New York grants for Nonprofits

The Food for Thought Grant Program, sponsored by the Western New York Foundation, aims to support educational and artistic projects that foster awareness, build knowledge, and cultivate conscious advocates for local and regional food systems. This aligns with the foundation's broader mission to engage artists, educators, community members, and food system stakeholders in creative expression and collaboration to spark social change. The program's core objective is to bring these diverse groups together to highlight the importance of just and sustainable food systems. The program primarily targets organizations interested in submitting projects that use arts and/or education to uplift opportunities or inform on issues related to the food system. The ultimate beneficiaries are the communities within Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, and Wyoming counties in New York, as the program seeks to widen community participation, promote collaboration and dialogue, and engage and empower these communities at large. The impact goals include raising awareness, inspiring action, and creating a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable food system. The program prioritizes projects designed to foster community participation and dialogue, encouraging creative approaches to food system education. It also focuses on the facilitation and exchange of learnings, insights, and expertise related to the food system to inform the public. Learning agendas are specifically encouraged to share practical knowledge, raise awareness, and inspire action towards building better food systems. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) entities or those with a fiscal sponsor or acting as a pass-through. Expected outcomes include an increase in community engagement with food system issues, enhanced collaboration among various stakeholders, and a more informed public regarding sustainable and equitable food practices. Measurable results could involve the number of projects implemented, the reach of educational and artistic initiatives, and documented shifts in community knowledge and advocacy. The Western New York Foundation’s strategic priorities, as evidenced by this program, lean towards fostering community-led initiatives that utilize innovative methods like arts and education to address critical social and environmental issues, particularly within the context of local food systems. Their theory of change appears to be rooted in the belief that by empowering local communities and fostering creative dialogue, significant social and systemic changes can be achieved.

The NYSCA/GHHN Conservation Treatment Grant is a collaborative initiative between the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) and the Greater Hudson Heritage Network (GHHN). This program offers financial assistance for treatment procedures aimed at stabilizing and preserving objects held in the collections of museums, historical, and cultural organizations across New York State. The grant's mission is aligned with supporting the arts and cultural heritage by safeguarding significant artifacts and ensuring their longevity for public access and historical record. Additional funding from the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation specifically supports projects from Long Island and New York City, further extending the reach and impact of this conservation effort. The grant targets nonprofit organizations, including museums, historical organizations, and other cultural institutions that are incorporated in or registered to do business in New York State and own, care for, and exhibit collections to the public. This includes institutions of all sizes, with encouragement for those with smaller budgets to apply. The impact goal is to aid in the stabilization and preservation of cultural objects, thereby contributing to a more inclusive narrative of New York State's history and diverse cultural expression. The program explicitly prioritizes objects involving historically marginalized and underrepresented communities, such as African American/Caribbean, Latino/Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, Native American/Indigenous, LGBTQIA, and people with disabilities, to tell a more inclusive story of the state. The funding priorities of the NYSCA/GHHN Conservation Treatment Grant embrace a wide spectrum of cultural expression and artistic pluralism. Organizations are encouraged to demonstrate a holistic commitment to DEIA (diversity, equity, inclusion, and access). The program believes that the objects chosen for conservation reflect what an organization values, therefore, objects and stories that contribute to a more inclusive narrative of New York State are highly valued. This focus aims to ensure that a broader range of cultural heritage is preserved and made accessible to the public, fostering a richer understanding of the state's diverse past. Expected outcomes include the successful conservation of various 3D objects, such as paintings, works on paper, textiles, furniture, frames, sculpture, historical, ethnographic, and decorative objects. Measurable results will be seen in the number of objects treated, the types of communities represented by the conserved objects, and the adherence to professional conservation standards. The grant also supports related costs such as in-state transportation, insurance for treated works, and treatment costs for integral supports, stands, and mounts. For outdoor sculptures, a description of an existing or planned maintenance program is required, indicating a commitment to long-term preservation. The grant operates under the strategic priority of promoting cultural preservation through professional conservation practices, while also advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and access within the cultural heritage sector. The theory of change is that by providing financial support for the conservation of diverse cultural objects, the program will empower New York State's cultural organizations to tell more inclusive narratives, preserve valuable historical artifacts, and make these collections accessible to a wider public. This will ultimately enrich the understanding of New York's cultural landscape and foster greater engagement with its varied histories.

The Manhattan Composting Award, offered by the Manhattan Borough, aims to combat climate change by reducing organic waste in the waste stream through supporting composting programs. This initiative aligns with a broader mission to address environmental challenges at the local level by fostering sustainable practices within the community. The grant specifically focuses on promoting composting as an accessible and effective method for waste reduction, thereby contributing to a healthier environment and mitigating the effects of climate change within Manhattan. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are youth, seniors, intergenerational populations, and the broader Manhattan community. The grant seeks to impact these groups by increasing their engagement in composting activities and enhancing their understanding of its importance. The goal is to empower residents with the knowledge and resources to participate in organic waste diversion, leading to a measurable reduction in the volume of organic materials sent to landfills. Project priorities for the Manhattan Composting Award include the establishment and expansion of composting and composting education programs tailored for youth and seniors, as well as initiatives that foster intergenerational participation. Community engagement efforts that highlight the benefits of composting and the diverse options available throughout Manhattan are also a key focus. These priorities underscore a comprehensive approach to integrating composting into the daily lives of residents across different age groups and demographics. The expected outcomes of this grant include a significant increase in the number of composting programs implemented and the level of community participation in these programs. Measurable results will likely involve tracking the volume of organic waste diverted from landfills, the number of individuals educated through composting programs, and the establishment of new composting infrastructure. While a specific theory of change or explicit strategic priorities of the "foundation" (in this case, the Manhattan Borough) are not detailed, the program implicitly operates on the theory that increased community participation and education in composting will directly lead to reduced waste, a cleaner environment, and a more sustainable urban ecosystem. The focus on education and community engagement suggests a belief that empowering residents with knowledge and practical skills is the most effective way to achieve long-term environmental benefits.

The FreshConnect CSA for SNAP Program 2025, managed by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, is designed to increase access to fresh, locally grown foods for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants. The program achieves this by subsidizing the cost of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares, connecting SNAP recipients directly with New York State farmers and supporting local food systems. Through this grant opportunity, eligible organizations can apply for funds to partially subsidize the purchase of CSA shares by SNAP recipients. The program promotes both traditional and modern CSA models, including food box programs, and requires that supported CSA shares be comprised of SNAP-eligible food products from New York State producers. The overarching objectives include expanding access to fresh food, supporting New York’s agricultural producers, and fostering relationships between SNAP participants and local food providers. A total of $250,000 is available under this funding round, with awards ranging between $25,000 and $50,000. Funds will be awarded on a rolling basis until they are fully allocated or the final submission deadline is reached. Contracts will be issued following full application review and execution, with awards reimbursed post-expenditure. An advance of up to 25% may be requested, and 10% of the total grant amount will be withheld until submission and acceptance of the final report. Applicants must be not-for-profit organizations, Indian tribal organizations, public educational institutions, or local or municipal governments. Community-led groups may apply with an eligible fiscal sponsor. All applicants must be registered and prequalified through the Statewide Financial System (SFS) before applying. For-profit entities and individuals are not eligible to apply. Eligible expenses include direct subsidies to CSA producers (up to 50% of share costs for SNAP buyers), along with administrative costs not exceeding 30% of the total award. Allowable uses include transportation of food, lease or rent of vehicles, relevant equipment and supplies under $5,000, and staff salaries directly tied to project activities. Costs such as construction, indirect costs, general-purpose equipment over $5,000, and items already supported by other federal or state funds are not eligible. Applications must be submitted online via the SFS Grants Management System by 3:00 p.m. on July 22, 2025. Questions about the program must be submitted by July 8, 2025, and answers will be posted weekly on the Department's website starting March 27, 2025. The grant term will run from February 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026. For more information or to submit questions, applicants may contact Alison Nickford at the Department of Agriculture and Markets via email at farmersmarkets@agriculture.ny.gov or by fax at (518) 457-8398.

This funding opportunity provides city departments in Rochester with financial support to create inclusive wellness programs that promote employee health and well-being.

This funding opportunity provides capital to New York State hospitals and nonprofit organizations to expand and improve inpatient psychiatric services, particularly for individuals with acute mental health needs, including those with dual diagnoses.

This grant provides funding to cultural organizations in New York City to create promotional materials and events that attract tourists to local cultural institutions and activities.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Syracuse to develop affordable housing and support community programs for residents.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to not-for-profit and tribal organizations in New York State to deliver consumer assistance services that help individuals and small businesses access health insurance through the NY State of Health marketplace, particularly focusing on underserved communities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for predoctoral and postdoctoral researchers in New York State to conduct innovative research aimed at developing treatments or cures for spinal cord injuries.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to not-for-profit organizations to deliver intensive, community-based crisis intervention services for children and youth with co-occurring mental health disorders and intellectual or developmental disabilities, aiming to prevent unnecessary psychiatric hospitalizations.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to community-based organizations in New York that are already funded by OASAS, enabling them to assess and address gambling-related harms through tailored prevention strategies.

This grant provides funding to nonprofits, schools, and civic organizations in Columbia County, New York, to develop programs that help young people transition from education to the workforce through internships, skill-building, and entrepreneurial opportunities.

This grant provides funding to organizations and local governments to develop solar and energy storage projects that benefit low-to-moderate income households and affordable housing providers in New York.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to a nonprofit organization in New York's North Country to coordinate and enhance services for immigrants and refugees, addressing their unique needs and challenges in the region.

This funding opportunity provides support for nonprofit organizations to create supportive housing programs for young adults aged 18 to 25 with serious mental illness, helping them transition from institutional settings, foster care, or homelessness into stable living environments while accessing essential services and resources.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for community health projects in Monroe County that address local health needs and social determinants of health.

This funding initiative provides a $2-to-$1 match for new fundraising efforts by Staten Island-based nonprofits that have previously received significant support from the Foundation, encouraging innovative strategies to enhance their financial capacity and community engagement.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations serving Wyoming County, New York, to address critical health needs through initiatives focused on access to care, chronic disease management, food security, mental health, and more.

This funding provides financial support to organizations in select states to expand early childhood education and care services for low-income infants and toddlers, ensuring they receive essential developmental, educational, and health services.