Welcome to the Information & Help Page

Navigation Directions for this Website

(Note: To return to a previous page while using this site, click the “Back Button” on your browser.)

From the HOME PAGE, use the links described below to search for sources of funding:

SEARCH BY CATEGORY - Click on the link to proceed to the Categories of Interest list. The list covers areas of interest expressed by the nearly 700 grant makers collected on this website. Clicking on one of categories will provide a list of organizations potentially interested in funding in that general category.

BROWSE BY ORGANIZATION - Click on the link to proceed to an alphabetical listing of organizations collected on this website. Clicking on a letter of the alphabet will display the organizations listed under that letter.

FEDERAL & STATE FUNDING SOURCES - Click to be taken to government website links where you can locate and apply for New York state or federal grants.

About Grant Seeking, Philanthropy and Grant Making

Philanthropy is defined as “giving to promote the common good.” When foundations provide funding, it is primarily to established nonprofit organizations, and not to individuals. In fact, nearly all foundations refuse to accept applications from individual grant seekers. There are notable exceptions, such as certain scholarship, fellowship, and award programs, as well as some emergency-aid programs. Please be sure to review all information in an organization’s website carefully before inquiring about a grant. If an organization included in this website does not have a web page, other contact information is provided.

Identifying potential grant sources can be a challenging and lengthy process. Organizations may broadly define their funding interests, but in practice prefer to focus on very particular issues. Most limit their grant making efforts to specific geographic areas. Some accept applications for grants, while others give only to pre-selected organizations.

This website provides information about foundations and organizations which appear to:

Whether you are an individual or a nonprofit organization seeking a grant, keep in mind that the process is a competition. Because grant funds are limited, applying for a grant--grant writing-- often requires expertise. Resources to assist with the grant writing process are available. Check for grant writing assistance publications, either for individuals or for nonprofit organizations at your public library. Publications and assistance can also be found on the internet, either at no cost, or through purchase. As with any internet search, remember to choose resources carefully.

While looking for potential grant sources, note that some organizations do not accept unsolicited proposals or applications, but will accept letters of inquiry. If a foundation is interested in your inquiry, it may invite your organization to submit a formal proposal.

About Grant Searching on this Site

*The interest category “Higher Education” applies to institutions. Seekers of funds to finance a student’s education should search under “Scholarships,” or “Financial Aid & Loans for Education.”

For additional information about scholarships available in your community, visit your school’s guidance office. Most guidance offices maintain detailed lists of available scholarships.

*A foundation experiencing a capital shortfall may indicate on its website that it has temporarily suspended grant making activity. The organization will continue to be listed on this site until such time as it permanently discontinues grant funding.

*Foundations and organizations may rotate or change their funding interests and geographic areas of concern. This may be done regularly or without notice. Consequently, some organizations listed on this website may not be funding in our geographic area or in your category of interest at the time of your search.

*Funding categories have been defined as narrowly as possible, but may not precisely describe an organization’s area of interest. Please review websites carefully before inquiring or applying for grant funds. In some cases, organizations do not have websites, which may require a letter of inquiry before submitting a proposal.

*Some foundations fund in different interest categories over several geographic areas. Where possible, website links provided here direct searchers to web pages that discuss funding possibilities for our area. However, when navigating a foundation’s website for information, be aware that you may “wander” into a funding interest that the foundation will not consider for our area. Similarly, some foundations listed on this website will fund only in limited parts of the 48th New York State Senate District. Please review website information carefully before inquiring or applying for grant funds.

For additional community, business and workforce development resources see:

Other Grant Search Engines & Helps

About Information on this Website

*As with any internet search, remember to scrutinize all information presented by listed foundations or grant makers carefully, particularly those which purport to make grants to individuals, such as scholarships or financial aid of any kind. BEWARE of organizations that seek to obtain private, confidential information; verify an organization’s legitimacy before proceeding or providing any such information.

To assist you with that process, note that the IRS requires all foundations and grant making public charities to file an informational return each year. Private foundations file Form 990-PF; Public Charities file Form 990. These can be accessed at http://www.guidestar.org/services/cc.jsp or http://foundationcenter.org/findfunders/990finder/.

*This website will be updated regularly. However, each foundation follows its own schedule for program review and changes may not be reflected here immediately. Each researcher should determine appropriateness before proceeding with grant inquiries.

*Should you discover a foundation that could be added to the database, or have other suggestions or concerns, please contact our system administrator by clicking the “Contact Us” link at the top of this page and provide that information.

*The inclusion of any foundation on this website does not suggest or constitute endorsement of the entity, its mission, or its processes by SUNY Canton or the office of New York State Senator Darrel Aubertine.