Best Richmond County Grants for Nonprofits in New York

About UNCF

Who We Are

For more than eight decades, this principle has remained at the heart of UNCF, enabling us to raise more than $6 billion and help more than 550,000 students and counting not just attend college, but thrive, graduate and become leaders.

We do this in three ways: By awarding more than 11,000 students scholarships, worth more than $62 million, each year. By providing financial support to 37 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). And by serving as the nation’s leading advocate for the importance of minority education and community engagement.

This three-pronged approach is powerful: Since our founding in 1944, we’ve helped to more than double the number of minorities attending college. The six-year graduation rate for UNCF African American scholarship recipients is 70%. This is 11% higher than the national average and 31% higher than the national average for all African Americans.

2026-2027 Associates Scholars Empowerment Program

Daughters of Charity Inc., in partnership with UNCF, created the Associates Scholars Empowerment Program to assist students receiving certificates and two-year degrees.

The Associates Scholars Empowerment Program is a renewable need-based scholarship open to students receiving certificates and two-year degrees.

Students who do not meet the renewal criteria will be placed on probation and given a one semester grace period, while funded, to come into compliance.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is inviting eligible organizations to submit unsolicited research proposals targeting key areas like housing affordability and homelessness. This initiative aims to foster high-quality research that informs housing policies and programs. Projects must secure matching funds of at least 50% of the total cost and align with HUD's research priorities to qualify for cooperative agreements, ensuring ongoing collaboration throughout the research process.

The Don Forsyth 'Circle K' Scholarship, offered by The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region, recognizes outstanding members of Circle K clubs in New York State. This scholarship aims to support students committed to serving individuals with Down Syndrome through careers in special education, speech, physical, or occupational therapy. Established in 1968, the foundation empowers local communities and provides meaningful financial assistance to students demonstrating exceptional community service.

Georgia Department of Education

There are 1.7 million students in Georgia’s public schools – and it’s our goal at the Georgia Department of Education to improve outcomes and expand opportunities for each one of them. Through child-focused and classroom-centered policies, a strong focus on the foundations, and increased relevance and opportunities in the later grades, we’re working to ensure all students graduate ready to contribute to their communities and live fulfilling, productive lives. We are focused on preparing students for life, not a test – and making sure that all schools have the resources they need to provide every child with a high-quality public education.

Student Vaping Mini-Grant

The Student Vaping Mini-Grant is intended to support middle and high schools by providing funds for localized interventions to decrease the incidence of vaping by students in Georgia. Georgia LEAs are eligible to apply. Each applicant must select one middle AND one high school (middle school must be a feeder school to the high school) in their district to implement the grant.

Helping All Reading Communities (HARC)

HARC, a committee of the IDA-Georgia Board, stands for Helping All Reading Communities. HARC’s mission is to expand access to high-quality, evidence-based literacy instruction and materials for struggling readers and young children at risk for reading difficulties in Georgia.

Purpose of the Grant

The HARC Grant was created to fund non-profit organizations whose projects expand access to Structured Literacy interventions and raise dyslexia awareness in Georgia communities. Funding is intended for initiatives that train educators or community members, provide direct support to learners, or increase access to evidence-based resources. IDA-Georgia plans to award one or two grants, for which we have allocated $10,000 per year.

Grant funds may be used for materials and program expenses.

• Funds are to be used for educational purposes within the state of Georgia, targeting the remediation of reading difficulties through Structured Literacy practices.
• Funds must be used within one year of the grant being awarded.
• Project descriptions should be specific, including objectives, timelines, budgets, and expected outcomes.

American Camp Association

The American Camp Association is a community of camp professionals who, for over 100 years, have joined together to share our knowledge and experience and to ensure the quality of camp programs. Because of our diverse 10,000 plus membership and our exceptional programs, we’re uniquely able to unleash the life-changing power of camp. Our work gives more children and adults the opportunity to learn powerful lessons in community, character-building, skill development, and healthy living — lessons that can be learned nowhere else.

Character at Camp Grant Program

The purpose of this program is to provide financial support, training, and technical assistance for selected day and overnight camps in the U.S. who are interested in starting, enhancing, expanding, or celebrating character development programs or projects. By the end of the Character at Camp initiative, we anticipate camps in the US will represent one of the largest and most potent contexts for character development in the learning and development ecosystem.

Eligible organizations can apply for a Planning Grant, an Implementation Grant, or a Network Implementation Grant.

Planning Grants

Planning Grants are designed for organizations that need a year of planning, training, and capacity building before they can develop and implement a full character program or project.

American Camp Association

The American Camp Association is a community of camp professionals who, for over 100 years, have joined together to share our knowledge and experience and to ensure the quality of camp programs. Because of our diverse 10,000 plus membership and our exceptional programs, we’re uniquely able to unleash the life-changing power of camp. Our work gives more children and adults the opportunity to learn powerful lessons in community, character-building, skill development, and healthy living — lessons that can be learned nowhere else.

Character at Camp Grant Program

The purpose of this program is to provide financial support, training, and technical assistance for selected day and overnight camps in the U.S. who are interested in starting, enhancing, expanding, or celebrating character development programs or projects. By the end of the Character at Camp initiative, we anticipate camps in the US will represent one of the largest and most potent contexts for character development in the learning and development ecosystem.

Eligible organizations can apply for a Planning Grant, an Implementation Grant, or a Network Implementation Grant.

Implementation Grants

Implementation Grants are designed for organizations that have a specific character program or project in mind and sufficient capacity to successfully implement that program or project starting in 2027. 

We welcome both individual and joint applications to the Implementation Grant Program.

Individual Applications 

Individual applications are for programs and projects that will be implemented by and for a single organization. Single organizations can propose programs and projects to be implemented across multiple sites — this would be considered an individual application as there is a single coordinating entity, and the small number of sites (less than six) operate more or less the same within this organization.

Joint Applications

Joint applications are for programs and projects that will be implemented by up to five organizations that will receive one grant award to implement programs and projects across each of the organizations. In this case, the organizations are either distinct and functionally independent from each other or are sites that operate more or less independently or with different programmatic foci from one another. One organization will submit the application and serve as the primary point of contact. Applicants submitting a joint application will be asked to identify the additional organizations in the application and to reflect budgetary allocations to these organizations

American Camp Association

The American Camp Association is a community of camp professionals who, for over 100 years, have joined together to share our knowledge and experience and to ensure the quality of camp programs. Because of our diverse 10,000 plus membership and our exceptional programs, we’re uniquely able to unleash the life-changing power of camp. Our work gives more children and adults the opportunity to learn powerful lessons in community, character-building, skill development, and healthy living — lessons that can be learned nowhere else.

Character at Camp Grant Program

The purpose of this program is to provide financial support, training, and technical assistance for selected day and overnight camps in the U.S. who are interested in starting, enhancing, expanding, or celebrating character development programs or projects. By the end of the Character at Camp initiative, we anticipate camps in the US will represent one of the largest and most potent contexts for character development in the learning and development ecosystem.

Eligible organizations can apply for a Planning Grant, an Implementation Grant, or a Network Implementation Grant.

Network Implementation Grants

Network Implentation Grants are designed for organizations that serve as the coordinating entity for 6+ camps that are eager to implement a character program or project with their on-site program teams. 

Proteus Fund

Proteus Fund partners with foundations, individual donors, activists, and other allies to work strategically towards racial, gender, queer, and disability justice and an inclusive, fully-representative democracy. We curate an ecosystem of mutually reinforcing, aligned donor collaboratives and fiscally sponsored projects that deploy a creative array of strategies and tactics to further this vision.

RISE Together Fund: Small Grants

Call For Application

RISE Together Fund (RTF), an initiative of Proteus Fund, is announcing an open call for inquiries for our 2026 Small Grants Fund for U.S. public charity organizations or fiscally sponsored projects of such organizations, that support Black, African, Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim and South Asian (BAMEMSA) communities.

As part of RTF’s commitment to prioritizing the needs and sustainability of the fields we collectively support, RTF will provide organizations with general operating grants to allow for organizational flexibility when possible. 

About RTF's Small Grants Fund

BAMEMSA movements have a strong history of organizing and collaboration, and are well poised with the knowledge, learning and experience to build an inclusive, multiracial democratic future and respond to the current unconstitutional threats facing the country. Through this fund, RTF aims to resource community power building organizations that use a multiplicity of approaches to create change rooted in the strength and leadership of BAMEMSA movements.

RTF supports groups that build community power, strengthen movement bases, defend civil and human rights including freedom of protest, speech, religion, and association, end the criminalization and surveillance of our communities, and respond to the rise in xenophobia, Islamophobia, and hate. RTF values groups that are intersectional in their approach and have or are developing sustainable long-term strategies to support BAMEMSA communities and movements.

Priority Issue Areas

• Protecting and advancing the rights of immigrant and refugee BAMEMSA communities by responding to harmful policies and practices, and strengthening community-led advocacy at the local, state, or federal level.

• Mobilizing BAMEMSA communities for nonpartisan civic engagement and election protection by increasing nonpartisan voter participation, combating voter suppression, and building sustained civic infrastructure ahead of, during, and between elections.

• Advocating for U.S. policy changes that end violence in Gaza and the West Bank by elevating Palestinian voices, influencing public discourse, and engaging in advocacy that shifts U.S. political, diplomatic, or funding decisions.

• Challenging harmful national security frameworks and their impacts on BAMEMSA communities by documenting, exposing, and organizing against surveillance, Islamophobia, and policies rooted in the War on Terror, particularly in the context of 9/11’s 25-year legacy.

• Responding to emerging opportunities and threats affecting BAMESMA communities such as influencing policy developments, addressing civic issues in the U.S., or developing narratives to change public discourse. This includes work addressing weaponizing issues around bodily autonomy and LGBTQ+ identity to fracture movements and communities.

Priority Strategies

RTF values organizations that take an intersectional approach and are intentionally building long-term community power. We prioritize support for groups that strengthen movement ecosystems, deepen their base, and defend the rights of BAMEMSA communities through the following strategies:

• Convening, Collaboration, and Movement Coordination: Bringing together organizations, leaders, and coalitions to align shared goals, coordinate strategies to advance shared visions, and reduce fragmentation across the field. This includes facilitating strategic convenings, developing platforms for collaboration, building cross-issue or cross-regional partnerships, developing shared agendas or issue campaigns, and strengthening trust and alignment among movement actors.
• Community Power-Building, Base Building, Civic Engagement, and Organizing: Expanding and activating a grassroots base within BAMEMSA communities to drive collective action and policy change. This includes community leadership development, public education campaigns, community organizing, nonpartisan voter engagement and election protection, and ongoing nonpartisan civic participation efforts that build sustained community power.
• Legal and Policy Advocacy Infrastructure: Advancing legal strategies and policy advocacy that expand and protect the rights of BAMEMSA communities. This includes impact litigation, legal advocacy, know-your-rights efforts, policy development, and advocacy at a local, state, or federal level.
• Communications and Narrative Strategy: Shaping public discourse and advancing narratives that reflect the experiences, dignity, and demands of BAMEMSA communities. This includes developing messaging strategies, producing and amplifying media, countering harmful or divisive narratives (including those targeting immigrants, religious minorities, LGBTQ+ communities, and reproductive rights), and increasing the voice share of BAMEMSA community members.
• Bolstering Movement Infrastructure: Strengthening the internal capacity and long-term sustainability of organizations and the broader movement ecosystem. This includes organizations supporting leadership development and pipelines, data and technology infrastructure, security and safety, and other core functions that enable groups to operate effectively and respond to evolving challenges.

Limited funding may be available for requests above $25,000.

New York State Homes and Community Renewal

HCR develops, preserves and protects affordable housing and invests in economically vibrant communities. We work with many private, public and nonprofit partners to create safe, healthy and affordable housing opportunities for all New Yorkers.

HCR is charged with carrying out Governor Hochul’s new $25 billion, five-year, comprehensive housing plan to increase housing supply by creating or preserving 100,000 affordable homes across New York including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations, plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes.

Community Development Block Grant

The NYS Community Development Block Grant or CDBG Program is a unique source of federal funding for Cities, Town, Villages, and Counties to assist low- and moderate-income communities, households, and people.

CDBG funding assistance can include everything from drinking water and sanitary sewer projects to grants for home repair, senior and community center improvements to grants to small business for start-up and expansion.

The NYS CDBG program provides financial assistance to eligible cities, towns, and villages with populations under 50,000 and counties with an area population under 200,000, in order to develop viable communities by providing decent, affordable housing, and suitable living environments, as well as expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income. 

Expert technical assistance is always available to help your community apply for and administer CDBG funds, and to help direct assistance to where it is needed most.

Eligible Activities

CDBG funding may be used for eligible activities as outlined below. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of eligible activities and applicants are encouraged to develop projects in response to local need that may not fit neatly in any one category. In these cases, applicants are encouraged to contact OCR for additional guidance prior to applying.

Funding is available for the following activities: 1) Public Facility; 2) Community Planning; 3) Economic Development - Stand-Alone Business Assistance; 4) Economic Development - Microenterprise Assistance; and 5) Imminent Threat.

Public Facility

NYS CDBG funds support a variety of public facility and public improvement projects, such as the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or installation of public facilities. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Senior centers
• Accessibility modifications for the removal of architectural barriers
• Neighborhood facilities, including but not limited to, libraries, childcare centers, recreational facilities, parks, playgrounds
• Facilities for persons with special needs such as facilities for the homeless or domestic violence shelters, nursing homes, or group homes for the disabled
• Infrastructure improvements including construction and installation of streets, curbs, lighting and broadband
• Emergency facilities and equipment

In general, public facilities and public improvements include all facilities and improvements that are publicly owned, or that are owned by a nonprofit and open to the public. 

New York State Homes and Community Renewal

HCR develops, preserves and protects affordable housing and invests in economically vibrant communities. We work with many private, public and nonprofit partners to create safe, healthy and affordable housing opportunities for all New Yorkers.

HCR is charged with carrying out Governor Hochul’s new $25 billion, five-year, comprehensive housing plan to increase housing supply by creating or preserving 100,000 affordable homes across New York including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations, plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes.

Community Development Block Grant

The NYS Community Development Block Grant or CDBG Program is a unique source of federal funding for Cities, Town, Villages, and Counties to assist low- and moderate-income communities, households, and people.

CDBG funding assistance can include everything from drinking water and sanitary sewer projects to grants for home repair, senior and community center improvements to grants to small business for start-up and expansion.

The NYS CDBG program provides financial assistance to eligible cities, towns, and villages with populations under 50,000 and counties with an area population under 200,000, in order to develop viable communities by providing decent, affordable housing, and suitable living environments, as well as expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income. 

Expert technical assistance is always available to help your community apply for and administer CDBG funds, and to help direct assistance to where it is needed most.

Eligible Activities

CDBG funding may be used for eligible activities as outlined below. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of eligible activities and applicants are encouraged to develop projects in response to local need that may not fit neatly in any one category. In these cases, applicants are encouraged to contact OCR for additional guidance prior to applying.

Funding is available for the following activities: 1) Public Facility; 2) Community Planning; 3) Economic Development - Stand-Alone Business Assistance; 4) Economic Development - Microenterprise Assistance; and 5) Imminent Threat.

Community Planning

CDBG Community Planning grants enable communities to conduct assessments and develop clearly articulated strategies for addressing local community development issues. The study, analysis and planning of any community planning activity should identify eligible projects for subsequent CBDG funding. There are two categories of planning grants:

• Community Needs Assessments
• Project Readiness Plans

The NYS Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) supports low- and moderate-income communities through funding for various activities such as public facilities, economic development, and community planning. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and compliance with public participation requirements is essential. The program aims to enhance housing opportunities and economic growth in smaller municipalities, providing technical assistance to ensure effective use of funds for community development.

New York State Homes and Community Renewal

HCR develops, preserves and protects affordable housing and invests in economically vibrant communities. We work with many private, public and nonprofit partners to create safe, healthy and affordable housing opportunities for all New Yorkers.

HCR is charged with carrying out Governor Hochul’s new $25 billion, five-year, comprehensive housing plan to increase housing supply by creating or preserving 100,000 affordable homes across New York including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations, plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes.

Community Development Block Grant

The NYS Community Development Block Grant or CDBG Program is a unique source of federal funding for Cities, Town, Villages, and Counties to assist low- and moderate-income communities, households, and people.

CDBG funding assistance can include everything from drinking water and sanitary sewer projects to grants for home repair, senior and community center improvements to grants to small business for start-up and expansion.

The NYS CDBG program provides financial assistance to eligible cities, towns, and villages with populations under 50,000 and counties with an area population under 200,000, in order to develop viable communities by providing decent, affordable housing, and suitable living environments, as well as expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income. 

Expert technical assistance is always available to help your community apply for and administer CDBG funds, and to help direct assistance to where it is needed most.

Eligible Activities

CDBG funding may be used for eligible activities as outlined below. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of eligible activities and applicants are encouraged to develop projects in response to local need that may not fit neatly in any one category. In these cases, applicants are encouraged to contact OCR for additional guidance prior to applying.

Funding is available for the following activities: 1) Public Facility; 2) Community Planning; 3) Economic Development - Stand-Alone Business Assistance; 4) Economic Development - Microenterprise Assistance; and 5) Imminent Threat.

Economic Development

CDBG funds may be used to assist a specific, stand-alone business or to assist a community to establish a microenterprise assistance program to support multiple businesses.

Microenterprise Assistance

Funding is provided to eligible communities to provide entrepreneurial training and financial assistance to forprofit businesses with five (5) or fewer employees, including the owner(s), for an identified CDBG eligible activity which will result in the creation or retention of permanent, private sector job opportunities, principally for persons from low-moderate income families. Businesses under this category may also meet HUD requirements if owned by a documented low to moderate income person.

New York State Homes and Community Renewal

HCR develops, preserves and protects affordable housing and invests in economically vibrant communities. We work with many private, public and nonprofit partners to create safe, healthy and affordable housing opportunities for all New Yorkers.

HCR is charged with carrying out Governor Hochul’s new $25 billion, five-year, comprehensive housing plan to increase housing supply by creating or preserving 100,000 affordable homes across New York including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations, plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes.

Community Development Block Grant

The NYS Community Development Block Grant or CDBG Program is a unique source of federal funding for Cities, Town, Villages, and Counties to assist low- and moderate-income communities, households, and people.

CDBG funding assistance can include everything from drinking water and sanitary sewer projects to grants for home repair, senior and community center improvements to grants to small business for start-up and expansion.

The NYS CDBG program provides financial assistance to eligible cities, towns, and villages with populations under 50,000 and counties with an area population under 200,000, in order to develop viable communities by providing decent, affordable housing, and suitable living environments, as well as expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income. 

Expert technical assistance is always available to help your community apply for and administer CDBG funds, and to help direct assistance to where it is needed most.

Eligible Activities

CDBG funding may be used for eligible activities as outlined below. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of eligible activities and applicants are encouraged to develop projects in response to local need that may not fit neatly in any one category. In these cases, applicants are encouraged to contact OCR for additional guidance prior to applying.

Funding is available for the following activities: 1) Public Facility; 2) Community Planning; 3) Economic Development - Stand-Alone Business Assistance; 4) Economic Development - Microenterprise Assistance; and 5) Imminent Threat.

Imminent Threat

Funds may be requested to provide eligible municipal applicants financial support for activities that alleviate existing conditions that have a blighting influence or pose a serious and immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community. Applicants will be required to demonstrate a compelling need for public investment and document that no other funding sources are available. CDBG Imminent Threat funds may be used to cover costs associated with:

• Repairs or improvements to water/sewer systems, storm sewer drainage, flood walls, roads, sidewalks and culverts
• Demolition and/or clearance of damaged structures including environmental assessments and mitigation, site work, architectural, and engineering fees
• Public services required as a result of disaster 

Imminent Threat projects typically meet HUD’s (national objective) requirements in one of two ways: Urgent Need or Slum/Blight conditions.

U.S. Civil Society Microgrants

We seek to support projects that engage Pulitzer Center journalism to amplify the voices of affected communities, foster public debate, and drive meaningful audience engagement with our focus areas.

Audience engagement has been at the core of the Pulitzer Center’s work since its founding in 2006. In addition to grants and fellowships that facilitate breakthrough journalism, we support initiatives that connect the reporting to the audiences that need it the most. Our goal is pursuing real-world impact: engaging and mobilizing communities, increasing understanding and connection, and influencing decisions locally and globally. 

This microgrant aims to support civil society organizations and groups in the United States to utilize Pulitzer Center-supported reporting as part of projects that contribute to a more informed and empowered community.

 For this grant cycle, we are seeking grant proposals for civic engagement projects to be completed by early December 2026 that focus on one of the following issues:

• Climate and the environment, with a focus on U.S fisheries and fishing communities or climate and labor
• Information and Artificial Intelligence
• Global health, with specific focus on mental well-being or connections to the Global South

The objective is to use Pulitzer Center-supported journalism as the inspiration for the projects supported by this civil society microgrant. By leveraging this reporting, we expect to build projects that amplify the voices of affected communities, foster public debate, and drive meaningful audience engagement that will lead to impactful conversations in communities in the U.S. and beyond.

Grants range from US$2,000 to US$4,000. Project proposals can support existing activities or support the launch of new activities. 

Unlikely Collaborators Inc

We exist to help people RESOLVE CONFLICT. What kind of conflict are we talking about? The inside kind.

It's our perspective that most of the EXTERNAL conflict in the world is the result of unconscious, unresolved INTERNAL conflict in each and every one of us.

Unlikely Collaborators is an organization that exists to help people resolve conflict by making them aware of and helping them work with their Perception Box.

RFP To Fund Transformative Projects Rooted in the Perception Box™ Framework

This RFP is designed for organizations creating meaningful shifts in how people interpret their experiences, beliefs, and perspectives.

All requests must be project-specific and aligned with the Perception Box framework.

At Unlikely Collaborators, we support people and organizations who are helping others see something about themselves they couldn’t see before. Our work is grounded in the Perception Box, a framework developed by our founder, Elizabeth R. Koch.

The Perception Box is the internal lens through which each of us experiences the world. It is shaped by our beliefs, our past experiences, our identity, and the stories we carry, often without realizing it.

Most of the time, we don’t see this lens. We experience our perspective as reality. But when people begin to notice it, something shifts. There is often more curiosity, less certainty, and more openness to others and new possibilities.

We are not a fit for projects focused primarily on advocacy, external blame, or telling people what to think. We support work that helps people examine how they think.

What this looks like in practice

We are most interested in projects where participants are actively engaged in noticing and questioning their own assumptions. This might include:

• Structured experiences where people reflect on their beliefs and how those beliefs were formed
• Encounters with perspectives that challenge their existing worldview
• Moments of realization where someone recognizes their interpretation may not be the only one
• Practices that build curiosity, self-awareness, and the ability to stay open in the face of difference

Before you get started on your RFP grant application, here’s what to expect:

• At Unlikely Collaborators, we support people and organizations that create meaningful shifts in how individuals see themselves.
• We are not looking for surface-level awareness. We are looking for work that leads to a real moment of recognition, when someone begins to question their own assumptions, reconsider their perspective, or see others differently.
• We prioritize leaders working from lived experience, not distance—people who understand the challenge from the inside and are translating that insight into something others can directly experience.
• The strongest projects are designed to create these moments of reflection in a tangible way. They bring people together in environments that are thoughtful, human, and often unexpected, where insight is felt, not just discussed.

The EDU Core Research (ECR) program by the National Science Foundation invites proposals for fundamental research that enhances STEM education. Focused on various research areas, including STEM learning and workforce development, it supports diverse educational activities for all age groups. The funding ranges from $500,000 to $2,500,000, with project durations of 3 to 5 years, emphasizing the importance of justifying funding levels in proposals to ensure alignment with research maturity.

The United Advisory Scholarship Commission Scholarship, established in 1982 by William and Cordula Freese, supports students with visual or physical impairments in Saginaw County. This scholarship aims to aid those who are graduating high school seniors or currently enrolled in college, ensuring they can pursue higher education full-time. Preference may be given to previous recipients, reinforcing the foundation's commitment to supporting the community's unique needs.

Who We Are

Saginaw County is home. It is a beautiful community you’d be foolish to underestimate. We may have our challenges, but seeing its cities, villages and townships continue to grow and flourish gives us a sense of satisfaction and pride like none other.

Back in 1984, The Saginaw Community Foundation was founded to enhance the quality of life in our county by providing leadership, education, and support for philanthropy. Today, we still continue this mission of supporting the needs of our community through targeted grants, investments, and scholarships.

In addition to our grantmaking and scholarship programs, the Foundation also offers donor advised funds, which allow donors to recommend charitable grants to organizations of their choice. We also manage several endowed funds, which provide ongoing support for specific causes or organizations.

Saginaw Community Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors composed of community leaders and volunteers. A staff of professionals oversee our day-to-day operations and work with donors and community organizations to identify and address community needs.

CTE Scholarships

Dreaming of a career in welding? Maybe managing your own auto mechanics garage fuels your thoughts or you would love to become an electrician. Perhaps studying to become a chef in a culinary arts program suits your tastes.

No matter what your career path may be, there is little doubt that in recent years interest in Career and Technical Education (CTE) has grown. The increased need for workers skilled in the trades has resulted in larger numbers of students seeking out CTE programs.

Schools offering CTE encompass a wide variety of hands-on education, from HVAC to carpentry to cosmetology. In the past, financial assistance has been hard to come by for these areas of study, but that is no longer the case. Saginaw Community Foundation has several scholarship opportunities for those who have the desire to pursue CTE.

According to leading economists, not everyone needs a four-year degree. In fact, millions of good-paying jobs are opening up in the trades. And some pay better than what the average college graduate makes.

For aspiring welders, electricians, carpenters, and other valued skilled trade workers, there is great opportunity to take advantage of tailored CTE programs. The demand is massive as an estimated 3 million trade jobs in the United States remain vacant.

Our CTE scholarship awards range between $500 – $4,000 typically.

The Patricia and William Hendrick Memorial Scholarship

Long-time Saginaw residents Pat and Bill Hendrick were graduates of St. Mary’s High School in Saginaw. They supported Catholic education their entire lives at the primary, secondary, and higher education level. Pat and Bill believed in and helped further the cause of Catholic education with enthusiasm and financial support all their lives.

To honor Pat and Bill, their family and many friends established this scholarship to help Saginaw County residents who are going on to attend Catholic higher education. Special preference will be given to graduates of Nouvel Catholic Central High School and/or those attending the University of Notre Dame – two organizations which held a special place in their hearts.

The American Business Women’s Association – Saginaw Charter Chapter Scholarship supports women pursuing higher education, fostering personal and professional growth. Established in 1954, this scholarship encourages female students in Saginaw County to achieve their academic goals, particularly those enrolled in career and technical education programs. With awards ranging from $500 to $4,000, it aims to empower women in various fields by providing financial assistance, ensuring that the next generation of businesswomen can thrive and contribute to their communities.

The Alpha Sigma Chapter, Alpha Delta Kappa, Inc. Scholarship supports aspiring educators in Saginaw County. Established in 2018, it honors the legacy of women educators dedicated to improving educational excellence. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5, be full-time students pursuing an undergraduate degree in education, and demonstrate residency in Saginaw County. The scholarship amount ranges from $500 to $4,000, with preference given to previous recipients. This initiative aims to foster the next generation of educators.

About ACSM

ACSM is the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world, with nearly 50,000 international, national and regional members and certified fitness professionals.

ACSM Fellowship

CSM Fellow members have demonstrated high standards of professional development and shown a commitment to the goals and long‑range activities of the college.

The purpose of fellowship is to recognize commendable service to ACSM; to encourage continued service to the College in a leadership role with ongoing dedication; also, to recognize distinguished achievement in sports medicine and related disciplines.

About The Community Foundation

The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties is a community-based social impact investor whose mission is to engage, invest, and lead—working toward a vision of community vibrancy with opportunity for all. Our team of experienced staff and dedicated trustees is committed to boldly leading and supporting transformational community investments. We channel charitable contributions from donors through nonprofit partners that are meeting current community needs and steward community resources responsibly to ensure greater capacity for the future.

No organization has all the answers, but together, with our partners and donors, we have the means and the will to chart a new course—one that will build upon generations of philanthropy and strengthen the fabric of Herkimer and Oneida counties.

Adirondack Construction Scholarship

A scholarship established by Adirondack Construction in Vernon to support the future career goals of students pursuing business or construction management.

The Ian Amendolare Blue Collar Trade Award Fund supports students from West Canada Valley Junior/Senior High School pursuing a degree or certification in trades like HVAC, trucking, welding, or farming. This award emphasizes promise and effort rather than academic grades, reflecting a commitment to fostering talent in essential skilled trades. The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, a leader in community investment, manages this fund to empower local youth and strengthen the community's future.

The Updated National Dislocated Worker Grant Program Guidance addresses the opioid crisis by prioritizing funding for applicants who demonstrate a critical need and have not previously received opioid-related grants. Key updates include eliminating Disaster-Relief Employment as a requirement, emphasizing the inadequacy of workforce resources, and encouraging applications that focus on training qualified professionals in relevant fields. These changes ensure that the program aligns with current policies and effectively supports communities impacted by the opioid epidemic.