Grant

Opportunities

Behind every dollar we have granted into Adirondack communities, there are dedicated professionals, spirited volunteers, and generous donors. If your organization is working to build stronger communities across the region, we may be able to support you in your work.

People at a gathering with food on tables

Fueling Positive Impact

While each funding opportunity has a specific focus, we fund across our five program areas: basic needs, educational pathways, community and economic vitality, arts and culture, and environment. Scroll down to our Frequently Asked Questions for additional information about your eligibility and the application process.

  • Community members stand in front of a new community center

    Generous Acts Fund

    Supports nonprofit organizations, schools, or municipalities whose work contributes to a strong community.
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  • Group of students pose below love sign

    Adirondack Foreign Language Enhancement Fund

    Supports teachers, students, and schools in French and Spanish language and cultural immersion projects and activities.
    Learn More
  • herbicide being injected into Japanese knotweed stem

    Adirondack Terrestrial Invasive Species Management Grant

    For support of nonprofit organizations and municipalities working to manage terrestrial invasive species in the Adirondack region.
    Learn More
  • a gray-haired man wearing a shirt that says, "Minerva Sleeping Giants" talking with two women

    Community Fund for the Gore Mountain Region

    CFGMR serves nonprofit organizations in the towns of Chester, Horicon, Johnsburg, Minerva, and Schroon.
    Learn More
  • group of people watching a stream restoration demonstration

    Essex Community Fund

    The Essex Community Fund delivers grants annually to nonprofit organizations serving Essex.
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  • family sitting on floor in children's library

    Lake Placid Education Foundation

    Grants are made to schools, both public and private, for different purposes, including scholarships, equipment, or other special needs. Libraries are also supported for collection…
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  • brick high school building

    Saranac Lake Public School Education Fund

    This fund supports individuals and programs that will nurture open minds to an acceptance of differences, in a spirit of serious, respectful inquiry.
    Learn More

  • Small Grants for Small Children Fund

    Strengthens child care services in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton and north Warren counties.
    Learn More
  • shelves at food pantry

    Small Grants for Small Food Pantries Fund

    Provides small infrastructure-related grants to improve the function of regional food pantries.
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  • Special and Urgent Needs (SUN) Fund

    A responsive granting resource that can be deployed to assist Adirondack communities and nonprofits during times of crisis.
    Learn More

  • Uihlein-Ironman Sports Fund

    The Uihlein-Ironman Sports Fund (UISF) of Lake Placid was created by the Henry Uihlein II and Mildred A. Uihlein Foundation, Ironman North America – now…
    Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some of our most asked questions regarding grant applications. If you have more specific questions, please do not hesitate to reach out during the application process.

Our Online Grants Manager makes it fast and easy to apply for grant funding anytime, anywhere and allows for collaboration between the applicant and Adirondack Community Foundation staff. If this is your first time using our Online Grants Manager, please read the instructions and reference materials below carefully before starting an online application. If you need additional help, view this applicant tutorial. If you’ve already created your account, you can access our grants manager directly.

The 501(c)(3) is a section of the tax code which indicates that the IRS has determined an organization to be a charitable not-for-profit entity. When applying through our Online Grants Manager, you must include your EIN Number (Federal Tax ID) upon registering for an account. Nonprofit organizations must pass our due diligence check and be in good standing for their application to be considered.

If you are in the process of obtaining 501(c)(3) status, please contact us for guidance. An award check will not be issued until the IRS has determined your 501(c)(3) status.

We make grants to nonprofits, public agencies, schools, and municipalities in the Adirondack region of New York. A small portion of our grantmaking goes to registered organizations outside the region when directed by our fundholders. Entities who do not have 501(c)(3) status may apply for grant awards to help further work with a clear charitable purpose if they can identify an eligible organization to act as a fiscal sponsor.

If your organization does not have 501(c)(3) status, you might be able to use a fiscal sponsor, which is an organization with 501(c)(3) status and a mission that is supported by your project.
They must be willing to accept money on your behalf, and they would be ultimately responsible for making sure the project is completed and that all grant reports are filed as required. If you need to use a fiscal sponsor, we require the EIN Number from the sponsor’s 501(c)(3) determination letter and a copy of the sponsor’s financial statements with your application.

Many of our grant applications require a program or project budget. You can view a sample budget here. 

Fund advisors and the Adirondack Community Foundation Board of Trustees want to know the impact that our grantmaking is having on individuals and communities served. Was the program a success? How did it affect the community? What were the challenges faced? What could be done differently next time? 

We generally require follow up reports for all grantees. you can submit all grant reports via our Online Grants Manager.

No. But if you have read the grant descriptions and guidelines provided on our website and still have questions about eligibility, you can certainly call or email us for guidance. We do review grant applications and share them with fundholders at the community foundation who have aligned interests through a process called co-giving.

No. Out of fairness to all applicants, we review applications only after the deadline has passed. But if you have specific questions about a grant’s guidelines, you can reach out to us. 

Yes. If you received a grant last year, you will need to submit a final report for that year’s grant before we will consider a new grant application.

The vast majority of Adirondack Community Foundation’s funds do not accept applications for support, as the grantmaking is either advised by a living donor to meet his or her charitable objectives or is predetermined by a specific fund purpose, such as an annual scholarship award or a permanently designated annual grant to a specific organization.
While applicants cannot directly apply to these funds, please know that we do our best to keep our family of funds connected with emerging needs in our communities. If we see an opportunity to share a project or application with a fundholder, we may sometimes do so. We do review grant applications and share them with fundholders at the community foundation who have aligned interests through a process called co-giving.

Grants & Programs Contact

Have Questions? Get in touch.

If you have additional questions about lending your support or applying for a grant or scholarship, contact our Funds & Program Officer, Leslee Mounger.

518.523.9904

[email protected]
See LESLEE’s Bio

Start Making a Difference Today

For more information about giving back to the Adirondacks through the community foundation or to discuss ideas, get in touch with us.

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Photo credit: Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism