Central New York Community Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Central New York Community Foundation supports arts and culture, civic affairs, education, health, human services, and the environment in the central counties of New York.

FUNDING AREAS: Arts and culture, civic affairs, education, health, human services, the environment

IP TAKE: There are many different funds here, so applicants should familiarize themselves with the various opportunities that this accessible and well-rounded community foundation offers.

PROFILE: Established in 1927, the Central New York Community Foundation (CNYCF) is a community funder based in Syracuse, New York. This is the largest charitable foundation in the region. The funder aims to “foster a thriving Central New York community, inspire greater giving, celebrate legacy and steward charitable resources for today and tomorrow.” Grantmaking includes arts and culture, civic affairs, education, health, human services, and the environment.

CNYCF has multiple grant programs that support efforts for positive change and the building of diversity and inclusion across Central New York communities. For example, the foundation has a community grant program that supports many different nonprofit interests in the form of program support, direct service support, and organizational development projects. This grant program also supports proposals seeking funding for capital projects, such as building renovations and equipment purchases. Meanwhile, CNYCF maintains programs that support vocational rehabilitation, neighborhood revitalization, partnerships with other organizations, nonprofit performance management, nonprofit senior management sabbaticals, professional development for nonprofit staff. The foundation also has several affiliate funds, which are the Women's Fund of Central New York, Greater Pulaski Community Endowment Fund, Oswego County Community Foundation, and the Cayuga Community Fund. Each of these funds serves specific geographic and interest areas.

Important Grant Details

  • Foundation grants tend to range from $10,000 to $50,000.

  • View a list of prior grantees on the funder’s past community grants page.

  • Community grant program grants are limited to organizations that serve Onondaga and Madison counties of New York.

  • The foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications for its community grants.

  • The annual deadlines typically fall in late-March and late-October.

In addition to grants, the foundation also engages in public-private, cross-sector partnerships to address community-wide issues related to neighborhoods, literacy, housing, education, and jobs. Direct general questions to the foundation staff at 315-422-9538 or info@cnycf.org.

PEOPLE:

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