New York Workforce Development Grants

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (the “Department”) is pleased to announce the availability of funds for the 2024 Farm- to-School Competitive Grants Program. Donor Name: New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets State: New York County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/27/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: Farm-to-School is the promotion and use of foods produced by New York State farmers in meals served in cafeterias of K-12 schools. Associations between farms and schools through the cafeteria and classroom can enhance the quality of food served. With over 700 school districts in New York State, there is the opportunity to foster relationships among New York State farmers, food hubs, producers, processors, and distributors to benefit school-age children. While serving New York State produced food in school cafeterias may seem simple, developing Farm-to-School connections highlights several challenges, particularly the lack of an established infrastructure or network of stakeholders that includes all the necessary parties: farmers, food service directors, food service contract management companies, food distributors, processors, agricultural organizations, and commodity organizations. Other challenges include: Seasonality: Farmers plan their crops in January, long before schools make purchasing decisions and place bids for products in the summer. In addition, the summer growing season is when schools are not in session. Inconsistent quality, quantity, and sizing: schools require produce to be served in standard units and meet specifications. Processing and packaging: schools require vegetables and fruits to be processed and packaged in standard units. Bidding: sending and reviewing bids from individual farmers can be time-consuming and complex for school procurement and fiscal staff. Delivery/pick up: distribution can be complicated when purchasing from multiple growers. Lack of equipment and skills to store, prepare and serve fresh produce procured for school meals programs. Connecting diverse populations with their culturally appropriate foods. Lack of training and workforce development for culinary staff. The New York State Farm-to-School Competitive Grants Program began in 2015 to increase school’s purchase of New York specialty crops by building relationships between schools and New York farm product suppliers. Secondary goals of the program include increasing agricultural education opportunities for students, improving nutrition and exposing students to new, local, culinary experiences. The objective of Farm to School projects must be to increase the volume and variety of New York State farm products purchased by schools/districts and served in school meal programs. Applicants are encouraged to include other objectives including agricultural and nutrition education gardening activities and relationship building with local agricultural food businesses and farmers. Projects that partner with producers or food processors are strongly encouraged. Applicants may include partners in their project budget as contractors Funding Information A total of $1,500,000 is available for the Farm-to-School Competitive Grants Program. This year, $300,000 will be set aside for first-time recipients. Grant awards may range from $50,000 to $100,000. Applicants may apply for only one grant per funding period. Applicants must apply for $50,000 to $100,000. Project Duration Proposed projects must be completed within two years of the contract start date. Contract term will be 9/1/2024 to 8/31/2026. Eligible Applicants  Eligible applicants include: K-12 School Food Authorities Charter schools Not-for-profit organizations Indian tribal organizations. For more information, visit NYSDAM.

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 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 funding opportunity is designed to support initiatives that promote tourism and enhance infrastructure in Delaware County, aimed at increasing visitor numbers and spending.

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.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to municipalities and non-profit organizations in New York State for planning and zoning projects that promote sustainable development, environmental protection, and affordable housing.

This initiative provides funding and support to nonprofit organizations, local governments, and Tribal governments in coal-impacted communities to develop and scale innovative economic projects that create job opportunities and foster local economic transformation.

With the ongoing support of Howard Gilman Foundation, Staten Island Arts continues the Performing Arts Residency Cohort (PARC) for performing artists for a second year ((2024-2025). Donor Name: Staten Island Arts State: New York City: Staten Island Type of Grant: Program Deadline: 05/06/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year Details: This program supports the creative practice of 10 performing artists living and working in Staten Island through a 6-month residency cohort. This residency opportunity does not focus on project creation, and does not come with space, but rather focuses on nurturing each artist’s creative practice through peer mentorship and professional development.  The PARC program will support individual performing artists across dance, theater, and music at any stage of their careers. Participating artists will be required to attend monthly cohort meetings from September 2024 to February 2025 at the Staten Island Arts offices. The meetings will serve as space to share more about your creative practice and process, including working ideas, challenges, and needs. This model aims to break down the siloed community structure in Staten Island across different forms of expression and bring more support to creative practice without an explicit focus on outcomes or products. Funding Information Awarded individual artists will receive $6,000. Eligibility Criteria Applicants must be at least 18 years old, not a full-time student, and must be a Staten Island resident. Individual artists whose work is based in the Performing Arts – music, dance, theater Not Eligible Previous PARC grant recipients Nonprofit Organizations or arts collectives Artists working outside the field of performing arts Awards can not be used for capital improvements, fundraising events, scholarships, juror fees, prizes, lobbying expenses, or entertainment. For more information, visit Staten Island Arts.

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.

The Cullen Foundation is currently accepting applications for its Responsive Grant – Education. Donor Name: Cullen Foundation State: New York County: Erie County (NY) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/26/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 3 Years Details: In Education, they seek applications from organizations offering Supplemental Academic Programs (SAP). All programs should have direct academic outcomes, be evidence-based, and primarily serve economically disadvantaged students. Programs must support students from multiple schools. Types of Support Cullen Foundation has established the following types of support for responsive grants in the education focus area: Program/project support Capital/physical infrastructure Capacity building Funding Information An organization may apply for 1, 2 or 3 years of funding, ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 per year (for a $300,000 total maximum). Eligibility Criteria Cullen Foundation has the following eligibility criteria for all applicants: The organization is a 501(c)(3) The organization must submit audited or reviewed financials prepared by a CPA for its most recently completed fiscal year. This is Cullen’s requirement and is not related to NYS requirements Erie County is their primary geographic service area. Education applicants not located in Erie County must serve at least 80% Erie County residents No funding received will be used for partisan political activity No funding received will be used for expenses already incurred No funding will overlap with an existing grant from the Cullen Foundation The request must fit within Cullen Foundation’s education focus area (evidence-based programs with direct academic outcomes, serving economically disadvantaged students in grades pre-K through 12); and requests for the following will not be considered: Recreational camps or recreation-based programs Internship programs Education resource rooms and drop-in centers Museum exhibits Professional development programs and services Field trip funds and programs Skills and job training programs Transportation requests Arts education programs Requests from Individual schools Request for programs that serve students from only one school Individual scholarships will not be awarded other than those provided by the Cullen Scholars program. For more information, visit Cullen Foundation.

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.

The Rochester Area Community Foundation is seeking applications for its John F. Wegman Fund. Donor Name: Rochester Area Community Foundation State: New York County: Monroe County (NY) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline:  08/09/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Concerns of the elderly, character-building opportunities for youth, and improved labor/management relations through education or other means. Funding Criteria The John F. Wegman Fund has limited resources and looks for opportunities to provide small amounts of money that significantly impact community-based programs. Most awards are one-time grants for specific, participant-driven projects. The grant preference is for agencies, projects, and programs that are: Small scale Start-up Innovative (develop or adapt new strategies) Participant-driven (based on identified needs of beneficiaries) Examples of recent awards: Concerns of the elderly: Funding to support affordable transportation for seniors to health-related appointments. Character-building opportunities for youth: Funding to empower at-risk youth through workplace skill development and educating students in a supportive, multi-sensory learning environment so that they all become successful learners. Improved labor/management relations: Funding the republishing of the book All These Years of Effort, to more accurately portray the history of Rochester’s central labor unions. Funding Information These grants range from $1,500 to $10,000, with a median size of $7,300. Eligibility Criteria Applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving Monroe County, NY.  The John F. Wegman Advisory Committee will consider new requests from previously funded organizations after the final report has been submitted and 18 months have passed since they were last funded. The John F. Wegman Fund does not provide support for: Annual giving campaigns Capital building Fellowships Individuals Operating deficits Political campaigns Religious activities The John F. Wegman Fund gives limited consideration to: Land acquisition Renewable grants Staff training For more information, visit RACF.

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 funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations and event organizers in Cattaraugus County to create tourism-driven events and attractions that encourage visitors to explore the area.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in Onondaga County that provide essential services and programs to improve the lives of vulnerable populations, including low-income families and children, by addressing critical community needs.

This funding opportunity supports health and human service nonprofits in six counties of New York to strengthen their organizational capacity and sustainability through various capacity-building initiatives.

This program provides funding to nonprofit organizations in New York City to help establish and expand Business Improvement Districts in underserved commercial areas, enhancing local business support and community engagement.

This funding opportunity supports rural communities in Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont by providing financial assistance for projects that stimulate economic growth, improve infrastructure, and enhance local services in areas with fewer than 5,000 residents.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for organizations to deliver training and education programs that enhance workplace safety and health across New York State.

This fellowship provides financial support and professional development opportunities for early-career Asian American musicians in New York City to create impactful work within their community.