Best Cortland County Grants for Nonprofits in New York

New York State Office of Faith and Nonprofit Development Services

The New York State Office of Faith and Nonprofit Development Services stands as a beacon of support and resource for faith-based and nonprofit organizations across the state. With a mission deeply rooted in Governor Kathy Hochul’s commitment to support and expand these communities, the Office is dedicated to fostering growth, equity, and connectivity.  

At its core, the Office aims to empower Faith and Nonprofit organizations. By providing essential information, facilitating access to state grants, and enhancing organizational capacities, it seeks to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all New Yorkers.  

OFNDS Technical Assistance Request for Application (RFA)

This RFA seeks to award funding that will develop a program to provide free technical assistance to nonprofits across New York State. The program seeks to build organizational capacity, improve nonprofits' ability to maximize funding opportunities, expand programmatic impact, and ensure accountability to fiscal compliance standards necessary to do business with New York State. 

Overview- Proposed Areas for Technical Assistance

The purpose of this grant is to fund qualified nonprofit organizations to administer a no-cost Technical Assistance program for the nonprofit community in New York State. Under this grant, the Technical Assistance provider will assist nonprofit organizations with a presence in the assigned region with fiscal infrastructure planning and development, and organizational compliance required to do business in and with New York State, and resource development. These services will increase the nonprofits’ ability to secure, administer and sustain public funding opportunities for New York State grants, and community initiatives.

The Technical Assistance proposed should be practical and tailored to the needs and realities of smaller organizations with limited staff and resources. Successful applicants are required to provide Technical Assistance in a group setting or to individual organizations, as needed. 

Preference will be given to organizations with three or more years’ experience providing similar services to nonprofit organizations. 

Award Regions

Awards will be granted to qualified nonprofit organizations according to two regions: Region A, Downstate; and Region B, Upstate. 

Region B, Upstate

• Capital Region (Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren, and Washington Counties)
• Central NY (Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, Oswego)
• Finger Lakes (Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, Yates)
• Mid-Hudson (Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Sullivan, Ulster)
• Mohawk Valley (Fulton, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida, Otsego, Schoharie)
• North Country (Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence)
• Southern Tier (Broome, Delaware, Chemung, Chenango, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins); and
• Western NY (Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Niagara)

Nonprofit and housing providers in Cortland County, New York can seek funding to deliver permanent rental subsidies and tenancy support services for vulnerable homeless Medicaid members. With a mission to improve access to health services, New York State Department of Health provides support for HUD-compliant rental assistance, housing stabilization services, outreach, and non-medical social care activities.

The Area Development Grant Program, managed by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), supports economic growth in Appalachia through investments in critical infrastructure and workforce development. Targeting 423 counties across 13 states, the program encourages local communities to collaborate with state governments to identify and implement impactful projects. Key focus areas include enhancing utilities, promoting entrepreneurship, and strengthening local leadership. This initiative aims to uplift the 26 million residents of Appalachia, fostering sustainable economic opportunities.

The PLTW Gateway grant supports public schools in offering innovative STEM education. Grantees must provide at least one PLTW Gateway unit during the 2026-2027 academic year, with an additional unit each subsequent year. The total grant award is $20,000, distributed in two installments. Grantees are required to submit annual reports and assist in student and teacher surveys to ensure ongoing program improvement. Eligible districts span several states, including Arkansas, Georgia, and Texas.

The PLTW Engineering grant supports public schools in implementing at least one PLTW Engineering course in the 2025-2026 academic year, with a total funding of $30,000 over two years. Eligible districts include those in Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Maine, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. Grantees are required to submit annual reports and assist in collecting surveys to enhance program effectiveness and share results with stakeholders.

The PLTW Engineering Program Expansion grant, funded by Project Lead The Way Inc, offers $10,000 to public schools in specific districts across several states, including Arkansas, Georgia, and Virginia. This grant aims to enhance existing PLTW Engineering courses or add new ones, alongside teacher training for the 2025-2026 academic year. Grantees are required to submit annual reports and assist in collecting surveys to aid in program improvement and stakeholder engagement.

Nonprofit organizations, universities, government agencies, individuals, and for-profit businesses working on Great Lakes ecosystem health can seek support for impactful, science-based projects benefiting Cortland County, New York and the broader basin. Great Lakes Protection Fund provides funding instruments for collaborative, action-oriented efforts that deliver measurable, regionally significant freshwater and habitat improvements.

The Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust Grants focus on enhancing the quality of life for companion animals and native wildlife. This private foundation supports innovative projects that go beyond basic care, ensuring the well-being of homeless and abused animals. Eligible organizations must have a 501(c)(3) status and be located in specific states, including Ohio and parts of Indiana and Michigan. The Trust emphasizes humane treatment and sustainable funding for animal welfare initiatives.

The Stickley Scholarship Fund: Alfred J. Audi Scholarship Award supports children of full-time employees of L. & J. G. Stickley, Inc. This scholarship aims to provide four awards annually to graduating high school students demonstrating financial need and the qualities of a scholar athlete. Eligible applicants must maintain a 3.0 GPA, engage in community service, and be accepted to a full-time program at a 2- or 4-year institution. This initiative promotes educational opportunities and equity.

The Syracuse Sounds of Music Association Grant aims to enhance the music scene in Central New York by supporting non-profit organizations that provide music programming and education. This initiative focuses on six counties, including Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, Oneida, and Oswego, fostering community engagement through diverse musical activities. By funding these programs, the association promotes the creation and appreciation of music, ensuring a vibrant cultural landscape for all residents.

High school seniors seeking academic scholarships for higher education in Cortland County, New York and nearby counties can apply for the Trufant Family Scholarship Fund, administered by Central New York Community Foundation. Eligible students must demonstrate financial need, leadership, resilience in facing challenges, and rank in the top 20% of their class; awards are renewable up to four years.

The Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative aims to revitalize communities impacted by coal industry transitions. This initiative provides funding for projects that diversify local economies, enhance job training, and create new employment opportunities. By fostering collaboration among various stakeholders, the POWER Initiative supports strategic investments that align with regional economic development plans, ensuring a more resilient future for coal-affected areas.

Nonprofit and public-sector partnerships restoring or connecting fish and wildlife habitat in Cortland County, New York can access funding through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Chesapeake WILD Collaborative Conservation track. Grants up to Up to US $200,000 support landscape-scale habitat restoration, improved water quality, climate adaptation, recreation access, and strengthened collaborative conservation capacity.

Students pursuing advanced manufacturing or metalworking-related programs at accredited community, junior, or technical colleges in Cortland County, New York can receive scholarship support for higher education expenses. Rochester Area Community Foundation’s Rochester Tooling and Machining (James M. Nieboer) Scholarship is open to high school or GED graduates and adults in continuing education with satisfactory prerequisite performance.

Great Lakes tribes or their designees working on aquatic invasive species management in or near Cortland County, New York can apply for US $20,000 - US $100,000 to develop or implement Tribal Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plans. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service supports prevention, early detection, rapid response, and control efforts that protect the Great Lakes Basin.

The F26AS00083 Aquatic Invasive Species Grants are part of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative for Fiscal Year 2026. These grants, administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, aim to support state-level management plans to combat aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes region. Eligible applicants include Great Lakes states and their designees, with funding awarded through a competitive selection process.

The Jim and Juli Boeheim Foundation Grants aim to support children in need and cancer research in Central New York. Funded projects must align with the Foundation's commitment to innovative initiatives and cannot discriminate based on various factors. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) entities, while those that spend excessively on overhead or are outside the geographic boundaries are ineligible. Applications must reflect the Foundation's priorities and be submitted before the decision date.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Cortland County, New York that run existing digital literacy or broadband education programs for families or seniors can apply for US $2,500 - US $50,000 in Spectrum Digital Education Grants. Charter Communications supports programs in Spectrum service areas that bridge the digital divide and can report clear impact metrics for diverse, low-income communities.

501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in Cortland County, New York can seek funding for arts and culture, education, health care, human services, and civic affairs programs. Grants from M & T Charitable Foundation help strengthen local quality of life through community-focused initiatives, with requests accepted year-round and reviewed locally.

The KeyBank Foundation offers Community Sponsorships to support local organizations in their fundraising efforts. These sponsorships range from $500 to $5,000 and can fund events or provide general operating support. Applications are accepted from January to October, with a decision made within 90 days. Eligible nonprofits must serve areas where KeyBank operates and adhere to strict ineligibility criteria, including no support for individuals or organizations that discriminate based on various identities.

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation focuses on improving economic mobility and social progress through partnerships with nonprofits. It prioritizes basic needs, income creation, stable housing, and community empowerment. By supporting vulnerable populations, the foundation aims to enable individuals to achieve their goals and contribute positively to their communities. The foundation emphasizes sustainable progress, ensuring that all community members have access to essential resources and opportunities for growth.

Dorothy and Marshall M. Reisman Foundation Grant

The Reisman foundation is pro-active in seeking grant proposals from qualifying 501(c)(3) organizations as well as accepting unsolicited proposals.

Mission

The Dorothy and Marshall M. Reisman Foundation is a private foundation dedicated to the stewardship of the funds entrusted to its care. The Foundation is committed to using its resources to enhance the quality of life through support of organizations located primarily in the Central New York community.

Public libraries in Cayuga, Cortland, Seneca, Tioga, and Tompkins counties can apply for $500 - $16,000 to enhance library services and youth access to local libraries. Community Foundation of Tompkins County’s Library Grant Cycle, inspired by the Bernard Carl and Shirley Rosen Library Fund, supports projects that foster intellectual curiosity and a lifelong love of reading.

The PLTW Launch program, in collaboration with Huber, offers grants to public schools seeking to initiate or expand their PLTW offerings for the 2026-2027 academic year. Schools can utilize the $5,000 grant to enhance their curriculum by adding new modules, increasing student participation, or training more teachers. Eligible districts span across several states, including Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, and Texas, providing opportunities for a diverse range of schools to benefit from this initiative.

The Citizens Grants: Financial Empowerment program supports nonprofits focused on creating measurable impacts in financial education for low to moderate income individuals and small businesses. This grant emphasizes partnerships with established 501(c)(3) organizations and encourages collaborative efforts that demonstrate alignment with funding priorities. By investing in financial literacy, Citizens aims to enhance fiscal health in underserved communities across select geographic areas.

The Citizens Charitable Foundation offers grants focused on Workforce Development and Financial Empowerment. Organizations applying must be IRS-qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofits located in specific states. The foundation seeks to partner with high-impact nonprofits to create measurable community impact through innovative programs. Funding is directed towards job training, career education, and coaching initiatives, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and volunteerism.

About National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF)

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) works with partners to foster sustainable and impactful conservation solutions so that people and nature thrive together. Chartered by Congress in 1984, NFWF has grown to become the nation’s largest conservation foundation. Since its founding, NFWF has funded more than 23,900 projects that have generated a total conservation impact of more than $12 billion.About Sustain Our Great Lakes Program

Sustain Our Great Lakes is a public–private partnership designed to sustain, restore and protect fish, wildlife and habitat in the basin by leveraging funding, building conservation capacity, and focusing partners and resources toward key ecological issues. The program achieves this mission, in part, by awarding grants for on-the-ground habitat restoration and enhancement.Funding priorities for this program include:

• Habitat Restoration to Conserve Species and Improve Water Quality
• Expand and Maintain Nature-Based Solutions in Great Lakes Communities
• Invasive Species Control to Protect and Enhance Restored Habitat
• Activate Restored Habitats and Natural Areas