GRANT GUIDELINES

WHO CAN APPLY

The Fund for Columbia County welcomes applications for funding from community groups that are in the process of becoming a nonprofit organization or that have recently received nonprofit status. A nonprofit organization is defined as being recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a charitable 501(c)(3) entity.

GRANT INFORMATION

Examples of funded items include but are not limited to:

• Legal fees
• Programming costs
• Equipment and software
• Website development and hosting
• Initial costs of program space
• Outreach/marketing costs
• Consultancies

A group or nonprofit may receive funding from this grant process one time only.

Once legal charitable status is obtained, organizations are invited to apply to the annual Fund for Columbia County grant cycles: Grants for Community Impact and Grants for Aging with Dignity.

AWARDS

The fund will award up to $10,000 on a rolling basis until all funding is expended. Grants will generally range from $500 to $1,500.

TO APPLY

Please send a letter of request and project budget to grants@berkshiretaconic.org. The letter should include the following:

• a mission statement that addresses the community need of the project, who will be served and what towns will be served
• a list of board/committee members
• an indication of where the group is in the process of becoming a 501(c)(3)
• a description of the items requested
• identification of a fiscal sponsor (a nonprofit who can receive funding on your behalf). If your organization is not currently in a relationship with a fiscal sponsor, email grants@berkshiretaconic.org for more information on how you may become eligible.

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 Aging with Dignity: Supports projects that create or enhance a deep, lasting and positive impact on seniors in Columbia County.
• 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.