Grant Opportunities
The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties views its funding awards to nonprofit partners as “community investments” that will create long-lasting positive impact. To learn more about our available community grants or to apply for community project funding, we encourage you to contact us today!
Submit a Funding Opportunity!
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.
Arts Grant Round
The Arts Grant Round supports nonprofit organizations serving Herkimer and Oneida Counties that have projects and programs with a focus on literary, performing, and visual arts including, but not limited to, music, dance, theatre, arts and crafts, painting, and writing.
Nonprofit organizations serving the two counties can apply for up to $10,000 in funding.
Important Deadlines
- Submissions will be accepted Saturday, February 1, 2025 - Friday, February 28, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
- Award notifications will be made in March.
Eligibility
- 501(c)(3) organizations or those fiscally sponsored by 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or government entities
- Requested funding must serve Herkimer and/or Oneida county residents
- Preference will be given to programmatic initiatives
- Only one request will be accepted per organization
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)
- Capital projects
Please note that applications submitted through this grant round may 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.
Equity Grant Round
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 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.
Details on the amount of funding nonprofits can apply for will be shared as the grant round approaches.
Important Deadlines
- Submissions will be accepted Tuesday, April 1, 2025 - Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
- Award notifications will be made in May.
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 may 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.
First Responders Grant Round
The First Responders Grant Round supports 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.
Details on the amount of funding nonprofits can apply for will be shared as the grant round approaches.
Important Deadlines
- Submissions will be accepted Sunday, June 1, 2025 - Monday, June 30, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
- Award notifications will be made in July.
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.
Adirondack League Club Grant Round for Old Forge
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.
Important Deadlines
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Submissions will be accepted Tuesday, July 1, 2025 - Thursday, July 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
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Offer the greatest opportunity for positive and significant change in the community
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Address and provide creative solutions for longstanding or emerging community issues
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Result in outcomes that will make a difference
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Leverage investment of other community resources
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Improve the quality or scope of charitable works in the community
Please contact Development & Fundholder Engagement Strategist Ely Arnone-Earl, earnone-earl@foundationhoc.org, with questions about eligibility.
Helpful Harvest Grant Round
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 applications 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.
Details on the amount of funding nonprofits can apply for will be shared as the grant round approaches.
Important Deadlines
- Submissions will be accepted Monday, September 1, 2025 - Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
- Award notifications will be made in October.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be a501(c)(3) nonprofit human service organizations, food pantries, soup kitchens, and/or shelters serving Herkimer and Oneida counties
- Groups fiscally sponsored by 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
- 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
Please note that applications submitted through this grant round may 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.