GRANT GUIDELINES

INTRODUCTION

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation established the Fund for Columbia County in 1998 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.

GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY IMPACT

Through its Grants for Community Impact, the fund supports projects that further youth development, services for the elderly, 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.

The Fund for Columbia County invites applications for new or existing projects, programs or services that have a deep, lasting, and positive impact on the residents of Columbia County, with particular emphasis on low-income and/or underserved adults and children.

New in 2024: The committee will also consider requests for general operating support from previous FCC grantees whose follow-up reports are in good standing.

Organizations requesting to renew funding for a previous FCC-funded program should reach out to Kelly Sweet (ksweet@berkshiretaconic.org) for access to our Renewal Application.

We welcome applications from a single organization or collaborative partnerships. We believe that organizations can achieve more working together than they can alone and that collaborations can save resources and make organizations more powerful in their collective focus.

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

ELIGIBILITY

Note: An organization may submit only one application to FCC in 2024. The next cycle of School to Work funding will open in January 2025.

Proposals are considered from nonprofits, civic entities, schools, and community organizations serving the residents of Columbia County who meet the following criteria:

• For project funding, organizations must either be 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.
• For general operating support, organizations must have 501(c)3 status for a minimum of 2 years and have received prior FCC grant funding.

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 generally range from $2,500 to $10,000. Requests for larger amounts will be considered for projects that show exceptional potential for impact.

We recognize that a longer timeline may be required to achieve an impact, and organizations will be eligible to apply for renewed funding in future years.

Funding will only support full-time residents of Columbia County. If your program serves a wider catchment area, please indicate what percentage of the program will serve Columbia County.

This program will not fund:

• Annual appeals, 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. 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. 5. 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.

• Impact: What needs are being addressed? What is the potential impact of the project or service? Is it well conceived? Is it innovative?
• Equity:  We believe in projects that foster trust and community engagement and look for organizations that incorporate a diversity of culture, philosophy and experience in their work. Priority will be given to projects and organizations serving underserved and marginalized communities, including populations that are BIPOC, low-income, geographically isolated, LGBTQIA+, living with disabilities, refugees, or immigrants.
• Feasibility: Does the applicant demonstrate the capacity to successfully execute the project? Does it involve leaders or organizations with relevant experience? Will there be appropriate staff or volunteers involved? Is it cost effective?