The Albany-Schenectady-Troy metro area of New York is one of the state’s most populous regions and a center for state government. This area is known for its history dating back to the 1600s and, more recently, as a tech hub with a growing population of young professionals. Meanwhile, a community foundation based in Albany has been supporting local residents since 1968.
Here are some details about the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region (CFGCR) and what nonprofits can do to secure a grant from this funder.
Recent impact
At the time of writing, CFGCR has over $97 million in assets and manages more than 420 separate charitable funds. Since the foundation’s earliest days, it has given out over $100 million in grants and scholarships. In a recent year, the foundation awarded over $10.7 million to more than 1,600 nonprofits and scholarship recipients. Considering all of this, CFGCR is certainly a significant grantmaker in the area which helps anchor the local philanthropic community.
Current grant opportunities
Nonprofits have multiple opportunities to get involved with CFGCR via its numerous funds that accept grant requests. The foundation lists funding opportunities on its website along with deadlines, and each opportunity has its own process and relevant dates.
For example, the Niskayuna Community Foundation mini-grants program accepts applications on a rolling basis with no pre-application required, while the Nonprofit Training and Advancement Fund provides one-time $500 grants to support front-line human services workers. Other opportunities exist with the Hortense and Louis Rubin Community Health Fund, Bender Scientific Fund, Arnold Cogswell Health Care Fund, Community Foundation Impact Grants, Bethlehem Central Community Foundation Classroom Innovation Grants and other funds.
Responsive to urgent needs
Like many community foundations, CFGCR responds to urgent and emergency needs by designating separate funding resources when the situation calls for it. For example, CFGCR established a COVID-19 response fund during the pandemic to provide flexible resources to organizations working on behalf of disproportionately affected people. CFGCR typically relies on local companies, individuals and other foundations to provide the donations that make these emergency funds possible.
Community initiatives
In addition to grants and scholarships, CFGCR also hosts various community initiatives. It created the Nonprofit Board Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiative in 2019 to help nonprofits looking to promote DEI among their leadership. Another initiative, Community Indicators: Getting to Know the Capital Region, is a joint project of CFGCR and the Capital District Regional Planning Commission, Capital Region Chamber of Commerce and Capital District Transportation Committee to better understand the local community and its needs. Other recent initiatives involve nonprofit leadership training, support for the creative economy, gaining accurate census data, poverty and housing.
We offer a full profile of the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region in our New York City and Tri-State funding guide. Visit the foundation’s website for the most current information about grant guidelines and deadlines.