Community Foundation for the Twin Tiers
/OVERVIEW: The Community Foundation for the Twin Tiers supports human services, economic development, youth, education, and health in select counties of New York and Pennsylvania.
IP TAKE: This community foundation works broadly in five counties in Pennsylvania and one neighboring county in New York. Most of its fund work broadly to support specific communities or causes within the Twin Tiers region of Northern Pennsylvania and Western New York. While some funds run open application programs, many others do not, making it worthwhile to reach out and discuss your work with the foundation’s staff. This appears to be an accessible and approachable funder that supports organizations of all sizes in its designated region.
PROFILE: Established Community Foundation for the Twin Tiers (CFTT) is a community foundation that supports communities in the Pennsylvania counties of Bradford, Potter, Sullivan and Tioga, as well as in Tioga County, New York. This funder aims to “inspire people and mobilize resources to strengthen our communities.” It manages at least 93 funds, many of them donor-advised, and awards grants and scholarships mainly through seven funds working in the areas of human services, economic development, youth, education, health and arts and culture.
Grants for Early Childhood Education, K-12 Education, Work and Economic Opportunity
Grantmaking for K-12 education and youth development stem mainly from the foundation’s David and Carol Keeffe Youth Fund and its Floyd "Vic" Hooker Youth Fund. The Keeffe Fund supports efforts to improve outcomes for young people “from birth through career readiness.” The Hooker Youth Fund maintains similar goals but works exclusively in Tioga County, New York. Grants stemming from these programs have gone to organizations including the Athens Area School District, the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Twin Tiers, Lynch Bustin Elementary School and the Troy Area School District.
This funder also awards many scholarships supporting students from the Twin Tiers as they pursue post-secondary degrees and certificates.
Grants for Community Development, Food Systems, Mental Health, Public Health and Environment
Three of CFTT’s funds work very broadly to support specific communities within the Twin Tiers region, making grants in for community improvement, hunger, mental and community health and human services. These funds include the North Eastern Potter Economic Development Association, the Robert J. Sullivan Fund for Bradford County and the Bill and Sarah Ransom Community Service Awards Program. Each of these fund works to support organizations that address community needs responsively and that have a strong impact on communities served. Grants have gone to organizations including the Allen F. Pierce Free Library, the Coudersport Volunteer Ambulance and Fire Corps, Harbor Counseling, the Rotary Club of Waverly and Supporting Area Families Everyday, in Bradford County.
An additional public health fund at this foundation is the Jordan Wilcox Pediatric Cancer Fund, which supports families affected by pediatric cancer with grants of up to $400 during times of need.
Grants for Arts and Culture
Arts and culture grants generally stem from the foundation’s Rekindle the Spirit Arts and Cultural Fund, which works in Bradford County to support “historical and cultural education projects through the exchanging of ideas and inter-community activities.” This fund has made grants to the Eulalia Cemetery and the History Center on Main Street.
Important Grant Details
The Community Foundation for the Twin Tiers makes about $300,000 annually in grants. Grants range from $125 to $4,000. This funder tends to support organizations that maintain a strong presence in the communities it serves, although it does support organizations of all sizes. For additional information about past grants see the foundation’s grants awarded page.
This funder accepts applications for some of its grant programs and links guidelines and application materials for current opportunities to its grant programs page. Eligibility and due dates vary by program. It is worth noting that many of this foundation’s managed funds do not run application programs, making it worthwhile to contact the foundation’s staff to explore additional opportunities.
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