Park Foundation Grant Program

Park Foundation is a private foundation that provides grant funding across a range of program priorities, including Democracy, Civic Participation, Media, Environment, Animal Welfare, Sustainable Ithaca, Community Needs, and School Food and Nutrition. The Foundation encourages prospective applicants to review its program descriptions before developing a proposal and welcomes email contact with program staff to help determine whether a proposed project, program, or organization aligns with its funding priorities. Organizations that are new to the Foundation are encouraged to contact the Foundation before applying. Eligible applicants generally must be organizations recognized as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) or 509(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code unless they apply through a fiscal sponsor. Entities without their own qualifying nonprofit status, as well as smaller nonprofit organizations whose operating budgets may not support the requested grant amount, may need to use a fiscal sponsor. As a private foundation, Park Foundation states that it may not grant to an organization for a total amount exceeding two-thirds of that organization's annual budget. The supplied information does not establish a fixed minimum award, maximum award, total program funding amount, number of awards, or required matching contribution. Park Foundation reviews proposals and letters of inquiry on a quarterly basis. The published proposal deadlines for the 2025-26 schedule are January 7, 2026, April 2, 2026, July 8, 2026, and September 22, 2026. Letters of Inquiry are accepted at any time. A Letter of Inquiry is not required before submitting a full proposal and should not be submitted by organizations that have previously received Park Foundation grants. The Foundation particularly recommends the Letter of Inquiry process for documentary requests, organizations that are new to the Foundation, and applicants that are unsure whether their request fits the Foundation's guidelines. Once an organization submits a Letter of Inquiry, it should not submit a full proposal unless contacted by a Foundation staff member. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit electronically through Park Foundation's Blackbaud Applicant/Grantee Portal, identified as Your Cause. The available submission formats include a Full Proposal, Full Proposal with Fiscal Sponsor, Letter of Inquiry, and Letter of Inquiry with Fiscal Sponsor. Applicants unable to submit electronically because they do not have access to a computer may use the provided application documents and submit written correspondence to Park Foundation at 140 Seneca Way, Suite 100, Ithaca, NY 14850. Questions about electronic forms, the submission process, or other matters may be directed to info@parkfoundation.org or 607.272.9124. Park Foundation seeks to minimize unnecessary work for prospective grantees while obtaining the information necessary to determine whether an organization, project, or program has funding potential. Applicants should first review the applicable program interests and guidelines and may contact the program officer most closely associated with their area of work, preferably by email, to discuss alignment. Proposals are treated as confidential communications between applicants and the Foundation. Park Foundation reserves the right to seek input during its review from outside individuals, including other funders, partner organizations, and members of the impacted community. Information gathered through this process is treated as confidential by the Foundation, although it may be shared with the applicant when considered appropriate and helpful. The Board generally meets 10 to 12 weeks after proposal deadlines, and applicants should receive a decision within a few days after the relevant meeting. Declined applicants are notified by email. When the Board approves a grant, a Grant Agreement is sent to the organizational contact for review and signature. After the signed agreement is returned, grant funds are generally disbursed by check within a few weeks. Reporting has been simplified and generally emphasizes a financial report demonstrating that grant funds were expended as intended. Narrative reporting is flexible, and the Foundation may permit a verbal report to the program officer instead of a written narrative. When a report is required, the grantee receives an email with a link to the Your Cause portal. The source does not state a specific grant performance period or fixed award amount.

Review the program descriptions before developing a proposal and contact program staff to assess alignment with program priorities. Organizations new to Park Foundation are encouraged to contact the Foundation before applying. Consider an LOI for documentary requests, when new to the Foundation, or when unsure whether a request fits the guidelines. Organizations that previously received Park Foundation grants should not submit an LOI. After submitting an LOI, do not submit a full proposal unless contacted by Foundation staff.