Search Through Columbia County Grants for Nonprofits in New York

Mid-Hudson Valley Grantmaking Program

The Dyson Foundation makes grants to nonprofit organizations in the Mid-Hudson Valley (Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, and Ulster counties) that are addressing basic human needs including housing, family stability, youth development, health care access including behavioral health, food access, and other human services, with a special focus on organizations working with those who are economically disadvantaged or otherwise marginalized.

After-School and Summer Programming for Children and Youth

The Dyson Foundation considers grants for out-of-school time programs including after-school, summer, and year-round activities. Applications for programs located in the Mid-Hudson Valley counties of Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, and Ulster will be considered, with a focus on enabling the participation of economically disadvantaged children. Funding priority will be given to programs operated by organizations whose mission and expertise is focused on youth development, and that conduct targeted outreach to low-income families and children, offer program schedules that support working families, and those that give consideration to and make efforts toward providing transportation assistance and meals.

Mini-Grant Program

The Dyson Foundation’s mini-grant program funds Mid-Hudson Valley organizations interested in capacity building projects to improve administrative, governance, and/or programmatic functions. Mini-grants enable nonprofit board, staff, and volunteer leaders to develop new skills through consultant-led capacity-building activities, or through conferences, seminars, and other training opportunities.

Mini-grants are available for:

• Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)
  • Assessment, consulting, and policy development
• Operational enhancements
  • Fiscal systems
  • Human resources
  • Organizational assessments
  • Policies and procedures
  • Program development and evaluation
• Planning
  • Communications
  • Resource development
  • Strategic
  • Succession
  • Technology
• Professional development
  • Executive coaching
  • Conferences, seminars, and training

Mini-implementation Grants

Following the completion of a mini-grant funded consultancy or training, grantees may apply for a follow-up mini-implementation grant of up to $3,000 to cover the costs of enacting the results or recommendations of the project (including continued consulting, marketing materials, web design, etc.).

Fund for Columbia County - Grants for New Nonprofits

The Fund for Columbia County welcomes applications for funding from community groups that are in the process of becoming a nonprofit organization or that have recently received nonprofit status. A nonprofit organization is defined as being recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a charitable 501(c)(3) entity.

Examples of funded items include but are not limited to:

• Legal fees
• Programming costs
• Equipment and software
• Website development and hosting
• Initial costs of program space
• Outreach/marketing costs
• Consultancies

Once legal charitable status is obtained, organizations are invited to apply to the annual Fund for Columbia County grant cycles: Grants for Community Impact and Grants for Aging with Dignity.

Michael & Susan Dell Foundation Grants

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation only accepts unsolicited proposals for specific areas within the education, family economic stability and childhood health sectors in select countries where we work, namely the United States, India and South Africa.

As a guideline, the foundation does not fund more than 25% of a project’s budget or more than 10% of an organization’s total annual operating expenses.

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation has always recognized the power of providing grants to partner organizations that we knew were already working hard to improve the lives of urban children living in poverty. By aligning with organizations that are already making a difference, we continue to make an immediate impact on the lives of thousands of children.

Foundation priorities:

We fund social enterprises that directly serve or impact children or youth from urban low-income communities in the areas of education, health, and family economic stability (including livelihoods and financial inclusion). These social enterprises may be structured as for-profit or nonprofit entities.

Partnerships

We collaborate with a range of organizations focused on creating opportunities for children and families living in urban poverty, with a deep emphasis on measuring impact. Our funding advances projects already making an impact in education, health, and family economic stability. Through these enduring and long-standing partnerships, we create lasting change together.

Mid-Hudson Valley Grantmaking Program

The Dyson Foundation makes grants to nonprofit organizations in the Mid-Hudson Valley (Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, and Ulster counties) that are addressing basic human needs including housing, family stability, youth development, health care access including behavioral health, food access, and other human services, with a special focus on organizations working with those who are economically disadvantaged or otherwise marginalized.

Designated Grants

Designated Grants are grants made for a specific purpose or program. These grants are available towards:

• Activities that align with our priority funding areas but operate within an organization with a broader mission
• Youth after-school and summer programs (see our specific guidelines)
• Economic development with a clear charitable purpose, public benefit, and a direct link with our priority funding areas
• On a very limited basis, arts councils and/or arts organizations that have demonstrated significant job creation and local economic impact

Mid-Hudson Valley Grantmaking Program

The Dyson Foundation makes grants to nonprofit organizations in the Mid-Hudson Valley (Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, and Ulster counties) that are addressing basic human needs including housing, family stability, youth development, health care access including behavioral health, food access, and other human services, with a special focus on organizations working with those who are economically disadvantaged or otherwise marginalized.

General Operating Support Grants

General operating support, or “unrestricted” grants, are flexible funds that can be used by organizations at their discretion. These grants are available to organizations working on priority funding issues if they:

• Meet our principles of best practice for nonprofit governance, finance, public disclosure, and programming
• have at least three years of stable executive leadership
• have received a designated Dyson Foundation grant within the last three years.

Unrestricted grants are aligned with the grantee’s fiscal year; submit an initial letter of inquiry no later than six months prior to the start of the fiscal year. Organizations with annual budgets in excess of $20 million are generally not eligible for unrestricted grants.

The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region (CFGCR)

Our mission is to strengthen our community through philanthropy.

Since 1968, The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region (CFGCR) has been dedicated to improving the quality of life in the Greater Capital Region. We work with — and for —all our neighbors across the community because together, we are stronger.

Nonprofit Training and Advancement Fund

One-time $1,000 grants for leadership development, succession planning, performance management, and frontline training support.

Philanthropy is our commitment to communities in which we operate and broader society. We focus our resources on a limited number of key projects that can deliver valuable benefits from our contributions and those of our partners. We give priority to innovative, high-quality projects that meet the following criteria:

• promote sustainable development
• offer an opportunity for Roche to use its expertise and logistics capabilities
• involve Roche actively at an early stage with local authorities and established partners
• engage Roche employees in cultural (focus on contemporary arts), educational and social activities
• managed by an accredited charity

Our four focus areas

Humanitarian and Social

We direct the majority of our philanthropic donations to humanitarian and social development projects.

Science and education

We are dedicated to programmes that promote scientific interest and provide educational opportunities for young people around the world.

Community and Environment

We are committed to building stronger communities and responding to natural disasters sustainably.

Arts and Culture

We support groundbreaking contemporary art, cultural projects and activities that explore the parallels between innovation in art and in science. 

We have strong partnerships with nonprofit organizations across the country that are working to advance economic mobility and social progress in low- and moderate-income communities. Our focus areas include basic needs like food and housing, workforce development and education, and community development. In addition to our philanthropic investments, we also encourage our employees to make a difference by offering robust employee giving and volunteering programs, including the opportunity to direct funds to organizations they support through volunteer efforts, and a matching gifts program that doubles their individual giving to causes they care about. Last year, we invested $350 million in the communities we serve, and employees contributed more than 1 million volunteer hours and directed $65 million through individual giving and matching gifts to support nonprofits.Through our regional U.S. sponsorships, we support the economic, social and cultural life of the places we live and work. We provide an extensive program of arts and sports sponsorships to help maintain vibrant, healthy communities.Sponsorships supporting communitiesBank of America welcomes your sponsorship proposal for opportunities that make our communities a better place to live and work. We are particularly interested in providing support to address needs vital to the health of our communities through a focus on:

• preserving neighborhoods;
• educating the workforce for 21st century jobs;
• addressing critical needs such as hunger and emergency shelter;
• arts and culture;
• the environment; and
• diversity and inclusion programs.

Grants are made at the Foundation’s discretion based on our current funding strategies focused on housing, jobs and hunger. 

The Impact Fund awards recoverable grants to legal services nonprofits, private attorneys, and small law firms who seek to confront economic, environmental, racial, and social injustice. Since our founding in 1992, the Impact Fund has made more than 800 recoverable grants totaling more than $10 million for impact litigation. We award grants four times per year, most within the range of US$10,000 to US$50,000.

Social Justice

The Impact Fund provides grants and legal support to assist in human and civil rights cases. We have helped to change dozens of laws and win cases to improve the rights of thousands. The cases we are funding allege that:

• In Texas and North Carolina, incarcerated people with mental health disabilities are forced to remain in jail despite being found not guilty and unable to proceed with a criminal trial.
• In Orange County, California there are currently 13 gang injunctions under effect, which disproportionately affect young men of color.
• In Chicago, Illinois, the city’s homeless shelter program is inaccessible to people with disabilities.
• In Springfield, Oregon, the city and its police department used excessive force against Black Lives Matter protesters.
• In West Virginia, the state fails to protect children in foster care from abuse and neglect. 
• In Montana, voter suppression laws disadvantage young adults and give priority to gun owners.
• In Gary, Indiana, a gun manufacturer negligently marketed and distributed its guns, leading to an epidemic of gun violence in the city. 
• In Vancouver, British Columbia, the police perpetuate systemic discrimination against Indigenous people through bureaucratic measures.

Environmental Justice

The Impact Fund provides grants to support local litigation for environmental justice. These grants are for cases aiming to help people or communities who are affected by environmental harm or who lack access to basic environmental needs, such as clean water, clean air, adequate waste treatment, and green spaces. The cases we are funding allege that:

• In Centreville, Illinois, the city’s failure to maintain its sewer system has caused raw sewage to flood peoples’ homes, endangering the property and health of a predominantly Black community.
• In Fresno County, California, the California Department of Transportation approved a highway expansion project that would increase air pollution and traffic in one of the state’s most environmentally burdened communities.
• In downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the proposed expansion of a highway would divide the region's Black, Asian, and Latine neighborhoods and cause pollution and ill health.
• In North Dakota, the five-month closure of a highway in response to the Dakota Access Pipeline protests disproportionately affected the livelihoods and health of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe members.
• In Ontario, Canada, mercury contamination of the English-Wabigoon river system causes catastrophic environmental and health impacts for the Grassy Narrows First Nation.
• In Sacramento, California, the county government and Sacramento Area Sewer District violated the Clean Water Act by discharging raw sewage into nearby rivers.
• In the Eastern Coachella Valley in California, 1,900 residents of the Oasis Mobile Home Park suffer from arsenic-laced drinking water, wastewater contamination, and overcharging for utilities.

Economic Justice

The Impact Fund provides financial and other forms of support to cases fighting for economic justice. From workers' rights to consumer protection for vulnerable populations, impact litigation is a powerful tool to hold corporationss and the government accountable. The cases we are funding allege that:

• In Brooklyn, New York, a prominent mortgage lender engaged in predatory practices, leaving homeowners of color at risk of losing their homes. 
• In Washington, live-in caregivers are unconstitutionally excluded from the state’s wage-and-hour protections.
• In Ravalli County, Montana, the county has created a “modern-day debtors’ prison” by incarcerating people unable to afford pre-trial fees. 
• In San Diego, California, vehicle ordinances target unhoused vehicle owners even when no adequate housing alternative exists.
• In New York, a federal immigration detention facility is violating minimum wage and forced labor laws by forcing detainees to work for just a dollar a day. 
• In Minneapolis, Minnesota, the city and county destroy the property of unhoused individuals and conduct forced evictions from public spaces. 
• In Miami, Florida, insurance companies discriminate against a nonprofit community development corporation renting to tenants with Section 8 rental subsidies.

Statewide Community Regrant Program

Part of CREATE’s growing legacy has been administering grants through the SCR (Statewide Community Regrant) program since 1986. Funding is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) through the Decentralization Program and with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and New York Legislature.

These are intended to foster the continued development of local cultural resources and increase access to the Arts. We aim to assist individual artists, artist collectives and organizations in growing professionally and encourage enhancing the local cultural climates particularly in areas that are geographically isolated, economically disadvantaged or ethnically diverse.

Arts Education

In-School / After School and Community-Based Learning for All Ages

Awarding grants of $1,500 and $3,000. The applicant of record for this program must be an individual teaching artist, collective, or a nonprofit organization in Greene, Columbia, and Schoharie Counties. Funds support arts education projects for closed-groups of learners and there are two types of closed-groups defined for this opportunity: public schools and community-based groups. 

All AE projects must be carried out in partnership with a public school or in partnership with an existing community-based group of learners including but not limited to a club, residents of a senior living facility, individuals receiving social services, or a camp. 

In all AE projects, emphasis is placed on the depth and quality of the process through which participants learn over a series (minimum of 3 sessions) focused on the exploration of an artistic discipline and process. 

See more guidelines on pages 13-16 here  

Hortense and Louis Rubin Community Health Fund

Since 2018, the Hortense and Louis Rubin Community Health Fund has invested more than $2.9 million in health initiatives across our region.

The fund continues to support projects and organizations dedicated to improving kidney health and overall community well-being. Through strategic investments and partnerships, we aim to create a healthier future for all.

Our Mission and Origins

The Hortense and Louis Rubin Community Health Fund was established using proceeds from the operation and sale of the Rubin Dialysis Centers. The fund’s goal is to support programs focused on the prevention, management, and treatment of kidney disease and related health conditions. Managed by the Community Foundation staff and guided by a committee of healthcare experts, the fund is committed to improving public health outcomes.

Our Vision

We envision healthier individuals, families, and communities in the Greater Capital Region with a reduced incidence of chronic kidney disease and related risk factors, including obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.

Meeting People Where They Are

Our grantmaking efforts focus on organizations providing services to individuals in our community who are affected by chronic kidney disease.

Promoting Healthy Habits and Lifestyles

Encouraging:

• Better nutrition
• Regular physical activity
• Tobacco cessation
• More sleep
• Less stress

Strengthening Health Equity

Focusing on the most vulnerable communities, including Black and Latino/x populations, as well as urban and rural areas, by:

• Supporting sustainable food systems
• Increasing access to quality healthcare for all
• Securing essential community needs such as housing, transportation, and food

Grantmaking Priorities

The Rubin Community Health Fund considers projects in the Greater Capital Region that align with the following priorities:

Treatment – Improving Individual Care and Access

• Maximizing individual care outside of dialysis centers through technology and innovation
• Expanding or improving access to home dialysis options

Primary Prevention – Increasing Access to Preventive Services

• Promoting nutrition and healthy food access
• Encouraging physical activity
• Expanding primary care and supportive services
• Enhancing provider training to improve screening and referrals for chronic kidney disease (CKD) and related conditions

Secondary Prevention and Management Services

• Improving health literacy to empower individuals
• Managing and mitigating CKD, End Stage Renal Disease, diabetes, hypertension, and other related conditions
• Providing universal access to essential support services, such as:
  • Transportation
  • Daycare
  • Case management
  • Technology aimed at preventing dialysis dependency
• Enhancing management of associated medical conditions

Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation Grants

The Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation is a not for profit organization established in 2004. The Fund provides programs and support services for women and families in the Hudson Valley, New York, affected by breast cancer. All funds raised for the Foundation are used in the Hudson Valley.

The Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation is currently offering grants for projects in the areas of breast health and breast cancer education, outreach, screening, treatment and support projects in the counties of Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Westchester and Ulster.

Projects Will Be Funded in The Following Areas:

• Breast cancer education
• Educational outreach to special populations
• Support programs (including complementary medicine programs)
• Financial aid for social support and ancillary services

Fresh and Healthy Food for All in Columbia County

This grant program is developed as a part of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation’s initiative to ensure all people in Columbia County, especially households with limited resources, have access to fresh and healthy food. This includes providing immediate access to healthy food for the food insecure while simultaneously transforming the food system to increase long-term access for everyone in Columbia County.  

This initiative aims to address three areas of impact: 

• People in Columbia County have the knowledge, tools and capital necessary to want and demand healthy food
• An adequate supply of healthy food is available for people in Columbia County, particularly especially households with limited resources, at a reasonable price point 
• Community members, organizations and businesses within targeted communities are communicating and developing co-created food solutions

For the purpose of this initiative, key terms are defined as follows: 

• Fresh and healthy food: Fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, milk, cheese, poultry, eggs, meat and fish that travel as few food miles as possible from producer or retailer to consumer; along with healthy essential staples and shelf-stable food items. 
• Food insecure: Lacking reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.

This grant program encourages applicants from a wide range of organizations with ideas and passion for how to increase access to fresh and healthy food in Columbia County. 

A portion of available funds are specifically set aside for the development or expansion of community refrigerator projects in Columbia County. Additionally, examples of eligible projects could include market match/double up programs at farmers markets; healthy “corner store” type initiatives; needs at food pantries; gleaning programs; subsidized CSA shares; and other innovative ideas focused on increasing access to fresh and healthy food among Columbia County residents with limited resources.

Introduction

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation established the Fund for Columbia County in 1999 to help strengthen communities and improve the quality of life for everyone in Columbia County. The fund serves as a resource to help organizations create and implement programs that make life safer, healthier, and more equitable for all residents of the county.

Through its Grants for Community Impact, the fund supports projects that further youth development, economic equity, civic and community engagement, the arts, education, the environment, and health and social services that directly impact the people of Columbia County. 

Grants for Community Impact

The Fund for Columbia County invites applications for innovative projects and services that have a deep, lasting and positive impact on the residents of Columbia County, with particular emphasis on low-income and/or underserved adults and children.

We welcome applications from a single organization or collaborative partnerships. We believe that organizations can achieve more working together than they can alone and that collaborations can save resources and make organizations more powerful in their collective focus. 

Organizations providing services for elders should apply for the Fund for Columbia County's Grants for Aging with Dignity.

Organizations providing services in Red Rock should apply to the Quailwood Fund.

Funding

Grants are for one year and range from $2,500 to $7,500. Requests for larger amounts and/or multi-year grants will be considered for projects that show exceptional potential for impact.

Program Information

To help our region’s nonprofit staff, board members, and volunteers better achieve their missions, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation regularly offers grant funding, workshops, learning opportunities and leadership development. 

In addition to this support, we also recognize that from time to time nonprofits have a need or an opportunity to engage in a capacity building project that requires immediate additional resources. These projects can range from strategic planning assistance, board development, organizational assessments, evaluating business models and fundraising strategies, to website and database enhancements. 

In response to this need, the foundation is piloting a Planning and Technical Assistance grant program with a rolling deadline that will remain open until approximately $60,000 in funding is expended.

We seek to provide flexible funding to allow an organization to seize an opportunity to refine their strategy, invest in board development, and evaluate and refine program delivery at a time when their missions are needed most by the communities they serve.   

Organizations with defined projects approved by their boards are encouraged to apply. Project proposals should be able to illustrate how investing in this capacity building strategy now will result in enhanced organizational strength, resiliency, or effectiveness and how this hoped for outcome will result in the ability to advance their mission.  

Priority will be given to organizations with operating budgets under $1 million annually. Foundation staff in making decisions will also seek to ensure there is proportional funding across the foundation’s region.

Project Examples

For information purposes only (similar projects are not guaranteed funding):

• Hire a consultant to assist your organization in strategic planning
• Hire an outside facilitator to conduct board listening sessions on roles and responsibilities
• Pay for technical assistance training in building organizational capacity (finance, HR, fundraising)
• Hire a consultant to do an organizational assessment
• Training for current staff to implement new technology (CRM, website, database, etc.)

Review Criteria

Applications will be reviewed fairly and competitively on a rolling basis using the following criteria:

• Impact of the organization on the residents of the Berkshire Taconic region.
• Potential impact of the proposed capacity building project on the longer-term effectiveness of the organization.
• Demonstrated need for BTCF funding at this point in time.
• Readiness of the organization to implement proposed project, as communicated by the applicant (e.g., organization history, organization health and/or capacity goals, or significant changes to the organization).

Awards

Grants range up to $10,000 for a single year.

Grant Information

Jonathan Schor (1946-2004), a resident of Red Rock for thirty years, established the Quailwood Fund before he died to create an endowment to generate annual grants “to provide community support in the Red Rock, Columbia County, New York area for public services and improvement of the quality of life, for conservation work, public recreation facilities, fire and rescue facilities and educational scholarships.”

According to Jon’s wishes, the Quailwood Fund has an advisory committee that consists of the presidents of the Red Rock Volunteer Fire Company, the Red Rock Historical Society, the Canaan Conservation Club, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation and the executive director of the Columbia Land Conservancy.

The Quailwood Fund and its Advisory Committee looks to the long term needs of the Red Rock community. It remains open to new ideas and possibilities to improve and enrich the quality of life for the residents of Red Rock.

Through its grantmaking programs, the Quailwood Fund works to help retain a strong sense of community in Red Rock by bolstering community gatherings, encouraging a diversity of participation in the life of the community and supporting a wide range of social and economic opportunities for residents.

Funding

Awards will generally range between $500 and $10,000. There may be a larger amount allocated (up to $20,000) for a project of particular significance or urgency for the community.

All Quailwood General Fund grants will require a 1:1 match. For grants of $7,500 and under, a minimum of 50% of the match must be in cash. For grants over $7,500, a minimum of 25% of the match must be in cash. In both cases, the balance may be in donated goods and/or services.

Funding Priorities

The Foundation manages several funds that allow discretion to make grants that fund projects and programs that are responsive to changing community needs. These funds, our “Community Impact Funds,” are either Discretionary Funds, which allow the Foundation the flexibility to use its extensive knowledge of community issues and organizations to make grants that address emerging issues; or Field-of-Interest Funds, which give the Foundation grantmaking discretion within given areas of interest. With these funds, the Foundation utilizes the expertise of its staff and Board of Directors to identify opportunities to make grants that will have the most impact in the community.

Due to restrictions placed on some of our funds by our donors, preference may be given to organizations and/or programs that address the following issues:

• Homelessness: Organizations/programs that serve the needs of a homeless population;
• Disabilities: Organizations/programs that serve the needs of the intellectually and/or physically disabled, including the hearing and sight impaired;
• Land Conservation and Preservation: Organizations/programs that focus on the preservation/conservation of land for the protection of wildlife;
• New Americans: Organizations/programs that focus on supporting new Americans;
• Programs that benefit the residents of Amsterdam, NY: Organizations/programs that focus on the provision of services to the residents of Amsterdam, NY.

Funding Amount

Community Foundation Impact Grants usually range from $1,000 to $15,000. Grant period will not exceed one year.

How and Why Giving Back to Communities is Important to O’Reilly

From O’Reilly Auto Parts’ inception, O’Reilly co-founder C.H. “Chub” O’Reilly instilled the culture of maintaining high standards for every endeavor, including the area of building civic pride. With Chub’s good example to guide them, all four of his children adopted a business and family philosophy of “giving back” to the community as the Company grew and prospered. Supporting a large number of charitable organizations in all communities in which we operate has long been a focal point for O’Reilly Auto Parts. In order to make an even greater impact, the O’Reilly Automotive Foundation was established in 2020.

O’Reilly Automotive Foundation, Inc.

Impact

The O’Reilly Automotive Foundation complements O’Reilly Auto Parts’ role as the Friendliest Parts Store in Town. The Foundation serves as an additional conduit to connect with, support, and strengthen the communities in which O’Reilly Auto Parts’ team members and customers live and work. The Foundation continues the philanthropic legacy of the O’Reilly family as dependable community partners, seeking to support critical services in times of need to build stronger communities.

Mission

The O’Reilly Automotive Foundation strives to have a lasting, positive impact in the communities where O’Reilly Auto Parts’ team members and customers live and work by supporting organizations and programs which address issues critical to improving the quality of life for underserved and underrepresented individuals and families. In particular, the Foundation will concentrate its giving in support of organizations and programs addressing economic stability and mobility, workforce development, health and social services, and disaster relief.

Economic Stability and Mobility

Advocating for and endowing programs which provide assistance with issues including hunger, homelessness, and poverty for the economic betterment of the communities in which we operate.

Workforce Development

Promoting programs which aid in workforce readiness, technical training, and literacy, including children’s literacy, to ensure the continuance of an educated society and a capable, innovative workforce.

Health and Social Services

Championing and prioritizing matters of health, including mental and behavioral health, access to basic needs such as medical and dental care for underprivileged communities, and providing funding for organizations focused on childhood development and children’s advocacy as well as care and support for victims of domestic violence.

Disaster Relief

Providing funding and visibility to organizations specializing in providing relief from natural disasters and state of emergency, including providing temporary shelter, food, water, and hygiene or sanitation products to those affected and aiding in cleanup efforts.

Application Requirements

We will consider three principal types of grants:

Project Support Grants support specific projects or programs aligned with our mission. These requests may include some funds earmarked for the overhead costs associated with running a project.

General Operating Support Grants provide limited general operating support for the core operations or organizations whose missions and activities are aligned with our mission. These grants will often help the grantee build organizational, programmatic, and fundraising capacity. Operating support is not intended to help organizations in fiscal crisis. Applicants must have a current strategic or business plan that clearly outlines the organization’s goals and presents a plan for achieving results. Operating support grants must not exceed 15% of an organization’s total agency budget.

Capital Support Grants provide limited support for capital campaigns to fund the acquisition and construction of facilities, existing property renovation, or the purchase of major equipment. The program has a comprehensive approach to funding capital initiatives, which also includes funding for increased program capacity. A feasibility study may be required for capital initiatives to be considered.

Mission

The Bender Scientific Fund was established for the exclusive purpose of making grants to support and promote discovery and development in medicine, science and technology in the Capital Region.

Grants may be made to fund:

• Research in medicine and biotechnology and in life sciences.
• Educational and information-sciences projects related to medicine, biotechnology and life sciences.

The Fund is especially interested in research that addresses beginning research studies and in educational projects that would promote continuing discovery and learning. To this end, we encourage smaller nonprofit organizations and schools to apply for funding for projects that promote further exploration of medicine, biotechnology and life sciences by young people. 

• The Fund will not support institutional overhead, nor will it fund conferences or meetings;
• Projects involving human subjects, use of vertebrate animals, hazardous materials or recombinant DNA require special consideration;
• Funding is not routinely designated for salaries or per diems but will be considered when justified.

The Lawrence Foundation is a private family foundation focused on making grants to support environmental, human services and other causes.

The Lawrence Foundation was established in mid-2000. We make both program and operating grants and do not have any geographical restrictions on our grants. Nonprofit organizations that qualify for public charity status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or other similar organizations are eligible for grants from The Lawrence Foundation.  

Grant Amount and Types

Grants typically range between $5,000 - $10,000. In some limited cases we may make larger grants, but that is typically after we have gotten to know your organization over a period of time. We also generally don’t make multi-year grants, although we may fund the same organization on a year by year basis over a period of years.

General operating or program/project grant requests within our areas of interests are accepted. In general, regardless of whether a grant request is for general operating or program/project expenses, all of our grants will be issued as unrestricted grants.

Community Partnership Award

The Mutual of America Foundation Community Partnership Award recognizes outstanding nonprofit organizations in the United States that have shown exemplary leadership by facilitating partnerships with public, private or social sector leaders who are working together as equal partners, not as donors and recipients, to build a cohesive community that serves as a model for collaborating with others for the greater good.

Each year, the Mutual of America Foundation sponsors a national competition in which hundreds of organizations demonstrate the value of their partnership to the communities they serve, their ability to be replicated by others and their capacity to stimulate new approaches to addressing significant social issues.

Six organizations are selected by an independent committee to receive the Community Partnership Award.

• The Thomas J. Moran Award is given to the national award-winning program and includes $100,000 and a documentary video about the program.
• The Frances R. Hesselbein Award is given to a partnership that is addressing social challenges in more than one community, or which demonstrates the potential to be replicated in other communities. This recipient receives $75,000.
• Four other organizations are named Honorable Mention recipients for their programs, and each receives $50,000.

Since its inception in 1996, the Community Partnership Award has recognized 262 partnerships from cities and towns across America. Like so many of our clients working in the nonprofit community, Mutual of America is dedicated to having a direct, positive impact on society.

Our Mission

The Hansen Family Foundation provides opportunities to domestic, international, secular, and non-secular organizations that support the American way of life, which is defined by the principles of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” 

Causes

Children

The Hansen Family Foundation supports causes dedicated to helping children both home as well as abroad. Learn More

Education

The Hansen Family Foundation believes that a decent education should be made available to everyone, young or old, the world over. Learn More

Animals

The Hansen Family Foundation believes in helping those who cannot speak on their own behalf. Learn More

Environmental

The Hansen Family Foundation is dedicated to preserving the world we all share. Learn More

Humanitarian

The Hansen Family Foundation views the plight of our fellow man as an opportunity to actively engage and effect change. Learn More

Arts & Culture

The Hansen Family Foundation supports all forms of artistic and cultural endeavors. Learn More

Background

The Community Foundations exist to enhance the quality of life for all citizens in the Greater Hudson Valley, now and for generations to come. Created by community leaders as the Area Fund, the Community Foundation is a public nonprofit charitable organization established as a permanent resource to make our region a better place for all of us to live and grow…today, tomorrow and always.

Cleopatra Fund - Funding Focus

The focus of the Cleopatra Fund is to support organizations involved in providing programs or services that promote animal welfare. When awarding grants, the following priorities will be followed:

• Programs or services that benefit cats;
• Programs or services that benefit dogs;
• Programs or services that benefit retired circus animals; and
• Programs or services that benefit retired farm animals.

Funding Amount

Grants made through this program will not exceed $3,000.  Awards range from $500-$2,000.

About

Since 1987, we have strengthened communities through philanthropy and leadership. We channel generosity where it is needed, bringing together resources and passion to tackle our region’s most pressing issues and create lasting change.

What is a Community Foundation?

• We are a public charity improving our region by encouraging philanthropy, pooling and investing resources, addressing urgent needs, and supporting individuals and nonprofits through grants and scholarships.
• We provide a variety of giving options, investment management and back-office strength to help make giving easy and grantmaking transformative.
• We are a trusted partner to donors, organizations and community leaders, doing all that we can to strengthen our communities.

The Region We Serve

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation serves Berkshire, Columbia, northeast Dutchess and northwest Litchfield counties. This unique area where New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts meet contains 2,200 square miles of natural beauty and small-town charm that is home to nearly 230,000 people.

Hudson Schools Arts and Humanities Fund

The Hudson Schools Arts and Humanities Fund works to enhance and enrich the educational experience of students and teachers in the Hudson City School District (HCSD).

Grant Information

Artist’s Resource Trust was established in 1996 to provide support to the creative work of mid-career (aged 35 and older) visual artists who have demonstrated substantial commitment, development who have demonstrated substantial commitment, development and quality in their work. ART’s focus is on visual artists who live in New England (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT) and in the towns in NY that are part of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation’s catchment area as of 2015.

A.R.T. provides funds annually for New England, and Columbia and Northeast Dutchess Counties, NY nonprofit organizations for the commission, purchase or engagement of mid-career artists meeting the above geographic criteria.