Library Grant Cycle applicants can register and access applications and reports through GLM, our new online grant management platform.
Click button below for guidelines.
This grant cycle was inspired by the Bernard Carl and Shirley Rosen Library Fund which seeks to promote genuine intellectual curiosity and a lifelong love of reading and learning, by promoting greater and easier access by youth to local libraries. Eligible applicants are the 33 public libraries in Cayuga, Cortland, Seneca, Tioga and Tompkins counties, the 5 counties of the Finger Lakes Library System.
Application Deadline: newly re-opened for the remainder of 2024, by invitation only after consultation with staff
We have re-opened our off-cycle funding requests for the remainder of 2024. Off-cycle grants are those submitted outside the regular grant application cycles due to urgent or unforeseen needs. This process is designed to ensure that urgent needs can be addressed promptly while maintaining transparency and accountability in our grantmaking activities. Most off-cycle requests in 2024, if approved, will be funded from donor advised funds since the Community Foundation has already expended all discretionary dollars budgeted for this year.
Eligibility Criteria
1. Urgency: The request must address an immediate, unforeseen need or opportunity that cannot wait until the next regular grant cycle.
2. Alignment with Mission: The request must align with the foundation’s mission and funding priorities.
3. Financial Need: The requesting organization must demonstrate a clear financial need and inability to defer the request until the next grant cycle.
Submission Process
1. Initial Inquiry:
o Interested applicants should first contact foundation staff to discuss the nature and urgency of the request. Please contact Gloria Coicou, Chief Engagement, Equity & Grants Officer, at gcoicou@cftompkins.org
o Staff will provide preliminary feedback on eligibility and process.
2. Application Submission:
o Eligible applicants will be provided with a private off-cycle grant request link to an online application.
o Applicants must complete the application, providing detailed information on the need, proposed use of funds, expected outcomes, and alignment with the foundation’s mission.
o Include all required supporting documentation, such as budgets, financial statements, and proof of urgent need.
3. Submission Deadline:
o Off-cycle requests can be submitted at any time but must clearly justify why they cannot wait until the next regular grant cycle.
o Submit the completed application and supporting documents through our online portal.
o Requests will be processed and answered within 30 days.
*POSTPONED* 2024 Resilient Communities - Fall Grant Cycle
Application Deadline: *PLEASE NOTE UPDATED SPECIAL NOTICE* The Fall Grant Cycle will not occur in 2024.
Due to an overwhelming response during our Spring Cycle, we have allocated all but $5,000 of our annual budget to meet the community’s needs in the first half of the year.
As a result, our Fall Grant Cycle will not be held in 2024. This decision has not been made lightly, and we understand the impact it may have on organizations seeking support. We also want to make sure that we are not asking work of applicants which would not result in meaningful grant amounts.
The high demand for funding has demonstrated the critical importance of donors who contribute to our Tompkins Today and Tomorrow Fund who enable our work and the incredible initiatives being undertaken in our community. We have also cut our operational expense budget by 9%.
If you have questions or concerns we encourage you to contact us so that we can hear, respond to, and learn from them. Thank you. Please contact Gloria Coicou, Chief Engagement, Equity & Grants Officer, at gcoicou@cftompkins.org
Eligible applicants include 501 (c)(3) organizations, school districts, municipalities, and faith communities (only for programs available to all). Prospective applicants not in these organizational forms may secure a fiscal sponsorship relationship from an entity in these categories to become eligible. Eligibility is limited to those organizations serving the greater Tompkins County, NY communities.
Each grant cycle application is reviewed by a community-represented review team that will provide feedback for the applicant. All grant cycle grants will require a written report at the end of the grant period.
Grant Range: $500-$10,000, depending on number of applications received
GRANT CYCLE GUIDELINES
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
FALL ’23 GRANT CYCLE Q&A
HELP WITH GRANTWRITING’ WORKSHOP
Questions about your grant application? Questions about eligibility, capacity, or other opportunities? Make an appointment with Gloria to connect and collaborate! YOUR PARTICIPATION IS VOLUNTARY. ONLY SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT IF YOU TRULY NEED SUPPORT WITH THE GRANT PROCESS. YOUR PARTICIPATION HAS NO IMPACT ON ANY FUNDING DECISIONS. Schedule your appointment HERE!
This cycle will provide flexible unrestricted support to organizations meeting community needs, some longstanding, some new, or revealed in the aftermath of the pandemic. This Grant Cycle makes grants from the Community Foundation’s Tompkins, Today, and Tomorrow Fund as well as varied donor advised and field of interest funds.
Please contact Chief Inclusion & Community Engagement Officer Gloria Coicou, at gcoicou@cftompkins.org if you have questions related to this grant cycle. Technical Support questions should be directed to Administrative Manager, Madeline Rosas at admin@cftompkins.org
OFF-CYCLE REQUESTS MADE DURING ACTIVE GRANT CYCLES WILL BE DIRECTED TO APPLY TO THE CURRENT CYCLE.
Prior Year (2022) Resilient Communities Fall Grant Cycle
2023 Grant Report Due: Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at 5pm.
