Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties
/OVERVIEW: The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties supports these two New York counties in the areas of economic development, education, health, and arts and culture.
FUNDING AREAS: Economic development, education, health, arts and culture
IP TAKE: This is a good community funder to know for mini-grant needs of less than $10,000 and also nonprofit capacity building support.
PROFILE: Established in 1952 and originally called the Utica Foundation, the Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties is a community foundation based in Utica, New York. A leading philanthropist at the time, Rosamond Childs, created the foundation’s first fund. In the 1990s, the foundation changed its name to broaden its service area, and now it aims to be a “community-based social impact investor with a mission to engage, invest and lead.” Grantmaking includes economic development, education, health, and arts and culture.
Economic development grants improve workplace skills, job availability, opportunities for senior citizens, and internship and mentorship opportunities. Education support toward increasing the number of local adults with bachelor’s degrees, getting preschoolers kindergarten-ready, STEAM education, and opportunities for adult education. Health grants fund the fields of reducing obesity and blood lead levels, as well as increasing opportunities for healthy living and safe environments. Finally, arts and culture grants back increasing attendance, collaborative efforts, diversity and participation. Occasionally, the foundation will work outside of these program areas for projects that boost self-sufficiency and address important community issues.
Many of the foundation’s grants range from $1,000 to $10,000, although it makes occasional grants up to $50,000. Review a list of recent grants by year on the funder’s website. Grantmaking is restricted to organizations that are located in the New York counties of Herkimer and Oneida and that benefit residents of these counties. This foundation primarily provides program and project support to nonprofits. Grants should be used within 12 months of receiving the award, and limited capital campaign support is also available.
The first step to receiving community foundation support is to contact the staff to discuss an idea. The board meets quarterly with the staff to make funding decisions. Some grant opportunities have no deadlines, while others have specific deadline dates that are published on the funder’s website. Contact the foundation with general questions at 315-735-8212 or info@foundationhoc.org.
PEOPLE:
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