Niskayuna Community Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The Niskayuna Community Foundation supports education, community development, mental health, elderly services and more for the community of Niskayuna, New York.
IP TAKE: This funder supports organizations serving the community of Niskayuna, New York. Within this narrow geographic mandate, it serves a broad range of organizations and projects. It is accessible, responsive, and accepts applications via the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region.
PROFILE: Established in 1999, the Niskayuna Community Foundation (NCF) is a community foundation based in Albany, New York. This grantmaker is an affiliate of the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region, which is also based in Albany. NCF aims to “inspire generosity, encourage equity, and invest in local solutions” in the Niskayuna community through grantmaking, scholarships and collaborations. Grants support local efforts for health and human services, arts and culture, community development, conservation, historic preservation, recreation and capital projects.
Grants for Early Childhood and K-12 Education
A significant portion of this funders grantmaking supports local schools and programs for the town of Niskayuna’s K-12 population. Public school recipients include the Niskayuna High School PTO, Craig Elementary School and Glencliff Elementary School, which used funding to create a maker space for its students. Other children’s and youth programs that have received recent funding include the Niskayuna Girls Softball League, the Niskayuna Soccer Club and the Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York. Early childhood initiatives have received a smaller share of funding. One recent grant supported the Northeastern Association for the Blind, which used funding to support a local preschool vision screening program.
Grants for Mental Health, Housing, Homelessness and Community Development
The Niskayuna Foundation does not name specific goals for its community grantmaking, but grants tend to go to organizations supporting wellness and care for the elderly and special needs populations. One recent grantee, Safe, Inc. of Schenectady, provides shelter, basic needs and counseling to homeless youth. The Town of Niskayuna, meanwhile, received a grant to provide benches near a senior center and bocce ball courts in the town. Other grantees in these areas include Family and Child Services of Schenectady, the Jewish Community Center of Schenectady and the Niskayuna Neighbors Network.
Grants for Environment, Arts and Culture
This funder supports organizations that enrich the lives of Niskayuna residents through arts, culture and outdoor recreation. Recent grants have supported the Town of Niskayuna Conservation Advisory Council, the Empire State Youth Orchestra and the Town of Niskayuna, which received grants to make improvements to a local park and bike path.
Important Grant Details
The Niskayuna Community Foundation made about $40,000 in grants in a recent year. Grants ranged from $750 to $5,000. This funder only supports organizations that serve the town of Niskayuna and its residents, but supports a broad range of organizations within this small geographic area.
This funder accepts applications via the online application portal for the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region. There are separate applications for mini grants of up to $2,000 and regular grants, which range in amount from $2,000 to $10,000. The annual due date for applications usually falls in April. This funder may be contacted via email or telephone at (518) 446-9638.
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