New York Law Justice and Legal Services Grants

The ConnectALL Initiative's Municipal Infrastructure Program (MIP) is designed to foster the development of open-access, publicly owned, and/or controlled last-mile fiber broadband infrastructure. This initiative aims to deliver reliable high-speed internet services to homes, businesses, and community anchor institutions throughout New York State. The program's mission aligns directly with the New York State Urban Development Corporation d/b/a Empire State Development ("ESD") objectives to promote a vigorous and growing state economy, encourage business investment and job creation, and support diverse, prosperous local economies across NYS. By addressing broadband access, the MIP contributes to ESD's broader strategy of using grants and other forms of assistance to facilitate economic development and improve quality of life for residents. The target beneficiaries of the MIP include communities across New York State that are currently experiencing connectivity challenges due to a lack of affordable, high-speed internet infrastructure. Specifically, the program aims to connect homes, businesses, and community anchor institutions. The primary impact goal is to improve broadband access, thereby reducing the digital divide and enabling greater participation in the digital economy. Expected outcomes include a significant increase in the availability of reliable, high-speed internet, leading to enhanced economic opportunities, improved educational access, and better access to essential services for residents and businesses in underserved areas. The program's priorities and focuses revolve around the construction of new infrastructure or the acquisition of existing infrastructure. This includes last-mile fiber connections to address last-mile infrastructure (cabling, wires, pole replacements, radios) and drops to buildings. It also emphasizes fiber connections to Internet Exchange Points or Data Centers, including middle-mile fiber and networking equipment. A key focus is on ensuring open-access and predominantly publicly controlled infrastructure, leveraging funding from the U.S. Department of Treasury Capital Projects Fund (CPF) to achieve these objectives. The ConnectALL Initiative's strategic priorities are deeply rooted in addressing fundamental connectivity gaps across the state. The theory of change posits that by investing in publicly controlled, open-access fiber broadband infrastructure, the state can stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and foster more equitable access to information and opportunities. The expected measurable results include the deployment of new fiber optic networks, the number of homes, businesses, and community anchor institutions connected, and ultimately, an improvement in the overall broadband speed and affordability available to New Yorkers. The total funding available for this program is $228 Million, with a maximum grant size of $30 million per award, indicating a significant investment to achieve these transformative goals.

The Air Products Greater Massena Community Fund, administered by the Northern New York Community Foundation, offers financial assistance to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations and local governing bodies. Its primary mission is to enhance the quality of life for residents within the Greater Massena community. This aligns with the foundation's broader goal of supporting community needs, as evidenced by its commitment to programs that benefit areas such as health and wellness, arts and culture, human services, education, families, youth and/or elders, environment and conservation, community development, and recreation. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are residents of the Greater Massena community, particularly those in disadvantaged communities within St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties. The impact goal is to improve various aspects of community life through diverse programs and initiatives. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed for each category, the evaluation process emphasizes the potential impact on the Massena community, especially its support for disadvantaged populations. The grant program's priorities and focuses are broad, encompassing a wide array of community needs. These include, but are not limited to, health and wellness, arts and culture, human services, education, families, youth and/or elders, environment and conservation, community development, and recreation. Each grant request undergoes an evaluation based on its potential impact, the amount of available funding, and the quality of the applicant's planning, leadership, and proposal support. The foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change are centered on fostering positive community development and improving the quality of life through targeted financial support. By providing grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, with an upper limit of $7,500 per application, the fund aims to empower local organizations and governing bodies to address pressing community needs. The deadline for applications is July 31, 2024, indicating a structured approach to funding cycles. More information can be found by visiting the Northern New York Community Foundation.

This program provides $5 million in funding to nonprofit organizations in New York State to support mental health, workforce development, or housing initiatives for individuals aged 0-24 in communities disproportionately impacted by past drug policies.

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 grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties to support youth development programs that improve the quality of life in the region.

The Northern New York Community Foundation is accepting applications for the Dr. D. Susan Badenhausen Legacy Fund, offering grants between $10,000 to $100,000 to charitable organizations in St. Lawrence County that work in arts and culture, conservation and wildlife preservation, education, and health and well-being, with a deadline of October 18, 2024.

This funding provides financial support for municipal and nonprofit animal shelters in New York to improve their facilities for the care and containment of dogs and cats, particularly in underserved areas.

This funding opportunity provides up to $1 million to nonprofit organizations, educational agencies, and higher education institutions in New York State to create collaborative hubs that focus on preventing youth involvement in the justice system and improving outcomes for families and communities.

The County History Partnership Program (CHPP), established in 2015 by the New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC), aims to decentralize the administration of local re-granting programs across all 21 New Jersey counties. This initiative directly aligns with the mission to support local history organizations that serve the public, fostering a broader engagement with the state's historical heritage. The program is administered by the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, which functions as the donor, extending the NJHC's strategic goal of strengthening local historical infrastructure. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are historical societies, organizations, nonprofits, and municipalities responsible for historic structures or archaeological sites. Eligible applicants must be Somerset County-based. The program's impact goals revolve around increasing public access to New Jersey history, expanding knowledge of the state's past, and improving the management capabilities of local history organizations. This approach is intended to create a more robust and accessible local history ecosystem within Somerset County. The grant prioritizes organizations that provide programs or services that achieve these goals. Specifically, applicants must demonstrate a commitment to enhancing public access to history or expanding historical knowledge. Another key focus is on improving the operational and managerial effectiveness of local history organizations, thereby ensuring their long-term sustainability and impact. The foundation's theory of change appears to be that by empowering local organizations with financial support and clear objectives, they can more effectively serve the public and preserve historical assets. Expected outcomes include a more engaged public with New Jersey history, a greater depth of historical knowledge disseminated, and more efficiently run local history organizations. Measurable results would likely include increased participation in historical programs, documented improvements in organizational management, and successful preservation efforts of historic sites. Organizations are also required to have provided public history programs and/or services in Somerset County for the benefit of the general public for at least two years prior to application, and must provide proof of stability and fiscal responsibility, ensuring the grant's investment is directed towards established and accountable entities.

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 Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) is offering the New Dairy Processor Start-up Grant program to support new dairy processing projects across the Northeast. The core mission of this program is to foster competitive dairy processing businesses with long-term viability. This aligns with a broader strategic objective of strengthening the regional dairy industry by enabling operations of all sizes to successfully launch and sustain their products in the marketplace. By focusing on start-up operations and tangible implementation, the NE-DBIC aims to facilitate direct economic impact and product innovation within the dairy sector. The program targets several key beneficiaries, including dairy farmers ready to begin processing, value-added entrepreneurs with proven experience in dairy processing or business startups, and dairy processors established after January 1, 2023, who are in their start-up phase. The impact goals are centered on developing these businesses, supporting their entry into the market, and ultimately contributing to the economic vitality of the Northeast dairy industry. By providing financial assistance for start-up operations, the program seeks to create new opportunities for dairy-related businesses and products. The program's priorities and focuses are clearly on tangible implementation rather than earlier stages like research and development, concept development, or initial planning. This indicates a strategic emphasis on getting products to market and establishing sustainable business models. Eligibility criteria further refine this focus, requiring applicants to be headquartered or based in the Northeast, demonstrate proof of concept, have a robust business plan, obtain necessary licenses, and show commitment from buyers or distributors by the end of the grant period. Expected outcomes include the successful launch of new value-added dairy products, the establishment of competitive and viable dairy processing businesses, and increased market access for Northeast dairy products. Measurable results would likely include the number of new businesses launched, the volume of new products brought to market, and the economic growth generated within the participating dairy sectors. The NE-DBIC's strategic priorities, as evidenced by this grant, involve direct investment in the operational start-up phase, aiming for a theory of change where targeted financial support leads to the successful commercialization and long-term sustainability of dairy processing ventures in the region.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in the Berkshire Taconic region to support capacity-building projects that enhance governance, diversity, and overall effectiveness in serving their communities.

The Scherman Foundation's Core Fund for Strengthening New York Communities focuses on challenging inequities and improving the conditions of New York City communities in need. The grant program supports housing justice, equitable economic development, gender equity, worker rights, immigrant community challenges, sustainable development, and police and carceral system reform. It also provides support for policy reform organizations collaborating with neighborhood-based groups. The Foundation prioritizes general operating support for smaller neighborhood groups and offers project-specific support for larger and policy-focused organizations or collaborative campaigns.

This program provides financial assistance to private landowners and organizations for planting new forests on non-forested lands of five acres or more in New York, helping to combat climate change and support local economies.

The Morton K. and Jane Blaustein Foundation is dedicated to addressing institutionalized racism, xenophobia, and the impact of climate change, primarily focusing on communities in Baltimore City, Maryland, DC regions, and New York. The foundation emphasizes support for initiatives that counteract the effects of climate change, particularly in marginalized communities. It funds efforts to establish bipartisan alliances for robust energy and climate policies at all government levels and backs grassroots organizations led by those most affected by climate change. Simultaneously, the foundation tackles racial inequities in the justice system and the disproportionate criminalization of youth of color in schools by supporting strategic advocacy and policy reform. It also champions the rights of immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in the U.S. by funding immigrant-led advocacy for fair immigration policies, providing legal services, and supporting holistic networks aiding refugees and asylum seekers fleeing violence.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in the Berkshire Taconic region for innovative projects that improve environmental quality and promote community health, with a focus on engaging at-risk and low-income youth.

The Rock Charitable Fund, managed by the Northern New York Community Foundation, is currently accepting applications from eligible charitable organizations, houses of worship, cemeteries, and governmental entities that serve St. Lawrence County residents. This grant program is designed to align with the foundation's mission by supporting vital community needs within the county. The funding aims to address specific charitable purposes that contribute to the well-being and historical preservation of the area. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant program include veterans of the United States military residing in St. Lawrence County, who will receive support for their medical or recreational needs. Additionally, the program benefits churches, houses of worship, and cemeteries in St. Lawrence County by providing funding for their maintenance and preservation. A third key beneficiary group includes entities responsible for the preservation and maintenance of places of legitimate historical significance within the county. The impact goals are to enhance the quality of life for veterans, ensure the longevity of religious and historical sites, and foster community pride and heritage. The program prioritizes initiatives that directly support veterans, particularly through qualified veteran organizations or any nonprofit with programs or initiatives directly supporting veterans, rather than direct aid to individuals. It also focuses on the crucial maintenance and preservation of religious institutions and historical landmarks. The fund's strategic priorities are clearly laid out in its charitable purposes, emphasizing direct community benefit in these three key areas. The theory of change suggests that by providing targeted financial support, the foundation can directly contribute to the welfare of veterans and the preservation of essential community assets, leading to a more resilient and historically conscious St. Lawrence County. Expected outcomes include improved medical and recreational access for veterans, leading to better well-being. For religious and historical sites, the anticipated outcome is the successful upkeep and preservation of these important community structures, preventing decay and maintaining their cultural and spiritual value. Measurable results could include the number of veterans served, the scope of medical or recreational services provided, and the specific maintenance or restoration projects completed for churches, houses of worship, cemeteries, and historical sites. At least $100,000 in grant funding is available, with individual grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, and a grant duration of up to three years, providing a substantial period for impactful projects. Organizations that have previously received funding must wait three years before reapplying, ensuring equitable access to funding across the community.

The van Ameringen Foundation focuses on improving mental health services, particularly for those with limited financial means, within New York City and Philadelphia, and through national advocacy. Its mission is to increase accessibility to mental health services, offer preventive and early-intervention strategies, and advocate for systemic change. The foundation offers both general support and project-specific grants, aligning its funding directly with its core mission of fostering a more equitable and effective mental healthcare system for underserved populations. The primary beneficiaries of these grants are individuals and communities confronting significant mental illness, particularly those with limited financial means and opportunities. This includes people needing direct services like case management, counseling, psychotherapy, and psychiatric care, as well as those who benefit from systemic changes in law, public policy, and public perception. The impact goals are to enhance the mental health safety net, improve access to services, and create lasting, positive changes in mental healthcare delivery and perceptions. The foundation's priorities and focuses are clearly delineated into two main categories: Direct Service Grants and Non-Direct Service Grants. Direct Service Grants support programs that provide immediate and tangible assistance to individuals, such as housing, jobs, and various forms of mental health treatment. Non-Direct Service Grants encompass advocacy efforts to change policies, media/dissemination projects to share best practices and research, and training initiatives for mental health providers, advocates, and community members. The foundation explicitly does not fund programs for intellectual or physical disabilities, direct grants to individuals, endowment campaigns, capital projects, annual fundraising drives, or international activities. Expected outcomes include increased accessibility of mental health services, successful implementation of preventive and early-intervention strategies, and significant systemic changes with local or national impact. Measurable results could include the number of individuals served, improvements in patient outcomes, policy changes enacted, increased public awareness, and the number of mental health professionals trained. The foundation encourages innovative and practical proposals that demonstrate a clear path to achieving these outcomes. The foundation's strategic priorities are centered on fostering innovation and practical solutions within the mental health sector. Its theory of change posits that by investing in direct services, advocating for policy reforms, disseminating knowledge, and building capacity through training, it can effectively address disparities in mental healthcare access and quality. This multi-pronged approach aims to create both immediate relief for individuals and long-term structural improvements in the mental health landscape, primarily within its specified geographic areas and at a national advocacy level.

The Rock Charitable Fund, administered by the Northern New York Community Foundation, is currently accepting applications for grants ranging from $100,000 to $500,000. This grant program aligns with the foundation's mission to support the well-being and historical preservation within St. Lawrence County, New York. The fund emphasizes projects that address existing structures and elements, as well as providing technical assistance and planning support, indicating a strategic priority on sustainable development and preservation rather than new construction or significant alterations to historic properties. The primary beneficiaries of the Rock Charitable Fund include 501(c)(3) charitable organizations, churches, houses of worship, cemeteries, and government entities. The fund targets projects that contribute to the maintenance and preservation of these institutions and places of historical significance within St. Lawrence County. Additionally, the fund aims to benefit and/or assist Veterans of the United States Military residing in St. Lawrence County by addressing their medical and recreational needs through qualified organizations. The impact goals are centered on enhancing community resources, preserving local heritage, and improving the quality of life for Veterans. The program's priorities and focus areas are clearly defined. For historical and religious properties, there's a strong preference for exterior projects that are publicly visible and accessible, though interior improvements may be considered. Peripheral or incidental projects are not desired. For cemeteries, support covers the property as a whole or aesthetically significant portions, explicitly excluding individual burial plots or monuments without special justification. For Veterans, grants are awarded to qualified organizations serving them, not directly to individuals, and can support programs for medical and recreational needs. This structured approach highlights a theory of change that leverages established organizations to create broader community benefit and long-term impact. Expected outcomes include the successful preservation and maintenance of historically significant sites and religious institutions, ensuring their continued benefit to the public. For Veterans, the anticipated result is improved access to medical and recreational support, contributing to their overall well-being. Measurable results could include the number of structures preserved, the extent of public access improved, and the number of Veterans served by supported programs. The foundation's strategic priorities are evident in its commitment to tangible, community-focused projects that have a lasting positive effect on St. Lawrence County's heritage and its Veteran population.