Sustainable Finger Lakes is accepting applications for its 2026 the Neighborhood Mini-Grants in Schuyler, Seneca, and Yates Counties, for local residents who seek to improve quality of life in their neighborhoods and need a little help covering the costs.
Donor Name: Sustainable Finger Lakes
State: New York
County: Schuyler County (NY), Seneca County (NY), Yates County (NY)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 05/01/2026
Size of the Grant: Not Available
Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year
Details:
The Neighborhood Mini-Grant Program was designed to stimulate resident-based, grassroots initiatives that improve quality of life and long-term health in local communities, promote environmental stewardship and local resilience, generate collaboration between differing groups, and create opportunities for leadership and civic engagement. Since its launch in 2008, it has awarded more than $100,000 in 246 grants to innovative grassroots projects throughout Tompkins County. The program’s Keuka and Seneca Watersheds Chapter, serving Schuyler, Seneca, and Yates Counties, launched in Fall 2025 with six grants supporting public pollinator gardens in Schuyler County, a network of neighbors helping neighbors in Interlaken, health-monitoring equipment for loan at the Dundee Library, and carts at the Lodi Food Pantry.
Grant supports initiatives such as promoting sustainable food systems, alternative transportation, waste reduction/reuse, energy conservation/fossil fuel use reduction, environmental education, community development, and addressing social and economic inequality.
Funding Information
Grants range from $150 to $750.
Eligibility Criteria
Individuals, organizations, and neighborhood groups are welcome to apply, as are local microbusinesses seeking to green their operations or extend their products or services to low-income clientele. Priority is given to new and/or small entities with limited access to funding. Grants may be used for supplies and other expenses, but not for salaries or stipends.
For more information, visit Sustainable Finger Lakes.
