Best Seneca County Grants for Nonprofits in New York

The Vitality Grants aim to enhance arts and culture in the eight-county region of New York by supporting nonprofit organizations. This initiative focuses on fostering access to cultural opportunities in underserved communities, ensuring sustainability for local organizations, and celebrating the region’s diverse cultural heritage. With a new grant cycle starting in early 2025 for educational programs, these grants are crucial for enriching the community's cultural landscape.

The Chesapeake Bay Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns (G3) Grant Program, funded by the EPA and Chesapeake Bay Trust, supports innovative green infrastructure projects enhancing community livability. With funding opportunities ranging from conceptual plans to full project implementation, this program aims to reduce stormwater runoff, improve urban green spaces, and boost local water health within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Eligible locations include parts of Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, as well as New York.

Alec and Barbara Sutherland Scholarship

To assist students from the Middle East attending any college or university within the eight-county area of greater Rochester, NY.

This scholarship is not renewable; however, students may reapply each year they are eligible.

Number and Size of Awards

• One award of up to $2,000; paid in one lump sum in the Fall and divided equally between the Fall and Spring semesters.

Allowed Use of Award

• Awards may be used for tuition, fees, books, and other expenses associated with higher education.

The New York State Regional School Food Infrastructure Grant Program aims to enhance K-12 meal preparation by utilizing fresh local farm products. With a total funding of $50 million over five years, the program will award $5 million to each of the ten regions, encouraging projects that alleviate food insecurity and bolster market opportunities for local producers. This initiative seeks to strengthen the state's food system resiliency while supporting sustainable agricultural practices.

Rochester Area Community Foundation

Rochester Area Community Foundation, in partnership with generous philanthropists and community partners, works to improve the quality of life for people who live and work in the eight-county region through its leadership and strategic grantmaking.

Our Mission: We are cultivating a thriving Greater Rochester region — powered by philanthropy, grounded in community, and sustained across generations.

Rochester Tooling and Machining (James M. Nieboer) Scholarship

Purpose of Scholarship

For students enrolled in the advanced manufacturing industry related curricula at an accredited community college, junior college, or technical post-secondary institution within the Finger Lakes region.

Allowed Use of Award

Expenses associated with higher education.

Renewability

This award is not automatically renewable; students may reapply each Fall and Spring semester.

Donor Information

This scholarship was established in 1993 by the Rochester Tooling and Machining Institute, Inc. to encourage students to engage in the metalworking industry.

Friends of NRA

Friends of NRA is the National Rifle Association’s premier fundraising program, supporting the future of shooting sports. Since day one, Friends of NRA has been a 100% grassroots effort fueled by a united front to secure the Second Amendment and raise money for the shooting sports.

Committee volunteers are appointed to State Fund Committees to make recommendations for local grant funding in areas such as youth education, women-focused clinics, law enforcement training, hunter safety, range improvement, firearms and marksmanship training and safety. Recognizing the impact American youth has on the future of the shooting sports, State Fund Committees frequently recommend grants for youth programs, allocating the most significant portion of monies to this vital area.

Grant awards fund activities and support programs in the United States to promote firearms and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those in the shooting sports, and to educate the public about firearms in their historic, technological and artistic context.

Friends of NRA State Fund Grant Program - New York

The Friends of NRA State Fund Grant Program provides supplies, equipment, and financial support to a variety of qualified groups and programs at the local level; geared towards youth, women, law enforcement, veterans, the disabled, and the general public, including:

• General shooting programs
• Competitive shooting
• Education, training and safety
• Hunting and conservation
• Community outreach
• Historical education

Grant funding must be used to further a charitable purpose as defined by the Internal Revenue Code under section 501(c)(3) and accompanying rules, regulations, and other IRS law and materials.

Graduating high school seniors and undergraduate students in agriculture-related fields from western Monroe, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, Wyoming, Livingston, Wayne, Yates, Ontario, or Seneca counties can receive $1,000 to $4,000 in renewable scholarship support. With a mission to cultivate a thriving Greater Rochester region, Rochester Area Community Foundation also offers a one-time $500 book award.

The Kelly for Kids Community Grants aim to support disadvantaged and disabled youth in Western New York. Founded by former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly, the foundation has distributed nearly $5 million to local children's charities. Grants are awarded to 501(c)(3) organizations focused on health and social services for children in need. The foundation prioritizes innovative programs and equipment improvements, ensuring funds are used effectively to make a significant impact in the community.

The JGS Fellowship for Photography offers a $7,000 cash grant to photography artists residing in New York State, excluding New York City. This competitive fellowship supports five artists engaged in traditional and experimental photography. Funded by The Joy of Giving Something, the fellowship aims to assist artists in creating new works and exhibitions. Eligible applicants must be at least 25 years old and have lived in a qualifying region of New York State for at least 12 months.

Susan A. Cowell Scholarship

For academically talented and community-minded high school graduates continuing their education in college, graduate school, or a trade/technical school.

Number and Size of Awards

One award of $1,000; paid in one lump sum in the Fall and divided equally between the Fall and Spring semesters.

Allowed Use of Award

Awards may be used for tuition, fees, books, and other expenses associated with higher education.

Rochester Area Community Foundation

Rochester Area Community Foundation, in partnership with generous philanthropists and community partners, works to improve the quality of life for people who live and work in the eight-county region through its leadership and strategic grantmaking.

Our Mission: We are cultivating a thriving Greater Rochester region — powered by philanthropy, grounded in community, and sustained across generations.

Edward T. Mulligan, MD Memorial Award

Purpose of Scholarship

To provide a loan repayment award to a University of Rochester or Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) medical school graduate who has matched in a surgical residency in the metro-Rochester area.

Allowed Use of Award

Awards may only be used to repay medical school loans held by recognized lending institutions such as federally insured banks and credit unions.

This scholarship is a one-time award and is not renewable.

Donor Information

Edward T. Mulligan, MD was a revered Rochester surgeon whose career was shortened by his untimely death in 1975. The award is endowed by the Mulligan Family.

Graduating medical students and surgical interns or residents in the greater Rochester area can receive US $10,000 - US $60,000 in loan repayment support for surgical training focused on patient care. With a mission to cultivate a thriving Greater Rochester region, Rochester Area Community Foundation offers this scholarship, which may benefit those training in Seneca County, New York who are committed to community service.

The Seneca Foods Foundation Grant supports philanthropic initiatives focused on empowering youth and strengthening communities. Since 1988, it has provided funding for education, community assistance, and internships. The Foundation prioritizes organizations connected to Seneca employees, located near its operational facilities, and those that align with its mission. It requires documented performance results and considers only one request per organization annually, ensuring that grants foster measurable impact within the communities served.

Nonprofit organizations serving children and youth in Seneca County, New York can seek funding for programs in education, health, justice, and the arts. With a mission to support the well being of children, Wyckoff Family Foundation provides US $5,000 - US $20,000 for innovative projects benefiting ages 0–18 in the greater Geneva area, including Seneca County.

Mission & Vision

Rochester Area Community Foundation, in partnership with generous philanthropists and community partners, works to improve the quality of life for people who live and work in the eight-county region through its leadership and strategic grantmaking.

Our Mission:

We are cultivating a thriving Greater Rochester region — powered by philanthropy, grounded in community, and sustained across generations.

Our Vision:

We envision a Greater Rochester region transformed by enduring philanthropy, where every person, neighborhood, and future generation can thrive.

Armenian Scholarship Fund in memory of Charles J. Churukian

Purpose of Scholarship

To provide financial assistance to graduating seniors pursuing careers in medicine, science, or music.

Number and Size of Awards

One award of $4,000; paid as $1,000 per year for up to four consecutive years of undergraduate study. Award paid in the Fall and divided equally between the Fall and Spring semesters.

The Fred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation is dedicated to fostering a healthy Great Lakes ecosystem and a vibrant Southeast Michigan community. Since its inception, it has invested over $180 million in environmental, cultural, and educational initiatives. As it transitions to spend down its assets by 2034, the Foundation aims to make bold, impactful investments that address urgent community needs and promote sustainable development.

What We Fund

Our founder, Tom Golisano, has deep and personal interest in supporting projects and initiatives that enhance the dignity and independence of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and that build inclusive communities. The Golisano Foundation is committed to improving the lives of people with IDD through transformational investments in organizations working to create inclusive communities where all citizens are valued as productive members of society.

With this in mind, the Foundation has adopted the following areas for funding consideration:

• Holds the principles of social justice in highest regard as demonstrated by agency’s mission, work and proposal; believes people with disabilities are powerful agents of change and that society as a whole benefits when all individuals reach their full potential and become contributing members of their community. 
• Supports throughout the life span and transitions for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families and caregivers including but not limited to the following areas: Educational support at various stages of development as well as life-long learning opportunities; employment services including supported, career development, vocational and life skills training; year-round preventative health services, fitness activities, physical and emotional wellness; expanded residential options for community living; caregiver respite; recreation; transportation, assistive technology, community awareness and advocacy. 
• Community-wide strategies that can grow best practices and effective programs to transformative scale; are easy to replicate and share broadly with the field. 
• Interdisciplinary and interagency alliances/collaborations/coalitions that bring together the expertise and perspectives of various disciplines including non-traditional human services providers such as businesses, higher education institutions, health systems, and government.
• Initiatives that target individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are underserved, isolated and/or have difficulty accessing services and programs; work to eliminate structural, economic or cultural barriers to services. 
• Person-directed services and planning with individuals and families involved in the selection, implementation and monitoring of one’s supports and services. 
• Applications for programs, capital projects and community planning initiatives related to the field of developmental disabilities will be given consideration.

We are willing and eager to partner with grantees, as appropriate, to achieve thes goals and maximize impact. Therefore the approval of a grant will be followed up with careful monitoring of the project as it unfolds. The devil is in the details, and to give responsibly means remaining involved as the project proceeds. While we rely on competent agency staff, outside consultants, and expert advisors to help us make reasoned decisions on funding and monitor the implementation of funded projects, we believe that the Foundation’s involvement in the details of a project is important to the beneficiary and the community we serve.

Purpose of Scholarship

To provide financial assistance for the expenses associated with higher education for a student who possesses a spirit and aptitude for understanding and appreciating the free enterprise system that allows private philanthropy to exist.

Allowed Use of Award - Awards may be used for tuition, fees, books, and other expenses associated with higher education.

Nonprofit organizations serving children and families in Seneca County, New York can seek funding for health, mental health, welfare, and youth services programs. New Car Dealers of WNY Charitable Foundation supports child-focused initiatives across Western New York through restricted grants, with applications reviewed twice per year by its board of trustees.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(1) organizations providing PreK–12 arts education programming in Seneca County, New York can apply for grants of US $5,000 - US $10,000. Grants from Rochester Area Community Foundation help build capacity, support operations, and fund arts programming, support services, and professional development to expand equitable arts access.

The Michigan Botanical Foundation Grant supports research and educational initiatives that enhance the understanding and preservation of Michigan's flora. Grants are available for projects involving rare species, environmental awareness, and educational programs. The foundation welcomes applications from individuals and organizations that align with its goals. Grant amounts typically range from $100 to $1,500, with preference given to projects based in Michigan or the Great Lakes region. Funding decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.

The MRT Health Homes Supportive Housing Program, funded by the New York State Department of Health, allocates $86,876,000 over five years to support permanent rental subsidies and housing services for vulnerable homeless Medicaid members. This initiative aims to improve access to health services and stable housing through various permissible uses of funds, including rental subsidies, housing navigation services, and support for life skills development.

About National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF)

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

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

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

The Great Lakes Foundation Grant supports projects aimed at preserving wilderness areas and promoting marine safety in the Great Lakes region. As a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, the foundation has awarded over $318,212 since its inception in 1993. Grants have funded various initiatives, including breakwater construction and academic research, to enhance appreciation and safety of the marine environment for both members and the general public.

The Great Lakes Protection Fund Grant aims to support projects that deliver significant ecological improvements to the Great Lakes region. The Fund seeks transformative initiatives that involve collaboration among diverse stakeholders and rely on scientific rigor. Eligible applicants include non-profits, universities, and businesses, and the projects must demonstrate a positive environmental impact on the Great Lakes ecosystem. Importantly, the Fund does not support advocacy or compliance-related activities.

Animal welfare and wildlife nonprofits in Seneca County, New York can seek project funding for companion animal care and humane education, including adoption, spay/neuter, medical care, and wildlife education programs. Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust supports 501(c)(3) humane societies, rescue groups, spay/neuter clinics, wildlife centers, and related organizations within its designated Great Lakes region.

With a mission to fund shooting sports and safety education, the NRA Foundation provides Seneca County, New York nonprofits and public agencies with US $3,000 - US $5,000 for supplies, equipment, and program costs. Eligible 501(c) entities, government units, and state-recognized nonprofits serving youth, women, veterans, law enforcement, or the public may apply.