Best St. Lawrence County Grants for Nonprofits in New York

Nonprofit organizations working on marine safety, wilderness preservation, or cruising-related education in St. Lawrence County, New York can apply for Great Lakes Foundation support. Funding may assist projects such as environmental protection, research, publications, or seminars that enhance appreciation of the Great Lakes and encourage study and preservation of the freshwater marine environment.

Local not-for-profit organizations in St. Lawrence County, New York can apply for Cloudsplitter Foundation’s Rapid Response Grants to address special and urgent needs that cannot wait for the next regular cycle. Grants from Cloudsplitter Foundation provide up to US $5,000 for time-sensitive projects and expenses in any field of work.

Spectrum Digital Education Grants support nonprofit organizations in educating communities about broadband benefits and usage. These grants aim to bridge the digital divide, particularly for seniors and those with disabilities or ethnically diverse backgrounds. Applicants must demonstrate community partnership, address specific needs, and provide measurable impact metrics. With a focus on financial feasibility and meaningful outcomes, this initiative ensures that underrepresented urban and rural communities gain access to essential digital resources, fostering long-term improvement in their lives.

Nonprofits hosting health-related programs or events in St. Lawrence County, New York can seek sponsorship funding for activities like fundraisers, health fairs, and seminars that expand access to affordable, high-quality care. Excellus BlueCross BlueShield supports efforts addressing health disparities and social determinants of health across its 31-county New York service region.

Nonprofit and community-based programs in St. Lawrence County, New York working to reduce health disparities and address social determinants of health can apply for Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s Health Equity Innovation Awards. Funding supports innovative approaches, technology integration, organizational change, or partnerships that measurably improve community health outcomes within Excellus’s 31-county New York service area.

Adirondack Community Foundation

For three decades, Adirondack Community Foundation has been a steady hand, helping our region grow from within.

Our Mission: Connecting people, ideas, and resources to improve lives and expand opportunities throughout the Adirondack region.

Small Grants for Small Food Pantries

Small Grants for Small Food Pantries at Adirondack Community Foundation makes grants available to food pantries to help with infrastructure and long-term improvements that allow them to provide more fresh food options and better support volunteers. One-time grants of up to $1,500 per pantry may be used to upgrade equipment or technology, provide volunteer training, or improve signage and displays to help people choose better options.

Nonprofit and community organizations improving wellness and addressing health disparities in St. Lawrence County, New York can seek funding for initiatives targeting social determinants of health. Excellus BlueCross BlueShield supports programs across its 31-county region that improve health outcomes, with priority for projects focused on conditions and factors linked to adverse health results.

The Corning Nonprofit Grants program supports community-based initiatives in education, human services, and culture. Eligible nonprofits that align with our criteria may apply for funding on a rolling basis. The application window for invited organizations runs from February 10 to September 15. We emphasize local impact within a 20-mile radius of Corning, NY, ensuring that our contributions foster collective growth and engagement in the community.

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.

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.

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 Lake Placid Education Foundation Grant supports various educational initiatives in the Adirondack region of New York. With grants ranging from $500 to $50,000, it assists schools, libraries, and cultural organizations in enhancing educational opportunities. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) charities and governmental units. However, grants are not available for land acquisition or endowment purposes. This foundation encourages partnerships to foster innovative educational projects.

The Polisseni Foundation Grant aims to enhance the quality of life in upstate New York by supporting organizations that address community needs in education, human services, and civic improvement. To apply, organizations must submit their IRS 501(c)(3) Determination Letter and ensure their applications are formatted correctly. All submissions must be made two weeks before the scheduled board meeting for consideration.

New York State Office of Mental Health

The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) oversees a large multi-faceted mental health system serving nearly 800,000 individuals each year. This includes operating 23 psychiatric centers and overseeing the Nathan S. Kline Institute and New York Psychiatric Institute. OMH regulates and certifies more than 6,500 programs operated by local governments and nonprofit agencies.

Mission

Our mission is to promote the mental health of all New Yorkers, with a particular focus on providing hope and recovery for adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances.

Community Based Diversion Programs

The Office of Mental Health announces funds for the development or enhancement of diversion programs. Programs should be rooted in evidence-based programming or emerging promising practice.

The goal of diversion programs is to reduce the risk of criminal justice involvement for adults with behavioral health needs.

Applicants must already be administering services in the following counties:

• Cayuga
• Essex
• Franklin
• Montgomery
• Madison
• Oneida
• St. Lawrence
• Warren/Washington

Target Population

The target population to be served by the proposed diversion program model is individuals at least 18 years of age with complex and/or chronic behavioral health issues and who are involved with the criminal justice system at one or more intercepts on the Sequential Intercept Model. 

Nonprofit and community-based organizations providing homelessness services and supportive housing in St. Lawrence County, New York can access funding through the New York State Department of Health to offer permanent rental subsidies and housing tenancy services. Grants support HUD-aligned rental assistance, move-in costs, and non-medical supports that help vulnerable homeless Medicaid members secure and maintain stable housing.

Focused on community programs and projects, Northern New York Community Foundation invites St. Lawrence County, New York nonprofits to seek support through its Grants for Good application. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations serving residents of Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties may apply once per year for CAR-FRESHNER Corporation Charitable Fund support.

The Rock Charitable Fund Grant, managed by the Northern New York Community Foundation, provides up to $125,000 to support the maintenance and preservation of historically significant churches and cemeteries. It aims to assist Veterans in St. Lawrence County with their medical and recreational needs. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties, emphasizing community development and service.

The Dr. D. Susan Badenhausen Legacy Fund Grant, established in 2019 in memory of Dr. Badenhausen, aims to support charitable organizations in St. Lawrence County. With a focus on health, arts, education, conservation, and wildlife preservation, the fund reflects her lifelong commitment to community service. Grants will be awarded annually to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations that align with Dr. Badenhausen's values, ensuring her legacy continues to benefit the region she cherished.

The Daniel J. Briggs Fund for Integrity Grant Program, managed by the Northern New York Community Foundation, offers grants up to $2,500 to support nonprofit programs enhancing community life in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties. Focused on bullying prevention and character education, the fund also promotes professional development for educators and staff in local school districts, ensuring a positive impact on the region's youth.

The Youth Philanthropy Council Grant Program, established by the Northern New York Community Foundation, empowers youth by engaging them in philanthropy and community development. With a funding capability of up to $25,000, it supports projects that enhance community life across Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence Counties. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations or those partnering with such sponsors. This initiative fosters critical thinking and real-world skills among student delegates from various high schools.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations offering workforce development, job training, or career education programs in St. Lawrence County, New York may be eligible for program-focused funding. Focused on building the workforce of the future, Citizens Charitable Foundation invites qualifying nonprofits in its Upstate NY service area to apply, following completion of an online eligibility quiz.

St. Lawrence County, New York 501(c)(3) nonprofits offering financial literacy and empowerment programs can access funding through Citizens Charitable Foundation to support programmatic work with low- to moderate-income individuals and small businesses. Eligible organizations must be established charities, serve diverse underserved communities, and be open to collaboration and volunteer engagement from Citizens colleagues.

Northern New York Community Foundation

Since 1929, the Northern New York Community Foundation has invested in improving and enriching the quality of life for all in communities across Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties.

Through partnerships with businesses and organizations, charitable foundations, and generous families and individual donors, the Community Foundation awards grants and scholarships from an endowment and collection of funds that benefit the region. Its commitment to donors helps individuals achieve their charitable objectives now and for generations to come by preserving and honoring legacies of community philanthropy while inspiring others.

Community Fund Grant Program

This application serves several place-based Community Funds, including the Clifton-Fine Community Fund, George R. Davis Fund for Lowville, the Six Town Community Fund (Southern Jefferson County), and projects in Antwerp, Cape Vincent, the City of Watertown, Clayton, and Gouverneur.

The NRA Foundation provides funding through its State Fund Grant Program to support local groups focused on shooting sports, education, and community outreach. Grants aim to benefit youth, women, veterans, and law enforcement, requiring applicants to have a valid EIN and meet specific eligibility criteria. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded over 60,000 grants totaling more than $473 million, ensuring that funds are used for charitable purposes as defined by the IRS.

The Great Lakes Fisheries Trust offers grants for ecological and biological research aimed at enhancing ecosystem health and sustainable fish populations. These grants support competitive fisheries research, focusing on resilience, sustainability, and stakeholder value. The next funding cycle will open with a request for proposals in late 2026 for the 2027 program year, promoting innovative research and capacity-building efforts within the fisheries sector.

The Kinney Drugs Foundation Grant supports local health facilities and programs, focusing on enhancing community health. Committed to their mission of helping people live healthier lives, the foundation funds various initiatives that benefit their customer base, including nonprofits exempt under IRS 501(c)(3). Organizations seeking support must submit their requests at least one month before the board meeting closest to their event. This grant is an opportunity to enhance health services within the community.

The Adirondack Foreign Language Enhancement Fund Grant aims to inspire and elevate the status of French and Spanish teachers in K-12 schools within the Adirondack Park, New York. It provides competitive grants to enhance foreign language instruction through innovative projects, cultural immersion trips, and collaboration among educators. Priority is given to initiatives that exceed school budgets and focus on advancing teaching technologies and career development for language teachers.