The Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation is accepting grant applications to help strengthen communities and improve the quality of life for everyone in Columbia County.
Donor Name: Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (BTCF)
State: New York
County: Columbia County (NY)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 02/15/2024
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation established the Fund for Columbia County in 1999 to help strengthen communities and improve the quality of life for everyone in Columbia County. The fund serves as a resource to help organizations create and implement programs that make life safer, healthier, and more equitable for all residents of the county.
Through its Grants for Community Impact, the fund supports projects that further youth development, economic equity, civic and community engagement, arts and cultural programming that focuses on community engagement, education, the environment, and health and social services that directly impact the people of Columbia County.
Funding Information
Grants are for one year and range from $2,500 to $7,500. Requests for larger amounts and/or multi-year grants will be considered for projects that show exceptional potential for impact.
Eligibility Criteria
- Proposals are considered from nonprofits, civic entities, schools, and community organizations serving the residents of Columbia County who meet the following criteria:
- In operation as a nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status or in an established fiscal sponsorship arrangement with a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
- Community groups may apply under the fiscal umbrella of a nonprofit organization.
- Neither the Fund for Columbia County nor Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation supports organizations which in their constitution, by-laws or practice discriminate against a person or group on the basis of age, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender/gender identity, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or religious belief.
Review Criteria
Applications will be reviewed fairly and competitively by the Fund for Columbia County advisory committee. Decisions will be made based on where grants can have the largest impact and leverage. The selected recommendations will be reviewed by Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation’s board of directors. Selections are based on the review criteria stated below.
- Community Impact: What is the potential impact of the project or service? What needs does it address? Is it a critical program or initiative at this time? How does it engage the community? Does it foster trust and collaborative civic participation?
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Priority will be given to projects serving marginalized, underserved and under-resourced populations, including communities of color, low-income, geographically isolated, LGBTQIA+, individuals with disabilities, refugees, and immigrants. They believe in projects that develop and maintain community connections and look for organizations that incorporate diverse cultures, philosophies and experiences across their programming.
- Caliber: Is the proposal well conceived? Is it innovative and/or creative? Does it involve individuals or organizations with relevant experience? Is it cost effective?
- Feasibility: Can the applicant demonstrate the capacity to initiate and successfully complete the project? Will there be appropriate staff members or volunteers involved?
Ineligibility
This program will not fund:
- Annual funds, capital campaigns or endowments
- Expenses that have already been incurred
- Bricks and mortar
- Private operating foundations
- For-profit organizations
- Religious organizations (Please note grants may be made to support non-religious, community focused programs provided through faith-based organizations).
For more information, visit BTCF.
