Best Columbia County Grants for Nonprofits in New York

The Price Chopper’s Golub Foundation has been committed to community support for over 85 years, offering funding and in-kind donations to various organizations. They prioritize 501(c)(3) non-profits that enhance cultural and economic vitality, and provide resources for local events, youth sports, and cultural initiatives. Applications for support are encouraged from organizations that align with their values, emphasizing community improvement and collaboration. For assistance, contact local stores for resources like ticket printing and promotional support.

Hudson River Valley Greenway

Established in 1991, the Hudson River Valley Greenway works to celebrate preserve and enhance the Hudson River Valley through regional planning, natural and cultural resource protection, heritage and environmental education, economic development, and public access.

McHenry Community Planning Grants

The Hudson River Valley Greenway works to celebrate and protect the region’s ecological, scenic, cultural, historic, agricultural, and recreational treasures.

HRVG’s McHenry Community Planning Grant Program provides financial assistance for local and regional planning projects in the Greenway Area. To be considered for a Greenway Community Grant or a Compact Community Grant, projects must incorporate Greenway Criteria – Natural and Cultural Resource Protection, Regional Planning, Economic Development, Public Access to the Hudson River, Heritage and Environmental Education.

In 2025, the program was renamed in honor of Hudson River Valley Greenway Communities Council Founding Chairman Barnabas McHenry. 

Greenway Communities

Municipalities located within the Greenway Area can become a Greenway Communities. This includes most municipalities in the counties that surround the Hudson River from New York County to Washington and Saratoga Counties.

To become a Greenway Community, a municipality must adopt a resolution committing to HRVG’s resource protection, regional planning, economic development, public access, and education criteria. After the resolution is adopted, municipalities can access funding for municipal and intermunicipal projects.  

Compact Communities

All counties located within the Greenway Area can become Compact Counties. Currently, Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Orange, and Dutchess are the only Compact Counties. However, counties as far north as Washington County can join by adopting a Compact Plan - a regional strategy that identifies how a county will integrate Greenway Criteria into its planning work.

To become a Compact Community, a municipality must adopt its county’s plan. After the plan is adopted, municipalities can access higher levels of funding for municipal and intermunicipal projects. 

Greenway Community Grant: Inter-Municipal Projects

The Hudson River Valley Greenway’s Greenway Community Grant promotes the economic development of designated Greenway Communities while respecting local decision making. Planning projects funded through this program preserve, enhance, and develop the scenic, natural, historic, cultural, and recreational resources in the Hudson River Valley.

Greenway Communities can apply for Greenway Community Grants up to $45,000 for intermunicipal projects. To be considered for a Greenway Community Grant, applicants should incorporate the Greenway Criteria.

Eligible projects include, but are not limited to:

• Comprehensive or master planning
• Zoning and subdivision ordinance updates
• Natural resource inventories and protection plans
• Open space inventories and conservation strategies
• Cultural and historic resource planning initiatives
• Waterfront revitalization planning along the Hudson River and its tributaries

Hudson River Valley Greenway

Established in 1991, the Hudson River Valley Greenway works to celebrate preserve and enhance the Hudson River Valley through regional planning, natural and cultural resource protection, heritage and environmental education, economic development, and public access.

McHenry Community Planning Grants

The Hudson River Valley Greenway works to celebrate and protect the region’s ecological, scenic, cultural, historic, agricultural, and recreational treasures.

HRVG’s McHenry Community Planning Grant Program provides financial assistance for local and regional planning projects in the Greenway Area. To be considered for a Greenway Community Grant or a Compact Community Grant, projects must incorporate Greenway Criteria – Natural and Cultural Resource Protection, Regional Planning, Economic Development, Public Access to the Hudson River, Heritage and Environmental Education.

In 2025, the program was renamed in honor of Hudson River Valley Greenway Communities Council Founding Chairman Barnabas McHenry. 

Greenway Communities

Municipalities located within the Greenway Area can become a Greenway Communities. This includes most municipalities in the counties that surround the Hudson River from New York County to Washington and Saratoga Counties.

To become a Greenway Community, a municipality must adopt a resolution committing to HRVG’s resource protection, regional planning, economic development, public access, and education criteria. After the resolution is adopted, municipalities can access funding for municipal and intermunicipal projects.  

Compact Communities

All counties located within the Greenway Area can become Compact Counties. Currently, Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Orange, and Dutchess are the only Compact Counties. However, counties as far north as Washington County can join by adopting a Compact Plan - a regional strategy that identifies how a county will integrate Greenway Criteria into its planning work.

To become a Compact Community, a municipality must adopt its county’s plan. After the plan is adopted, municipalities can access higher levels of funding for municipal and intermunicipal projects. 

Greenway Community Grant: Municipal Projects

The Hudson River Valley Greenway’s Greenway Community Grant promotes the economic development of designated Greenway Communities while respecting local decision making. Planning projects funded through this program preserve, enhance, and develop the scenic, natural, historic, cultural, and recreational resources in the Hudson River Valley.

Greenway Communities can apply for Greenway Community Grants up to $20,000 for municipal projects. To be considered for a Greenway Community Grant, applicants should incorporate the Greenway Criteria.

Eligible projects include, but are not limited to:

• Comprehensive or master planning
• Zoning and subdivision ordinance updates
• Natural resource inventories and protection plans
• Open space inventories and conservation strategies
• Cultural and historic resource planning initiatives
• Waterfront revitalization planning along the Hudson River and its tributaries

The Statewide Community Re-grants Program, managed by the CREATE Council on the Arts, aims to enhance community engagement in Columbia, Greene, and Schoharie Counties through public funding. Grants ranging from $1,500 to $7,500 support diverse artistic projects that foster creativity, cultural diversity, and inclusion. This initiative encourages local participation and collaboration between artists and community organizations, ensuring that projects are accessible to the public and contribute to the cultural vitality of the region.

The Statewide Community Re-grants Program, administered by the CREATE Council on the Arts, provides funds to empower individual artists in Columbia, Greene, and Schoharie Counties. Grants of $2,500 to $5,000 support artist-initiated projects that foster community engagement, creativity, and cultural diversity. The program emphasizes local involvement through a peer review panel, ensuring that community needs and aspirations are prioritized in the grant process, thus enriching the overall artistic landscape.

Project Lead The Way (PLTW)

Our Mission: Empower Students to Thrive in an Evolving World

Our Philosophy for Education: We believe all students – beginning at a young age – need access to real-world, applied learning experiences that empower them to gain the skills they need to thrive in college, career, and beyond.

We believe teachers play an immeasurable role in empowering students, and our programs provide teachers with the support and resources they need to devote more time to inspiring students.

PLTW Computer Science - Program Expansion In Partnership With Lam Research

The Lam Foundation supports schools implementing or expanding a PLTW program in or near several of their U.S. communities. Schools seeking support for PLTW Gateway or PLTW Engineering will receive priority. The Lam Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Lam Research, a leading provider of equipment and services to the semiconductor industry.

Program Requirements

The purpose of this grant is to assist the grantee's expansion of student access to the PLTW Computer Science program. Grantee must use their grant funds to expand their existing PLTW Computer Science program. Example expansion activities include but are not limited to adding an additional PLTW Computer Science course not previously offered, and/or adding additional class periods of an existing PLTW Computer Science courses previously offered, and/or training additional teachers in PLTW Computer Science courses for the 2027-2028 academic year. Grantee must complete one year of grant reporting.

Project Lead The Way (PLTW)

Our Mission: Empower Students to Thrive in an Evolving World

Our Philosophy for Education: We believe all students – beginning at a young age – need access to real-world, applied learning experiences that empower them to gain the skills they need to thrive in college, career, and beyond.

We believe teachers play an immeasurable role in empowering students, and our programs provide teachers with the support and resources they need to devote more time to inspiring students.

PLTW Computer Science - New Program In Partnership With Lam Research

The Lam Foundation supports schools implementing or expanding a PLTW program in or near several of their U.S. communities. Schools seeking support for PLTW Gateway or PLTW Engineering will receive priority. The Lam Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Lam Research, a leading provider of equipment and services to the semiconductor industry.

Program Requirements

The purpose of this grant is to assist the grantee's implementation of the PLTW Computer Science program. Grantee must offer at least one PLTW Computer Science course in the 2027-2028 academic year and must offer one additional course in the 2028-2029 academic year (two different courses in two years). Grantee may implement any PLTW Computer Science courses of their choosing. Grantee must complete two years of grant reporting.

Rubin Community Health Fund Grants

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.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

The TD Charitable Foundation has been dedicated to improving community quality of life since 2002, contributing over $254 million to non-profit organizations. They fund initiatives aligned with their corporate citizenship goals, focusing on Better Health, Connected Communities, Financial Security, and Vibrant Planet. Special consideration is given to programs that support inclusivity for diverse and historically underserved communities. Their commitment to enhancing lives through targeted grants reflects their core values and social responsibility.

The Artist Resource Trust (A.R.T.) Fund for Organizations Grant supports mid-career visual artists (aged 35+) in New England and parts of New York. Established in 1996, it provides annual funding to nonprofit organizations for commissions, purchases, or engagements with these artists. Eligible organizations must match funds 1:1 in cash and have specific geographic ties. The grant emphasizes quality and commitment in artistic work, aiding in the growth and visibility of mature artists.

The Bender Scientific Fund Grant aims to support and promote discovery in medicine, science, and technology within the Capital Region. The fund prioritizes research in life sciences and educational projects that foster ongoing learning. It encourages nonprofit organizations and schools to apply for grants, typically ranging from $1,000 to $12,500 for one-year projects. However, it does not support institutional overhead or funding for salaries without justification. Special considerations are required for projects involving human subjects or hazardous materials.

The Community Foundation Impact Grants support projects that address pressing community needs in the Capital Region of New York. Grants typically range from $1,000 to $15,000 and focus on areas such as homelessness, disabilities, land conservation, and services for new Americans. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations located within the ten-county region. This funding opportunity aims to leverage local expertise to create significant social impact.

The James C. Kapteyn Endowment Fund, established in 2009, honors the legacy of dedicated educator Jamie Kapteyn. This fund recognizes exemplary high school teachers in the Berkshire Taconic region, offering the annual Kapteyn Prize to those who inspire students and excel in various school roles. Winners are encouraged to use the funds for personal enrichment, enhancing their teaching impact. Nominations are accepted from school leaders for teachers committed to fostering excellence in education.

The Germantown Student Education Arts and Humanities Endowment, established by the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, aims to enhance the educational experience in the arts and humanities for students in the Germantown Central School District. Grants ranging from $100 to $2,500 support projects initiated by teachers, parents, and community members, fostering creativity and academic excellence while ensuring that public funding remains intact.

The Fund for Columbia County: School-to-Work Grants, established by the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, aims to enhance educational opportunities for youth facing challenges in Columbia County. Since 1998, the fund has supported innovative projects that facilitate transitions from school to work, including internships and skill-building programs. Grants range from $5,000 to $15,000, with a focus on collaboration among nonprofits and educational organizations to create lasting community impact.

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation

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.

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.

Fund for Columbia County: General Operating Support Grants

Introduction

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation established the Fund for Columbia County (FCC) in 1998 to help strengthen communities and improve the quality of life for everyone in Columbia County. The fund serves as a resource for organizations that make life safer, healthier, and more equitable for all residents of the county.

Grants for General Operating Support

Through its General Operating Support Grants, FCC supports organizations that have a deep, lasting, and positive impact on the residents of Columbia County, with particular emphasis on low-income and underserved adults and children.

FCC’s primary focus areas include:

• Youth development
• Education
• Services for the elderly
• Health and social services
• Civic and community engagement through arts, culture, and education

These Grants provide flexible general operating support, which may include:

• Personnel and overhead costs
• Planning and implementation of programs
• Technology, equipment, or material costs
• Strategic planning, staff/board development, and/or succession planning
• Investments to increase organizational capacity
• Other annual operating expenses

The Dyson Foundation offers flexible, unrestricted grants to nonprofit organizations in the Mid-Hudson Valley, focusing on those addressing basic human needs. Eligible organizations must demonstrate strong governance, stable leadership, and a history of receiving prior Dyson grants. Special emphasis is placed on supporting economically disadvantaged communities. Applications should be submitted at least six months before the fiscal year begins, and organizations with budgets over $20 million are generally excluded.

The Cultivating Health Grant Program by the Foundation for Community Health aims to enhance health, well-being, and equity through strategic funding. It operates a two-stage application process, initially inviting brief concept submissions and then full proposals for approved ideas. The program supports various initiatives without fixed grant amounts, prioritizing requests that improve community living conditions. It particularly values projects that bolster municipal capacities and foster collaboration among towns to enhance health outcomes.

The FCH Responsive Grant Program offers Capacity Building Grants up to $30,000 to support nonprofits in enhancing their operational infrastructure, scaling, and stabilizing initiatives. Focused on improving community health and equity, the program prioritizes smaller organizations with budgets under $500K. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations and municipal agencies that serve the Foundation for Community Health's 17-town region in northwest Connecticut. Applications are accepted annually through two grant cycles.

The Taconic Hills Education Enrichment Fund and the Arts & Humanities Fund support diverse educational projects within the Taconic Hills Central School District. Since 2001, the Education Enrichment Fund has aimed to benefit every student, while the Arts and Humanities Fund, established in 2008, focuses specifically on arts projects. Applications are welcomed from students and community members, and preference is given to interdisciplinary and sustainable initiatives.

The Ichabod Crane Central School District Arts and Humanities Fund Grant aims to enhance educational experiences in the arts and humanities for students and teachers. This endowed fund supports a variety of projects including independent studies, new programs, and creative extracurricular activities. Eligible applicants include students, teachers, and community organizations, with grants covering up to 75% of pilot project costs. Preference is given to initiatives that significantly impact the school community.

Our Programs

For over 25 years, Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming has been a leader in building a resilient and equitable food system in New York’s Hudson Valley. Through four interconnected strategies, we strengthen our region’s food system while serving as a national model for transformative, regionally-based solutions.

Core Strategies

Our strategic approaches are not standalone efforts, but a dynamic, interwoven framework that collectively advances our vision of a resilient and equitable regional food system. By incorporating all four strategies into every one of our programs, we create comprehensive solutions that amplify our impact across the agricultural landscape.

Hudson Valley Farm Relief Fund

The Glynwood Center for Food and Farming established the Hudson Valley Farm Relief Fund, an emergency initiative to provide critical financial assistance to farms across eleven New York counties that have lost expected USDA funding due to the federal funding freeze. The Fund was a time-limited initiative, and is separate from Glynwood's core programming.

The Ackerman Foundation Grant supports non-profit organizations in Columbia County, NY, aiming to enhance the quality of life for people and animals. Grants of up to $2,500 are awarded based on merit, alignment with mission, and community impact. Applicants must be tax-exempt under 501(c)3 or utilize a Fiscal Agent. The foundation emphasizes transparency and competition in its granting process, ensuring that those who serve their communities effectively receive assistance.

The Neighbor-to-Neighbor Grant provides crucial emergency funding to individuals and families facing economic hardships in the Berkshire Taconic region. This program offers small, strategic grants for overdue utilities, medical bills, short-term housing costs, and transportation issues. Funds are disbursed directly to vendors on behalf of those in need, ensuring immediate assistance without long-term obligations. Supported by the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, the initiative exemplifies community solidarity, with local social service agencies facilitating the distribution of aid.

The HRE Grants for Local Stewardship Planning, funded by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, aims to enhance the Hudson River Estuary ecosystem. With approximately $750,000 available, these grants support projects like feasibility studies, assessments, and the development of guidance documents to improve community infrastructure and protect vital water resources. Minimum grant requests start at $10,500, while the maximum is $75,000, encouraging a wide range of impactful initiatives.

The 'Fresh and Healthy Food for All in Columbia County' grant, backed by the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, aims to enhance access to nutritious food for vulnerable households. It supports initiatives like community refrigerators and market match programs, fostering collaboration among local organizations. The program emphasizes education, availability, and co-created solutions to combat food insecurity, ensuring all residents can obtain healthy food options, thereby strengthening the community's food system.

The Green Pastures Fund Grant, established in 1999 by an anonymous donor at the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, supports small community-based agricultural projects. Eligible applicants include nonprofits and public entities in the Berkshire Taconic region, focusing on ventures like community-supported agriculture and local farmers' markets. The fund prioritizes projects with additional funding sources and requires a twelve-month wait between applications to encourage sustainable growth in agricultural initiatives.