Search Through Grants for Historic Preservation in New York in the U.S.

Connect Kids to Swimming Instruction Transportation Grant Program (NY)

Recognizing that drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4 and that climate change will increase extreme heat events, Governor Hochul announced New York Statewide Investment in More Swimming (NY SWIMS).

A component of NY SWIMS administered by the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) is the Connect Kids to Swimming Instruction Transportation Grant Program. This program connects New York school age children (pre-K through grade 12) with swimming instruction by reimbursing transportation costs for travel to facilities in New York State that offer swim instruction for a nationally recognized learn to swim curriculum (e.g., the American Red Cross, YMCA, Starfish Aquatics).

Funding

This program allows eligible entities to submit multiple applications and to receive multiple grant awards but limits the total amount of funding to be reimbursed to any single entity to no more than $250,000 per fiscal year.

The Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation promotes the advancement and perpetuation of humanistic inquiry and artistic creativity by encouraging excellence in scholarship and in the performing arts, and by supporting research libraries and other institutions which transmit our cultural heritage.

The programs of the Foundation reflect the interests and patronage of its founders, Gladys Krieble Delmas and Jean Paul Delmas.

Humanities Program

The Foundation intends to further the humanities along a broad front, supporting projects which address the concerns of the historical studia humanitatis: a humanistic education rooted in the great traditions of the past; the formation of human beings according to cultural, moral, and aesthetic ideals derived from that past; and the ongoing debate over how these ideals may best be conceived and realized.

Programs in the following areas are eligible: history; archaeology; literature; languages, both classical and modern; philosophy; ethics; comparative religion; the history, criticism, and theory of the arts; and those aspects of the social sciences which share the content and methods of humanistic disciplines. The Foundation welcomes projects that cross the boundaries between humanistic disciplines and explore the connection between the humanities and other areas of scholarship. Programs of institutions in Venice relating to the humanities are eligible in this category. The geographical concentration is primarily but not exclusively directed toward European and American history and letters, broadly defined.

The Humanities Program is primarily directed to institutions of higher education and humanistic enterprises such as learned societies, museums, and major editorial projects. The program may also consider, on a selective basis, projects that increase the exposure of those outside these institutions to the humanistic experience or that strengthen preparation for the humanistic disciplines. The prime criterion remains that of Gladys and Jean Delmas: a commitment to excellence, whether proven or promised.

Performing Arts Program

Each year, the Foundation supports a limited number of not-for-profit performing arts institutions based in New York City that provide performances in music, dance and theatre. Only established performing or producing entities with a history of appearing at preeminent venues and such venues themselves are eligible. Applicants must be publicly supported organizations described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; the Foundation does not make grants to fiscal agents. Special initiatives of other institutions, start-up projects, emerging organizations, development campaigns, and building projects are ineligible. Proposals for pre-professional programs and opera are only accepted from past grantees. The Foundation receives many more requests for support than it could ever fund, and for that reason most first-time grant applications are not successful.

Subject to the above requirements, the program supports:

• Dance presenters who make ballet and modern dance available to the public and otherwise provide support to the dance field, as well as a limited number of ballet and modern dance companies.
• Theatre companies and presenters that have demonstrated a commitment to include the classics in their regular offerings.
• Music groups and concert presenters committed to making early music or contemporary repertory available to New York City audiences.

Research Libraries Program

The Research Libraries Program concentrates primarily in those areas of its founders’ interests and aims to be fully complementary to the Foundation’s other program areas (i.e., humanities scholarship, performing arts, and Venetian history and culture).

The overall objective of the Research Libraries Program is to improve the ability of research libraries to serve the needs of scholarship in the humanities and the performing arts, and to help make their resources more widely accessible to scholars and the general public. Wherever possible, grants to libraries seek to promote cooperative cataloging projects, with an emphasis on access to archival, manuscript, and other unique sources; some elements of interpretation and exhibition; scholarly library publications; bibliographical and publishing projects of interest to research libraries; and collection-level preservation/conservation work and research.

Small-scale digitizing is eligible for support when the process is part of a clearly defined and timely scholarly project that incorporates recognized standards for metadata production, for preservation, and for distribution. The Foundation does not support massive digitizing projects of a general nature.

The principal area of program interest is the quality of life in rural Delaware County and contiguously surrounding rural counties in New York State. Rarely selective exceptions to these geographic restrictions are considered by the Board of Directors on an individual basis.

The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors which meets twice a year, spring and fall, to consider and act upon qualified grant requests. Actions of the Foundation are based on a majority vote of the Board. Learn more about the Board and staff of the foundation.

Other grants have benefited health care, substance abuse, violence prevention, day care, primary and secondary schools, reading and writing programs, early childhood programs, school based scholarships, environmental groups, planning, economic development, community and Main Street revitalization, towns, counties, local share of state and local grants, churches, youth ministries, law enforcement, fire departments, public libraries, forestry, American Chestnut, agricultural preservation and development, performing and visual arts, local historic sites, preservation and museums, hiking trails, sports camps, music festivals and native American culture and history.

About the Kurt Weill Foundation for Music

Chartered in 1962 as a not-for-profit private foundation, the Kurt Weill Foundation for Music preserves and perpetuates the legacies of composer Kurt Weill (1900-1950) and his actress-singer wife Lotte Lenya (1898-1981). Based in New York City, it encourages an appreciation of Weill’s music through support of performances, recordings, and scholarship, while nurturing talent more generally in the creation, performance, and study of musical theater. It maintains the Weill-Lenya Research Center; the annual Lotte Lenya Singing Competition; Weill-Lenya Artist Sponsorships, the Julius Rudel/Kurt Weill Conducting Fellowship, and the Harold Prince/Kurt Weill Directing Fellowship. It has prepared and co-published twelve volumes of the Kurt Weill Edition, with more in preparation. It awards biennially the Kurt Weill Prize for scholarship about music theater. The Foundation’s ongoing communications include its semi-annual Kurt Weill Newsletter, monthly E-News, and lively presence on multiple social media platforms. Since 2012, the Foundation has also administered the musical and literary estate of Marc Blitzstein. The Foundation's eight-member staff happily assists individuals and institutions on a daily basis in response to inquiries about licensing, casting, performing materials, historical and biographical information, and other resources. Overseen and energized by a distinguished and diverse fourteen-member board of trustees, the Foundation functions imaginatively and responsibly as the heir, custodian, and administrator of the rights of Weill, Lenya, and Blitzstein.

Grants Program & Collaborative Initiatives

The Foundation's Grant and Collaborative Initiatives Programs award financial support to individuals and not-for-profit organizations for projects related to Weill, Lenya, or Marc Blitzstein. Since 1983 the Foundation has awarded more than $5,000,000 in grant funding to hundreds of organizations and individuals worldwide. Its Grants and Collaborative Initiatives Programs reflect the Kurt Weill Foundation's commitment to principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. As such, the Foundation ensures that its grant funding is awarded to organizations who have demonstrably committed to and implemented policies ensuring non-discrimination, diversity, and equality in its practices.

The Foundation's Grant Program accepts proposals in the following categories: Professional Performance, College/University and Amateur Performance, Media, Scholarly Symposia and Conferences, Publication Assistance, Research & Travel, and the Kurt Weill Dissertation Fellowship.

College/University and Amateur Performance

Funding of up to $15,000 may be requested by colleges, universities, and amateur performing arts organizations in support of general production expenses for performances of Kurt Weill’s and/or Marc Blitzstein’s stage works, and to cover musical expenses in connection with performances of Weill’s or Blitzstein’s concert works. Applications are reviewed by an independent advisory panel per the KWF’s Evaluation Procedures and Criteria.

About the Kurt Weill Foundation for Music

Chartered in 1962 as a not-for-profit private foundation, the Kurt Weill Foundation for Music preserves and perpetuates the legacies of composer Kurt Weill (1900-1950) and his actress-singer wife Lotte Lenya (1898-1981). Based in New York City, it encourages an appreciation of Weill’s music through support of performances, recordings, and scholarship, while nurturing talent more generally in the creation, performance, and study of musical theater. It maintains the Weill-Lenya Research Center; the annual Lotte Lenya Singing Competition; Weill-Lenya Artist Sponsorships, the Julius Rudel/Kurt Weill Conducting Fellowship, and the Harold Prince/Kurt Weill Directing Fellowship. It has prepared and co-published twelve volumes of the Kurt Weill Edition, with more in preparation. It awards biennially the Kurt Weill Prize for scholarship about music theater. The Foundation’s ongoing communications include its semi-annual Kurt Weill Newsletter, monthly E-News, and lively presence on multiple social media platforms. Since 2012, the Foundation has also administered the musical and literary estate of Marc Blitzstein. The Foundation's eight-member staff happily assists individuals and institutions on a daily basis in response to inquiries about licensing, casting, performing materials, historical and biographical information, and other resources. Overseen and energized by a distinguished and diverse fourteen-member board of trustees, the Foundation functions imaginatively and responsibly as the heir, custodian, and administrator of the rights of Weill, Lenya, and Blitzstein.

Grants Program & Collaborative Initiatives

The Foundation's Grant and Collaborative Initiatives Programs award financial support to individuals and not-for-profit organizations for projects related to Weill, Lenya, or Marc Blitzstein. Since 1983 the Foundation has awarded more than $5,000,000 in grant funding to hundreds of organizations and individuals worldwide. Its Grants and Collaborative Initiatives Programs reflect the Kurt Weill Foundation's commitment to principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. As such, the Foundation ensures that its grant funding is awarded to organizations who have demonstrably committed to and implemented policies ensuring non-discrimination, diversity, and equality in its practices.

The Foundation's Grant Program accepts proposals in the following categories: Professional Performance, College/University and Amateur Performance, Media, Scholarly Symposia and Conferences, Publication Assistance, Research & Travel, and the Kurt Weill Dissertation Fellowship.

Media

Support may be requested from non-profit organizations for radio, television, video, film, audio, or multimedia projects that feature Kurt Weill’s, Lotte Lenya’s, or Marc Blitzstein’s life and/or music. Applications are reviewed by an independent advisory panel per the KWF’s Evaluation Procedures and Criteria.

About the Kurt Weill Foundation for Music

Chartered in 1962 as a not-for-profit private foundation, the Kurt Weill Foundation for Music preserves and perpetuates the legacies of composer Kurt Weill (1900-1950) and his actress-singer wife Lotte Lenya (1898-1981). Based in New York City, it encourages an appreciation of Weill’s music through support of performances, recordings, and scholarship, while nurturing talent more generally in the creation, performance, and study of musical theater. It maintains the Weill-Lenya Research Center; the annual Lotte Lenya Singing Competition; Weill-Lenya Artist Sponsorships, the Julius Rudel/Kurt Weill Conducting Fellowship, and the Harold Prince/Kurt Weill Directing Fellowship. It has prepared and co-published twelve volumes of the Kurt Weill Edition, with more in preparation. It awards biennially the Kurt Weill Prize for scholarship about music theater. The Foundation’s ongoing communications include its semi-annual Kurt Weill Newsletter, monthly E-News, and lively presence on multiple social media platforms. Since 2012, the Foundation has also administered the musical and literary estate of Marc Blitzstein. The Foundation's eight-member staff happily assists individuals and institutions on a daily basis in response to inquiries about licensing, casting, performing materials, historical and biographical information, and other resources. Overseen and energized by a distinguished and diverse fourteen-member board of trustees, the Foundation functions imaginatively and responsibly as the heir, custodian, and administrator of the rights of Weill, Lenya, and Blitzstein.

Grants Program & Collaborative Initiatives

The Foundation's Grant and Collaborative Initiatives Programs award financial support to individuals and not-for-profit organizations for projects related to Weill, Lenya, or Marc Blitzstein. Since 1983 the Foundation has awarded more than $5,000,000 in grant funding to hundreds of organizations and individuals worldwide. Its Grants and Collaborative Initiatives Programs reflect the Kurt Weill Foundation's commitment to principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. As such, the Foundation ensures that its grant funding is awarded to organizations who have demonstrably committed to and implemented policies ensuring non-discrimination, diversity, and equality in its practices.

The Foundation's Grant Program accepts proposals in the following categories: Professional Performance, College/University and Amateur Performance, Media, Scholarly Symposia and Conferences, Publication Assistance, Research & Travel, and the Kurt Weill Dissertation Fellowship.

Professional Performance

Funding may be requested by professional opera companies, theater companies, dance companies, orchestras, ensembles, and other concert groups for performances of musical works by Kurt Weill and/or Marc Blitzstein. Applications are reviewed by an independent advisory panel per the KWF’s Evaluation Procedures and Criteria.

About the Kurt Weill Foundation for Music

Chartered in 1962 as a not-for-profit private foundation, the Kurt Weill Foundation for Music preserves and perpetuates the legacies of composer Kurt Weill (1900-1950) and his actress-singer wife Lotte Lenya (1898-1981). Based in New York City, it encourages an appreciation of Weill’s music through support of performances, recordings, and scholarship, while nurturing talent more generally in the creation, performance, and study of musical theater. It maintains the Weill-Lenya Research Center; the annual Lotte Lenya Singing Competition; Weill-Lenya Artist Sponsorships, the Julius Rudel/Kurt Weill Conducting Fellowship, and the Harold Prince/Kurt Weill Directing Fellowship. It has prepared and co-published twelve volumes of the Kurt Weill Edition, with more in preparation. It awards biennially the Kurt Weill Prize for scholarship about music theater. The Foundation’s ongoing communications include its semi-annual Kurt Weill Newsletter, monthly E-News, and lively presence on multiple social media platforms. Since 2012, the Foundation has also administered the musical and literary estate of Marc Blitzstein. The Foundation's eight-member staff happily assists individuals and institutions on a daily basis in response to inquiries about licensing, casting, performing materials, historical and biographical information, and other resources. Overseen and energized by a distinguished and diverse fourteen-member board of trustees, the Foundation functions imaginatively and responsibly as the heir, custodian, and administrator of the rights of Weill, Lenya, and Blitzstein.

Grants Program & Collaborative Initiatives

The Foundation's Grant and Collaborative Initiatives Programs award financial support to individuals and not-for-profit organizations for projects related to Weill, Lenya, or Marc Blitzstein. Since 1983 the Foundation has awarded more than $5,000,000 in grant funding to hundreds of organizations and individuals worldwide. Its Grants and Collaborative Initiatives Programs reflect the Kurt Weill Foundation's commitment to principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. As such, the Foundation ensures that its grant funding is awarded to organizations who have demonstrably committed to and implemented policies ensuring non-discrimination, diversity, and equality in its practices.

The Foundation's Grant Program accepts proposals in the following categories: Professional Performance, College/University and Amateur Performance, Media, Scholarly Symposia and Conferences, Publication Assistance, Research & Travel, and the Kurt Weill Dissertation Fellowship.

Scholarly Symposia and Conferences

Performing and educational organizations may request funding for scholarly or educational activities (workshops, symposia, scholarly conferences, secondary and college-level educational initiatives, etc.) focusing on Weill, Lenya, and/or Blitzstein. Support may be requested for payment of honoraria and travel expenses, preparation and printing of supporting materials, etc. Applications are reviewed by an independent advisory panel per the KWF’s Evaluation Procedures and Criteria.

Iroquois’ Community Grant Program

We believe that delivering clean natural gas is part of a bigger picture. Since 1991, Iroquois has partnered with our pipeline host communities by providing unique funding programs, which empowers them to take steps to preserve their environmental heritage and increase passive recreational opportunities.

Our first program, the Land Preservation and Enhancement Program (LPEP), provided funding for more than 200 projects including the preservation of more than 12,000 acres of open space, and the creation of 22 new parks. This one-time program's success led to a 10-year successor program, the Land Enhancement and Acquisition Fund (LEAF), launched in 1995. At its conclusion in 2006, LEAF had provided assistance in completing an additional 100 projects within our communities.

Continuing our commitment to being a good corporate neighbor, Iroquois established a Community Grant Program in 2007 that provides lasting benefits to communities where Iroquois’ facilities are located. While remaining focused on environmental and passive recreation initiatives, funding areas have been expanded to include historic preservation and targeted arts & culture.

If your organization is developing a community or environmental initiative designed to provide long-term, lasting benefits, we invite you to contact us for possible funding under Iroquois’ Community Grant Program. This competitive-based program, with grants ranging from $2,500 to $10,000, is reserved exclusively for communities where Iroquois facilities are located. Priority is given to those proposals that meet established criteria and rank high with the program’s intent.

Focus Areas

Primary Focus Areas: Environmental Initiatives (Preservation, Enhancement, Education) and Passive Recreation

Secondary Focus Areas: Historic Preservation, Civic & Community, Targeted Arts & Culture

New York State Historic Marker Grant Program

One of the William G. Pomeroy Foundation’s core initiatives is to help people celebrate their community’s history. The Foundation strongly believes that historic markers play an important role in local historic preservation by serving a dual purpose. They educate the public and foster historic tourism, which in turn can provide much needed economic benefits to the towns and villages where the markers are placed. The program also fills a gap, as New York State stopped funding their roadside markers in 1939.

The Pomeroy Foundation’s NYS historical marker grant program commemorates historic people, places, things or events within the time frame of 1683 to 1925. Since 2006, the Foundation has funded more than 1,150 markers in all 62 New York State counties.

Historical Accuracy

Primary source documentation is required to verify historical accuracy. The applying agency is responsible for providing photocopies of sources and specific statements used to verify historical facts. If selected, the strength of supporting materials substantially decreases the time-frame between acceptance and funding. If the William G. Pomeroy Foundation cannot substantiate the historical accuracy based on the supporting documentation provided, the opportunity for approval is limited.

Check out the Foundation’s Proving NYS Marker Inscriptions with Primary Sources

Marker Placement

Please carefully consider the location where the marker is to be installed.

• Markers should not be placed on high-traffic roadways or roadways where vehicles are traveling at a high rate of speed if there is no place for a vehicle to safely pull over out of traffic.
• Markers should not be placed where the visitor must intrude on private property to read it or view a site related to the marker inscription.

Before installing your marker, please be sure you are following all of your state’s guidelines around digging and excavation.

Applications must include the following:

• proposed installation location in specific detail (including GPS coordinates)
• brief description and historical significance of what is being commemorated
• proposed inscription for marker
• letter from the landowner granting permission for the marker to be installed
• primary source documents verifying proposed inscription
• Please review our marker inscription style guide as you prepare your application

Since 1984, the Robinson Broadhurst Foundation has been working to improve the quality of life for the residents of Stamford and Worcester, New York, and Winchendon, Massachusetts.

Mission and Areas of Interest

The Robinson-Broadhurst Foundation is a private foundation operating and granting funds at the complete discretion of the Directors, to fund charitable 501(c)(3) organizations in the following endeavors, but not limited to:

• Provide a better quality of life for all community members.
  • For example; Hospice, senior housing, health clinics.
• Provide support for historical preservation in the communities served.
• Enhance opportunities for a quality education for all ages.
• Support projects that would promote community spirit and cooperation.
• Support community volunteer organizations that qualify.
• Support youth programs that encourage responsibility, community interest, citizenship and healthy life styles.
• Support religious organizations in their service to the community.
• Support municipalities to improve and maintain infrastructures.
• Support efforts to improve public safety.

Agricultural Land Easements

Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) help private and tribal landowners, land trusts, and other entities such as state and local governments protect croplands and grasslands on working farms and ranches by limiting non-agricultural uses of the land through conservation easements.

Benefits

Agricultural Land Easements protect the long-term viability of the nation’s food supply by preventing conversion of productive working lands to non-agricultural uses. Land protected by agricultural land easements provides additional public benefits, including environmental quality, historic preservation, wildlife habitat and protection of open space. Additionally, ALE easements leverage local partnerships to match NRCS funding and local partners are responsible for the long-term stewardship of the easement.

How does it work?

NRCS provides financial assistance to eligible partners for purchasing Agricultural Land Easements that protect the agricultural use and conservation values of eligible land.

For working farms, the program helps farmers and ranchers keep their land in agriculture. Under the Agricultural Land Easement component, NRCS may contribute up to 50 percent of the fair market value of the agricultural land easement.

The program also protects grazing uses and related conservation values by conserving grassland, including rangeland, pastureland and shrubland. Where NRCS determines that grasslands of special environmental significance will be protected, NRCS may contribute up to 75 percent of the fair market value of the agricultural land easement.

Agricultural Land Easements are permanent or for the maximum term allowed by law.

Grigg-Lewis Foundation Grants

The Grigg Lewis Foundation, Inc., is a private non-operating foundation. Our board members have a fiduciary responsibility to honor our founder’s wishes, and to ensure that the Foundation continues in perpetuity. Each request is reviewed carefully and objectively to ensure that we are here, as an asset to the residents of Eastern Niagara County and Western New York for many years to come.

Primary Funding Areas

• Arts & Cultural Programs
• Community Improvement
• Educational Programming
• Local Historical Preservation
• Health & Wellness Programs (non-clinical)
• Human Services
• Senior Programs
• Youth Programs

The John Ben Snow Foundation is a private foundation that focuses funding for tax-exempt organizations primarily serving Central New York defined as Onondaga County and its four surrounding counties of Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, and Oswego. The Board and Program Staff seek to collaboratively create proposals within specific Grant Programs while responding to the changing needs of targeted populations. We especially seek to close the opportunity gap for individuals who are under-resourced. 

Dating back to the inception of the Foundation in 1948, the primary and overarching grant making priority has been and continues to be programs that focus on education.

• Education: Primary and secondary education, literacy, and vocational training are essential ingredients to improving life outcomes. To reduce barriers that limit equitable opportunities and expand equal access to quality education. Supporting early childhood education, academic tutoring, literacy, college access, internships, scholarships, fellowships, and journalism focused on underrepresented populations and first generation students

Secondarily, the Foundation considers proposals within the areas of Arts and Culture, Community Initiatives, and Youth Programs. The Board’s objective is to extend the primary educational focus by providing funding support within these additional program areas.

• Arts and Culture: Engagement in the arts creates a stronger and more vibrant community and culture.To foster arts education and appreciation. Through educational curriculum, instruction, and engagement of young adults via visiting artists or performances
• Community Initiatives: A resilient social infrastructure is essential to a healthy local community. To directly enhance the lives of residents within our core geographic regions by expanding services that bridge the poverty gap. Investing in community centers, safe and affordable housing, human services delivered by shelters and food pantries, and veterans services.
• Youth Programs: Encouraging young adults to dream and equipping them to succeed can change the trajectory of their lives. To empower young adults in their personal development and to equip them in their professional aspirations. Developing sustained relationships that offer one-on-one mentoring, character education, skills training, and violence prevention.

As a third priority, the Foundation does consider proposals in the areas of Disabilities and Universal Access, Environmental, and Historic Preservation. As these are not core focus areas, funding is often limited. Priority will be given to proposals with an educational focus.

• Disabilities and Universal Access: A person with a physical, mental, or emotional disability should have equal access to opportunity within the community. To support services for individuals with a disability as well as provide universal access to facilities for these individuals. Supporting programs for people with disabilities as well as required facility renovations to enable universal access.
• Environmental: Stewardship of the local environment is a fundamental responsibility. To support environmental education and conservation initiatives. Through educational instruction and materials (e.g., curriculum, brochures, signs) coupled with protection of strategic parcels of land and water.
• Historic Preservation: Preservation of our history is important in order to educate the broader population on past events to inform current events. To preserve historical accounts and artifacts to benefit future generations. Through educational instruction and materials (e.g., curriculum, brochures, signs) coupled with protection of sites, structures, objects, and events.

There are no minimums or maximum grant amounts; however, most grants range from $5,000 to $10,000.

About The Memorial Trust

In 1975, two years after his death, The John Ben Snow Memorial Trust was established in New York. The four original trustees were a member of the Snow family, a lawyer, a publishing associate and a corporate trustee, the Irving Trust Company, now BNY Mellow N.A.. The current Trustees continue this legacy being well aware of the donor and his beliefs, values and ideals. The John Ben Snow Memorial Trust strategically focuses funding within specific geographic regions of the United States across a range of program areas. They meet once a year, usually in June.

The John Ben Snow Memorial Trust

The Memorial Trust strategically focuses funding within specific geographic regions of the United States across a range of program areas (prioritized below and visually depicted here) while responding to the ever-changing needs of various segments of the population, especially to the needs of youth and people who are disadvantaged economically, emotionally, or physically.

Dating back to the inception of the Trust in 1973, the primary and overarching grant making priority has been and continues to be programs that focus on education.

• Education: Targets funds to organizations that provide educational opportunities or academic assistance to individuals who demonstrate an intellectual aptitude and a financial need. Examples include scholarships, fellowships, academic tutoring or counseling, literacy, and journalism.

Secondarily, the Trust considers proposals within the areas of Arts and Culture, Community Initiatives, and Youth Programs. The Board’s objective is to extend the primary educational focus by providing funding support within these additional program areas.

• Community Initiatives: Provides funding for programs or services that directly improve the quality of life within the geographic focus areas that we serve. Examples include support for libraries, food pantries and shelters, and neighborhood revitalization. Generally, the Trust does not seek proposals for health care initiatives or animal welfare programs.
• Arts and Culture: Offers grants that promote arts education and appreciation, particularly for young adults, via the development of educational curriculum and professional instruction including visiting artists and performance support for targeted populations.
• Youth Initiatives: Offers grants that provide character education or enrichment opportunities via mentoring or after-school programming

As a third priority, the Trust does consider proposals in the areas of Disabilities and Universal Access, Environmental, and Historic Preservation. As these are not core focus areas, funding is often limited. Priority will be given to proposals with an educational focus.

• Disabilities and Universal Access: Offers grants to organizations in complying with ADA requirements within their facilities (e.g. elevator, handrails, automatic doors, and ramps) or offering services targeted for individuals with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities.
• Environmental: Provides funds for organizations that strive to protect strategic parcels of land and bodies of water as well as programs that educate the general public on key environmental issues such as conservation and water management.
• Historic Preservation: Provides funding for organizations that preserve historical artifacts (e.g. sites, structures, objects) and accounts (e.g. events), and educate the greater community on their significance. Examples include museums, historical societies and educational programming.

At more than 100 years old, the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo is committed to making grants that maximize impact on the eight counties of Western New York within four Community Goals. 

Community Goals and the Solutions

The Community Foundation’s competitive grants will align with one or more of the four following Community Goals and the Solutions detailed below:

Special consideration will be given to requests that fit a Solution AND advance the racial equity work of the Greater Buffalo Racial Equity Taskforce.

Achieve racial/ethnic equity. Requests must address one of the following Solutions:

Solutions:

• Increase interaction and bridge racial/ethnic divides between residents and organizations throughout WNY.
• Promote civic engagement and leadership in communities of color.

Promote economic mobility through educational achievement for residents living in low-income households. Requests must address one of the following Solutions:

Solutions:

• Improve the school readiness of children (ages 5 and under) living in communities of poverty.
• Improve the academic achievement and postsecondary completion of students living in low-income households with a preference for systems change.

Steward significant environmental resources. Requests must address one of the following Solutions:

Solutions:

• Protect and restore the region’s waterways.
• Strengthen individual environmental organizations and support a more racially inclusive and collaborative environmental community.

Promote regional vibrancy through architecture, arts, and culture. Requests must address one of the following Solutions:

Solutions:

• Increase access to long term arts instruction for children and youth living in low-income households.
• Strengthen race equity through the arts.
• Restore and leverage significant historic buildings and architectural landmarks, with a preference for sites that promote cultural tourism. (Defining historic as official recognition by State/National Register of Historic Places or local preservation ordinance.)

Special funding available to support the following:

• Programs that serve the visual, speech or hearing impaired (~$5,000)

Preference for this special funding will be given to requests that also align with one or more of the four Community Goals.

The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy is a global environmental nonprofit working to create a world where people and nature can thrive.

Our Mission

To conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends.

Connectivity, Climate, Communities Fund

To make the highest possible impact on the climate and biodiversity crises, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is committed to advancing solutions and supporting partners throughout the Appalachians to connect and conserve vital wildlife habitat, build resilience to the impacts of climate change, and generate new job and recreation opportunities for communities.

Approximately one-third of the U.S. population lives in or within 100 miles of the Appalachians, including an estimated 36 million people that rely on the region for sources of drinking water. The landscape contains the world's largest remaining expanses of temperate broadleaf mixed forest and provides habitat to a wide diversity of plants of animals, many of which are listed as rare, threatened, or endangered. Conserving this landscape is critical for nature and for the people that live and work there.

However as climate change drives ecosystem instability, plants and animals are shifting their ranges northward, and people are having to find ways to adapt to complex and intertwined challenges. TNC and many others have been working to conserve vital Appalachian habitats for decades. Now we must ramp up our efforts and coordinate with partners across the Appalachians for maximum impact.

To succeed in these efforts, TNC’s Connectivity, Climate, Communities Fund offers two grant programs for conservation and community organizations, municipalities, Federally Recognized Tribal Nations, and local and state agencies in the Appalachians who are working to protect and conserve this region:

• The Resilient and Connected Appalachians Grant Program
• The New York Climate Resilience Grant Program

New York Climate Resilience Grant Program

The Nature Conservancy is pleased to announce a fifth round of funding available in New York through our Climate Resilience Grant Program. The program supports conservation and climate adaptation projects, including land protection, led by local organizations, with the goal of increasing resilience to climate change for people and nature. Program grants will help local organizations with fee and easement acquisitions of lands that connect with important floodplains and shorelines that mitigate flooding and erosion. The grants will also provide funding for organizational capacity building, planning and strategy development.

Resilient Floodplains and Shorelines

Natural infrastructure, like floodplains, streams, wetlands, tidal marshes, beaches, dunes and bluffs, help mitigate flooding and erosion. We refer to these features as resilient floodplains and shorelines. They also benefit people and nature by filtering water, recharging groundwater, offering recreational opportunities, providing habitat and enhancing human wellbeing. 

New York is experiencing more intense rainfall, erosion and sea level rise.  To ensure our communities are resilient to climate change impacts like flooding and erosion, we must plan for future conditions, engage with people affected by flooding, and collaborate with nature to keep people safe and allow nature to adapt. By conserving undeveloped lands along rivers, streams and coasts, we mitigate flooding, preserve migration pathways and habitats, maintain water quality, facilitate the movement of sediment, and protect drinking water and aquifers.

The Climate Resilience Grant Program offers grants for projects and initiatives that support conservation and resiliency planning, build organizational capacity and help develop climate focused strategies. The program also supports land acquisition projects that:

• Maintain natural buffers between people and flooding or erosion, particularly in areas where natural lands are threatened by development,
• help lessen harmful impacts to communities from floods,
• and make floodplain and shoreline habitats more resilient.

Equitable Conservation and Community Benefits

Conservation organizations are increasingly acknowledging the importance of incorporating social equity in their missions, partnerships, and projects and evolving how they work to have better outcomes for people and nature.

TNC defines community benefits as the positive outcomes that directly result from or are included within conservation projects as experienced by local communities and people. This is particularly important for historically marginalized communities, communities with limited access to nature, communities experiencing heightened impacts of climate change due to systemic underinvestment and poor infrastructure, and Indigenous communities. 

Climate Resilience Grant Program funding will support projects that demonstrate meaningful community engagement, work with those historically excluded from conservation, and lead to a fairer distribution of benefits for people and communities.

Some examples of community benefits include improved and greater access to nature, protection of drinking water sources, recreational and resource-based economic opportunities, flood mitigation, engagement in cross-cultural initiatives, or protection of lands that will meet community-defined conservation needs. We encourage projects with meaningful community benefits that are integrated with the land protection goals.

Project Types

The Climate Resilience Grant Program invites applications for two types of projects:

• Projects that strengthen an organization’s planning, capacity or strategy initiatives that will ultimately lead to actions that will help make species, habitats and communities more resilient to climate change. 
• Projects that result in the permanent fee or easement acquisition of lands that contain or intersect with floodplains; coastal sediment sources and natural, protective infrastructure like beaches and dunes; or tidal marshes and marsh migration corridors. These Resilient Floodplains and Shorelines features are shown on the program’s online map viewer.

Project Evaluation

Planning, capacity and strategy projects will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Planning:
  • The project develops or updates an existing plan to advance climate resilience and landscape connectivity and/or climate adaptation initiatives in your work.
• Capacity:
  • The project increases your capacity for engaging in land protection projects, conservation planning, climate-focused strategy development and community engagement (e.g., staff professional development, skills enrichment, technology access or skills, grant or financial resources).
• Strategy:
  • The project advances strategies to incorporate or expand equitable climate resilience and connectivity or climate adaptation principles into your work.
    • This may include expanding, innovating or developing new kinds of work for your organization related to climate resilient land protection and equitable conservation, as well as funding for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice training, support for community engagement, development of communication or media campaigns, or convening non-traditional or historically excluded partners.

Resilient Floodplains and Shorelines land acquisition projects will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Size:
  • Total acres of Resilient Floodplains and Shorelines features within the project area (the context of the property to its surroundings will be considered).
• Connectivity:
  • The property adjoins or is near other protected lands or waters and/or is part of a floodplain complex (see online map viewer)
• Timeline:
  • The anticipated closing is before deadline on website.
• Collaboration: 
  • Evidence of engagement with other organizations, community groups or local governments.
• Community:
  • Project elements that directly engage or help people, especially vulnerable or marginalized groups.

All projects will also be evaluated for:

• Clarity of project goal(s) and how the project increases organizational capacity to achieve climate resilience and connectivity and/or climate adaptation outcomes
• Degree of collaboration with or support from other conservation organizations, community groups, local governments or Tribal Nations
• Feasibility of project and reasonable costs.

Funding

The total amount of funding available is $500,000. Applicants may apply for up to $50,000 for a project. Grant awards may be less than the amount requested. Projects must be completed within twelve months of the start of the grant term.

Planning, capacity and strategy grant recipients will receive an initial payment followed by two additional payments tied to interim and final reporting requirements.

Land acquisition project awards are disbursed up front, except for any portion of the grant allocated for stewardship and legal defense, which will be provided after closing.

The Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation

The Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation, established in 1987, primarily supports the study of Long Island history and its role in the American experience.

Robert David Lion Gardiner was, until his death in August 2004, the 16th Lord of the Manor of Gardiner’s Island, NY.

The Gardiner family and their descendants have owned Gardiner’s Island since 1639, obtained as part of a royal grant from King Charles I of England.

The Foundation is inspired by Robert David Lion Gardiner’s personal passion for New York history.

Foundation Purpose

The purpose of the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation is:

• To educate and inform the general public in the State of New York, particularly in the area of the Town of Islip and more generally in Suffolk County, concerning the culture, art and tradition of the locality.
• To cultivate, foster and promote interest in, and understanding and appreciation of the societal heritage of Town of Islip, particularly during the nineteenth century.
• To encourage and sponsor the creation and perpetuation by existing and future historical societies of collections and repositories for the deposit, collection and examination of documents and artifacts of various kinds relevant to such heritage and traditions.
• To sponsor and encourage the preservation, restoration and exhibition by existing and future historical societies of at least one facility appropriate to such purpose.

Funding Priorities

Objects Conservation

• Cataloging & Digital Imaging, Conservation of Objects, Collections Care, Acquisitions

Historic Preservation

• Cultural Resource/Historic Landscape Survey, Historic Structure Report/Condition Assessment, Structural Stabilization/Restoration, Adaptive Reuse/New Construction (Structural Stabilization/Restoration, Adaptive Use/New Construction projects are defined as proposals seeking funding to restore or construct a new facility or add to a current facility or purchase equipment with an expected useful life of at least three years.

Programs

• Higher Education, Community Education, Primary/Secondary Education, Outreach Programs, Research (including archeology), Exhibition, Events/Community Activities

Capacity Building

• New technology equipment (e.g. computers); volunteer development; temporary consultant; strategic planning; staff training and internal operations planning, resource development planning; customer service and program delivery planning; marketing and communications planning; community engagement/partnership development; board, governance or leadership

Funding Limits and Categories

Up to $300,000.00 | Non-Matching Grants

• Cataloging & Digital Imaging
• Conservation of Objects
• Collections Care

Up to $100,000.00 | 50% Matching Grants

The following grants require that the applicant has raised half of the funds needed to complete the project:

• Exhibitions
• Education

Up to $50,000.00 | Non-Matching Grants

• Public Programs
• Publications
• Events/Community Activities

Up to $500,000.00 | 50% Matching Grants

The following grants require that the applicant has raised half of the funds needed to complete the project:

• Structural Stabilization & Restoration
• Adaptive Reuse & New Construction

The George R. Davis Community Fund was established to benefit the citizens of the Village and Town of Lowville. The Honorable George R. Davis passed away in February 2010 after living almost his entire life in Lowville, New York. Judge Davis served for 20 years as Lewis County Judge from 1962 to 1983. George was active in civic affairs throughout his life with a particular interest in local history including the history of Lowville Academy where his father served as supervising principal for over 35 years.

The Community Foundation stewards several charitable funds that annually award grants to support nonprofit organization programs, projects and initiatives positively impacting the quality of life across Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties. 

George R. Davis Fund for Lowville

• Purpose: Support for programs, projects and initiatives that impact the quality of life for residents of the Village and Town of Lowville.
• Communities served: Village and Town of Lowville
• Focus areas: Human/social needs, cultural activities, historic preservation, and related activities, community building/special events, recreational needs/activities, youth development activities, quality of life activities/projects, and educational programs
• Funding available: Up to $20,000

Architecture + Design Independent Projects Grants

The Independent Projects grant program is a partnership between the New York State Council on the Arts and The Architectural League of New York, awarding grants for New York State-based individuals and teams to explore a design topic through creation or research.

For the 2025 cycle, this program will award 25 grants of $10,000 to proposals in design fields including architecture, landscape architecture, historic preservation, biodesign, community-centered design, fashion, graphic, industrial, and interior design.Continuing a successful collaboration since 2022, the League and NYSCA are pleased to offer the Independent Projects grant program for 2025. The League will directly receive all applications and, together with NYSCA, will convene a panel of experts in design who will evaluate submissions and select projects for funding. Read on for an overview of the program and requirements, and download the complete 2025 Program Guidelines for full information on general requirements, eligibility, and the application process.

Program goals

For many years, both NYSCA and the League have supported diverse and creative explorations in design. Recognizing design as an art form that can enhance our quality of life, Independent Projects seeks proposals that emphasize artistry, that may contribute to a broader understanding of design, and/or that advance a design discipline. Imperatively, design must be at the core of any proposal, and the outcome must be accessible to the public. Projects might create a design prototype, develop new strategies of community-based design, research a topic in design history, or engage in critical or theoretical analysis, to name just some of the many possible approaches.Where can design go next? Through this partnership, we welcome proposals that seek to answer this question.

Park & Trail Partnership Grants

The Park and Trail Partnership Grants is a $2 million capacity-building matching grants program funded through the NYS Environmental Protection Fund. The program is designed to:

• Enhance the preservation, stewardship, interpretation, maintenance and promotion of New York State parks, trails, state historic sites and public lands.
• Increase the sustainability, effectiveness, productivity, and volunteer and fundraising capabilities of not-for-profit organizations that promote, maintain, and support New York State parks, trails, state historic sites and public lands.
• Promote the tourism and economic development benefits of outdoor recreation through the growth and expansion of a connected statewide network of parks, trails, greenways and public lands.

Stewardship and Public Access Grants

Stewardship and Public Access Grants may be used to assist organizations with the stewardship, interpretation, promotion, education, and public access of a New York State Park, trail, historic site or DEC public land, or a partnership involving more than one such organization, which significantly enhances the organization’s visibility and capacity.

Examples of projects include, but are not limited to:

• Public access or engagement improvements, such as interpretive kiosks, exhibits, signage, new trails with signage, and other activities that enhance public enjoyment and access to the public resource.
• Community and constituency-building initiatives and programs that promote outreach and public education and recreation resulting in greater public support and broader public involvement, especially from new and presently underserved audiences, and those which enhance age-friendly recreational opportunities.
• Shared consultant services between more than one eligible organization.
• Development and implementation of a community outreach plan to enhance community access to and enjoyment of the public resource and awareness of the organization’s role in its preservation, stewardship, interpretation, maintenance and/or promotion.
• Development and implementation of public resource marketing plans, especially if undertaken in partnership with local tourism promotion efforts.

Examples of projects that are considered construction or rehabilitation are:

• Building rehabilitation.
• Any change to historic structure: adding or removing anything, painting, remodeling or reconstructing.
• Improvements, such as interpretive kiosks, exhibits, signage, new trails with signage, trailwork and other activities that enhance public enjoyment and access to the park, trail, site, or public land.
• Activities whose costs are part of a larger construction project.
• Activities that involve any ground disturbance or shovel in the ground.
• Activities that require engineering plans and specifications.
• Activities that require State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) review.

Grants up to $150,000. A 10 percent match of the total project budget is required, up to 50 percent of which may be in-kind. Fifty percent of award is disbursed at contract signing; remainder disbursed after submission of satisfactory six-month progress report.

Park & Trail Partnership Grants

The program is administered jointly by Parks & Trails New York and the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) and is designed to:

• Enhance the preservation, stewardship, interpretation, maintenance and promotion of New York State parks, trails, state historic sites and public lands.
• Increase the sustainability, effectiveness, productivity, and volunteer and fundraising capabilities of not-for-profit organizations that promote, maintain, and support New York State parks, trails, state historic sites and public lands.
• Promote the tourism and economic development benefits of outdoor recreation through the growth and expansion of a connected statewide network of parks, trails, greenways and public lands.

Professional Development Grants

Professional Development Grants support the hiring of permanent staff in order to advance Friends organizations to a higher and sustainable level of professionalism, fiscal and administrative stability, and community outreach that in the future they will be able to sustain on their own. Professional Development Grants may be used to support:

• First Staff Hire: hiring the organization’s first permanent employee, full- or part-time.
• Additional Staff: hiring an additional full- or part-time permanent staff member to fill a critical administrative, outreach or development need, or other key function.
• Upgrade to Full-time Staff: increasing a part-time executive director, or other key staff position to full time.
• Shared Staff: hiring a staff person to be shared by two or more eligible organizations.
• Professional Development Grants are meant to support permanent increases in staffing capacity. If an organization is interested in hiring temporary contractors or staff to support the organization’s work, this request would fall under a Capacity and Organizational Effectiveness Grant or a Stewardship and Public Access grant.

Grants up to $100,000 encompassing a period of two years; a 20 percent cash match is required. Fifty percent of award is disbursed at contract signing; remainder disbursed after submission of satisfactory one-year progress report.

Zoos, Botanical Gardens and Aquaria Operational Support Grant Program (ZBGA OS)The Zoos, Botanical Gardens, and Aquaria (ZBGA) Operational Support Grant program provides eligible local governments and not-for-profit organizations with timely and stable annual funding to maintain, operate, and secure permanent collections of natural specimens, and to offer robust educational programs interpreting those collections. Applicants will be evaluated based on the administrative and fiscal strength of their organization, the quality and care of its collections, and the level of service to the public.The ZBGA Operational Support program is funded through annual appropriations from the New York State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and is administered by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP or Agency).

Environmental Protection Fund Grant Program for Parks, Preservation and Heritage (EPF)

Title 9 NYCRR (sections 439.1 – 443.4) implements the Environmental Protection Fund Act of 1993 (Title 9 of Article 54 of the Environmental Conservation Law), which created OPRHP's program for Parks, Preservation and Heritage Grants. The Environmental Protection Fund Grant Program for Parks, Preservation and Heritage (EPF) is a matching grant program for the acquisition, planning and development, and improvement of parks, historic properties, and heritage areas located within the physical boundaries of the State of New York. Funds may be awarded to municipalities or not-for-profits with an ownership interest.

The EPF legislation requires the public benefit from the investment of state funds. All properties acquired or developed with grant funds will receive long-term protections (samples below). The method and term of the protection is dependent upon the type of applicant and project undertaken.One application covers all three program areas (Parks, Historic Preservation, Heritage Areas)

Eligible Activities/Program Benefit and Long Term Protection Requirements

Funding under the EPF Parks, Preservation and Heritage Grants program is available for the activities and programs described below. An application will be evaluated in all categories for which it qualifies. Applicants should be alert to the requirements for each category for which they wish the application to be considered.

To ensure the public benefit from the investment of State funds, properties acquired or developed with grant funds will receive long term protections, either through parkland alienation law, conservation easements, or public access or preservation covenants recorded against the deeds. 

Historic Preservation Program

The Historic Preservation program is to improve, protect, preserve, rehabilitate, restore or acquire properties listed on the State or National Registers of Historic Places and for structural assessments and/or planning for such projects. Properties not currently listed, but scheduled for nomination review at the State Board for Historic Preservation meeting on the specified days are eligible to apply. Questions about or proposals for listing on the State or National Register should be directed to the OPRHP National Register Unit at (518) 268-2213 or contact the National Register representative for your county. All work must conform to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. To ensure the public benefit from the investment of state funds, preservation covenants or conservation easements will be conveyed to the State (OPRHP) for all historic property grants.

Funding Priorities

Each year the Commissioner establishes program priorities for which projects will receive additional points.

Rating Criteria

The Priority Evaluation Form is based on the following rating criteria:

• the extent to which the project site has suffered from physical deterioration, decay, vandalism, neglect or disinvestment or may be threatened with closure, demolition or inappropriate development, and the degree to which the project addresses the property's need;
• the relationship of the project to a local, regional and/or statewide planning document or other assessment of need;
• the extent to which the project protects, enhances or interprets natural, cultural or historic resources;
• the ability of the project sponsor to initiate and complete the project on a timely basis, at a reasonable cost, and operate or maintain the completed project;
• the historic significance of the property in the National, State or local context, and the extent to which the project protects or enhances its significant features;
• the degree to which the project will increase public stewardship or awareness of historic resources;
• annual programmatic and funding priorities.

Among the rating criteria, the Commissioner may award any of the following factors up to a maximum of ten points. All applications will be reviewed for the relevance of these to the project scope:

• the geographic distribution of other fundable projects in any given application cycle;
• consideration may be given to projects in areas that have or have not received funding in recent cycles or where funding is not commensurate with the population of the area. This will be based on the proximity to other funded sites and the diversity of projects being funded on a regional and local basis, as well as the service area of the developed or planned facilities.
• the extent to which the project will maximize the use and accessibility of a facility;
• consideration may be given to projects where funding will allow underutilized facilities to be accessed or to develop underutilized resources for public use. This will be based on the resources offered by the facility, the use of those resources and whether the proposed project will help the facility expand and enhance its public use.
• special engineering, environmental and historic preservation concerns or benefits;
• consideration may be given to develop particularly significant resources and facilities or to develop innovative approaches to preserve valuable resources. This will be based on the type of resource being developed or rehabilitated; its rarity on a local, regional, statewide and national basis; the ability of an innovative technology to address an emergency or mitigate future problems; how well a technology can be "exported" for use on other properties and resources; and how/if the project will allow public access that would not otherwise be available.
• the past performance, if any, of the project sponsor on previous projects;
• Consideration may be given to how timely an applicant completed previous projects, including its reporting requirements; how successful it was in outreach, especially to minority- and woman-owned businesses; the ongoing upkeep and maintenance of the property; and its cooperation in allowing OPRHP to complete inspections and other follow-up actions.

Environmental Protection Fund Grant Program for Parks, Preservation and Heritage (EPF)

Title 9 NYCRR (sections 439.1 – 443.4) implements the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) Act of 1993 (Title 9 of Article 54 of the Environmental Conservation Law), which created OPRHP's program for Parks, Preservation and Heritage Grants. The EPF is a matching grant program for the acquisition, planning, development, and improvement of parks, historic properties, and heritage areas located within the physical boundaries of the State of New York. Funds may be awarded to municipalities or not-for-profits with an ownership interest. To ensure the public benefit from the investment of state funds, all properties acquired or developed with grant funds will receive long-term protections. The method and term of the protection is dependent upon the type of applicant and project undertaken (see sample documents on the Consolidated Funding Application tab). Municipal parkland acquired or improved with EPF funding must remain parkland in perpetuity (see the Handbook on the Alienation and Conversions of Municipal Parkland). All applicants must use the online Consolidated Funding Application to apply. Parks Program

A matching grant program for the acquisition, development and planning of parks and recreational facilities to preserve, rehabilitate or restore lands, waters or structures for park, recreation or conservation purposes and for structural assessments and/or planning for such projects. Funds may be awarded for indoor or outdoor projects and must reflect the priorities established in NY Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) found here.

Historic Preservation Program

A matching grant program to improve, protect, preserve, rehabilitate, restore or acquire properties listed on the State or National Registers of Historic Places and for structural assessments and/or planning for such projects.

Heritage Areas Program

A matching grant program for projects to acquire, preserve, rehabilitate or restore lands, waters or structures, identified in the approved management plans for Heritage Areas designated under section 35.03 of the Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Law and for structural assessments or planning for such projects. Projects must fall within a New York State Designated Heritage Area.

Park & Trail Partnership Grants

The Park and Trail Partnership Grants is a $2 million capacity-building matching grants program funded through the NYS Environmental Protection Fund. The program is designed to:

• Enhance the preservation, stewardship, interpretation, maintenance and promotion of New York State parks, trails, state historic sites and public lands.
• Increase the sustainability, effectiveness, productivity, and volunteer and fundraising capabilities of not-for-profit organizations that promote, maintain, and support New York State parks, trails, state historic sites and public lands.
• Promote the tourism and economic development benefits of outdoor recreation through the growth and expansion of a connected statewide network of parks, trails, greenways and public lands.

Capacity and Organizational Effectiveness Grants

Capacity and Organizational Effectiveness Grants strengthen the capacity and expertise of organizations that support New York State parks, trails, historic sites, and public lands, or a partnership involving more than one such organization, in order to aid them in fulfilling their mission and to improve their reach, effectiveness, and impact.

Examples of projects include, but are not limited to:

• Development of a multi-year strategic plan or major fundraising/capital or marketing campaign plan.
• Board/staff training and development, including facilitated retreats.
• Website and email newsletter design and development, graphic design, and printing and distribution of digital or print brochures, newsletters and other promotional materials.
• Efforts to expand the organization’s membership and broaden the diversity of support for the organization.
• Software to improve fundraising/development/donor relations, bookkeeping, or recordkeeping. Grant funds may cover initial software purchase or licensing, not license renewal.
• Development and implementation of activities that will provide a future ongoing revenue source.
• Development and implementation of a volunteer program.
• Development of partnerships to promote new or strengthen existing collaboration with more than one organization and/or local government to increase public support for and/or participation in the planning, development, promotion or stewardship of the public resource.
• Hiring of temporary contractors, staff or interns to support the organization’s capacity-building work.
• Hiring of a consultant or implementing a training program to enhance staff, board, and/or programmatic diversity within the organization
• Shared consultant services between more than one eligible organization.

One-year grants up to $100,000; a 10 percent match of the total project budget is required, up to 50 percent of which may be in-kind. Fifty percent of award is disbursed at contract signing; remainder disbursed after submission of satisfactory six-month progress report.

Park & Trail Partnership Grants

The Park and Trail Partnership Grants is a $2 million capacity-building matching grants program funded through the NYS Environmental Protection Fund. The program is designed to:

• Enhance the preservation, stewardship, interpretation, maintenance and promotion of New York State parks, trails, state historic sites and public lands.
• Increase the sustainability, effectiveness, productivity, and volunteer and fundraising capabilities of not-for-profit organizations that promote, maintain, and support New York State parks, trails, state historic sites and public lands.
• Promote the tourism and economic development benefits of outdoor recreation through the growth and expansion of a connected statewide network of parks, trails, greenways and public lands.

Step-Up Grants

Step-up Grants assist organizations with the administrative and legal fees needed to secure 501(c)(3) status, along with the costs associated with completing a consultant-facilitated organizational assessment and resulting plan(s).

Grants up to $20,000; a $500 match is required. Cash or in-kind. Award disbursed at contract signing.

NYSCA/GHHN Conservation Treatment Grant Program

A partnership of the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) and Greater Hudson Heritage Network (GHHN) that provides support for treatment procedures by professional conservators to aid in stabilizing and preserving objects in collections of museums, historical, and cultural organizations in New York State. The Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation has provided additional dedicated support for conservation treatment projects in Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

What We Fund 

• Support is available for conservation treatment of paintings, works on paper (including individual drawings, watercolors, prints or photographs), textiles (including costumes, domestic textiles, and upholstery), furniture, frames, sculpture, historical, ethnographic, and decorative objects.
• Frames are an integral part of a painting and applicants must address frame condition and treatment when applying for painting conservation.
  • Support is also available for treatment costs for supports, stands, and mounts that are integral to the treatment of the object.
• Grants will support in-state transportation costs for the objects and/or the conservators, and the cost of insurance for the work(s) to be treated.
• Requests for treatment of outdoor sculpture must include the description of an on-going maintenance program already in existence, or one to be implemented, at your institution.
  • An engineer's report may be required for some sculptures.

Funding Priorities

The NYSCA/GHHN Conservation Treatment Grant Program embraces the widest spectrum of cultural expression and artistic pluralism and encourages organizations to demonstrate a holistic and comprehensive DEIA (diversity, equity, inclusion, and access) commitment. We believe the objects an organization choose to conserve tells a story of what is valued. Our funding priorities value objects and stories that tell a more inclusive narrative of New York State. Therefore:

• The NYSCA/GHHN Conservation Treatment Grant Program will consider all eligible 3D objects for conservation, however we encourage requests for support of objects involving historically marginalized and underrepresented communities.
• For the purposes of this grant, historically marginalized and underrepresented communities may include: African American/Caribbean, Latino/Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, Native American/Indigenous; LGBTQIA and people with disabilities.
• Additionally, objects that interpret the stories of New York State are strongly encouraged for conservation.