New York Food and Nutrition Grants

This funding opportunity is designed to support a nonprofit organization that will provide training and technical assistance to schools and communities in New York State, helping them implement effective strategies for improving nutrition and physical activity to prevent chronic diseases.

The Seeds of Sustainability Grant Program, offered by the Western New York Foundation, aims to bolster nonprofit organizations working within the food system. This program aligns with the foundation's mission by supporting efforts to improve organizational capacity and drive transformative work. Through this initiative, the foundation seeks to empower nonprofits to achieve their objectives and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient food system in the region. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are small to mid-size nonprofit organizations with budgets between $100,000 and $6,000,000, operating within Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, and Wyoming counties in New York. The program's impact goals center on enhancing the operational effectiveness and sustainable growth of these organizations. It seeks to equip them with the necessary skills, knowledge, and resources to amplify their impact on local and regional food systems. The program prioritizes several key areas to achieve its objectives. These include supporting strategic leadership development, fostering collaboration among community stakeholders, strengthening communication efforts to raise awareness and attract resources, expanding resources to stabilize financials, promoting programming excellence, and enhancing overall operational effectiveness. These focuses are designed to address the multifaceted needs of nonprofits and build a robust foundation for long-term success. Expected outcomes and measurable results include improved board and staff leadership, stronger community engagement and expanded services through collaborative efforts, increased awareness and resource attraction due to enhanced communications, greater financial stability and long-term sustainability, more effective program delivery and evaluation, and improved day-to-day operational productivity in areas such as administration, grant management, finance, human resources, technology, and facility management. The foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change are evident in its commitment to capacity building, believing that by strengthening the internal capabilities of nonprofits, they can more effectively drive transformative change in the food system. To be eligible, applicants must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, demonstrate a commitment to transformative change in the food system, and have three years of 990 filings. The program's detailed approach, from leadership support to operational enhancements, reflects the Western New York Foundation's comprehensive strategy for fostering sustainable growth and impactful work within the vital food sector of the region.

This funding opportunity supports local artists in Fulton, Montgomery, and Saratoga Counties to create new public art projects that engage and involve their communities.

This program provides funding to multifamily building owners and property managers in New York to implement low carbon technologies and improve energy efficiency in their buildings.

This fellowship provides unrestricted financial support to artists living in the Southern Finger Lakes region, allowing them to focus on their creative work without project constraints.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is soliciting proposals for the Northeast Forests and Rivers Fund (NEFRF), a program dedicated to restoring and sustaining healthy rivers, forests, and grasslands to provide habitat for diverse fish and wildlife populations. This initiative aligns with NFWF's broader mission to protect and restore native wildlife species and their habitats, leveraging public and private funding to achieve significant conservation outcomes. The NEFRF, formerly known as the New England Forests and Rivers Fund, represents a strategic investment in the ecological health of the Northeast region, fostering biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. The program's target beneficiaries include various fish and wildlife populations such as river herring, Atlantic salmon, brook trout, wood turtles, golden-winged warblers, New England cottontails, and bobolinks. Beyond wildlife, the program also aims to benefit agricultural producers, particularly those in Historically Underserved and Special Emphasis categories, by helping them design and implement conservation practices. The impact goals are centered on improving habitat quality and connectivity, enhancing forest conditions, and promoting hayfield management conducive to successful grassland bird breeding. NEFRF's priorities and focuses are outlined in NFWF’s Northeast Watersheds Business Plan (March 2023), specifically targeting strategies for Stream and Riparian Habitat, and Upland Forests and Grasslands. Key implementation strategies for 2024 include restoring stream and riparian habitats, improving forest management for age and structural diversity, and promoting hayfield management. A significant portion of funding, approximately $625,000, is set aside for projects that assist agricultural producers in adopting conservation practices beneficial to target species like northeast turtles and golden-winged warblers, while also increasing Farm Bill program participation. Additionally, the program encourages projects that involve community outreach, engagement, collaborative management, and the incorporation of traditional knowledge and community input. Expected outcomes and measurable results include improved habitat for specific fish and wildlife species, enhanced age and structural diversity in forest blocks, successful grassland bird breeding, and increased participation of agricultural producers in conservation programs. Projects are expected to contribute to measurable conservation benefits through community input, co-design processes, and engagement with community-level partners (e.g., municipalities, NGOs, community organizations, community leaders) to ensure project design, implementation, maintenance, and long-term sustainability post-grant award. The grant duration is three years, with projects expected to start no later than six months after the award date. The NFWF's strategic priorities for the NEFRF reflect a theory of change that posits by investing in targeted habitat restoration, improved land management, and community engagement, ecological health will be restored and sustained, benefiting both wildlife and human communities. Funding is provided by a consortium of partners including the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Zoetis Foundation, and Sylvamo, underscoring a collaborative approach to conservation. The program encourages a holistic view of conservation, integrating scientific best practices with local community needs and traditional knowledge to achieve robust and lasting environmental improvements across Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and parts of New York.

The Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation Grant invites applications from public 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in the United States. The Foundation's core mission is to inspire philanthropy and community service, supporting organizations that address complex problems or assist people in need. This specific grant program aligns with their commitment by focusing on critical community support, particularly during the holiday season, by funding initiatives that provide meals to vulnerable individuals and families. The grants available range from $10,000 to $100,000, with a key funding constraint that requests over $25,000 will not be considered for this particular call. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are individuals and families in need within the New York City metropolitan area, specifically targeting those requiring meal assistance during Thanksgiving 2024. The impact goal is to alleviate food insecurity during this critical time by ensuring access to Thanksgiving meals. Eligible activities must occur on or around Thanksgiving Day (November 28, 2024) and conclude by December 6, 2024, emphasizing immediate and direct relief. The program prioritizes organizations operating in New York City (five boroughs), Westchester County, NY, or Fairfield County, CT, ensuring geographic focus on communities served by the Foundation. The main focus of this grant is strictly on the purchase of foods related to Thanksgiving meals. This specificity highlights the Foundation's strategic priority to address immediate, tangible needs within communities. While the grant does not explicitly detail a "theory of change," its direct approach to funding meal provisions implies a straightforward theory: providing resources for food directly leads to reduced food insecurity and increased well-being for beneficiaries during a significant holiday. The Foundation also requires that it not be the sole funder, encouraging shared responsibility and broader community engagement in addressing these needs. Expected outcomes include a demonstrated impact on underserved communities through the provision of Thanksgiving meals. Measurable results would likely involve the number of individuals and families served, the quantity of meals provided, and the effective utilization of funds for food purchases. Proposals will be evaluated based on their alignment with eligibility criteria, operational feasibility, documented impact on underserved communities, the financial health of the organization, and the appropriateness of activities in relation to the Foundation's mission. These evaluation criteria underscore the Foundation's strategic intent to support well-managed projects that deliver concrete, positive outcomes.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in New York State to help older refugees access essential services and improve their quality of life through culturally appropriate programs and community engagement.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Herkimer and Oneida counties to support programs and services that promote healthy lifestyles and access to resources for older adults.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Staten Island artists, collaborative groups, and community arts organizations for public art and cultural projects that engage the local community and promote under-resourced disciplines.

This program provides funding for community-based arts projects in Fulton, Montgomery, and Saratoga Counties, aimed at enhancing public engagement and accessibility to the arts.

This funding program provides financial support to non-profit organizations, schools, and municipalities in New York for establishing or expanding urban farms and community gardens to promote local food production and enhance food security.

This funding opportunity is designed for non-profit organizations in Chemung County to promote tourism through events and promotional initiatives that attract visitors and boost local economic activity.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and healthcare providers in New York to address racial disparities in maternal health for Black New Yorkers and other communities of color through innovative primary and preventive care solutions.

This program provides financial support to small- and mid-sized farm and food businesses in the Northeast to enhance their operations, expand markets, and strengthen regional food supply chains.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and municipal agencies in New York State to implement community-level strategies that promote healthy eating and physical activity, particularly in underserved areas.

The Long Island Sound Futures Fund (LISFF), managed by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) in collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Long Island Sound Study (LISS), seeks to restore the health and living resources of Long Island Sound. This grant program, with approximately $12 million available in 2024, aligns with the foundation's mission by supporting efforts to test innovative conservation approaches, deliver transformative projects, and engage communities that value and protect the Sound. Major funding is provided by EPA through the LISS, with additional support from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Zoetis Foundation, demonstrating a collaborative strategic approach to environmental conservation. The LISFF targets a broad range of beneficiaries, including non-profit 501(c) organizations, state government agencies, local and municipal governments, Tribal Governments and Organizations, and educational institutions. The impact goals are centered on improving water quality, enhancing and restoring coastal habitats, and fostering sustainable and resilient communities around the Long Island Sound. The program’s strategic priorities are guided by the Long Island Sound Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan 2020-2024 Update (CCMP), which emphasizes three core themes: Clean Waters and Healthy Watersheds, Thriving Habitats and Abundant Wildlife, and Sustainable and Resilient Communities. Cross-cutting principles of resiliency to climate change, long-term sustainability, and environmental justice are also integral to the program's theory of change. Under the "Clean Waters and Healthy Watersheds" theme, the program prioritizes reducing nitrogen pollution, combined sewer overflows, impervious cover, stormwater runoff, and point and nonpoint source loading. This includes funding for "shovel-ready" projects that result in quantifiable pollutant prevention, particularly those addressing water quality at a larger scale. Planning activities, such as community engagement, feasibility studies, site assessments, conceptual design, and final design and permitting, are also supported. Projects in the Upper Basin states (MA, NH, VT) are specifically focused on quantifiable nitrogen/nutrient prevention with a documented benefit to Long Island Sound. The "Thriving Habitats and Abundant Wildlife" theme focuses on enhancing or restoring coastal habitats to maintain resilience and function, supporting fish, bird, and wildlife populations, and sustaining the Sound's ecological balance. This involves implementing "shovel-ready" habitat restoration and nature-based or green-gray hybrid resilience projects, as well as planning activities for such projects. The program also aims to foster diverse, balanced, and abundant populations of fish, birds, and wildlife, encouraging proposals that consider the LISS Habitat Restoration Guidelines. The "Sustainable and Resilient Communities" theme supports vibrant, informed, and engaged communities through projects that offer hands-on conservation experiences. Expected outcomes include quantifiable pollutant reductions, enhanced and restored coastal habitats, increased resilience to climate change, and more engaged communities actively participating in the Sound's protection and sustainability. For water quality projects, measurable results will include quantifiable pollutant prevention, particularly nitrogen/nutrient reductions. For habitat projects, long-term maintenance plans and ecological improvements are expected. The LISFF's strategic framework, rooted in the CCMP, aims to accelerate local and regional water quality improvements, natural resource restoration, coastal resilience, environmental justice, and community outreach, ultimately leading to a healthier, more productive, and resilient Long Island Sound for both people and wildlife.

The Rhode Island Foundation's Program for Animal Welfare is a grant initiative designed to promote and provide humane treatment for animals across Rhode Island. This program aligns directly with the Foundation's broader mission to take a leading role on animal welfare issues, leveraging thirteen special funds dedicated to the humane treatment and protection of animals. These collective funds underscore the Foundation's strategic priority to address animal welfare comprehensively, reflecting a theory of change that posits that targeted financial support can significantly improve animal well-being at both statewide and community levels. The primary beneficiaries of this program are organizations in Rhode Island that actively work to promote and/or provide humane treatment of animals. This includes organizations focused generally on animal welfare, as well as those with specific projects or programs. The overarching impact goal is to create a positive impact statewide or in individual communities regarding the care, shelter, and maintenance of animals, education about their humane treatment, and general animal welfare. The program specifically excludes individuals from grant eligibility, focusing its resources on established organizations. The program's priorities and focuses are clearly defined. It supports initiatives that improve animal care, shelter, and maintenance, as well as educational efforts that promote humane treatment. Previously funded programs, such as statewide humane education efforts and low-cost spay and neuter initiatives, serve as examples of the types of projects the Foundation prioritizes. The Foundation is also open to considering capital projects, demonstrating a flexible approach to supporting the infrastructure necessary for effective animal welfare work. Expected outcomes include a measurable improvement in animal welfare conditions across Rhode Island, an increase in community awareness regarding humane treatment of animals, and a reduction in issues related to animal neglect or mistreatment. By funding programs like spay and neuter initiatives, the Foundation anticipates a direct impact on controlling animal populations and improving overall animal health. Through humane education, the program aims to foster a more compassionate and responsible community towards animals, with the ultimate goal of enhancing the quality of life for animals throughout the state.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CT DOT) is offering the 2024 Active Transportation Microgrant Program to solicit projects aimed at improving active transportation. This grant program aligns with a mission to foster equitable, safe, accessible, and sustainable transportation options, thereby encouraging healthier and more environmentally friendly travel modes. The program's core objective is to make conditions safer for individuals of all ages to engage in walking, biking, and other active forms of transit, contributing to broader community well-being and environmental sustainability. The primary beneficiaries of this program include municipalities, schools, school districts, and nonprofit organizations, all of which are encouraged to apply. The impact goals are centered on enhancing access and conditions for active transportation users across Connecticut. This includes increasing safety for pedestrians and cyclists, promoting the use of non-motorized transport, and supporting educational initiatives that raise awareness about active transportation benefits and safety. The program prioritizes non-infrastructure projects, explicitly excluding design and construction costs. Eligible activities focus on improving access and conditions for active transportation users. This includes providing bicycle helmets, locks, lights, and maintenance training. It also covers the rental or purchase of bicycle fleets, including adaptive bicycles, League Cycling Instructor (LCI) training, and various programs and materials for pedestrian and bicycle safety education, such as safety vests. The emphasis is on practical, immediate interventions that directly support active transportation without requiring extensive infrastructural development. Expected outcomes and measurable results include an increase in the adoption of active transportation methods, a reduction in accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists due to enhanced safety measures, and a rise in community participation in active transportation events and educational programs. The funding limits for individual microgrants range up to $5,000, with an overall grant size between $1,000 and $10,000, indicating a focus on numerous smaller-scale, impactful projects rather than a few large ones. This approach suggests a strategic priority to broadly distribute resources to foster active transportation at a grassroots level across various communities in Connecticut.

This funding opportunity is designed to strengthen healthcare services in rural New York communities by supporting collaborative networks among healthcare providers to improve access and quality of care for underserved populations.