New York Private Grants

This funding opportunity provides financial support to small professional theaters in New York State with limited budgets, helping them enhance their operations and compensate artists while promoting inclusivity in the arts.

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 Morton K. and Jane Blaustein Foundation is dedicated to addressing institutionalized racism, xenophobia, and the impact of climate change, primarily focusing on communities in Baltimore City, Maryland, DC regions, and New York. The foundation emphasizes support for initiatives that counteract the effects of climate change, particularly in marginalized communities. It funds efforts to establish bipartisan alliances for robust energy and climate policies at all government levels and backs grassroots organizations led by those most affected by climate change. Simultaneously, the foundation tackles racial inequities in the justice system and the disproportionate criminalization of youth of color in schools by supporting strategic advocacy and policy reform. It also champions the rights of immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in the U.S. by funding immigrant-led advocacy for fair immigration policies, providing legal services, and supporting holistic networks aiding refugees and asylum seekers fleeing violence.

This grant provides funding for arts education projects in Warren and Washington Counties, NY, aimed at K-12 schools and community groups to promote hands-on artistic experiences.

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 supports non-profit organizations and public agencies in developing and sustaining small, community-focused agricultural projects, such as farmer's markets and urban gardens.

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.

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.

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.

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 Performing Arts Residency Cohort (PARC) program, supported by the Howard Gilman Foundation and Staten Island Arts, is in its second year (2024-2025) and focuses on nurturing the creative practice of performing artists in Staten Island. The program is not centered on project creation or providing space but rather emphasizes peer mentorship and professional development for individual artists in dance, theater, and music, at any career stage. The Howard Gilman Foundation's mission, though not explicitly stated in the provided text, can be inferred to align with supporting artistic development and fostering vibrant arts communities, which PARC directly addresses by investing in individual artists' growth. The target beneficiaries of the PARC program are individual performing artists aged 18 and over, who are not full-time students and reside in Staten Island. The program specifically welcomes artists working in music, dance, and theater. The overarching impact goal is to strengthen the creative practice of these artists and to break down the siloed community structure across different forms of expression in Staten Island. By fostering peer mentorship and professional development, the program aims to provide much-needed support for artists' creative journeys. The program's priorities and focuses include nurturing individual artists' creative practices through a 6-month residency cohort, promoting peer mentorship, and offering professional development opportunities. A key focus is on process over product, meaning the program values the artistic journey and development of skills more than the creation of specific outcomes or products. Monthly cohort meetings from September 2024 to February 2025 are a mandatory component, serving as a space for artists to share their creative practice, discuss challenges, and identify needs. Expected outcomes and measurable results include providing financial support of $6,000 to each of the 10 awarded artists. More importantly, the program anticipates an enhancement in the creative practices of participating artists, a stronger sense of community and support among performing artists in Staten Island, and increased professional development among the cohort. While specific metrics beyond financial awards and participation are not detailed, the emphasis on peer mentorship and shared experience suggests an aim for qualitative improvements in artistic growth and community cohesion. While the foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change are not explicitly detailed for the Howard Gilman Foundation, their support for PARC suggests a belief that investing in individual artists' development, fostering community, and providing professional growth opportunities will lead to a more vibrant and sustainable arts ecosystem. The theory of change appears to be that by nurturing artists' practices without the pressure of project creation, and by encouraging peer-to-peer learning, artists will be better equipped to sustain their careers and contribute meaningfully to the cultural landscape of Staten Island. In summary, the PARC program, through the generous support of the Howard Gilman Foundation and Staten Island Arts, is a vital initiative designed to empower performing artists in Staten Island. It focuses on holistic creative development, community building, and professional growth, ultimately aiming to enrich the artistic landscape by supporting the very individuals who animate it.

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.

This funding opportunity supports community-based arts projects and the creation of original work by local artists in Westchester and Rockland Counties, focusing on inclusivity and access for underrepresented communities.

The Community Economic Development (CED) Planning Grants program, forecasted under the new NOFO HHS-2024-ACF-OCS-EE-0152, is administered by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Office of Community Services (OCS). OCS plans to award approximately $1.5 million in discretionary funds to Community Development Corporations (CDCs). The fundamental objective is to stimulate the development of new CED projects by providing crucial financial assistance for administrative capacity building within these CDCs. This initiative directly aligns with OCS's core mission to reduce poverty and catalyze economic growth in local communities by facilitating social and revenue reinvestment, laying the groundwork for sustainable community self-sufficiency. The direct beneficiaries of this funding are Community Development Corporations (CDCs) that serve under-resourced, underserved, and persistent high-poverty areas with struggling economies. The ultimate beneficiaries are the residents of these target communities, including those with low incomes in both urban and rural settings. The immediate impact goal is to strengthen the administrative and planning capacity of CDCs that have historically struggled to put forth a viable CED project. The broader impact goals include stimulating the creation of new, viable CED projects, fostering localized economic growth, and ultimately reducing poverty through comprehensive community support and reinvestment. OCS has established three key strategic priorities for this funding opportunity, centering the approach on equity. The first priority aligns the grants with national climate and equity initiatives, specifically Executive Order 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, and the Justice40 Initiative, by underscoring funding support for energy communities. The second focus is on increasing equity in the geographic distribution of CED funds, ensuring resources reach areas previously overlooked, as mandated by the CED statute. Finally, the third priority emphasizes breaking down service silos by encouraging CDCs to leverage existing partnerships across OCS programs, thereby promoting a holistic, wraparound services model to address poverty. The strategic priority and theory of change for OCS is rooted in the belief that administrative capacity is the critical barrier to entry for effective community-led development in high-poverty areas. By providing financial assistance for capacity building, the awards serve as a crucial step to connect CDCs with the larger CED resources required for impactful social and revenue reinvestment. Expected outcomes include an increase in the number of CDCs capable of developing fundable projects, leading to the stimulation of new CED projects in persistent high-poverty areas. Measurable results will focus on the successful leveraging of the initial administrative capacity building funds into tangible new projects, demonstrating a clear path from planning support to demonstrable local economic growth and sustainable poverty reduction.

This grant provides funding to charitable organizations in Wayne County, New York, to support projects that improve community life, particularly in Macedon and the Palmyra-Macedon School District, with an emphasis on initiatives that demonstrate matching financial support and sustainability.

The van Ameringen Foundation focuses on improving mental health services, particularly for those with limited financial means, within New York City and Philadelphia, and through national advocacy. Its mission is to increase accessibility to mental health services, offer preventive and early-intervention strategies, and advocate for systemic change. The foundation offers both general support and project-specific grants, aligning its funding directly with its core mission of fostering a more equitable and effective mental healthcare system for underserved populations. The primary beneficiaries of these grants are individuals and communities confronting significant mental illness, particularly those with limited financial means and opportunities. This includes people needing direct services like case management, counseling, psychotherapy, and psychiatric care, as well as those who benefit from systemic changes in law, public policy, and public perception. The impact goals are to enhance the mental health safety net, improve access to services, and create lasting, positive changes in mental healthcare delivery and perceptions. The foundation's priorities and focuses are clearly delineated into two main categories: Direct Service Grants and Non-Direct Service Grants. Direct Service Grants support programs that provide immediate and tangible assistance to individuals, such as housing, jobs, and various forms of mental health treatment. Non-Direct Service Grants encompass advocacy efforts to change policies, media/dissemination projects to share best practices and research, and training initiatives for mental health providers, advocates, and community members. The foundation explicitly does not fund programs for intellectual or physical disabilities, direct grants to individuals, endowment campaigns, capital projects, annual fundraising drives, or international activities. Expected outcomes include increased accessibility of mental health services, successful implementation of preventive and early-intervention strategies, and significant systemic changes with local or national impact. Measurable results could include the number of individuals served, improvements in patient outcomes, policy changes enacted, increased public awareness, and the number of mental health professionals trained. The foundation encourages innovative and practical proposals that demonstrate a clear path to achieving these outcomes. The foundation's strategic priorities are centered on fostering innovation and practical solutions within the mental health sector. Its theory of change posits that by investing in direct services, advocating for policy reforms, disseminating knowledge, and building capacity through training, it can effectively address disparities in mental healthcare access and quality. This multi-pronged approach aims to create both immediate relief for individuals and long-term structural improvements in the mental health landscape, primarily within its specified geographic areas and at a national advocacy level.