Planning Grants. This funding opportunity is specifically aimed at Community Development Corporations (CDCs) to stimulate new CED project development by providing financial assistance for administrative capacity building. The overarching goal aligns with OCS's mission to reduce poverty by connecting CDCs with CED resources for social and revenue reinvestment, ultimately helping to spark economic growth in local communities. The primary objective of the CED Planning Grants is to stimulate new projects in underserved and under-resourced communities. The funding is centered on equity, focusing resources in persistent high-poverty areas with struggling economies that have previously been unable to put forth a viable CED project. The target beneficiaries are CDCs operating in these high-poverty areas, targeting both urban and rural communities, with the impact goal of strengthening their administrative capacity to successfully develop and execute CED projects. OCS has outlined specific priority areas for this funding opportunity. These priorities include aligning with Executive Order 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad and the Justice40 Initiative, underscoring support for energy communities. The OCS also prioritizes increased equity in the geographic distribution of CED funds, consistent with the CED statute. Furthermore, a key focus is breaking down service silos and leveraging existing partnerships across OCS programs to reduce poverty through a wraparound services model for communities with low incomes. The expected outcomes and measurable results revolve around the success of CDCs in using the administrative capacity building funds to develop viable CED projects. The goal is that these awards will serve as a crucial step, connecting CDCs with the necessary CED resources for future social and revenue reinvestment. This theory of change suggests that by first strengthening the administrative foundations of CDCs in high-need areas, OCS can enable these organizations to successfully secure and utilize capital for subsequent CED projects, thereby fostering sustainable economic growth and reducing poverty in historically struggling economies.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations and local governments in New York to develop infrastructure projects that improve food access and resilience in underserved communities.

This grant provides funding for projects in St. Lawrence County that focus on preserving historical sites, supporting places of worship, and aiding military veterans.

This funding opportunity supports businesses and non-profit organizations in Lewis County, NY, by providing financial assistance for creative projects that enhance their visibility in the community.

This program provides funding to municipalities and non-profit organizations in New York that manage natural heritage collections, helping them enhance public education and maintain their living and preserved biological specimens.

The Scherman Foundation's Core Fund Arts Program in New York City supports a diverse range of professional performing arts organizations and a limited number of visual arts groups. The program prioritizes excellence and innovation, providing general operating support to empower artistic leaders with flexible funding. It aims to enrich the city's spirit, create sustainable communities, impact social wellbeing and cohesion, and serve as an economic engine while attracting emerging and established artists and art lovers from around the world. The program supports small groups dedicated to the work of a single artist, larger producing entities, museums, and organizations that sustain the creative life.

The Rock Charitable Fund, administered by the Northern New York Community Foundation, is currently accepting applications for grants ranging from $100,000 to $500,000. This grant program aligns with the foundation's mission to support the well-being and historical preservation within St. Lawrence County, New York. The fund emphasizes projects that address existing structures and elements, as well as providing technical assistance and planning support, indicating a strategic priority on sustainable development and preservation rather than new construction or significant alterations to historic properties. The primary beneficiaries of the Rock Charitable Fund include 501(c)(3) charitable organizations, churches, houses of worship, cemeteries, and government entities. The fund targets projects that contribute to the maintenance and preservation of these institutions and places of historical significance within St. Lawrence County. Additionally, the fund aims to benefit and/or assist Veterans of the United States Military residing in St. Lawrence County by addressing their medical and recreational needs through qualified organizations. The impact goals are centered on enhancing community resources, preserving local heritage, and improving the quality of life for Veterans. The program's priorities and focus areas are clearly defined. For historical and religious properties, there's a strong preference for exterior projects that are publicly visible and accessible, though interior improvements may be considered. Peripheral or incidental projects are not desired. For cemeteries, support covers the property as a whole or aesthetically significant portions, explicitly excluding individual burial plots or monuments without special justification. For Veterans, grants are awarded to qualified organizations serving them, not directly to individuals, and can support programs for medical and recreational needs. This structured approach highlights a theory of change that leverages established organizations to create broader community benefit and long-term impact. Expected outcomes include the successful preservation and maintenance of historically significant sites and religious institutions, ensuring their continued benefit to the public. For Veterans, the anticipated result is improved access to medical and recreational support, contributing to their overall well-being. Measurable results could include the number of structures preserved, the extent of public access improved, and the number of Veterans served by supported programs. The foundation's strategic priorities are evident in its commitment to tangible, community-focused projects that have a lasting positive effect on St. Lawrence County's heritage and its Veteran population.

This funding opportunity supports not-for-profit organizations and local governments in New York State to provide food boxes and nutrition education in communities eligible for SNAP benefits.