Grant Opportunities

The Equity Grant Round is part of a long-term strategy focusing on the fundamental causes of systemic racism and socioeconomic inequity that impact historically marginalized populations in Herkimer and Oneida counties. Nonprofit organizations serving the two counties can apply for up to $15,000 in funding for projects and programs that seek to:

• Effect policy and systems changes that address the origins of inequality and inequity; including, but not limited to, education, economic stability, housing, healthcare, food insecurity grounded in supporting and enhancing diverse communities

 Important Deadlines

• Submissions will be accepted Monday, April 1 - Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. (EST)
• Award notifications will be made within 60 days of the submission deadline. All applicants will be notified regardless of whether they receive funding.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization, an organization with a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor, or a faith-based organization seeking support for projects/programs that address non-religious needs or issues, serving diverse constituencies without regard to religious affiliation.
• Programs or projects seeking funding must begin no earlier than May and be completed within 12 months, with identifiable and measurable outcomes.

Priority will be given to organizations:

• Led by persons of color
• That have strong community engagement and leadership-driven partnerships that focus on equity and have a strong track record of working together with others

The Community Foundation’s Equity Grant Round supports the following types of projects that promote community impact, capacity building and diversity:

Programs – support for new and innovative programs, or the expansion of proven existing programs

Organizational Development – capacity building efforts around strategic planning, board development and succession planning 

Capital Projects – including but not limited to repairs and replacements, technology upgrades and equipment/furnishing purchases

Ineligible Funding Requests

• Financial assistance, scholarships, or loans to individuals
• Funding for religious or faith-based specific programming
• Organizational payroll and operational needs
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and similar educational/awareness programs
• Back to school programming requests including but not limited to school supplies
• Expenses already incurred (projects in progress or already completed)

Please note requests submitted through this grant round will be shared with Community Foundation fundholders as potential funding opportunities that they may choose to support.

There is no guarantee of funding for applications received.

For more information or to inquire about your project or program’s eligibility, please contact Olivia Paul, opaul@foundationhoc.org,315-731-3736.

The Community Foundation is seeking applications from libraries in Herkimer and Oneida counties for program-related expenses, physical structure updates, or technology upgrades that enhance the services they provide to patrons. Preference will be given to requests for programmatic initiatives.

Important Deadlines

• Submissions will be accepted starting Wednesday, May 1, 2024, through Friday, May 31, 2024, at 11:59 PM (EST)
• Award notifications will be made within 60 days of the submission deadline 

Eligibility

• Applicants can request a maximum of $2,500 in Community Foundation funding
• Programs or projects in need of funding must begin no earlier than June 2024 and have identifiable and measurable outcomes with a definitive timeline for completion or outcomes to be achieved
• Only one submission per organization will be considered for each funding round
• Applicants must be a library located in Herkimer or Oneida counties that are a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization, an organization with a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor, or affiliated with a governmental institution

Please note requests submitted through this grant round may be shared with Community Foundation fundholders as potential funding opportunities they may choose to support. There is no guarantee of funding.

For more information or to inquire about your project or program’s eligibility, please contact Olivia Paul, opaul@foundationhoc.org, 315-731-3736.

The Community Foundation is seeking applications from nonprofit partners for outcomes-driven programs or projects which focus on Education, Health, and/or Sciences and benefit residents of any age in Herkimer and/or Oneida counties.

Each focus area is defined by the following characteristics: 

Education – Projects, programs, or activities that aim to transmit knowledge, strengthen skills, and/or teach a particular topic or trade.
 
Health – Projects, programs, or activities that aim to nurture and improve physical, mental, and/or social well-being.
 
Sciences – Projects, programs, or activities that study/enhance scientific objectives (e.g., physical sciences, life sciences, social sciences). 

Important Deadlines

• Submissions will be accepted starting June 1, 2024, through June 30, 2024, at 11:59 PM (EST)
• Award notifications will be made within 60 days of the submission deadline

Eligibility

• Funding requests of $2,500 - $30,000 will be considered
• Programs or projects in need of funding must begin no earlier than August 2024 and have identifiable and measurable outcomes with a definitive timeline for completion or outcomes to be achieved
• Only one submission per organization will be considered for each funding round
• Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization, an organization with a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor, governmental institutions, educational institutions, or faith-based organizations seeking support for projects/programs that address non-religious needs or issues, serving diverse constituencies without regard to religious affiliation

Ineligible Funding Requests

• Financial assistance or loans to individuals
• Funding for religious or faith-based specific programming
• Organizational payroll and operational needs
• Expenses already incurred (projects in process/already completed)

Please note requests submitted through this grant round will be shared with Community Foundation fundholders as potential funding opportunities that they may choose to support. There is no guarantee of funding.

The First Responders Grant Round will award up to $2,000 to organizations in New York and other states to help meet the education, training, lifesaving equipment and mental health needs of fire, emergency medical services (EMS), and law enforcement agencies.

 Important Deadlines

• Submissions will be accepted starting Saturday, June 1, 2024, through Sunday, June 30, 2024, at 11:59 PM.

Eligibility

• Program or project will directly support the education, training, lifesaving equipment and mental health needs of first responders
• All grant funds will be used for direct program expenses
• Recipient must be an eligible 501(c)(3) or government entity

This grant round is made possible by the Hero Fund America Fund. To learn more about the fund, visit foundationhoc.org/hero.

The Adirondack League Club Grant Round for Old Forge supports nonprofit organizations that have programs and projects that directly serve Old Forge, the Town of Webb, and/or the Adirondack Region. This grant round is open to nonprofit organizations by invitation only. Eligibility details will be shared as the grant round approaches. 

To help nonprofits meeting increased Herkimer and Oneida county resident need stemming from economic difficulty and food insecurity, the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties has established the Helpful Harvest Fund. To ensure the greatest possible impact for the fund’s awards, the Community Foundation seeks information from human service organizations including, but not limited to, food pantries, soup kitchens, and/or shelters. Our goal is to support those groups in greatest need and/or those serving the greatest number of residents during November and December. Eligibility details will be shared as the grant round approaches. 

The Community Foundation is seeking applications from nonprofit partners for outcomes-driven programs or projects which focus on Education, Health, and/or Sciences and benefit residents of any age in Herkimer and/or Oneida counties.

Each focus area is defined by the following characteristics: 

Education – Projects, programs, or activities that aim to transmit knowledge, strengthen skills, and/or teach a particular topic or trade.
 
Health – Projects, programs, or activities that aim to nurture and improve physical, mental, and/or social well-being.
 
Sciences – Projects, programs, or activities that study/enhance scientific objectives (e.g., physical sciences, life sciences, social sciences). 

Important Deadlines

• Submissions will be accepted starting October 1, 2024, through October 31, 2024, at 11:59 PM (EST)
• Award notifications will be made within 60 days of the submission deadline

Eligibility

• Funding requests of $2,500 - $30,000 will be considered
• Programs or projects in need of funding must begin no earlier than December 2024 and have identifiable and measurable outcomes with a definitive timeline for completion or outcomes to be achieved
• Only one submission per organization will be considered for each funding round
• Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization, an organization with a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor, governmental institutions, educational institutions, or faith-based organizations seeking support for projects/programs that address non-religious needs or issues, serving diverse constituencies without regard to religious affiliation

Ineligible Funding Requests

• Financial assistance or loans to individuals
• Funding for religious or faith-based specific programming
• Organizational payroll and operational needs
• Expenses already incurred (projects in process/already completed)

Please note requests submitted through this grant round will be shared with Community Foundation fundholders as potential funding opportunities that they may choose to support. There is no guarantee of funding.