New York Recreation Grants

This grant provides financial support to municipalities and non-profit organizations in selected New York counties for various recreational trail projects, including construction, planning, rehabilitation, and educational initiatives.

This grant provides funding to nonprofits, schools, and civic organizations in Columbia County, New York, to develop programs that help young people transition from education to the workforce through internships, skill-building, and entrepreneurial opportunities.

The Black Equity & Excellence Fund supports community-based projects for the Black community of Central New York that promote and encourage self-sufficiency and improve the physical and economic conditions that affect quality of life. Donor Name: Central New York Community Foundation State: New York County: Madison County (NY), Onondaga County (NY) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/12/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Foundation encourages dialogue that will strengthen race-related matters and support social and educational growth in the community. Types of Projects Projects must benefit the Black community or build upon the capabilities of your organization. Projects that focus on one of the following interest areas would qualify for a Black Equity & Excellence grant: 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 Black Tech Funding Information Project funding levels are as follows: Grassroots Organizations/Businesses with a Fiscal Sponsor: $10k and under Pilot programs or small projects: $11k-$25k Expansion of existing projects: $26k-$55k Large capital projects or renovations: $56k-$75k Eligibility Criteria To be eligible, prospective applicants must meet all of these requirements: Have Black leadership in the senior executive position. Have at least 51% Black membership on their Board or steering committee. Seek to explicitly serve the Black community by targeting any of the focus areas listed below 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, publicly supported organizations such as schools and municipalities, or organizations using a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor. The use of a fiscal sponsor from a non-Black organization is permitted. Organizations serving residents of Onondaga or Madison counties. Projects Not Supported The Foundation does not make grants for the following: Annual operating budgets, except when it is “seed” or “bridge” funding Endowments Religious purposes Loans or assistance to individuals Medical or academic research (except where requested by a donor) Activities that occurred before the Community Foundation’s decision date For more information, visit CNYCF.

Launch LC is a competitive grant opportunity through Naturally Lewis that helps start-up businesses in Lewis County. Donor Name: Naturally Lewis State: New York County: Lewis County (NY) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The 6-month program will provide entrepreneurs with the training, funding, and the tools needed to successfully open your business. At the program’s completion, entrepreneurs will submit business plan proposals for a chance to receive funding for their project. Naturally Lewis is looking to fund creative entrepreneurs that will enhance the quality of life for residents and make our community a more attractive place to live, work, and play. Naturally Lewis is seeking start-up businesses in the following categories: Food & Beverage Small-scale Manufacturing Tourism Construction Trades Funding Information Naturally Lewis has $280,500 in funding to award, and winners will receive a grant of $10,000, $20,000 or $30,000, depending on total project costs. Eligibility Criteria Must be a for-profit microenterprise business (five or fewer employees) Be considered low-to-moderate income OR create a job to be made available to low-to-moderate income individuals Applicants must be prepared to submit 2022 & 2023 Income Tax Returns to demonstrate eligibility If creating a new job is eligibility for grant, awardee must create job first in order to receive grant Applicants must contribute at least 10% of project cost with personal funds; grant funds can only cover up to 90% of total project cost. Eligibility Checklist Start-up businesses (new or open less than six months) Must be a for-profit microenterprise (five or fewer employees) Grant funds can only be used to purchase equipment, machinery, furniture and inventory. Must enhance experiences for tourists and locals, alike Funding cannot be rewarded for retroactive projects or projects that have already started For more information, visit Naturally Lewis.

Café Royal Cultural Foundation NYC will award a Performance Grant to individuals focused on the production of theatre, dance and performance art (all of which can be accompanied by music). Donor Name: Café Royal Cultural Foundation State: New York City: New York City Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/06/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Sometimes a specific work of art created by a dancer, a musician, an actor, a writer, is unfinished unless it has one more added and important piece: an audience.  Café Royal Cultural Foundation NYC awards performance grants to individuals focused on the production of theater, dance, and performance art. Funding Information Up to $10,000.00. Eligibility Criteria Performer(s) of theatre, dance and performance art (all of which can be accompanied by music). Grants awarded in this category do not fund costs associated with the creating/composition of new work. Performer(s) applying must be a United States Citizen or Resident Alien and a resident of New York City and have lived in New York City for a minimum of one year prior to applying and plan to be a resident through the completion of their project. If your performance is a play, it must be a full production. Readings will not qualify. For more information, visit CRCF.

The Essex Community Fund (ECF) at Adirondack Foundation invites local nonprofits, schools, churches, and municipalities to apply for grant funding. Eligible projects must serve town of Essex residents through community services, beautification, historic preservation, culture, the arts, education, or programs for youth and senior citizens. The deadline to apply is May 24. ECF gives strong preference to capacity building grants or modest one-time capital projects. It does not award grants for ongoing operating expenses. While grants typically range from $250 to $2,000, the maximum a potential grantee can request is $5,000. After reviewing applications, the ECF committee anticipates making grant recommendations in June with funding available as early as July. Applications must be submitted online through Adirondack Foundation’s Online Grants Manager: adirondackfoundation.org/granting/online-grants-manager For more information about ECF grants, please call Colleen Van Hoven at (518) 569-3141 or email [email protected] or email [email protected]. To learn more about community funds at Adirondack Foundation, visit adirondackfoundation.org. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual deadline: May

The Onondaga County Department of Planning is excited to announce the 2024 Onondaga County Agritourism Grant Program. Donor Name: Onondaga County Department of Planning State: New York County: Onondaga County (NY) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: All Time Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Onondaga County is seeking to partner with the local agricultural community to enhance the viability of the valuable farmland and protect farms and farm operators for future generations. In recognition of the role that agritourism plays in farm viability, tourism, and quality of life in Onondaga County, Onondaga County Department of Planning is pleased to share the Onondaga County Agritourism Grant Program, with individual awards of up to $15,000 to agritourism ventures. These grants may be used to cover a variety of projects to grow and enhance agritourism operations in four general categories: Improve, Expand, Initiate and Market. Funds may be used for projects or programs such as expanding or diversifying operations, improving safety and ease of access, or adding new educational programming. New agritourism ventures may use the funding to help offset costs of getting started on a new venture or product. For more information, visit Onondaga County Department of Planning.

The Schuyler County Fund at the Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes provides a vehicle for individuals, families, and businesses to invest in the residents of Schuyler County and to protect the physical environment of the region. Donor Name: Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes State: New York County: Schuyler County (NY) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/05/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Community Foundation is a public charity that encourages funding requests from non-profit tax-exempt programs. Guiding Principals for Grantmaking The Community Foundation builds community and inspires philanthropy. They support creative, effective and innovative programs in the areas of human services, arts and culture, education and youth, health, the environment and civic affairs. Successful projects will address community needs while demonstrating sustainable impact and measurable outcomes. It strives to create healthier conditions for people in our community by collectively improving and/or developing them together. Funded programs will provide clearly stated goals for the incorporation of diverse cultures, philosophies and experiences. Diversity is present not only in program delivery but also in the mission, boards, and operations of the organization The voices of the underserved and economically diverse are important, and programs designed to foster access for community connections are preferred. Eligibility Criteria The Schuyler County Fund supports a wide variety of projects but does restrict itself to organizations: Classified as a nonprofit charitable organization under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code; or publicly supported organizations such as school districts and municipalities Who have submitted a grant evaluation for any completed program previously funded by the Community Foundation Projects that address pressing issues and benefit from strong community partnerships Proposals from faith-based organizations will only be considered if: (1) service benefits all, regardless of religion; (2) service provided is not religious in nature; and (3) there is no proselytizing associated with the service. The Schuyler County Fund does not make grants for the following activities: Annual campaigns, special event fundraisers or sponsorships Religious purposes Political or partisan purposes Activities taking place before grant decisions are made Deficit funding or debt retirement Individuals For more information, visit  Schuyler County Fund.

This program provides New York City-based startups in fields like AI, AR, cybersecurity, and smart cities with valuable resources and support to help them grow without taking equity.

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.

This grant provides funding to community groups in Syracuse for projects that enhance local parks and recreational areas through volunteer-led initiatives.

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.

The Summer Meals Capacity-Building Mini-Grants program seeks to increase the number of children and youth in the City of Rochester receiving summer meals and the number of days meals are served. Donor Name: Rochester Area Community Foundation State: New York City: Rochester Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/17/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Summer Meals program is federally funded and designed to provide food to youth when the regular school year is not in session. The program serves youth 18 and under who are in programs that serve, or are located near, a school with at least 50% free and reduced meals eligibility rates. The City of Rochester is designated a high-need area, making all youth in the city eligible for summer meals. The Summer Meals program (officially the Summer Food Service Program) is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service. Proposals may include requests for one or more of the following: A Summer Meals Volunteer Coordinator or supplemental staff to increase the Summer Meals site’s capacity to serve additional children and/or to extend the number of days of meal service. One-time capital purchases to increase the capacity of the Summer Meals site to serve additional children and/or extend the number of days of meal service. Examples include purchase of tables, chairs, and coolers. Examples can be found here: Refrigeration and dining, Equipment One-time capital purchase of equipment or supplies that will encourage physical activity and fun, thus increasing the capacity of the provider to serve additional summer meals as more youth may be enticed to participate. Categories  Children  Equity  Youth  Funding Information Up to $15,000. Eligibility Criteria All applicants must be an approved partner of one of the three main Summer Meals sponsors in Rochester (the City of Rochester, Rochester City School District, or Foodlink) for meal delivery, or maintains its own LEA status with NYSED for Summer Meal sponsorship; AND An organization, church, or government entity that has previously provided reimbursable Summer Meals through the New York State Department of Education under the Summer Food Service Program in the City of Rochester; OR A 501(c)(3) organization or 509(a)(1) public organization Previous Summer Meals Mini-Grant recipients are eligible to reapply, but priority may be given to organizations that have not received Summer Meals Mini-Grants in the past. For more information, visit RACF.