The Schenectady Foundation, established in 1963, dedicates itself to supporting community-based projects that improve the well-being of Schenectady County, NY, residents. Since its inception, the Foundation has invested over $31 million in local projects and plans to distribute approximately $2 million in grants and scholarships in 2024. Key funding areas this year include equitable access to healthy food, neighborhood revitalization, emergent community needs, micro grants for innovative small-scale projects, and educational scholarships. Funding allocations are expected to be $900,000 for food security, $400,000 for neighborhood improvement, $325,000 for emergent needs and open grants, $280,000 for micro grants and special projects, and $60,000 for scholarships. The Foundation emphasizes projects that foster measurable outcomes and encourage meaningful community impact.

The grants primarily target initiatives that increase food security, revitalize neighborhoods, address emerging community challenges, and offer seed funding for innovative smaller programs. For food access, the Foundation aims to support initiatives ensuring regular access to nutritious food for all county residents. In neighborhood revitalization, the focus is on creating safe, supportive communities where residents can actively shape their environments. Emergent needs funding supports collaboration among local organizations to address new or urgent community issues, while micro grants help develop creative and experimental projects that can evolve into larger programs.

Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, and initiatives capable of driving measurable change in Schenectady County. Priority is given to projects that show a strong potential for community engagement and transformative impact. The Foundation seeks projects that demonstrate a commitment to including community input in the design and delivery of services, with preference given to those that can outline clear, measurable outcomes. Applicants must submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) and, upon approval, proceed with the full application. For requests of $10,000 or less, the Micro Grant program offers an abbreviated application route, typically awarding between $3,000 and $6,000 to support pilot initiatives, research, or program development.

The application process is twofold: applicants first submit an LOI through the Foundation’s online grant portal. The LOI provides an overview of the project’s objectives and expected outcomes. If approved, applicants proceed to the full grant application, which includes a detailed project plan. The Foundation aims to review and respond to LOIs within 15 days, and for larger grant requests, an in-depth conference with the Foundation’s Distribution Committee is scheduled to discuss the project in detail. Micro Grants follow a similar process but are reviewed more quickly due to the smaller funding amounts and streamlined application.

For 2024, key deadlines include an April 22 LOI deadline for Emergent Needs and Open Grants, with full applications due by June 5 and a decision date of June 28. Neighborhood Revitalization Grant LOIs are due by August 26, with full applications due on October 1 and a decision date of October 23. Equitable Access to Healthy Food Grants will begin in the 2025 grant cycle, with more details to be announced.

To apply, new users must create an account in the Foundation’s grant portal, while returning applicants can log in directly. The Foundation encourages applicants to reach out for guidance on formulating impact measurements or addressing specific project needs. For questions or application assistance, applicants can contact Robert Carreau at (518) 393-9500 or via email at rcarreau@schenectadyfoundation.org.