Funding 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 $10,000 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.

• Bring people together to accomplish what they would not be able to do individually. Support multi-sector partnerships that have strong community engagement, and leadership-driven partnerships that focus on equity and have a strong track record of working together will be prioritized.

 Important Deadlines

• Submissions will be accepted starting Wednesday, March 1, 2023, and ending on Friday, March 31, 2023, at 11:59 PM
•  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 in need of funding must begin no earlier than May and be completed within 12 months, with identifiable and measurable outcomes.
• Priority will be given to applications from groups, led by persons of color, that focus on racial equity and social justice issues and/or related, causal issues; and organizations engaged in efforts grounded in supporting and enhancing diverse communities.
  • Programs – support for new and innovative service delivery 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
• DEI and similar educational/awareness programs
• Expenses already incurred (projects in progress or already completed)

Please note that applications 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.

Our funding opportunities catalog is a new online directory of needs submitted to us by nonprofit organizations. We share these opportunities with our fundholders and other funding partners in hopes of their support. The catalog includes a brief summary about the organization and the project, program, or other need for which they are requesting support.

Requests should be for projects and programs with an immediate need for funding over the next 3-6 months of $2,500 or less, not including general support. Organizations can submit more than one request.

Click here to learn more about the catalog.

The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties will award grants of up to $10,000 to nonprofit organizations in Herkimer and Oneida counties supporting older adult services and programs that promote healthy lifestyles and access to community resources.   

Research shows older adults who participate in senior programs can learn to manage and delay the onset of chronic disease, and experience measurable improvements in physical, social, emotional, mental, and economic well-being. 

Nonprofit organizations serving the two counties can apply for up to $10,000 in funding for: 

• Programs – support for new and innovative service delivery programs, or the expansion of proven existing programs  
• Capital Projects – including but not limited to repairs, replacements, purchases, technology upgrades, and equipment/furnishing 

Examples of funding possibilities include but are not limited to programs and services addressing older adult health, wellness, recreation, socialization, and education.  

 
Important Deadlines: 

• Submissions will be accepted starting Monday, April 3, 2023, and ending on Friday, April 28, 2023, at 11:59 PM (EDT).  
• Award notifications will be made within 60 days of the submission deadline. All applicants will be notified regardless of whether they receive funding.  

Organization Eligibility: 

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

Ineligible Funding Requests: 

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

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 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.

A brief description of each focus area is listed below. For more information or to inquire about your project or program’s eligibility, please contact Olivia Paul, opaul@foundationhoc.org, 315-731-3736.

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).

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.

Important Deadlines

• Submissions will be accepted starting Thursday, June 1, 2023, through Friday, June 30, 2023, at 11:59 PM (EST)
• Award notifications will be made within 60 days of the submission date

Eligibility

• Programs or projects in need of funding must begin no earlier than August 2023 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)

This grant round will be geared toward first responders. Eligibility details will be shared as the application window approaches. Submissions will be accepted starting Monday, May 1, 2023, and ending on Friday, June 30, 2023, at 11:59 PM.

This grant round will be geared towards nonprofit organization serving Old Forge and the Adirondack region in Herkimer County. Eligibility details will be shared as the application window approaches. Submissions will be accepted starting Monday, July 3, 2023, and ending on Monday, July 31, 2023, at 11:59 PM.

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.

A brief description of each focus area is listed below. For more information or to inquire about your project or program’s eligibility, please contact Olivia Paul, opaul@foundationhoc.org, 315-731-3736.

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).

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.

Important Deadlines

• Submissions will be accepted starting Monday, October 2, 2023, through Thursday, October 31, 2023, at 11:59 PM (EST)
• Award notifications will be made within 60 days of the submission date

Eligibility

• Programs or projects in need of funding must begin no earlier than December 2023 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)

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 initial 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. 

How to Apply

• Organizations seeking funding must complete a brief online survey by 11 PM on Wednesday, October 31, 2023. Award recipients will be notified the first week in November to enhance their planning for holiday, year-end and weather-related use of funding and distribution of funded items. Participation in the survey does not guarantee a Helpful Harvest award.

Eligibility

• Eligible applicants for awards from the Helpful Harvest Fund include human service organizations, food pantries, soup kitchens, and/or shelters, serving Herkimer and Oneida counties, that are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations; groups fiscally sponsored by 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations; and government entities, educational organizations, public housing authorities, and faith-based organizations seeking support for non-religious projects/programs serving diverse constituencies without regard to religious affiliation.

This grant round will be geared towards nonprofit organizations serving Herkimer County. Eligibility details will be shared as the application window approaches. Submissions will be accepted starting Wednesday, November 1, 2023, and ending on Thursday, November 30, 2023, at 11:59 PM.