New York Safety Grants

This program provides an 18-month fellowship for experienced leaders in health-related nonprofits and public agencies in western and central New York, focusing on collaboration and equity to address health challenges for young children and older adults.

This grant provides funding to farmers, researchers, and organizations in New York to develop and implement innovative practices that enhance the economic viability of farms across the state.

This grant provides financial support to municipalities and public K-12 schools in Dutchess County, New York, for implementing food waste reduction initiatives, including in-vessel composting systems and food waste drop-off programs.

This program provides funding to rural fire departments with populations of 10,000 or less to help them purchase essential wildland firefighting equipment.

This program provides funding to not-for-profit organizations to improve healthcare access and collaboration among providers in rural communities facing unique health challenges.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local government units for projects that implement crisis intervention programs, including mental health courts and initiatives aimed at reducing gun violence and preventing suicide.

This grant provides funding to not-for-profit organizations and community projects that enhance the well-being, education, and cultural opportunities for residents of the Town of Malta, New York.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations in New York to deliver essential work readiness training for individuals facing employment barriers, helping them develop the skills needed to succeed in the workforce.

Applications are now being accepted for the Schenectady Foundation Grant Program. Donor Name: The Schenectady Foundation State: New York County: Schenectady County (NY) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/21/2024 Size of the Grant: $500,000 to $1 million Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: In 2024, The Schenectady Foundation anticipates investing $2 million into programs that contribute toward impact in the community. This will include projects that address the goals of the Equitable Access to Healthy Food Initiative, Neighborhood Revitalization efforts, as well as Emergent Needs. Also included will be special project funds, smaller micro grants, and scholarships. Program Goals Equitable Access to Healthy Food Impact Statement: Increase food security, ensuring that all residents of the County have regular access to fresh, healthy food to nourish themselves and their families. Neighborhood Revitalization Impact Statement: Schenectady’s neighborhoods will thrive, becoming places where residents feel valued; as well as encouraged and empowered to make changes in their community. Funding Information  The projected total investment in each funding area is as follows: Equitable Access to Healthy Food – $900,000. Neighborhoods – $400,000. Deadlines Neighborhood Revitalization Grants: August 21st. Equitable Access to Healthy Food Grants: October 9th. Eligibility Criteria The Schenectady Foundation was established in 1963 as a charitable trust intended to improve the well-being of people who live or work in Schenectady County, NY. The following are requirements of grant applicants: Applicants must be non-profit corporations registered with the New York State Office of Charities Registration, and designated as a 501(c) 3 tax-exempt organization by the IRS. Organizations that do not have 501(c) 3 status may only apply if a qualified tax-exempt charity serves as fiscal agent for the grant. Applicants must primarily serve Schenectady County residents. Applicant organizations are in good standing with the IRS and NYS Charities Bureau. Current grantees must, at the time a new grant application is submitted, have substantially completed their grants and provided timely and informative progress reports that demonstrate their impact. The Foundation does not fund: Individuals seeking grants or loans. Private businesses seeking grants or loans. Requests to fund endowments or quasi-endowments. For more information, visit The Schenectady Foundation.

The Field Hall Foundation is offering grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 to not-for-profits and local governments in Dutchess, Putnam, and Westchester Counties, NY, for programs and projects aimed at improving the lives of low-income and vulnerable older adults and their caregivers, with focus areas including food insecurity, home-based care, elder abuse, and transportation.

The Field Hall Foundation is offering grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 to not-for-profit organizations and local governments in Dutchess, Putnam, and Westchester Counties, NY, for projects and programs aimed at improving the lives of low-income and vulnerable older adults and their caregivers, with focus areas including food insecurity, home-based care, elder safety, and transportation.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to municipalities, non-profits, and community boards in New York State for revitalizing areas impacted by brownfields through planning and environmental assessments.

This program provides financial assistance to non-profit housing developers to help homeowners in select New York counties recover from storm damage through reimbursements and repairs.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is offering grants to local governments and Soil and Water Conservation Districts to assist in the initial planning of non-agricultural nonpoint source water quality improvement projects. The grants are also available for regulated MS4 Operators for mapping. The program supports projects like upgrading wastewater treatment systems and streambank stabilization. Applicants seeking planning grants for wastewater treatment systems should refer to the NYS DEC/EFC Wastewater Infrastructure Engineering Planning Grant Program. The program also focuses on projects affecting environmental justice and disadvantaged communities, and includes a variety of eligible report categories such as green infrastructure, stormwater retrofits, and stream culvert repair.

The Farm and Food Growth Fund (FFGF) is the administrator for a portion of New York State’s Department of Agriculture and Markets USDA Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) grant program with a focus on enhancing, growing and improving the mid-channel of the food supply chain. Donor Name: Farm and Food Growth Fund (FFGF) State: New York County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 06/28/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Funded under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) of 2021, and with allocations made to all 50 states plus districts and commonwealths, the goals are to expand each state’s middle-chain capacity and infrastructure for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storage, transporting, wholesaling, or distribution of targeted local and regional agricultural food products. Meat, poultry, cannabis, animal food and forage, fiber, and wild caught seafood products are not considered under this program. The RFSI program will make infrastructure awards to businesses and organizations operating in the middle-of-the-supply chain. Successful projects will focus on increasing the supply of New York-sourced food products available in New York markets. Competitive project applications must benefit multiple producers and multiple markets, and may be collaborative applications. The grant program is to fund projects that expand statewide capacity and infrastructure for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storage, transporting, wholesaling, or distribution of targeted local and regional agricultural food products (excluding meat and poultry products). Successful projects will focus on increasing the supply of New York-sourced food products available in New York and regional markets. Competitive project applications will benefit multiple producers and multiple markets. Priorities and Objectives Support infrastructure development to expand business’ capacity for processing, aggregation, storage and distribution. Target development of infrastructure projects to the dairy, fruit and vegetable, and organic industries to support the development of new value-added products. Create greater market access to intermediaries such as food hubs, aggregators, wholesalers, and distributors with the goal of increasing local food sales to institutions such as schools, hospitals, and correctional facilities. Funding Information Infrastructure Grants: This competitive opportunity is focused on funding infrastructure for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, or distribution of locally produced agricultural food products (excluding meat and poultry products). Applications may be submitted for projects ranging from $100,000 – $3,000,000. Applications must include match funds of 50% or 25% for historically underserved groups. Eligible Activities  Construction Hiring term-limited personnel to assist with project implementation activities. Purchasing special purpose equipment to benefit multiple producers through middle-of-the-supply-chain activities such as processing, aggregation, distribution or targeted agricultural product. Analyzing potential facility upgrades and changes to meet regulatory requirements, obtaining design and/or architecture services. Planning for Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) or other food safety or worker safety measures or equipment recommendations. Upgrades to new facilities for processing specific agricultural products, such as: On-farm post-harvest processing, preservation, and storage/cold storage. Post-harvest cleaning and grading. Aggregator warehouse and storage, including cooperatives. Purchase of freezing equipment, freezer, or cold storage. Processing, canning, preserving and pasteurization. Preparation and packing. Drying, hulling, shelling and milling. Cooking, baking, juicing, distilling, fermenting Retail related activities can include creating distribution channels to new retail opportunities, or expanding processing and packaging capacities, including adding product types, increasing production volumes, and supporting new retail product lines. Eligibility Criteria  Who is eligible? New York State agricultural producers or processors, or groups of agricultural producers and processors Nonprofit organizations Local government entities Tribal governments Institutions such as schools, universities, or hospitals bringing producers together to establish cooperative or shared infrastructure or invest in equipment that will benefit multiple producers middle-of-the-supply-chain activities. What is eligible? Projects that expand processing capacity, including product type, increased production volume, and supporting new wholesale/retail product lines, modernize equipment or facilities through upgrades, repairs or retooling, purchase installation of specialized equipment, modernize manufacturing, tracking, storage, and information technology systems, enhance worker safety through adoption of new technologies or investment in equipment or facility improvements, construct new facilities, increase packaging and labeling capacities, increase storage space, develop, customize, or install climate-smart equipment, modernize equipment or facilities to ensure food safety, and train on the use of new equipment and new processes. Some examples include: Expanding processing capacities, including adding product types, increasing production volumes, and supporting new wholesale/retail product lines; Modernizing equipment or facilities through upgrades, repairs, or retooling; (e.g., adapting product lines for institutional procurement or adding parallel processing capacity); Purchase installation of specialized equipment, such as processing components, sorting equipment, packing, and labeling equipment, or delivery vehicles; Modernize manufacturing, tracking, storage, and information technology systems; Enhance worker safety through adoption of new technologies or investment in equipment or facility improvements; Increasing packaging and labeling capacities that meet compliance requirements under applicable laws; (e.g. sealing, bagging, boxing, labeling, conveying, and product moving equipment); Increasing storage space, including cold storage; Develop, customize, or install climate-smart equipment that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, increases efficiency in water use, improves air and/or water quality, and/or meets one or more of USDA’s climate action goals; Modernize equipment or facilities to ensure food safety, including associated Hazard, Analysis, and Critical Control Points (HACCP) consultation, plan development and employee training; Training on the use of all equipment purchased under the grant and associated new processes. For more information, visit FFGF.

This funding opportunity supports emergency medical services in Southern Dutchess and Putnam counties by providing grants for training and equipment to enhance service delivery and save lives.

Applicants are invited to apply for the Ulster County Food Security and Resilience Grant Program. Donor Name: Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley State: New York County: Ulster County (NY) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/14/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: In collaboration with Ulster County and in alignment with the Ulster County Food Security and Access Network (UCFSAN) Report findings, funding will focus on proposals that effectively address one or more of the following: address food insecurity; leverage existing resources and expand existing emergency food services; provide equipment or personnel to increase capacity to collect, store, distribute, and provide food to those in need; and ensure sustainability and organizations addressing food insecurity in critical geographic areas where providers are limited. Funding Information Funding Available: $275,000. Awards: Grants made through this program will range from $1,000 – $15,000 for individual organizations. Collaborative projects/programs may ask for excess of $15,000 and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Eligibility Criteria  Tax exempt organizations (including faith-based organizations) located in or providing services to Ulster County that have operated as a nonprofit organization for at least one year with 501(c)(3) status or an established fiscal sponsorship arrangement with a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Please note that grants are not given to support: Political or partisan purposes Annual fund or campaign appeals Loan reimbursements for capital projects already underway or completed Endowments Religious organizations for sacramental or theological purposes Private operating foundations For-profit organizations. Review Criteria Quality of Program/Project: Does the proposed project have a clear charitable purpose? Does the program/project meet the criteria of the grant guidelines? Does the organization adequately describe the program/project and what it wants to accomplish? Does the organization present a clear and realistic plan for implementation, complete with specific activities and a timeline? Capacity and Stability of the Organization: Does the organization appear to have the capacity to carry out the proposed work? Do they have previous experience with this type of program/project or do they demonstrate previous organizational or leadership accomplishments? Is there appropriate expertise and partnerships? Does the organization appear to be functionally and financially stable, based on review of the organization’s operating budget and financial statements? Budget and Additional Support: Is the program/project budget clear and realistic? If this is an ongoing program/project, is there a reasonable plan for future funding? Is there evidence of support from other funders, or in-kind support for projects that require significant financial support? Impact/ Results: How will this program/project make a difference to the target population and/or to the broader community? How significant is the program/project? Will the outcome be finite or of broad impact to the community? Will it provide a one-time benefit or a long-term impact? Is the program “change-oriented”, addressing root causes rather than immediate needs? Are the goals well-defined? Does the organization have a viable evaluation plan? What is the likelihood that the plan will successfully measure the impact? For more information, visit CFHV.

This program provides financial support to local nonprofits and municipalities in Dutchess County to improve services and activities for veterans, honoring their contributions and addressing their needs.

Are you looking to create an impact in your community with a new project or offering? If yes, then apply for the 2024 Community Connections Fund. Donor Name: Naturally Lewis State: New York County: Lewis County (NY) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/13/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Community Connections Grant Fund is seeking creative proposals that strengthen ties within the community, to develop relationships, and to spur economic growth and development through the creation and enhancement of public gathering places or services. The aim of the Community Connections Fund is to strengthen ties within the community, to develop relationships, and to spur economic growth and development through the creation and enhancement of public gathering places and services. The Community Connections Fund is seeking programs or projects that create a “good sense of place” and contribute to Lewis County placemaking efforts. Funding Information Two $30,000 Awards OR one $60,000 Award. Eligibility Criteria Applicants must be a 501c3 non-profit organization, municipality or school in Lewis County, NY. Applicants must demonstrate a need for a program or project that creates a “good sense of place” and contributes to Lewis County placemaking efforts. The program or project must contribute to at least one of the following placemaking facets that contribute to “making a great place:” Access & Linkages – Access and linkages projects would look to create an accessible and well-connected public space, considering visual appeal, pedestrian safety, inclusivity, and transportation options. Comfort & Image – Comfort and Image projects would look to create or enhance a comfortable and visually appealing public space, considering first impressions, seating options, cleanliness, safety, and opportunities for engaging experiences. Uses & Activities – Uses and activities projects would look to create a vibrant and dynamic public space, considering user engagement, diversity, group interactions, variety in activities, and effective space management. Sociability – Sociability projects would look to create or enhance opportunities for in-person interaction and collaboration including creation of sociable and welcoming public space, considering friendliness, group interactions, community engagement, positive social dynamics, inclusivity, and community care. The program or project must strengthen ties within the community, develop relationships, and spur economic growth and development through the creation and enhancement of public gathering places. Program or project must demonstrate a new, creative approach to connecting the greater community; cannot fund existing projecting or operations. Applicants must demonstrate sustainability of the project or project in future years given this is a one-time grant. Funding cannot be rewarded for retroactive projects or projects that have already started. Evaluation Criteria Applicant must be a non-profit organization (501c3), municipality or school in Lewis County, NY. Project or program contributes to at least one of the following placemaking facets that contribute to “making a great place:”: Access & Linkages, Comfort & Image, Uses & Activities, and/or Sociability. Applicant clearly demonstrates a new, creative approach that will enhance the quality of life for the benefit of the greater community (cannot fund existing projecting or operations). Applicant should demonstrate a plan to engage with the community and a clear need for their project or program. Applicant demonstrates how their proposal strengthens ties within the community. Applicant demonstrates how their proposal aims to further develop community relationships by demonstrating any collaborations or partnerships that will positively impact the residents, businesses and organizations in the community. Applicant demonstrates how their proposal spurs economic growth and development with the addition of their program or project. Applicant clearly defines a timeline for completion of the program or project. Project must be completed within 1 year. Project must demonstrate feasibility and sustainability. For more information, visit Naturally Lewis.

This fund provides matching financial support to small and mid-sized New York farms for safety improvements and repairs, helping them create a safer working environment.