GRANT GUIDELINES

INTRODUCTION

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, more equitable for all residents of the county. Recognizing the significant needs of seniors in our communities, the Fund for Columbia County established a separate program of Grants for Aging with Dignity in 2018.

GRANTS FOR AGING WITH DIGNITY

We recognize that there is a growing senior population in Columbia County and that seniors with access to a coordinated network of health and social services, along with opportunities for community engagement and employment, are more likely to age with dignity. We welcome applications for new or existing projects, programs or services that focus on building a healthy, fully engaged older citizenry that ultimately benefits all generations and the entire community. We seek to support projects that create or enhance a deep, lasting and positive impact on seniors in Columbia County, with particular emphasis on low-income seniors.

Examples of eligible projects that this funding may support:

• Providing access to the county’s most vulnerable seniors to essential services and benefits that meet their basic needs and promote their physical, mental and financial health and well-being.
• Connecting and engaging seniors with each other, their neighborhoods and community resources.
• Maintaining seniors’ independence and autonomy to avoid premature or unnecessary institutionalization.

Organizations providing services to non-seniors should apply to the Fund for Columbia County's Grants for Community Impact.

Organizations providing services in Red Rock should apply to the Quailwood Fund.

ELIGIBILITY

Note: Organizations are invited to submit one application for either a Community Impact grant or an Aging with Dignity grant.

Proposals are considered from organizations 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.

AWARDS

Grants are for one year and range from $2,500 to $7,500. Requests for multi-year grants will be considered for projects that show exceptional potential for impact.

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)

REPORTING

An assessment of the project’s outcomes will be required once the program or service is complete and before future applications are considered. Interim reports will be required for multi-year grants. The Fund for Columbia County strives to insure the most effective programs and services for the grants awarded.

DEADLINE

The application process opens on Jan. 1. Applications are due Feb. 15.

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. We 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?

ADDITIONAL FUND FOR COLUMBIA COUNTY GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

• Grants for Community Impact: Support projects that create or enhance a deep, lasting and positive impact on the residents of Columbia County.
• Grants for New Nonprofits: Provides funding for community groups that are in the process of becoming a nonprofit organization.
• Skilling the Gap: Aims to expand the depth of career-oriented learning in Columbia and Greene counties by creating opportunities for educators, nonprofits and employers to learn together and take action.