New York Grants

This program provides funding to support the establishment of protective vegetated buffers on farmland near critical water sources in New York State, helping to safeguard public drinking water and improve water quality.

This program provides funding for predoctoral and postdoctoral researchers to advance the understanding and treatment of spinal cord injuries through innovative research.

The Appalachian Regional Energy Hub Initiative aims to strengthen regional economies by investing in energy resilience through research and planning grants, and implementation grants. The initiative focuses on establishing a regional energy hub for natural gas and natural gas liquids, including hydrogen production. Eligible applicants include local development districts, Indian Tribes, states, counties, cities, and higher education institutions, among others. The total funding available is $5 million, with a grant proposal due by July 24, 2024.

This program provides free training and funding opportunities to nonprofit organizations in the Appalachian region, helping them build capacity to better address community challenges and improve their operational effectiveness.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is offering a grant ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to municipalities in New York for the adoption of zero-emission vehicles and installation of electric vehicle charging and hydrogen fuel filling stations, with a total of $750,000 available in the seventh round of the Municipal ZEV Rebate Program.

READY Community Foundations, part of ARC's READY Appalachia initiative, offers no-cost training to community foundations in Appalachia. Participants will build skills in financial management, fundraising, grantmaking, and strategic planning. Eligible foundations can apply for up to $25,000 in funding to implement capacity-building projects post-training. Applications are due by July 5, 2024.

The Food for Thought Grant Program, sponsored by the Western New York Foundation, aims to support educational and artistic projects that foster awareness, build knowledge, and cultivate conscious advocates for local and regional food systems. This aligns with the foundation's broader mission to engage artists, educators, community members, and food system stakeholders in creative expression and collaboration to spark social change. The program's core objective is to bring these diverse groups together to highlight the importance of just and sustainable food systems. The program primarily targets organizations interested in submitting projects that use arts and/or education to uplift opportunities or inform on issues related to the food system. The ultimate beneficiaries are the communities within Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, and Wyoming counties in New York, as the program seeks to widen community participation, promote collaboration and dialogue, and engage and empower these communities at large. The impact goals include raising awareness, inspiring action, and creating a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable food system. The program prioritizes projects designed to foster community participation and dialogue, encouraging creative approaches to food system education. It also focuses on the facilitation and exchange of learnings, insights, and expertise related to the food system to inform the public. Learning agendas are specifically encouraged to share practical knowledge, raise awareness, and inspire action towards building better food systems. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) entities or those with a fiscal sponsor or acting as a pass-through. Expected outcomes include an increase in community engagement with food system issues, enhanced collaboration among various stakeholders, and a more informed public regarding sustainable and equitable food practices. Measurable results could involve the number of projects implemented, the reach of educational and artistic initiatives, and documented shifts in community knowledge and advocacy. The Western New York Foundation’s strategic priorities, as evidenced by this program, lean towards fostering community-led initiatives that utilize innovative methods like arts and education to address critical social and environmental issues, particularly within the context of local food systems. Their theory of change appears to be rooted in the belief that by empowering local communities and fostering creative dialogue, significant social and systemic changes can be achieved.

The Connection, Health, & Equity through Food (CHEF) Grant Program is a collaborative initiative across Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Eastern Massachusetts, and Upstate New York, administered by the Maine Council on Aging. The program's core mission is to increase older adults’ equitable access to healthy food and social connection, aligning with a broader goal of addressing systemic issues like food insecurity and social isolation. This grant program seeks to support older adults by fostering programmatic infrastructure, expanding existing programs, and launching innovative new initiatives that cater to their food and social connection needs. The target beneficiaries of the CHEF Grant Program are primarily older adults, with a specific focus on underserved and marginalized populations. These include BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), LGBTQ+, women, veterans, people living with disabilities, and individuals residing in rural communities. The program's impact goals are centered on enhancing the quality of life for these older adults by improving their access to nutritious food and opportunities for social engagement. Projects that serve diverse older people, veterans, and older people living with disabilities are given priority. The CHEF program prioritizes finding solutions to the root causes of food insecurity and social isolation. These root causes include poverty, transportation barriers, rurality, and language barriers. While the grant does not explicitly detail the foundation's strategic priorities or a formal theory of change, the emphasis on equitable access, addressing systemic issues, and supporting vulnerable populations suggests a strategy focused on community-based interventions and empowerment. The program's design indicates a theory that by investing in local organizations and initiatives, significant improvements can be made in the well-being of older adults. Expected outcomes include increased access to healthy food for older adults, enhanced social connections within communities, and a reduction in the prevalence of food insecurity and social isolation among the target populations. While specific measurable results are not explicitly outlined, the program's focus on data for older people served (50.1% of the overall population served) suggests an intent to track the reach and impact on the primary beneficiary group. The grant duration is not mentioned, but the anticipated grant size of $2,000 – $10,000 for most grants indicates support for projects with tangible, localized impacts.

The Seeds of Sustainability Grant Program, offered by the Western New York Foundation, aims to bolster nonprofit organizations working within the food system. This program aligns with the foundation's mission by supporting efforts to improve organizational capacity and drive transformative work. Through this initiative, the foundation seeks to empower nonprofits to achieve their objectives and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient food system in the region. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are small to mid-size nonprofit organizations with budgets between $100,000 and $6,000,000, operating within Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, and Wyoming counties in New York. The program's impact goals center on enhancing the operational effectiveness and sustainable growth of these organizations. It seeks to equip them with the necessary skills, knowledge, and resources to amplify their impact on local and regional food systems. The program prioritizes several key areas to achieve its objectives. These include supporting strategic leadership development, fostering collaboration among community stakeholders, strengthening communication efforts to raise awareness and attract resources, expanding resources to stabilize financials, promoting programming excellence, and enhancing overall operational effectiveness. These focuses are designed to address the multifaceted needs of nonprofits and build a robust foundation for long-term success. Expected outcomes and measurable results include improved board and staff leadership, stronger community engagement and expanded services through collaborative efforts, increased awareness and resource attraction due to enhanced communications, greater financial stability and long-term sustainability, more effective program delivery and evaluation, and improved day-to-day operational productivity in areas such as administration, grant management, finance, human resources, technology, and facility management. The foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change are evident in its commitment to capacity building, believing that by strengthening the internal capabilities of nonprofits, they can more effectively drive transformative change in the food system. To be eligible, applicants must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, demonstrate a commitment to transformative change in the food system, and have three years of 990 filings. The program's detailed approach, from leadership support to operational enhancements, reflects the Western New York Foundation's comprehensive strategy for fostering sustainable growth and impactful work within the vital food sector of the region.

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.

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.

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.

The Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust's grant program aims to enhance the quality of life for companion animals and native wildlife. This mission aligns with the foundation's core belief in supporting innovative projects that go beyond basic care, providing long-term benefits for animals today and in the future. The trust focuses on helping organizations deliver an enhanced quality of life for homeless and abused companion animals. The target beneficiaries of this grant program include homeless and abused companion animals, native wildlife, and owned companion animals in under-resourced urban/rural areas or those owned by socially vulnerable populations. Impact goals include increasing successful adoptions, improving staff and volunteer care delivery, promoting humane education, enhancing access to medical care, and controlling pet and feral animal populations through spay/neuter initiatives. The program prioritizes several key areas: animal adoption, behavior training, and fostering; continuing education and training for staff and volunteers; humane and wildlife education; medical care, rehabilitation, and wellness care for animals; pet and feral animal population control through spay/neuter; equipment directly benefiting animals; and other animal care initiatives that celebrate the human-animal bond. Preferred projects include non-capital means of expanding shelter capacity, opportunities for staff and volunteer development, school and community programs addressing humane care, and assistance for owned pets from under-resourced households. Expected outcomes and measurable results include increased successful adoptions, improved delivery of care by staff and volunteers, enhanced community understanding of animal welfare, better access to medical care for vulnerable animal populations, and a reduction in unwanted pet populations. The foundation's strategic priorities are centered on supporting initiatives that lead to a high quality of life for individual animals and significant improvements for large numbers of animals. Their theory of change is that by funding innovative projects and supporting eligible organizations, they can foster better humane care, improve animal well-being, and address critical issues such as overpopulation and lack of access to care, ultimately creating a more compassionate environment for animals.

The New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) offers Support for Targeted Opportunities, a grant program designed to enhance artistic diversity across New York State by valuing artists and creative expression. This aligns with NYSCA's mission to provide support that strengthens the arts and cultural sector within the state. The program focuses on creative performance residencies, subsidized rehearsal spaces for all performing art forms, and folk arts apprenticeships, reflecting a commitment to fostering a wide range of artistic endeavors. The target beneficiaries of this program are nonprofit organizations, State- or Federally-recognized Native American nations, or units of local or federal government in New York State. The program aims to support organizations that provide opportunities for artists and promote diverse artistic expressions. The impact goals include increasing access to resources for performing artists and folk artists, thereby enriching the cultural landscape of New York State. Key priorities and focuses for FY2025 include Folk and Traditional Arts Apprenticeships, Rehearsal and Studio Space for Performing Arts, and Performing Arts Residencies. These specific opportunities demonstrate NYSCA's strategic approach to addressing critical needs within the arts community, ensuring that artists have the necessary support to develop and present their work. The emphasis on these areas suggests a theory of change that by providing foundational support, artistic innovation and accessibility will flourish. The expected outcomes include a greater number of creative performances, increased availability of affordable rehearsal spaces, and the preservation and transmission of folk and traditional arts through apprenticeships. Measurable results for this program are indicated by the award amount of $10,000 for each successful application, providing a tangible measure of the support extended to eligible organizations. The program’s focus on fostering artistic diversity and supporting various art forms underscores NYSCA's broader strategic priorities in cultural development and community engagement.

The Northeast SARE Professional Development Grant program aims to advance sustainable agriculture practices by enhancing the knowledge, awareness, skills, and attitudes of agricultural and other service providers. This directly aligns with the foundation's mission to support sustainable agriculture through education and professional development. The grant focuses on empowering professionals who work with farmers, enabling them to teach, advise, or assist in the adoption of sustainable methods. The program seeks to create a ripple effect, where trained service providers then apply their learned expertise to help farmers improve their agricultural practices, fostering a more sustainable food system within the Northeast region. The primary beneficiaries of this program are agricultural service providers, including those in non-profit organizations, colleges, universities, Cooperative Extension, and other entities that serve the farming community. Additionally, the program extends its reach to other service providers such as real estate agents, bankers, and attorneys, who can indirectly influence farmers. The overarching impact goal is to cultivate a more resilient and sustainable agricultural landscape in the Northeast by equipping these professionals with the necessary tools and knowledge. Expected outcomes include increased adoption of sustainable and climate-smart agricultural practices by farmers, improved ecological and economic resilience to climate change, and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The program prioritizes a wide array of topics, encompassing marketing and business, crop production, raising livestock, aquaculture, social sustainability, urban and Indigenous agriculture, and traditional ecological knowledge. A significant focus is placed on climate-smart agriculture practices, which are intended to improve ecological, social, and economic resilience to climate change. This includes practices such as reduced and no-till farming, cover cropping, prescribed grazing, ruminant feed management, manure management, fertilizer management, and on-farm energy efficiency. The program's strategic priorities are clearly aligned with addressing contemporary agricultural challenges through education and practical application. Northeast SARE actively encourages projects from, or in collaboration with, women, the LGBTQIA+ community, and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Furthermore, it encourages proposals from Minority Serving Institutions and other organizations in the Northeast that work with historically underserved communities, demonstrating a commitment to equity and inclusivity in agricultural development. The theory of change behind these priorities is that by supporting a diverse range of voices and institutions, the program can foster more innovative and equitable solutions for sustainable agriculture, leading to broader and more effective adoption of sustainable practices across the region. The expected measurable results include an increase in the number of service providers trained in sustainable agriculture, a documented increase in farmers adopting climate-smart practices, and the successful implementation of projects that demonstrate improved ecological, social, and economic resilience. Awards typically range from $30,000 to $150,000, with project lengths usually spanning 2 to 3 years, and a maximum allowed duration of 3.5 years. The program's geographical focus is exclusively on the Northeast region, which includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Vermont, and Washington, D.C., ensuring targeted and localized impact within this specific area.

The Farm and Food Growth Fund (FFGF) administers a portion of New York State’s Department of Agriculture and Markets USDA Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) grant program. This program, funded by the American Rescue Plan (ARP) of 2021, aims to enhance, grow, and improve the mid-channel of the food supply chain within New York State. The overarching mission alignment is 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, excluding meat, poultry, cannabis, animal food and forage, fiber, and wild-caught seafood. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are New York State agricultural producers, processors, groups of producers and processors, nonprofit organizations, local government entities, tribal governments, and institutions such as schools, universities, or hospitals that bring producers together to establish cooperative or shared infrastructure or invest in equipment for middle-of-the-supply-chain activities. The impact goals are to increase the supply of New York-sourced food products available in New York and regional markets, benefit multiple producers and markets, and support the development of new value-added products. The program prioritizes infrastructure development to expand business capacity for processing, aggregation, storage, and distribution. Specific focuses include targeting infrastructure projects to the dairy, fruit and vegetable, and organic industries. Another key priority is to create greater market access to intermediaries like food hubs, aggregators, wholesalers, and distributors, with the goal of increasing local food sales to institutions such as schools, hospitals, and correctional facilities. Expected outcomes include expanded processing capacities, modernized equipment and facilities, increased packaging and labeling capabilities, enhanced worker safety, and greater storage space, including cold storage. The program also seeks to develop and install climate-smart equipment that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, increases water use efficiency, and improves air/water quality. Measurable results would involve an increase in New York-sourced food products in local markets, a greater number of businesses with expanded processing and distribution capacities, and an increase in local food sales to institutions, ultimately strengthening the resilience and efficiency of the state's food supply chain.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in Dutchess County, NY, that provide essential services to individuals and families affected by poverty, focusing on economic stability, health access, and educational opportunities.

This program provides financial support to nonprofits in Dutchess, Putnam, and Ulster Counties for essential operational costs and innovative projects that benefit historically marginalized communities across various sectors, including human services, arts, education, health, and the environment.

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.