New York Science and Technology Grants

The Western New York Foundation’s Impact Capacity Assessment Program Core (iCAP Core) is a tailored program specifically designed for emerging and smaller nonprofits in the region. Its primary objective is to provide a comprehensive understanding of capacity building and its influence on both internal and external facets of these organizations. This aligns directly with the foundation's mission to foster effective organizations, which are defined as those that fulfill their mission through sound management, strong governance, and a persistent rededication to assessing and achieving results. The iCAP Core program is a 6-month initiative aimed at addressing the complexities of capacity-related opportunities and challenges, reflecting the foundation's strategic priority to invest in organizational development. The target beneficiaries of the iCAP Core program are non-profit organizations that have obtained tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) or are fiscally sponsored, have been in operation for at least two years with at least $50,000 in annual revenue, and are specifically food system, arts and culture, or rural organizations. These organizations must be headquartered within the seven counties of Western New York: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, and Wyoming. The impact goals are to strengthen leadership, enhance board effectiveness, improve overall organizational development, and create a sustainable capacity-building plan. The program prioritizes several key elements. A significant focus is placed on leadership, specifically the relationship between the Executive Director and Board Chair, providing one-on-one consultation and coaching to strengthen their skills and vision. Board training is another core priority, equipping members with knowledge for effective governance, strategic decision-making, and resource mobilization. Comprehensive organizational development covers a wide array of areas including leadership structure, financial management, fundraising, communications, marketing, and IT systems. Expected outcomes include enhanced leadership skills, a more informed and skilled board, improved organizational infrastructure across various functions, and the creation of a detailed 1 to 2-year organizational capacity-building plan with actionable goals and progress measurements. Measurable results will be derived from the implementation and assessment of this capacity-building plan, which will also inform future foundation investment in the organizations' capacity development. A $10,000 stipend is provided to offset administrative expenses during iCAP, further supporting the participating nonprofits in achieving these outcomes.

This grant provides funding for the rehabilitation of historic properties in small rural communities along the Erie Canal in New York, aiming to enhance local tourism and economic development.

This grant provides funding to municipalities, non-profits, and educational institutions in New York to restore and improve the health of tributaries in the Hudson River Estuary watershed, enhancing habitats and community resilience to flooding.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and healthcare providers in New York to address racial disparities in maternal health for Black New Yorkers and other communities of color through innovative primary and preventive care solutions.

The County History Partnership Program (CHPP), established in 2015 by the New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC), aims to decentralize the administration of local re-granting programs across all 21 New Jersey counties. This initiative directly aligns with the mission to support local history organizations that serve the public, fostering a broader engagement with the state's historical heritage. The program is administered by the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, which functions as the donor, extending the NJHC's strategic goal of strengthening local historical infrastructure. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are historical societies, organizations, nonprofits, and municipalities responsible for historic structures or archaeological sites. Eligible applicants must be Somerset County-based. The program's impact goals revolve around increasing public access to New Jersey history, expanding knowledge of the state's past, and improving the management capabilities of local history organizations. This approach is intended to create a more robust and accessible local history ecosystem within Somerset County. The grant prioritizes organizations that provide programs or services that achieve these goals. Specifically, applicants must demonstrate a commitment to enhancing public access to history or expanding historical knowledge. Another key focus is on improving the operational and managerial effectiveness of local history organizations, thereby ensuring their long-term sustainability and impact. The foundation's theory of change appears to be that by empowering local organizations with financial support and clear objectives, they can more effectively serve the public and preserve historical assets. Expected outcomes include a more engaged public with New Jersey history, a greater depth of historical knowledge disseminated, and more efficiently run local history organizations. Measurable results would likely include increased participation in historical programs, documented improvements in organizational management, and successful preservation efforts of historic sites. Organizations are also required to have provided public history programs and/or services in Somerset County for the benefit of the general public for at least two years prior to application, and must provide proof of stability and fiscal responsibility, ensuring the grant's investment is directed towards established and accountable entities.

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

Herkimer County CARES Grant Program in New York is open to registered NYS for-profit legal business entities located within Herkimer County. Eligible activities include supporting businesses in manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, agriculture, high technology, research and development, and traditional and innovative small business endeavors. Technical assistance will be provided through the Mohawk Valley Small Business Development Center at no cost to the applicant. The grant aims to create or retain at least one new full-time equivalent job for low-to-moderate income individuals and allows reimbursement of eligible costs dating back to March 2020. Grant funds can be used for marketing adaption, community safety improvements, workforce development, safety enhancements to facilities, efficiency improvements, and air quality improvements. Previous funding received through COVID-19 reimbursement programs is allowed but cannot be duplicated through this program.

The Long Island Sound Futures Fund (LISFF), managed by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) in collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Long Island Sound Study (LISS), seeks to restore the health and living resources of Long Island Sound. This grant program, with approximately $12 million available in 2024, aligns with the foundation's mission by supporting efforts to test innovative conservation approaches, deliver transformative projects, and engage communities that value and protect the Sound. Major funding is provided by EPA through the LISS, with additional support from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Zoetis Foundation, demonstrating a collaborative strategic approach to environmental conservation. The LISFF targets a broad range of beneficiaries, including non-profit 501(c) organizations, state government agencies, local and municipal governments, Tribal Governments and Organizations, and educational institutions. The impact goals are centered on improving water quality, enhancing and restoring coastal habitats, and fostering sustainable and resilient communities around the Long Island Sound. The program’s strategic priorities are guided by the Long Island Sound Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan 2020-2024 Update (CCMP), which emphasizes three core themes: Clean Waters and Healthy Watersheds, Thriving Habitats and Abundant Wildlife, and Sustainable and Resilient Communities. Cross-cutting principles of resiliency to climate change, long-term sustainability, and environmental justice are also integral to the program's theory of change. Under the "Clean Waters and Healthy Watersheds" theme, the program prioritizes reducing nitrogen pollution, combined sewer overflows, impervious cover, stormwater runoff, and point and nonpoint source loading. This includes funding for "shovel-ready" projects that result in quantifiable pollutant prevention, particularly those addressing water quality at a larger scale. Planning activities, such as community engagement, feasibility studies, site assessments, conceptual design, and final design and permitting, are also supported. Projects in the Upper Basin states (MA, NH, VT) are specifically focused on quantifiable nitrogen/nutrient prevention with a documented benefit to Long Island Sound. The "Thriving Habitats and Abundant Wildlife" theme focuses on enhancing or restoring coastal habitats to maintain resilience and function, supporting fish, bird, and wildlife populations, and sustaining the Sound's ecological balance. This involves implementing "shovel-ready" habitat restoration and nature-based or green-gray hybrid resilience projects, as well as planning activities for such projects. The program also aims to foster diverse, balanced, and abundant populations of fish, birds, and wildlife, encouraging proposals that consider the LISS Habitat Restoration Guidelines. The "Sustainable and Resilient Communities" theme supports vibrant, informed, and engaged communities through projects that offer hands-on conservation experiences. Expected outcomes include quantifiable pollutant reductions, enhanced and restored coastal habitats, increased resilience to climate change, and more engaged communities actively participating in the Sound's protection and sustainability. For water quality projects, measurable results will include quantifiable pollutant prevention, particularly nitrogen/nutrient reductions. For habitat projects, long-term maintenance plans and ecological improvements are expected. The LISFF's strategic framework, rooted in the CCMP, aims to accelerate local and regional water quality improvements, natural resource restoration, coastal resilience, environmental justice, and community outreach, ultimately leading to a healthier, more productive, and resilient Long Island Sound for both people and wildlife.

The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) is offering the New Dairy Processor Start-up Grant program to support new dairy processing projects across the Northeast. The core mission of this program is to foster competitive dairy processing businesses with long-term viability. This aligns with a broader strategic objective of strengthening the regional dairy industry by enabling operations of all sizes to successfully launch and sustain their products in the marketplace. By focusing on start-up operations and tangible implementation, the NE-DBIC aims to facilitate direct economic impact and product innovation within the dairy sector. The program targets several key beneficiaries, including dairy farmers ready to begin processing, value-added entrepreneurs with proven experience in dairy processing or business startups, and dairy processors established after January 1, 2023, who are in their start-up phase. The impact goals are centered on developing these businesses, supporting their entry into the market, and ultimately contributing to the economic vitality of the Northeast dairy industry. By providing financial assistance for start-up operations, the program seeks to create new opportunities for dairy-related businesses and products. The program's priorities and focuses are clearly on tangible implementation rather than earlier stages like research and development, concept development, or initial planning. This indicates a strategic emphasis on getting products to market and establishing sustainable business models. Eligibility criteria further refine this focus, requiring applicants to be headquartered or based in the Northeast, demonstrate proof of concept, have a robust business plan, obtain necessary licenses, and show commitment from buyers or distributors by the end of the grant period. Expected outcomes include the successful launch of new value-added dairy products, the establishment of competitive and viable dairy processing businesses, and increased market access for Northeast dairy products. Measurable results would likely include the number of new businesses launched, the volume of new products brought to market, and the economic growth generated within the participating dairy sectors. The NE-DBIC's strategic priorities, as evidenced by this grant, involve direct investment in the operational start-up phase, aiming for a theory of change where targeted financial support leads to the successful commercialization and long-term sustainability of dairy processing ventures in the region.

The Historic Preservation Action Area grant program, offered by the Rochester Area Community Foundation, aligns with the foundation's mission to strengthen regional vitality by preserving historical assets and promoting educational efforts related to these assets. This grant specifically targets nonprofit and public organizations (501(c)(3) or 509(a)(1)) operating within an eight-county region of New York, including Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, and Yates counties. The program aims to support projects that contribute to the overall well-being and enrichment of these communities. The primary beneficiaries of this program are the historical assets themselves and the communities within the specified eight-county region. The impact goals include the preservation of historical assets, fostering economic development, promoting equity in the narratives and physical assets preserved, contributing to community and neighborhood revitalization, and enhancing a sense of place and sustainability. Ultimately, the program seeks to create new opportunities for community engagement with the region's rich historical heritage, thereby enriching the lives of its residents. The program prioritizes projects that demonstrate long-lasting impact and actively promote economic development and equity, ensuring that diverse stories are told and preserved. Other key focuses include community or neighborhood revitalization efforts, initiatives that promote sustainability or express a strong sense of place, and projects that create novel avenues for community members to interact with the region's historical resources. The grant size ranges from $10,000 to $100,000, with funding information also indicating amounts between $15,000 and $20,000 for specific projects. Expected outcomes include tangible preservation of historical sites and artifacts, revitalization of communities, and increased community engagement with historical assets. Measurable results could involve the number of historical assets preserved, the economic impact generated by preservation projects, the number of revitalization initiatives supported, and the scope of community participation in historical programming. While a specific grant duration is not mentioned, the emphasis on long-lasting impact suggests a strategic approach focused on sustainable preservation and community benefit.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CT DOT) is offering the 2024 Active Transportation Microgrant Program to solicit projects aimed at improving active transportation. This grant program aligns with a mission to foster equitable, safe, accessible, and sustainable transportation options, thereby encouraging healthier and more environmentally friendly travel modes. The program's core objective is to make conditions safer for individuals of all ages to engage in walking, biking, and other active forms of transit, contributing to broader community well-being and environmental sustainability. The primary beneficiaries of this program include municipalities, schools, school districts, and nonprofit organizations, all of which are encouraged to apply. The impact goals are centered on enhancing access and conditions for active transportation users across Connecticut. This includes increasing safety for pedestrians and cyclists, promoting the use of non-motorized transport, and supporting educational initiatives that raise awareness about active transportation benefits and safety. The program prioritizes non-infrastructure projects, explicitly excluding design and construction costs. Eligible activities focus on improving access and conditions for active transportation users. This includes providing bicycle helmets, locks, lights, and maintenance training. It also covers the rental or purchase of bicycle fleets, including adaptive bicycles, League Cycling Instructor (LCI) training, and various programs and materials for pedestrian and bicycle safety education, such as safety vests. The emphasis is on practical, immediate interventions that directly support active transportation without requiring extensive infrastructural development. Expected outcomes and measurable results include an increase in the adoption of active transportation methods, a reduction in accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists due to enhanced safety measures, and a rise in community participation in active transportation events and educational programs. The funding limits for individual microgrants range up to $5,000, with an overall grant size between $1,000 and $10,000, indicating a focus on numerous smaller-scale, impactful projects rather than a few large ones. This approach suggests a strategic priority to broadly distribute resources to foster active transportation at a grassroots level across various communities in Connecticut.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in the Berkshire Taconic region to support capacity-building projects that enhance governance, diversity, and overall effectiveness in serving their communities.

The Scherman Foundation's Core Fund for Strengthening New York Communities focuses on challenging inequities and improving the conditions of New York City communities in need. The grant program supports housing justice, equitable economic development, gender equity, worker rights, immigrant community challenges, sustainable development, and police and carceral system reform. It also provides support for policy reform organizations collaborating with neighborhood-based groups. The Foundation prioritizes general operating support for smaller neighborhood groups and offers project-specific support for larger and policy-focused organizations or collaborative campaigns.

The Café Royal Cultural Foundation NYC offers a writing grant specifically for authors of fiction, creative non-fiction, and poetry. This grant program aligns with the foundation's mission to support the arts, specifically by fostering the creation of written works that explore and interpret the world. The foundation emphasizes the role of the writer as a storyteller, someone who seeks truth, rejects falsehoods, and uses their unique gifts to pursue enduring literary contributions. The target beneficiaries for this grant are individual authors who are current citizens or residents of the United States and who currently reside in New York City, having lived there for a minimum of one year prior to applying. They must also plan to remain a resident through the completion of their project. The impact goal is to empower these writers to develop and complete original written material, contributing to the rich literary landscape and offering new perspectives on the human experience. The program prioritizes original written material from the applicant. Grants are not intended for research-only purposes or for the purchase of equipment, focusing instead on the direct creation of literary works. This focus underscores the foundation's strategic priority to directly support the artistic process of writing, rather than ancillary activities. The theory of change suggests that by providing financial support to talented writers, the foundation enables the production of significant literary works that might otherwise go undeveloped. Expected outcomes include the completion of new works of fiction, creative non-fiction, or poetry by the grant recipients. Measurable results could include the publication of these works, their presentation at literary events, or their contribution to a deeper cultural understanding. The grant size, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, provides substantial support to facilitate these outcomes, reflecting the foundation's commitment to investing in the creative endeavors of New York City-based writers.

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 fellowship supports emerging and underrepresented women and non-binary artists in New York City by providing them with the opportunity to develop and exhibit their work, along with access to mentorship and professional development resources.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to not-for-profit organizations, educational institutions, and local or tribal governments in New York State to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of specialty crops through research, development, and education initiatives.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for nonprofit organizations and community groups to develop training programs and services that help disadvantaged individuals and transitioning fossil fuel workers build careers in New York's green economy.

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 Healthy Soils Program (HSP) Block Grant Pilot Program, facilitated by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) through the Solano County Farm Bureau, is designed to incentivize the implementation of conservation management practices across California. This program aligns with a broader mission to improve soil health, sequester carbon, and reduce atmospheric greenhouse gases (GHGs) by providing financial support to growers and ranchers. The initiative is a component of the California Climate Investments (CCI), which has allocated $50 million towards these environmental objectives. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are California farmers, ranchers, agricultural business entities, and California Native Americans. Nonprofit organizations operating agricultural operations are also eligible, provided grant recipients are at least 18 years old. The program specifically targets producers in Alameda, Contra Costa, Sacramento, Solano, and Yolo Counties, with a priority given to those qualifying as socially disadvantaged. The overarching impact goals are to foster statewide adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, leading to enhanced soil health, significant carbon sequestration, and a measurable reduction in atmospheric GHG emissions. The program's priorities and focuses revolve around implementing specific conservation management practices. These include mulching (compost), cover crops, reduced tillage, riparian, herbaceous, and woody plantings, windbreaks, filter strips, and whole orchard recycling. Projects must be located on agricultural operations within California, encompassing row crops, vineyards, field and tree crops, commercial nurseries, nursery stock production, greenhouse operations producing food crops or flowers, and grazing lands. Excluded activities include cannabis cultivation, the use of potted plants or non-soil growth media, and research and product development. Expected outcomes and measurable results include an increase in the number of agricultural operations implementing soil health-improving practices, a quantifiable reduction in GHG emissions, and a documented increase in carbon sequestration across the state. The grant term is three years, with a maximum award of $100,000 per agricultural operation. This grant structure aims to provide substantial, sustained support to enable the successful adoption and maintenance of these beneficial practices, contributing directly to California's climate goals and fostering more resilient agricultural systems.