North Country Immigrant Program Administrator Grant

The New York State Department of State Office for New Americans administers a competitive funding opportunity titled the North Country Immigrant Program Administrator grant. The Office for New Americans was established in 2012 as the first state level immigrant assistance office in the United States, with a mission to support the integration of immigrants and refugees across New York State. Through this initiative, the agency funds community based organizations to deliver services such as legal assistance, workforce development, English language learning, and mental health support. This specific funding opportunity builds upon prior pilot programs in the North Country region, an area that faces unique challenges due to limited service availability and geographic isolation near the Canadian border. The purpose of the grant is to fund one qualified nonprofit organization to host a North Country Immigrant Program Administrator who will coordinate services and provide direct support to immigrants and refugees in the region. The selected organization must establish a physical presence in one or more of the eligible counties, including Franklin, Clinton, Essex, Jefferson, Lewis, or St. Lawrence. The program is designed to expand service coordination, improve access to legal consultations, and create a centralized location where immigrants can receive confidential assistance, attend workshops, and connect with resources. The initiative also emphasizes cross border coordination given the proximity to Canada and the movement of individuals through ports of entry. Funding for the program is approximately 150000 dollars for the first year, with the possibility of two additional one year renewals at the same funding level, contingent on state budget appropriations and program performance. There is no matching requirement for applicants, and no preference is given to organizations that provide matching funds. Allowable costs include salaries for program staff, travel, supplies, equipment, outreach materials, and subcontracted services directly related to program delivery. Administrative costs are capped at ten percent of direct costs. The grant operates on a reimbursement basis, with the option for an advance payment of up to twenty five percent of the contract amount. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations located within New York State that are tax exempt under section 501c3 of the Internal Revenue Code and prequalified in the Statewide Financial System by the application deadline. The selected grantee will be required to hire a full time program administrator dedicated entirely to this initiative. Required activities include facilitating legal consultations with immigration attorneys, managing referrals to social and human services, conducting community outreach and workshops, assisting clients with identification applications, coordinating with the Office for New Americans hotline, and hosting quarterly stakeholder roundtables. The program must serve immigrants residing in New York, mixed status families, immigrant business owners, and individuals in transit along the Canadian border. The application process requires submission of administrative forms, a detailed project narrative, organizational capacity documentation, and a comprehensive budget. Applications may be submitted electronically or by mail, and must be complete to be considered. The evaluation process includes an initial eligibility screening followed by scoring based on project summary, organizational experience, program proposal, and budget. Applications are scored out of one hundred points, with a minimum passing score of sixty required for funding consideration. The award will be made to the highest scoring applicant. The timeline for this funding opportunity includes a release date of March 4, 2026, a questions deadline of March 13, 2026, and an application deadline of April 15, 2026 at 4 PM Eastern Time. Questions must be submitted via email, and responses are published publicly. Contracts are expected to begin following award notification and approval processes. The initial performance period is one year, with potential renewals. Applicants are advised to ensure compliance with all documentation requirements and to demonstrate strong community partnerships and experience serving immigrant populations in the North Country region.

Emphasize demonstrated experience serving immigrant populations in the North Country and strong partnerships with local service providers; clearly align budget with required activities and ensure compliance with all submission requirements