Grants for Individuals - Recreation

The Cultivator of Change program, sponsored by the Western New York Foundation, is designed to recognize and support individuals demonstrating exceptional leadership within the food system. This initiative aligns with the foundation's broader mission to strengthen communities by fostering local and regional food systems. The program directly supports the foundation's strategic priorities by investing in vital leaders who are critical to the well-being of the communities in Western New York. The program targets leaders who act as change agents among underserved populations, operate with empathy and compassion, seek community-driven solutions to pressing food system issues, and are willing to share their experiences and knowledge. The primary impact goal is to empower these leaders, enabling them to continue and expand their efforts in building stronger, more equitable food systems. The program focuses on individuals who prioritize equity and demonstrate the potential for realizing scale in their work, contributing to the foundation's theory of change by supporting bottom-up innovation and community resilience. Key priorities for this grant include identifying leaders who actively work to address food system challenges within Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, and Wyoming counties in New York. The program emphasizes leaders who are committed to equitable practices and show a strong ability to engage communities in developing sustainable food solutions. This focus ensures that the grants directly address critical needs within the specific geographic areas served by the Western New York Foundation. Selected food system leaders will receive a $2,500 grant to aid their ongoing work. The expected outcomes include enhanced capacity for individual leaders to continue their impactful work, increased innovation in community-driven food system solutions, and ultimately, stronger, more equitable local and regional food systems. Measurable results will include the selection of two leaders from each of the seven counties twice a year, demonstrating the consistent identification and support of these vital community assets.

The Art Project program, administered by the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council (ARAC), is a targeted funding mechanism that provides grants up to $5,000 to eligible organizations for meaningful arts activities. The program is specifically designed to foster artistic creation, performance, exhibition, and publication, as well as the presentation of arts events, often through collaborations with other entities or individuals. While a formal mission statement for ARAC is not detailed, the program's explicit focus on "relevant, meaningful arts activities with value to the community" clearly aligns with a foundational philanthropic goal of enriching the local culture and enhancing overall community well-being through supporting local artistic expression. The program's target beneficiaries include a specific set of organizations that are vital to the community's infrastructure: state-registered and federally recognized non-profit organizations, accredited schools, tribal governments, and units of government. Both individual artists and arts organizations are eligible to apply. Geographically, the beneficiaries must be primarily based in one of seven specific Minnesota counties—Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, or St. Louis County (outside Duluth)—or within the four Tribal Nations of Bois Forte, Fond du Lac, Grand Portage, or Leech Lake (within Itasca County). All Duluth organizations are eligible regardless of budget size, while organizations outside Duluth must have had prior year arts operating expenses of $40,000 or more; smaller groups are directed to a complementary program. The overarching impact goal is to support the arts landscape of this defined region by ensuring resources reach established organizations and communities. The strategic focus of the grant prioritizes activities that directly involve the creation, performance, exhibition, or publication of new artistic works. Funds are flexible and can cover essential supporting infrastructure, including art supplies, administrative and volunteer costs, and advertising, marketing, and promotional materials. To ensure the funds primarily support artistic output, purchases for equipment or technology are permitted only if they are integral to the artistic project and constitute less than 25 percent of the total request. This emphasis on direct artistic output and supporting necessary operational and promotional expenses ensures the grants have a tangible impact on the regional arts community. The expected outcomes and measurable results revolve around fostering a more vibrant cultural environment by increasing access to and participation in arts activities within the designated service area. Though not explicitly quantified, the ARAC's theory of change is inferred to be that by strategically funding projects which create new artistic works, present public arts events, and support the operational needs of qualifying arts organizations, they will successfully stimulate cultural engagement. The strategic distribution of resources is managed by key funding limitations, including the maximum grant of $5,000 and an overall cap of $25,000 per organization per fiscal year across all ARAC programs, which ensures broad distribution and support for a diverse range of projects and organizations. Furthermore, the requirement that projects must begin within six months helps ensure timely implementation and community benefit from the funded activities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for various conservation and resource management projects aimed at improving military training lands in Alaska, benefiting eligible organizations and individuals involved in environmental stewardship and recreational access.

Humanities Montana Research Fellowship supports projects with a central focus in the humanities, a clearly defined theme, and involvement of professional humanists. Projects must include a public program, publicity, and evaluation plans where appropriate. There is a 1:1 cost-share requirement and applications involving Native American communities or cultures must demonstrate their involvement or address why they are not involved. Humanities Montana cannot fund projects focusing on personal concerns, non-public meetings, construction or operating expenses of existing organizations, lobbying or direct social action, one-sided treatment of an issue, fundraising for profit-making groups, alcoholic beverages or entertainment costs, and candidates running for political office.

This grant provides funding for projects that promote historic preservation, community development, and the arts in Wheeling, West Virginia, supporting individuals, businesses, and organizations working to enhance the city's cultural and historical identity.

This grant provides funding for creative individuals to develop and deliver free cultural programming in underserved neighborhoods of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, fostering community engagement and access to the arts.

This funding opportunity supports projects that celebrate cultural diversity, strengthen community connections, and empower residents in the West Bank neighborhood of Minneapolis.

This grant provides financial support and mentorship to emerging artists in South Carolina to help them develop their artistic practice and advance their careers.

This fellowship provides support and resources for individuals in the U.S. working on innovative projects that promote youth digital agency and wellbeing in a technology-driven world.

This grant provides funding for community projects in Texas that promote bird conservation and habitat protection through educational initiatives and hands-on activities.

This funding initiative supports community organizations in Chicago that promote equitable access to health resources, focusing on projects that enhance physical activity, healthy eating, and mental wellness, particularly for historically marginalized communities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for artists and community organizers to create engaging public art installations and events that enhance downtown Grand Rapids during the winter festival.

This program provides financial assistance to residents, homeowners associations, and property owners in Holly Springs for planting and replacing street trees to improve the town's urban forestry and enhance neighborhood aesthetics.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and community entities in Peabody, Kansas, to support charitable projects that improve local health and enhance community well-being.

This program provides funding for residents to create physical improvement projects that enhance public spaces in their neighborhoods, such as community gardens and park upgrades, on publicly owned property.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations working to improve environmental resilience and sustainability in Armenia through initiatives that promote awareness, resource management, and community engagement.

This grant provides financial support to artists at various career stages who live, work, or exhibit in Laguna Beach, encouraging innovative projects that engage the community through in-person art experiences.

This fund provides financial assistance to help youth in Bartholomew County and nearby areas participate in sports and fitness programs, removing economic barriers to access.

This program provides funding to South Carolina organizations and local governments for projects that promote public understanding of the state's role in the American Revolution, including exhibits, educational initiatives, and historic tourism efforts.

This funding opportunity supports organizations in South Berkshire County that promote mental health, community well-being, and inclusive programming for diverse and underserved populations.