The Park Foundation provides funding for projects that align with its mission and program priorities. The foundation supports initiatives in areas such as democracy, civic participation, media, environmental protection, animal welfare, sustainable Ithaca, community needs, and school food and nutrition. It focuses on projects that foster positive societal impact, sustainable development, and systemic change. The foundation has an average annual grant funding of approximately $26 million and supports around 330 grantees each year, with 20% of its grants allocated to local initiatives.

The application process is designed to be streamlined and accessible. The Park Foundation highly encourages applicants to use its online portal for submitting full proposals and letters of inquiry (LOIs). However, applicants facing extenuating circumstances can contact the foundation via email for alternative submission arrangements. LOIs are not required for organizations that have previously received grants. The foundation reviews proposals and LOIs quarterly, with specified deadlines for each review cycle.

For the 2025–2026 grant cycle, the submission deadlines for proposals are January 10, 2025; January 31, 2025 (for the Building Decarbonization Fund only); March 27, 2025; July 8, 2025; September 19, 2025; and January 7, 2026. LOIs are accepted at any time. New applicants are encouraged to submit an LOI before applying, particularly if they are uncertain about their project's alignment with the foundation’s guidelines.

All submissions are considered confidential, but the foundation reserves the right to consult external experts, including funders, partner organizations, and affected communities, to inform its decision-making process. If necessary, insights obtained during this review process may be shared with applicants if deemed beneficial. Applicants who cannot submit electronically may mail their applications to the Park Foundation’s office in Ithaca, New York.

For inquiries about eligibility, program alignment, or the application process, applicants are encouraged to contact program staff. The foundation provides downloadable application instructions and forms in Word and PDF formats. General inquiries can be addressed via phone or email. The Park Foundation also maintains an FAQ section to answer common questions regarding the grant application process, reporting requirements, and access to the grantee portal.