OVERVIEW: The Westchester Community Foundation supports workforce development, basic needs, youth development, arts and culture, social justice, legal services, environment, technical assistance, and health in the Westchester region of New York.
FUNDING AREAS: Workforce development, basic needs, youth development, arts and culture, social justice, legal services, environment, technical assistance, health
IP TAKE: This community funder is backed by the expertise of the New York Community Trust and is an excellent one to know for nearly any nonprofit need in the Westchester region.
PROFILE: Established in 1975 the Westchester Community Foundation (WCF) is a community foundation based in Hartsdale, New York. It is a division of the New York Community Trust. WCF “connects generous people to the causes they care about and invests in transformative ideas and organizations to improve lives and strengthen our community.” The funder supports local efforts for workforce development, basic needs, youth development, arts and culture, social justice, legal services, environment, technical assistance, and health.
The Westchester Community Foundation maintains a discretionary grants program that supports the local community. The promising futures grant program invests in workforce development, job placement, access to legal services, basic human needs, self-sufficiency, and youth development. The thriving communities grant program funds arts and culture, social justice, conservation and the environment, and technical assistance. The healthy lives program supports reducing health disparities and healthcare systems. WCF also funds special projects on an invitation-only basis.
Grants range between about $10,000 and $100,000. Learn more about this funder’s local giving on the foundation’s grant listing. Grantmaking focuses on Westchester communities and the eight counties of the downstate New York region. Past local grantees include Aisling Irish Community Center, Tarrytown Music Hall, Untermyer Gardens Conservancy, and the Youth Shelter Program of Westchester.
This foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits, and the application process is conducted online. Letter of inquiry deadlines typically fall in October, December, February, and June. New grants are announced in the latter parts of the months of February, April, June, and October for those cycles. The foundation recommends speaking with a program officer before submitting a proposal to discuss a project and the amount of a request. Direct general questions to the staff at info@wcf-ny.org or 914-948-5166.
PEOPLE:
Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).
LINKS: