Funding Opportunities

The Community Foundation welcomes inquiries for funding and other support from eligible organizations serving Herkimer and/or Oneida counties.

We encourage our partners to submit innovative projects or programs that demonstrate:

• Community support
• Collaboration with other nonprofits
• Multiple funding sources
• Constituent involvement
• Identifiable outcomes
• Equity focus

Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), 501(c)(5), and 501(c)(6) nonprofit organizations, groups fiscally sponsored by 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, government entities, educational organizations, public housing authorities, and faith-based organizations seeking support for projects/programs that address non-religious needs or issues, serving diverse constituencies without regard to religious affiliation.

The Community Foundation is administering funding from the Mohawk Valley COVID-19 Response fund in partnership with United Way of the Mohawk Valley. Eligible nonprofit organizations serving Herkimer and/or Oneida counties are asked to provide information in this application to help ensure funding decisions address high-priority community needs arising from the pandemic.

Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), 501(c)(5), and 501(c)(6) nonprofit organizations, groups fiscally sponsored by 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, government entities, educational organizations, public housing authorities, and faith-based organizations seeking support for projects/programs that address non-religious needs or issues, serving diverse constituencies regardless of religious affiliation. The Community Foundation generally does not fund the following:

• Religious purposes
• Financial assistance, scholarships, or loans to individuals
• Ongoing operating support

The Hero Fund America Fund provides grants that support the education, training, life-saving equipment, and mental health needs of first responders. The fund was created in 2016 through a partnership between Hero Fund America, Inc. and the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties.

• Grants can only be made to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
• Funding requests may not exceed $1,000 per year

Emergencies can’t be anticipated, and nonprofits may not always have resources immediately available to respond when an unexpected hardship arises. Requests for emergency support are promptly considered to determine how the Community Foundation can best assist during this difficult time.

To help our donor-advised fundholders identify projects they may be interested in supporting, the Community Foundation sends a quarterly newsletter to fundholders that includes investment opportunities. Nonprofit organizations are invited to submit potential investment opportunities that will be considered for inclusion. All submissions will be reviewed by Community Foundation staff to determine which are best suited to our fundholders’ charitable interests.

The Casimir S. Butnoris Fund supports projects for environmental concerns in Oneida and Herkimer counties, including but not limited to the preservation of wetlands, marshes, and woodlands and for programs related to education, appreciation, or the understanding of environmental issues.