Social Service League Grant

The Social Service League of Ithaca offers annual funding to support not-for-profit, incorporated human or social service providers operating in Tompkins County, New York. The League’s mission centers on helping organizations address the county’s most pressing community needs, prioritizing impactful programs with demonstrable sustainability beyond the funding period. Funding decisions are made in consideration of an applicant’s financial structure, prior funding history, and their ability to independently sustain the proposed initiative. Grants may be awarded to a wide range of initiatives as long as the applicant demonstrates that the project addresses significant local needs and does not rely on recurring funding from the League. The League specifically prohibits funding for capital campaigns, deficit coverage, proposals requiring ongoing League support, and grants to individuals. Operating expenses may only be supported when accompanied by a credible plan showing how the activity will be maintained after the League’s funds are depleted. Each applicant may submit only one proposal per cycle. Exceptions are made for distinct entities sharing a fiscal sponsor, provided the projects are independent of one another. Applications must include a project narrative (maximum 1200 words), a detailed project budget, a current organizational budget, a balance sheet, and a list of the current Board of Directors. Optional documents include annual reports, additional program details, and letters of support. Applications must be submitted through the League’s online form or via email, with all documents received by the deadline to be considered. For the 2025–2026 cycle, the application deadline is Monday, November 17, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Technical support and the facilitation of the grant process are provided by the Human Services Coalition of Tompkins County. Applicants may reach out to John Mazzello at the Coalition via email or phone for assistance. The League typically awards up to $3,000 per grant. While the maximum request is capped, past funding cycles show that average awards range from $1,000 to $1,500. Approximately $16,000 was awarded in the 2024–2025 cycle to 13 organizations, including groups focused on food security, senior services, mediation training, education, and healthcare. Awards may support one-time events and initiatives that existing organizational budgets cannot cover. Applications are reviewed annually. Recipients of past funding must submit a final project report to be considered for a new award. Although the League does not offer ongoing funding, it continues to be a vital resource in the Tompkins County nonprofit ecosystem by seeding innovative, community-focused projects with limited access to other funding sources.

Submit early and prepare responses offline to avoid losing progress in the online form. Demonstrate how activities will be sustained post-grant.